2019-20 Kings News/Rumors

[KingsFan7824]

I agree that $11M is a lot of money to carry, but are the Sharks ready to flush another season down the drain with weak goaltending? Their window is closing fast. I’d be ok with taking Dell back (1yr/$1.9M).

Who wouldn't be? But yeah, it's either Jones, or Dell + more contracts. Not that there are any other decent sized contracts they could include with Dell. It would likely have to be Jones coming back, and he can pick 3 teams to get traded to, and I'm sure he'd like to win, not sure he would agree to come here. The Sharks are basically stuck with him, and they can't add Quick for 4 years.

Columbus needs a goalie

They needed a goalie before the draft, and still didn't get Quick. I think the Jackets know where they are. They took their shot last year. Say Quick is as good as Bob was for them. Then they're just a Panarin away from being an average team. Outside of 16-17, when Bob was maybe the best goalie in the league, how much better could Quick make them? Maybe they take a shot if he had 1 year left. What would Quick do for them? He hasn't been able to do anything for an average Kings team, with Kopitar and Doughty.

I still think if Carolina is serious they need someone better in net. Columbus is not in the same competitive window as the canes. There are alot of pieces I would like from the Canes as well, not just their picks.

How much would the Canes pay for Quick? One of the goalies has to come back, and that's not the Kings doing them a favor. Both of them are younger, have smaller cap hits, signed for fewer years, and combined, in total, will make less actual money than Quick will as their contracts currently stand. They're not going to carry 3 goalies with NHL contracts. It's just about making it work for the Canes roster. It doesn't really help the Kings logjam in net, but the Kings aren't the team with leverage. Carolina willingly signed Mrazek on July 1st, and had to accept Reimer the day before, in order to get rid of Darling. One of them has to come here, but it doesn't help Blake squeeze more value from the deal, because it's almost a given that it would have to happen. How much can you get for a soon to be 34 year old goalie? The value might be getting a younger goalie, who makes less, and is a UFA sooner.

 

[kilowatt]

I still don’t see why Quick wouldn’t just be a backup. I’m sure he’s a competitive guy, but if he can’t get it done, he can’t get it done. It’s not like other teams don’t know he’s on the downswing either. Who is going to pay for an aging, oft-injured Jonathan Quick?

We don’t need the cap space any time soon. Play quick 41 games or fewer this season, and if he excels, trade him if you can. If not, trade Campbell if he has value and bring up Petersen. Next season, Quick can start 30ish games and be a leader in the locker room.

 

[Mats26]

Kings are in the worse spot right now. They want to get younger but the aging dinosaurs are using up roster spots and have term. The only thing that can save this team is a huge asteroid.

 

[redcard]

Kings are in the worse spot right now. They want to get younger but the aging dinosaurs are using up roster spots and have term. The only thing that can save this team is a huge asteroid.

I don't see it that way at all. If the youngsters are ready to play its very easy to make room for them. Its simply about not throwing everyone into the fire at the same time, let Lizotte and Bjornfot get 10-15 games under their belts. By that time one of the dinosaurs will be down with an injury and you can call up the next kid.

Our roster is healthy right now with the exception of Forbort, we all know that's not going to last.

 

[kings11]

I don't see it that way at all. If the youngsters are ready to play its very easy to make room for them. Its simply about not throwing everyone into the fire at the same time, let Lizotte and Bjornfot get 10-15 games under their belts. By that time one of the dinosaurs will be down with an injury and you can call up the next kid.

Our roster is healthy right now with the exception of Forbort, we all know that's not going to last.

Pretty much, and I can only see two kids forcing their way up this season in Mikey Anderson and JAD... everyone else needs more time in Onatrio

 

[Choralone]

Also, those dinosaurs may have life enough in those fossils to get us something at the deadline. Maybe even a boat!

 

[bmr]

Pretty much, and I can only see two kids forcing their way up this season in Mikey Anderson and JAD... everyone else needs more time in Ontario

Also agree. The kids are going to need time to develop and it's going to be an evolution..not an overnight roster overhaul.

 

[Mats26]

I don't see it that way at all. If the youngsters are ready to play its very easy to make room for them. Its simply about not throwing everyone into the fire at the same time, let Lizotte and Bjornfot get 10-15 games under their belts. By that time one of the dinosaurs will be down with an injury and you can call up the next kid.

Our roster is healthy right now with the exception of Forbort, we all know that's not going to last.

Not even talking about the prospects.
There is no reason why Wagner should sit in favor of Kovy, Carter, Toffoli or even Lewis.

 

[redcard]

Not even talking about the prospects.
There is no reason why Wagner should sit in favor of Kovy, Carter, Toffoli or even Lewis.

