Rumor: 2018-19 Kings News/Rumors/Tidbits

[redcard]

The obvious solution is to have Lucic traded to the Ducks. Everyone wins.

Everyone that matters, at least.

 

[YP44]

The obvious solution is to have Lucic traded to the Ducks. Everyone wins.

Everyone that matters, at least.

Lucic + for Perry

 

[Noonan61]

Lucic lives in the South Bay and trains in Torrance with Moreau's brother. Dude has been seen in many photos with current Kings this offseason. I think during his interview on Spittin'chichlets he even said he and his family have found there forever home in Hermosa/Manhattan so the man would love to be back here, but I agree with everyone's complaint, dudes just too slow for the game now.

 

[lexlavender]

There is a number I'd take Lucic for, it's just unlikely that he'd ever get traded for that low retention and the assets required to make it worth while.

But I think he'd have a bit of resurgence on our team, which plays his speed and his style. Kopitar-Toffoli-Lucic produced very well only two years ago. I think he's better than his numbers last year, and bringing him back to an area he clearly loves could be the boost he needs.

 

[kovacro]

Lucic lives in the South Bay and trains in Torrance with Moreau's brother.

I wonder if Lucic knows Eddie Adams?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Lucic at Clifford’s value, sure. Taking him on at $4M as he deteriorated and becomes a cap burden? No thanks.

 

[Stimpythecat]

The only way I can see him back is if he's bought out and then signs for very cheap. The cap hit on that would be insane going forward so it would have to be a free compliance buyout. Maybe there's one after the next work stoppage. (2020?)

Even if Kovalchuk is a bust, his contract is only 3 years. Lucic has 5 more years.

 

[Reaper45]

This is probably out there but the morning show guys on Sportnet 960 here in Calgary just brought up how Lucic requested a deal last season. I remember that being rumored last year but they mentioned a wrinkle I had never heard before. They said Lucic's wife and kids moved back to LA mid season last year. Has anyone else heard that?

As someone who used to live in Edmonton I feel for those fans. They have so much passion but why would a player want to play in Edmonton over other destinations that would have a beach, Broadway or you know less than 8 months of ****ty weather. Living in Edmonton depressed the hell out of me and I didn't have millions of money to make my life interesting.

Anyway. With max retention (or even retention to bring him to like 4-4.5M) I would have welcomed him back. Not now that LA has Kovalchuk.

I would still take him back at that price, 4-4.5 per.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Lucic had 10 goals and 34 points this past season.

Trevor Lewis scored 14 goals.

Trevor Lewis didn't get to play with Connor McDavid.

Is Trevor Lewis worth in excess of $4M?

Those 5 remaining years that take Lucic until he is 35 is quite unappealing.

Looking down the road in a few years, Vilardi will be coming off his ELC, Toffoli, Pearson, Muzzin and Forbort will be eligible to become UFAs, as will Martinez, Lewis and Kovalchuk.

Cal Petersen will have to be re-signed, as well as other RFAs who may be due for raises.

I'd rather not handcuff the team into another Gaborik like deal for a guy with a bad back and skates like he's lugging a boat anchor.

 

[go4hockey]

I would still take him back at that price, 4-4.5 per.

Even if you got him back at that salary it would be a contract we regret as soon as he got back here. He is big slow and only going to get worse over the remainder of his contract. Never want to see him in a King jersey again.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I really liked how productive the line of Lucic-Kopitar-Toffoli was, but my god, that playoff performance and Lucic in particular was so disappointing. We thought some playoff beast was coming in, but the Sharks skated circles around the Kings, who put on an embarrassing performance. And Lucic was on top of that list of embarrassments, which is why so many were glad he wasn't brought back and retained at a ridiculous price and term.

 

[Stimpythecat]

For purposes of argument, let's say he's available to be back at $4 million. Where is he going to play now that Kovalchuk is signed? Kovalchuk is a 1st line player. Break up that 70s line? Move Brown to 3rd line again after he got a career high in points?

Brown off a career year is the net front presence on 1st line. Pearson is for 2nd line.

There's no room for Lucic on the roster, especially not at $4 million. I certainly wouldn't trade anything for him at this point as much as I like the snarl he brings.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

For purposes of argument, let's say he's available to be back at $4 million. Where is he going to play now that Kovalchuk is signed? Kovalchuk is a 1st line player. Break up that 70s line? Move Brown to 3rd line again after he got a career high in points?

Brown off a career year is the net front presence on 1st line. Pearson is for 2nd line.

There's no room for Lucic on the roster, especially not at $4 million. I certainly wouldn't trade anything for him at this point as much as I like the snarl he brings.

If we were to draw up a hypothetical lineup with Lucic in and say Thompson and/or Clifford gone. I would guess something like this.

