2017 Offseason Thread 4.0 - Free Agent Frenzy Time

[Stimpythecat]

Oops, I typoed. Can't be done at the same time as #2.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Meanwhile a number of west conference teams got significantly better. We will be very hard pressed to be a playoff team without any other players added.

Some teams haven't done much thus far. Anaheim's biggest addition was a backup goalie. Sharks haven't added anyone, neither has Edmonton, be hard to say if any of Chicago's additions have made them better.

It's still July, I'm not sure if rosters are finalized quite yet.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Does his time away from the club count against the years on his contract? Or would we still have the term that we had on him when he left?

Thanks for the breakdown on the process, Stimpy. It actually doesn't seem too lofty an expectation, given that I believe he'd have a better chance at gaining a reentry visa than your "ordinary" criminal due to his job and economic status once he gets back in the states. The time is ~9 months if the application process can't be run concurrently. Not that long.

Seems like they should start the reentry process now, while he's playing his last year on his KHL contract.

Always welcome.

As I understand it, Voynov forfeited his contract when he left which is similar to the Kovalchuk situation. Kings still hold his rights. So he would sign with the kings and the kings either keep him or trade him.

The kings would need cap space to sign him though. This doesn't take into consideration any NHL and team suspension. It's a virtual guarantee he would be suspended.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Sharks got worse. Kings marginally got better via what signings the kings did do. But the biggest improvement is health and a new coach. The players tuned out Sutter.

In the Carey Price thread, people defending that contract were saying how important a good goalie is (but they are fast to critique the kings go figure ). We lost Quick for 60 games and our normal back up crapped the bed. A healthy Quick and an average backup is a significant improvement by itself.

 

[KingTrouty]

Always welcome.

As I understand it, Voynov forfeited his contract when he left which is similar to the Kovalchuk situation. Kings still hold his rights. So he would sign with the kings and the kings either keep him or trade him.

The kings would need cap space to sign him though. This doesn't take into consideration any NHL and team suspension. It's a virtual guarantee he would be suspended.

Ah, yes. I forgot about the NHL's reaction. He'd probably get a one year suspension.

It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Sharks got worse. Kings marginally got better via what signings the kings did do. But the biggest improvement is health and a new coach. The players tuned out Sutter.

In the Carey Price thread, people defending that contract were saying how important a good goalie is (but they are fast to critique the kings go figure ). We lost Quick for 60 games and our normal back up crapped the bed. A healthy Quick and an average backup is a significant improvement by itself.

That's pretty much the thing. Provided health and normalcy, I put our top players up against anyone in the Western Conference and feel fine about it. There's no one Kopi/Carter doesn't match up with, Drew is the best d-man out here, and Quick can win games on his own. The question isn't does the ability exist, it's whether they can fulfill it, and if we can get even modest contributions from depth/ELC players.

 

[Kingspiracy]

If you could pick up a 2/3 c that's 6,4 220, 29 years old, signed for 5years at just under 4mill, scored 23 goals last year, (but out half the season this year after surgery) for the cost of clifford and a 2nd, would you pull the trigger?

Perhaps the St louis whipping boy could fit here?

 

[Basilisk]

If you could pick up a 2/3 c that's 6,4 220, 29 years old, signed for 5years at just under 4mill, scored 23 goals last year, (but out half the season this year after surgery) for the cost of clifford and a 2nd, would you pull the trigger?

Perhaps the St louis whipping boy could fit here?

I'd do it. I'd give them Lewis, too. But I also want us to sign Yakupov to a 3-year, $2.7m per deal, so what the hell do I know?

 

[Johnny Utah]

These are very subtle moves but I like them so far.

Cammy
Kuemper
Frolin

Way better than
Purcell
Latta
Trotman
Zatkoff
Gilbert
Setoguchi

Honestly though none of this helps unless the Kings inject some youth. Last year was supposed to be that year and instead the veterans played and Kings signed Setoguchi. Terrible.

We need to see Kempe, Brodzinski, MacDermid, Mersch, and Auger. At least three of those need to be full time.

 

[CanadianKingsFan14]

These are very subtle moves but I like them so far.

Cammy
Kuemper
Frolin

Way better than
Purcell
Latta

Trotman
Zatkoff
Gilbert
Setoguchi

Honestly though none of this helps unless the Kings inject some youth. Last year was supposed to be that year and instead the veterans played and Kings signed Setoguchi. Terrible.