Probably, but TM is undoubtedly more familiar with those guys because he's been coaching against them for years. If Wagner's still being scratched over them in December we may have a problem, but its a new system, new coach, I can understand being a little more comfortable with the old guys. Its not as if Wagner was scratched for another veteran, Grundstrom's in the lineup in his place.

Edit: Just saw that it's MacDermid in rather than Grundstrom. Point remains

 

[bland]

Not even talking about the prospects.
There is no reason why Wagner should sit in favor of Kovy, Carter, Toffoli or even Lewis.

Toffoli and Lewis are miles ahead of Wagner at this stage of his career.

The other two? Yeah. Their races have been run.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm really not surprised frankly, Grundstrom and Wagner did not have great preseasons, and Wagner's play continued into the first game.

Can't blame a coach for playing vets over the shiny new toys when the vets show up and the shiny new toys don't bring their game.

 

[crassbonanza]

Through 2 games at 5v5 the Kings are 10th in CF%, 7th in FF%, 4th in SF%, 9th in GF%, 8th in xGF%, 10th in SCF%, 11th in HDCF%, and are 3rd in SH%. Pretty impressive debut by TMac in my opinion, especially considering the abomination that was last season.

 

[HookKing]

Man, the Canadian media is really driving the Doughty-Tkchuck thing. They're really gonna be let down when nothing happens.

Nice call.

 

[lumbergh]

Through 2 games at 5v5 the Kings are 10th in CF%, 7th in FF%, 4th in SF%, 9th in GF%, 8th in xGF%, 10th in SCF%, 11th in HDCF%, and are 3rd in SH%. Pretty impressive debut by TMac in my opinion, especially considering the abomination that was last season.

Well, they're also 26th in save percentage at 5vs5 with 89.13%, so there's that. I'll say this, the games have been fun as hell to watch so far. If Quick and Campbell can batten down those hatches a little bit, that'd be greeeat. Oh and turn in those TPS reports.

 

[Herby]

I'm really not surprised frankly, Grundstrom and Wagner did not have great preseasons, and Wagner's play continued into the first game.

Can't blame a coach for playing vets over the shiny new toys when the vets show up and the shiny new toys don't bring their game.

I can see some value in Ilya, he can still shoot the puck. Lewis is still a capable NHL player, not sexy but not going to hurt you playing a bottom six role.

Carter is completely cooked though, this is going to be a very ugly situation because it appears JC is not going to do the Kings any favors and retire before his contract is up. Carter is no longer an automatic play at this point and it's only going to get worse for a guy who turns 35 very soon. I don't even know if Carter can be counted on for the 13G-33Pt season he had last year, even with a more open system. The Kings should be cutting his games and minutes and then plan on buying him out this summer.

 

[KINGS17]

I can see some value in Ilya, he can still shoot the puck. Lewis is still a capable NHL player, not sexy but not going to hurt you playing a bottom six role.

Carter is completely cooked though, this is going to be a very ugly situation because it appears JC is not going to do the Kings any favors and retire before his contract is up. Carter is no longer an automatic play at this point and it's only going to get worse for a guy who turns 35 very soon. I don't even know if Carter can be counted on for the 13G-33Pt season he had last year, even with a more open system. The Kings should be cutting his games and minutes and then plan on buying him out this summer.

I am not going to blame Carter for this situation. Had the Kings been realistic about their chances to advance deep into the playoffs, Carter would have been moved before he experienced the decline in his play. The last injury has really taken its toll on him.

He doesn't owe the Kings anything in terms of doing them a favor and retiring. I agree, the Kings should just buy him out after the season.

 

[YP44]

I'm really not surprised frankly, Grundstrom and Wagner did not have great preseasons, and Wagner's play continued into the first game.

Can't blame a coach for playing vets over the shiny new toys when the vets show up and the shiny new toys don't bring their game.

Sitting Wagner in his home city should send a strong message.

 

[YP44]

I am not going to blame Carter for this situation. Had the Kings been realistic about their chances to advance deep into the playoffs, Carter would have been moved before he experienced the decline in his play. The last injury has really taken its toll on him.

He doesn't owe the Kings anything in terms of doing them a favor and retiring. I agree, the Kings should just buy him out after the season.

I have heard this before and it sounds nice but when exactly would that have been?

-2014: Can't trade him after a cup
-2015: Team finishes with 95 points and somehow misses playoffs. Most reporters and writers felt if LA could have got in they would have done damage. Plsu they were so close given all the off ice shit was impressive. Hard to deal him then
-2016: Kings get over 100 points and looks legit again. Tough first round match with a team that would got the stanley cup final. Window still seems open
-2017: Could maybe get behind this year as team misses the playoffs. Carter lead the team in points and goals, so this means either he could be part of solution or this would have been time to maximize return. After all his cap hit is seen as a steal at this point. Sutter era needs to end and everyone knew it caused issues (locking a coach out of the room what?)
-2018: LA returns to playoffs despite Carter being injured. Hard to trade an injured dude, and thought was team would be better with the 2017 leading scorer in the lineup in 2019
-2019: Well shit that didn't work. Wheels fall off and it now appears his injury has caused him to be too slow and not worth his cap hit.
-2020: We pray for some resurgence so that he can have some value

I like the idea of trading Carter back when they could get a premium but I just do not see where someone who is being realistic would have done that. There are arguments both ways.

