Speculation: 2019-20 News/Rumors,Roster thread Post Deadline

[KingsFan7824]

Lewis cant be getting another contract. He was a solid 4th liner in the cup years, but time has passed him by and hes become a slow, below average player. We managed to even move Forbert at the TDL when he had hardly played all season, theres a reason Lewis couldnt even get a 7th.

Someone I don't mind signing is Toffoli, you can give him 4x6mil, good experienced player, you can get him for a home town discount because he would want to keep living in LA and his contract has little impact to the cap with it expiring right as the kids would be needing upgrades and you can flip him for assets at the TDL when its time.

I would imagine Toffoli is done here. The last thing we want again is guys that want to live in LA(again). The two best players on the team are still that guy. The fewer there are, the better. He was supposed to be part of the next wave to keep things going, and he's not that player. He had a good run, but when it came time to do more, he wasn't good enough. He's now 28 years old. There's no reason to give him a 4 year deal. If you want an experienced player, go sign one who is desperate to stay in the league for 1 year.

The only guys that should be getting anything more than 1 year deals are the young guys in the system that show promise/production. If you can get a Frk for 2 years at basically the league minimum for both years, go right ahead, that's damn near a nothing contract. They need to figure out what they have before paying anyone $6m again though. Especially for 4 years.

The Kings need to get more efficient. No need to spend money just because cap is available.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Would be great if Frk could establish himself full-time as the chemistry he has with Vilardi is some Sedin-level stuff, and maybe he's just a late bloomer of which we'll get 3-4 good years of before he fades.

But also excited to see who all the new guys 'click' with. I mean, it's been magic watching Kopitar/Brown for over a decade, but imagining 10 years of Turcotte-Arty Party or Vilardi-Fagemo is just fun...or Byfield-Vilardi

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

My best stab at next year's starting lineup:

Iafallo (Kaliyev) - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Vilardi - Frk
Grundstrom-Carter-Moore
Wagner - Lizotte - Prokhorkin
Clifford

Edmundson - Doughty
Anderson - Roy
Clague - Walker
MacDermid

Quick
Petersen

Lewis is let go, Clifford is re signed. Kaliyev is up to start the year until the WJC. Bjornfot splits games with Anderson, Clague. Hults does as well. Amadio gets lost to waivers at some point. As injuries happen, Turcotte, Fagemo, Madden, Kupari get some games in. Spence, Ingham surprise at camp and push their cases to stay, but ultimately go back to juniors.

My bolder prediction is that Hults is the camp surprise like Roy that can't immediately make a case for playing higher than 3rd pairing but you just can't send him down, either. And the wild card will be this year's 1st and 2nd round picks.

 

[kilowatt]

My best stab at next year's starting lineup:

Iafallo (Kaliyev) - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Vilardi - Frk
Grundstrom-Carter-Moore
Wagner - Lizotte - Prokhorkin
Clifford

Edmundson - Doughty
Anderson - Roy
Clague - Walker
MacDermid

Quick
Petersen

Lewis is let go, Clifford is re signed. Kaliyev is up to start the year until the WJC. Bjornfot splits games with Anderson, Clague. Hults does as well. Amadio gets lost to waivers at some point. As injuries happen, Turcotte, Fagemo, Madden, Kupari get some games in. Spence, Ingham surprise at camp and push their cases to stay, but ultimately go back to juniors.

My bolder prediction is that Hults is the camp surprise like Roy that can't immediately make a case for playing higher than 3rd pairing but you just can't send him down, either. And the wild card will be this year's 1st and 2nd round picks.

I honestly don’t know if anyone would claim Amadio off waivers.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I honestly don’t know if anyone would claim Amadio off waivers.

Every team in the league has an Amadio.

 

[BringTheReign]

Would be great if Frk could establish himself full-time as the chemistry he has with Vilardi is some Sedin-level stuff, and maybe he's just a late bloomer of which we'll get 3-4 good years of before he fades.

But also excited to see who all the new guys 'click' with. I mean, it's been magic watching Kopitar/Brown for over a decade, but imagining 10 years of Turcotte-Arty Party or Vilardi-Fagemo is just fun...or Byfield-Vilardi

I could absolutely see Martin Frk giving us a few years of great goal scoring a la Moulson or Cheechoo. He's not the fastest player, but he has hockey sense, a hell of a shot, and chemistry with a first-rate playmaker, all things that the two guys I mentioned above had. Sure, you always want more, but given that Frk was a free asset, Moulson or Cheechoo for ~3 years would be fantastic (as long as we don't end up signing him to a boat anchor deal).