Kovalchuk-Kopitar-Brown
Lucic-Carter-Toffoli
Pearson-Vilardi-Kempe
Iafallo-Amadio-Lewis

But alas, even at $4M, I don't like it, mainly due to the five remaining years. If Lucic couldn't produce consistently with McDavid, wouldn't that scare you off that maybe Lucic is gradually slowing down? Or maybe rapidly? We witnessed the struggles of Dustin Brown until he bounced back, but then you had another bad 30+ contract in Gaborik that the Kings were fortunate to get out of, in exchange for another albatross contract, albeit for a player who is still at least serviceable.

 

[Stimpythecat]

I agree. I don't like it.

The cap doesn't work at $4 million even with Clifford and tompson gone. they have to be replaced, so the savings from them isn't much. And we'd still have Brickley, Kempe, Iafallo, rempal, etc. coming off ELCs next summer. That would require 2 mid level contracts out rather than just one due to having to pay lucic in order to sign those RFAs.

As much as I like that Lucic loves LA, I like him even better on the Oilers.

 

[YP44]

I would still take him back at that price, 4-4.5 per.

I would have prior to getting Kovalchuk. Not now.

 

[YP44]

For purposes of argument, let's say he's available to be back at $4 million. Where is he going to play now that Kovalchuk is signed? Kovalchuk is a 1st line player. Break up that 70s line? Move Brown to 3rd line again after he got a career high in points?

Brown off a career year is the net front presence on 1st line. Pearson is for 2nd line.

There's no room for Lucic on the roster, especially not at $4 million. I certainly wouldn't trade anything for him at this point as much as I like the snarl he brings.

completely agree with this.

 

[YP44]

If we were to draw up a hypothetical lineup with Lucic in and say Thompson and/or Clifford gone. I would guess something like this.

Kovalchuk-Kopitar-Brown
Lucic-Carter-Toffoli
Pearson-Vilardi-Kempe
Iafallo-Amadio-Lewis

But alas, even at $4M, I don't like it, mainly due to the five remaining years. If Lucic couldn't produce consistently with McDavid, wouldn't that scare you off that maybe Lucic is gradually slowing down? Or maybe rapidly? We witnessed the struggles of Dustin Brown until he bounced back, but then you had another bad 30+ contract in Gaborik that the Kings were fortunate to get out of, in exchange for another albatross contract, albeit for a player who is still at least serviceable.

Keep in mind I do not think there is a spot for Lucic back here. I only brought all this up as i find it interesting his family moved to LA area and he maybe asked for a trade.

That said I think Lucic is a perfect candidate for a Brown type of bounceback, and if I was Edmonton I wouldn't have him with McDavid. Sometimes star players are not always easiest to play with. Look at Crosby and the cycle of wingers he has had. When the Pens do bring in top talent they usually try them with Crosby but then they end up on the 2nd or 3rd lines. Plus McDavid is such a fast player he needs to play with fast wingers.

 

[Docgonzo]

Yeah I’d only take Lucic back if he came off a buyout and cost 1-1.5mil. I like him but we can’t afford more over 30 players unless it’s 1-2 years.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Taking a stab of what the potential lines may be for the rookie tournament.

Eyssimont-Vilardi-Thomas
Rempal-Anderson-Dolan-Dudas
Maillet-Rymsha-Luff
Wagner-Morrison-Watson
Imama-Rassell-Bauman
Dunkley

Clague-Brickley
Moverare-Strand
Phillips-Walker
Reddekopp-Ivan


Villata-Kehler-Ingham

 

[Butch 19]

Lucic lives in the South Bay and trains in Torrance with Moreau's brother. Dude has been seen in many photos with current Kings this offseason. I think during his interview on Spittin'chichlets he even said he and his family have found there forever home in Hermosa/Manhattan so the man would love to be back here, but I agree with everyone's complaint, dudes just too slow for the game now.

You say "dude" a lot.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Unless you're trading Pearson in what would have to end up being a more complicated multi-player/asset deal with the Oilers, I don't see where Lucic would fit.

 

[Vino]

Taking a stab of what the potential lines may be for the rookie tournament.

Eyssimont-Vilardi-Thomas
Rempal-Anderson-Dolan-Dudas
Maillet-Rymsha-Luff
Wagner-Morrison-Watson
Imama-Rassell-Bauman
Dunkley

Clague-Brickley
Moverare-Strand
Phillips-Walker
Reddekopp-Ivan


Villata-Kehler-Ingham

That "second" line is a really small - Rempal is 5-10, JAD 5-11, Dudas 5-7.

Defence - Clague and Brickley will got a LOT ice-time.

Is Vilardi now healthy?

 

[KopitarFAN]

That "second" line is a really small - Rempal is 5-10, JAD 5-11, Dudas 5-7.

Defence - Clague and Brickley will got a LOT ice-time.

Is Vilardi now healthy?

Evidently, or they wouldn't let him participate.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Eight years ago, the Kings made a free agent signing that made a huge impact. Probably one of the most significant free agent signings in team history.