 

[Lt Dan]

Also, those dinosaurs may have life enough in those fossils to get us something at the deadline. Maybe even a boat!

 

[Fishhead]

Well, they're also 26th in save percentage at 5vs5 with 89.13%, so there's that. I'll say this, the games have been fun as hell to watch so far. If Quick and Campbell can batten down those hatches a little bit, that'd be greeeat. Oh and turn in those TPS reports.

The low save% could be from pushing forward, but really a lot of the goals seemed more from blown coverage than outnumbered attacks. Instead of giving the opposition average/poor looks they are getting prime ones. If the D and the goalies got on the same page we'd be on to something.

 

[kings11]

Not even talking about the prospects.
There is no reason why Wagner should sit in favor of Kovy, Carter, Toffoli or even Lewis.

Of course there is, he doesnt play a well rounded game yet.
He's a young kid whose earning his PO as it should be...
Kovy plays over him because even at 35+ he's better adn we're showcasing him. Matter of fact, that applies to Carter, Toffoli and Lewis.
The one guy that keeps sticking out like a sore thumb is Kempe... The guy runs hot and cold like a broken water heater!
I'll go as far as to say that Me, Myself and I value Grundstron+Wagner more than Kempe+Iafallo

 

[kings11]

I have heard this before and it sounds nice but when exactly would that have been?

-2014: Can't trade him after a cup
-2015: Team finishes with 95 points and somehow misses playoffs. Most reporters and writers felt if LA could have got in they would have done damage. Plsu they were so close given all the off ice **** was impressive. Hard to deal him then
-2016: Kings get over 100 points and looks legit again. Tough first round match with a team that would got the stanley cup final. Window still seems open
-2017: Could maybe get behind this year as team misses the playoffs. Carter lead the team in points and goals, so this means either he could be part of solution or this would have been time to maximize return. After all his cap hit is seen as a steal at this point. Sutter era needs to end and everyone knew it caused issues (locking a coach out of the room what?)
-2018: LA returns to playoffs despite Carter being injured. Hard to trade an injured dude, and thought was team would be better with the 2017 leading scorer in the lineup in 2019
-2019: Well **** that didn't work. Wheels fall off and it now appears his injury has caused him to be too slow and not worth his cap hit.
-2020: We pray for some resurgence so that he can have some value

I like the idea of trading Carter back when they could get a premium but I just do not see where someone who is being realistic would have done that. There are arguments both ways.

Way too soon to predict the bolded..

 

[YP44]

Way too soon to predict the bolded..

Was more pointing out the general negative narrative about Carter than my own predictions.

I am 50/50 about if he can be a useful 2rd line vet going forward or if he is done. Would be great if he bounces back but I just find it hard and even though I hope to hell he does.

 

[kings11]

Was more pointing out the general negative narrative about Carter than my own predictions.

I am 50/50 about if he can be a useful 2rd line vet going forward or if he is done. Would be great if he bounces back but I just find it hard and even though I hope to hell he does.

I still think Kempe is the wrong guy to be centering that line...
It should be Amadio who has a much more mature overall game

 

[Mats26]

Of course there is, he doesnt play a well rounded game yet.
He's a young kid whose earning his PO as it should be...
Kovy plays over him because even at 35+ he's better adn we're showcasing him. Matter of fact, that applies to Carter, Toffoli and Lewis.
The one guy that keeps sticking out like a sore thumb is Kempe... The guy runs hot and cold like a broken water heater!
I'll go as far as to say that Me, Myself and I value Grundstron+Wagner more than Kempe+Iafallo

In Lewis' case there is nothing to showcase. He's a 4th line PK specialist. He needs just to stay healthy at the TDL and we can possibly get a 4th rounder for him. Maybe a low 3rd from a desperate GM.
Carter and Kovy have some term, they won't move this year. Both need to produce next year when maybe someone takes a chance on them.
Toffoli I can see him being showcased, get ~15 goals by TDL and we may luck out and get a 2nd + prospect.

That's not alot of open roster spots for both Wagner and Grundstrom. They will pretty much have to wait for injuries to stay in the lineup. They'll play musical bench chairs while Iafallo and Kempe struggle to produce playing in our top 6, and we "showcase" the vets for trades that may never happen.