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Every team in the league has an Amadio.

The previous year, he was on pace for 12 goals and 25 points while being a puck thief and defensively stout, like if Nick Shore ever had offense. 25 points from the bottom line all from even strength is great. He had the highest GF/60 on the team, amongst the highest points/60 individually, and the highest takeaways/60.

This year his game fell apart and he never put it back together.

Someone would take a chance to see which dude he is, but this is his make or break year.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The previous year, he was on pace for 12 goals and 25 points while being a puck thief and defensively stout, like if Nick Shore ever had offense. 25 points from the bottom line all from even strength is great.

This year his game fell apart and he never put it back together.

Someone would take a chance to see which dude he is, but this is his make or break year.

Blake Lizotte far surpassed Amadio, and most of us expected him to be destined for Ontario and he came in with zero expectations of being an every day player. Amadio needs to learn from a player like Lizotte in playing with more tenacity.

Lizotte is the reason why I wouldn’t lose any sleep in letting Amadio go, especially with Kopitar and Vilardi likely being the top two centers next season with a trio of Lizotte, Anderson-Dolan and possibly even Turcotte competing for the remaining center roles.

Maybe Amadio can reinvent himself as a playmaking winger, I find his game to be too weak to be a center.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Look at the bottom where is says remaining. It states "Estimated waivers required beginning: 2020-21". You'll notice where it says years remaining 1, but look above that, it has not updated the fact he has already completed the 19-20 season as one of his 3 pro years, so as it states, he will require waivers at the start of next season.

Thanks for the clarification. I don't think the Kings would risk placing Grundstrom on waivers, however, he needs to step it up this season and perform better than what he showed in camp and during his brief call ups. He did put up great numbers in Ontario, but for some reason he was very unimpressive with the Kings this season. Might have something to do with having to adjust to McLellan's style perhaps.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Blake Lizotte far surpassed Amadio, and most of us expected him to be destined for Ontario and he came in with zero expectations of being an every day player. Amadio needs to learn from a player like Lizotte in playing with more tenacity.

Lizotte is the reason why I wouldn’t lose any sleep in letting Amadio go, especially with Kopitar and Vilardi likely being the top two centers next season with a trio of Lizotte, Anderson-Dolan and possibly even Turcotte competing for the remaining center roles.

Maybe Amadio can reinvent himself as a playmaking winger, I find his game to be too weak to be a center.

Not much argument here. My thought is just that he gets pushed out not because he's terrible but because we have that much depth talent.

Interesting thought putting him on the wing given how good he is (was, at least) at finding pucks in feet and winning 50-50 battles (which was by far the weakest part of his game last year and that surprised me). I just wonder which guy he is--if it's the one from the first couple of years he'll find a spot somewhere; if it's the one from last year, he's likely Europe-bound in 2022.

EVERYONE can learn from Lizotte, though!

 

[kingsboy11]

It sort of looked like when Grundstrom first came up it was like they just told him to go out there and play. This season it kind of looked like he was putting too much pressure on himself and not playing his usual game. So that could be McLellan style that will need an adjustment period where once he gets the system he won't be thinking about it as much and can play usual style of play.

There's just so many players competing for spots in the bottom 6 its hard to predict. Moore, Lizotte, Wagner, Amadio, Prokhorkin, Lewis, Carter, Kaliyev, JAD and then Grundstrom. I bet Lewis doesn't come back unless he takes a pay cut, but I suspect he'll get more money in free agency.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The Capitals were said to be interested in Lewis, they could possibly offer him a one-year deal if he wants to chase another Cup.

 

[funky]

Kings possible bottom 6 players

In top 6 but could play bottom 6

- Carter, Brown, Iafallo, Kempe

bottom 6 players

- amadio, Lizotte, Wagner, Porky, Moore,

guys needing a spot soon

- Grundstrom, Luff

darkhorses

- JAD, Fagemo, Turcotte


I really think we have enough options without an aging Lewis. The only problem I see is no one like Cliffy who will drop the gloves when needed. I actually see Wagner as an inbetween Cliffy/Lewis type of guy. Thank you Lewis for everything you’ve done to us but it’s time to MoveOn. We complain for years about non-movement of our roster and wholesale it was getting. I really do not want any one of our old teammates we have traded away back at this point. Sorry there maybe one guy in Chicago and a defender in Tampa but that’s about it