We need to see Kempe, Brodzinski, MacDermid, Mersch, and Auger. At least three of those need to be full time.

You can add Calvin Petersen, Alex Iafallo and Oscar Fantenberg to that list too.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

If you could pick up a 2/3 c that's 6,4 220, 29 years old, signed for 5years at just under 4mill, scored 23 goals last year, (but out half the season this year after surgery) for the cost of clifford and a 2nd, would you pull the trigger?

Perhaps the St louis whipping boy could fit here?

No idea why St Louis would do that, but I'm in.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I'd do it. I'd give them Lewis, too. But I also want us to sign Yakupov to a 3-year, $2.7m per deal, so what the hell do I know?

Lewis also? 3 year? 2.7 per?

That rubbish gets a solid 5

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

He was probably one of those who also wanted Filatov at #2 in 2008 over Doughty.

 

[Reclamation Project]

We should've traded down!

 

[The Tikkanen]

I think it's time to officially change the name of free agent frenzy since the Kings do the same thing every July. You can't call it a frenzy when you open the doors from the board room and announce you signed Teddy Purcell who a bad Edmonton team did not want or Mike Cammalleri who a bad New Jersey team couldn't even trade then bought him out. I'm thinking Free Agent Recycling since we're in SoCal and we care about the environment. You give us your trash and we'll try to make something out of it.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Thankfully, the Avs signed Yakupov. So much for the Eklund rumor. Let that be a lesson to any of you gullible types who are desperate for hockey news and give his site clicks. And we can put the silly suggestions of plugging Yakupov on the top line to rest. What a terrible idea.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I think it's time to officially change the name of free agent frenzy since the Kings do the same thing every July. You can't call it a frenzy when you open the doors from the board room and announce you signed Teddy Purcell who a bad Edmonton team did not want or Mike Cammalleri who a bad New Jersey team couldn't even trade then bought him out. I'm thinking Free Agent Recycling since we're in SoCal and we care about the environment. You give us your trash and we'll try to make something out of it.

Let's be honest, this year's class of free agents is complete crap. You wouldn't prefer to see them spend over $6M or $8M on a Marleau or Thornton, do you? They can't sign a Radulov. There's really nothing that was out there that made any sense. What do you suggest they should've done?

 

[KingsHockey24]

I think it's time to officially change the name of free agent frenzy since the Kings do the same thing every July. You can't call it a frenzy when you open the doors from the board room and announce you signed Teddy Purcell who a bad Edmonton team did not want or Mike Cammalleri who a bad New Jersey team couldn't even trade then bought him out. I'm thinking Free Agent Recycling since we're in SoCal and we care about the environment. You give us your trash and we'll try to make something out of it.

We signed a solid #6D who many Wild fans think can be a top 4 for under 1M; then we signed a potential 20 goal scorer for a cheap 1 year contract. I don't see how any of that can be considered bad.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

We signed a solid #6D who many Wild fans think can be a top 4 for under 1M; then we signed a potential 20 goal scorer for a cheap 1 year contract. I don't see how any of that can be considered bad.

Every July 1, there are like 2-4 real impact players. And all of them have some drawbacks. And all of them get overblown contracts in terms of dollars and some in term length. Some of them are 35+ in age as well.

The best signees end up being a player like Folin. Hitting prime and had some injuries
and limited games. The Kings were trying to trade for him last year and the Wild
didn't want to deal him for whatever the Kings offered.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

We signed a solid #6D who many Wild fans think can be a top 4 for under 1M; then we signed a potential 20 goal scorer for a cheap 1 year contract. I don't see how any of that can be considered bad.

I'm interpreting it as we 'missed' something, in this case likely Thornton. But at 8 m...we should be thankful in some ways that UFA day has mostly saved us from ourselves, even during DL's tenure (whiffing on Kovalchuk, Brad Richards, etc.).

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Every July 1, there are like 2-4 real impact players. And all of them have some drawbacks. And all of them get overblown contracts in terms of dollars and some in term length. Some of them are 35+ in age as well.

The best signees end up being a player like Folin. Hitting prime and had some injuries
and limited games. The Kings were trying to trade for him last year and the Wild
didn't want to deal him for whatever the Kings offered.

This.

Last year this board was complaining about the budget signings like Stempniak, Versteeg. We got those guys this time--and if we didn't, they can be buried.