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Kings possible bottom 6 players

In top 6 but could play bottom 6

- Carter, Brown, Iafallo, Kempe

bottom 6 players

- amadio, Lizotte, Wagner, Porky, Moore,

guys needing a spot soon

- Grundstrom, Luff

darkhorses

- JAD, Fagemo, Turcotte


I really think we have enough options without an aging Lewis. The only problem I see is no one like Cliffy who will drop the gloves when needed. I actually see Wagner as an inbetween Cliffy/Lewis type of guy. Thank you Lewis for everything you’ve done to us but it’s time to MoveOn. We complain for years about non-movement of our roster and wholesale it was getting. I really do not want any one of our old teammates we have traded away back at this point. Sorry there maybe one guy in Chicago and a defender in Tampa but that’s about it

Though he is a defenseman, I think MacDermid will be filling that Clifford type of role. He'll keep other players honest.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Though he is a defenseman, I think MacDermid will be filling that Clifford type of role. He'll keep other players honest.

The only disagreement I have with that is that Big Mac is a legit heavy, and most of the rats of the league are Clifford's size. Big Mac isn't holding anyone but the Tom Wilsons and Chris Stewarts of the league accountable since the rats all just gonna scurry. I generally agree though and you could just see dudes play bigger with him out there.

 

[kilowatt]

Luff is another guy that will likely see waivers. Maybe Prokhorkin as well. I don't think either of them stick with LA long term.

 

[Reaper45]

Luff is another guy that will likely see waivers. Maybe Prokhorkin as well. I don't think either of them stick with LA long term.

It's too bad with Luff. I like the kid and think he'll be an NHL regular soon just probably not here.

 

[Bandit]

It's too bad with Luff. I like the kid and think he'll be an NHL regular soon just probably not here.

You'd Luff to see it... I wonder what Jim Fox will do with himself if/when Luff ends up elsewhere.

 

[LAKings88]

Madden and Hults are my dark horse shots at making the team.

 

[Reaper45]

I just hope Blake is active in moving some of these kids. Like dont lose them on waivers for nothing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Madden and Hults are my dark horse shots at making the team.

Hults is a strong candidate too, Madden will get snapped in half at this stage. But he'll look the part, just like Turcotte will (and Turcotte is another guy who could use a year of gym and weight gainer)

 

[BigKing]

Pretty sure that T-Mac said on numerous occasions last season that Grundstrom is an NHL player. His point production last season isn't much different than his first NHL stint except there were no goals last season. On top of that, he saw two minutes less ice-time on average and I venture to guess that he wasn't riding shotgun with Toffoli like he did in 2019.

Now, did his play warrant less ice time and being sent to Ontario? Sure, but I'd rather he get to play through it as opposed to getting nine minutes a night. If that is what T-Mac was going to do to him, then it was better for him to go play big minutes in Ontario.

I think he has a spot to lose going in to camp. Lewis should not be blocking anyone that could contribute to the future of this team and is hopefully not brought back. I know that Moore played decently and he is on a one-way contract, but it would be a real bummer if he's out there ahead of Grundstrom. He's already 25 and is what he is, which isn't much.

Prokhorkin is also an RFA. Does he feel comfortable enough that he will be on the big club or could he go make more in Russia?

 

[BringTheReign]

I just hope Blake is active in moving some of these kids. Like dont lose them on waivers for nothing.

I hear ya, but on the other hand, how many teams are going to want pieces that didn't fit our bottom-feeding roster and don't have a high draft pedigree? Frankly, Europe and the AHL are filled with guys like Matt Luff. Hell, Lizotte plays his ass off and earned his spot, but I don't know if he'd even have much value around the league.

I hope we don't lose them for nothing either, but there's a reason we got a guy like Martin Frk for free.

 

[kilowatt]

Guys like Amadio and Luff have little to no trade value.

 

[AlphaBravo]

I think we have seen enough of Amadio to know that he is not going to be a top 6 talent. We have a backlog of bottom 6 guys. There is no need to keep Amadio and Lewis around. Luff hasn't shown anything special either, other than speed. I like Lizzote and Wagner a lot for our bottom 6. Ideally, we see Carter moving to wing on the second line to mentor a young center like Vilardi or Turcotte, or we move Carter down as 3C. The biggest challenge is what to do with Kaliyev. It is time for him to go pro, but he can't play in the AHL. It would be nice to keep Turcotte and Kaliyev together in the AHL with our other young talent.