 

[johnjm22]

Let's be honest, this year's class of free agents is complete crap. You wouldn't prefer to see them spend over $6M or $8M on a Marleau or Thornton, do you? They can't sign a Radulov. There's really nothing that was out there that made any sense. What do you suggest they should've done?

Hanzal/Bonino could have made sense for 3C. Their contracts aren't ridiculous.

I've always heard that Markov wants to stay in the east but he would be an intriguing option. Wants a high dollar amount but only for 2 years. He is still very good. Could have given us the flexibility to trade Amart for a forward.

Then you still had some other options like Vanek/Jagr/Boyle/Vrbrata that could be considered.

I never criticize a GM for NOT signing UFA's. It takes two to sign. The player actually has to want to come here, but I am pointing out that there are some reasonable options out there.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Spending over $4M on a third line C would not have been a very wise move. The Kings aren't in any position to tie their hands with any more bad contracts. Better to wait on opportunities to acquire players in the trade market who may become available.

Also need to see how the likes of Kempe and Brodzinski are in they'd development and where they fit into the lineup. In addition to needing more results from the veterans, they also need guys like Shore, Dowd, LaDue, Gravel, etc., to all prove that they belong and hopefully make the team look smart in not overspending on free agents to fill holes.

There's no denying this team needs to be stronger down the middle, on the blueline, in net, and they need offebsuve help in addition to all that.

It is possible to find all of that from within, the potential is there, but as we all know from what we've witnessed over the past three years, nothing is guaranteed.

I'm just not losing any sleep over who the Kings missed out on signing or who's still available. This UFA market was **** and teams are committing to some regrettable contracts.

Plus I think these signings are better and safer risks than bringing in the likes of Purcell, Zatkoff, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta and Setoguchi. They're more akin to scraping up the bottom of the barrel. Cammalleri can rebound and add some much needed offense. Folin is an NHL defenseman, and they've made additions that will also help stockpile the barren cupboard of prospects and strengthen the Reign while also icing a younger team there with potential.

I'm actually more optimistic now than I've been the past couple of summers where every transaction seemed to be short sighted.

 

[johnjm22]

Spending over $4M on a third line C would not have been a very wise move. The Kings aren't in any position to tie their hands with any more bad contracts. Better to wait on opportunities to acquire players in the trade market who may become available.

Also need to see how the likes of Kempe and Brodzinski are in they'd development and where they fit into the lineup. In addition to needing more results from the veterans, they also need guys like Shore, Dowd, LaDue, Gravel, etc., to all prove that they belong and hopefully make the team look smart in not overspending on free agents to fill holes.

There's no denying this team needs to be stronger down the middle, on the blueline, in net, and they need offebsuve help in addition to all that.

It is possible to find all of that from within, the potential is there, but as we all know from what we've witnessed over the past three years, nothing is guaranteed.

I'm just not losing any sleep over who the Kings missed out on signing or who's still available. This UFA market was **** and teams are committing to some regrettable contracts.

Plus I think these signings are better and safer risks than bringing in the likes of Purcell, Zatkoff, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta and Setoguchi. They're more akin to scraping up the bottom of the barrel. Cammalleri can rebound and add some much needed offense. Folin is an NHL defenseman, and they've made additions that will also help stockpile the barren cupboard of prospects and strengthen the Reign while also icing a younger team there with potential.

I'm actually more optimistic now than I've been the past couple of summers where every transaction seemed to be short sighted.

Unless you think Amadio is going to be ready for 3C duty very soon, then I think adding someone like Hanzal in free agency makes plenty of sense.

I still don't understand why people are upset about the signings of Purcell, Zatkoff, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta and Setoguchi. They're ZERO risk. You're throwing some **** against the wall and seeing if any of it sticks. If it doesn't, so what?

 

[HookKing]

Unless you think Amadio is going to be ready for 3C duty very soon, then I think adding someone like Hanzal in free agency makes plenty of sense.

I still don't understand why people are upset about the signings of Purcell, Zatkoff, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta and Setoguchi. They're ZERO risk. You're throwing some **** against the wall and seeing if any of it sticks. If it doesn't, so what?

Kings are unlikely to go anywhere this year without a solid 3C. That is the number 1 hole on the team. You can't put the entire burden of down the middle defense on Kopitar alone. Sutter ran him into the ground and I see nothing at this point that will change that.