Speculation: 2020-21 LA Kings News/Roster/Rumors Discussion Part VI

[funky]

Blake has 3 organizational assets:
1. Prospect center depth
2. Draft picks
3. Cap space

I doubt he uses any of them to improve the team this summer. I expect him to tell the STH that the playoffs are the goal but don't expect any major additions. At which point if I was a STH I'd just shake my head.

Can I ask why you think this? He has been on record numerous times saying they will
Improve the team this summer. He has also said they have the ability to weaponize cap space but will only take on a contract if it’s right for the team.

This year the kids in Defence were allowed to play. Up front we introduced Vilardi and JAD full time. Grundstrom, Andersson and others got longer looks and we brought in Byfield, Kupari etc for a look.

We are seeing Peterson given the chance to overtake the starting job.

He also traded away Carter to make room.

at least now he has an idea what we actually have to work with. We were not a contender going into this year, we cut some extra fat off the roster, played the kids. Don’t know why people are so down on management. I am more down in the coaches and the system

 

[AzKing]

If Blake were to trade from a position of strength, then I would think that Turcotte would be the chip that would get the most return because Byfield is never going to be moved. It would seem counterproductive to move Bjornfot, Kaliyev, Roy, Fagemo and maybe a few others. I don't think Thomas has much value on the trade market and Kupari needs more exposure of we would be selling low which I don't want to do unless the return is equitable.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

I’m in favor of a new coach. There’s some good ones out there from guys who will light a fire to players coaches.

McLellan has a big fat contract, that I don't think AEG will be happy to eat to pay another coach. With that said I have always thought McLellan was overrated, and he's extremely overpaid

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Focusing on the forwards, next season the Kings likely have their four centers set with Kopitar, Vilardi, Byfield, and Anderson-Dolan. The biggest concern there is that they lack experience after Kopitar.

The eight wingers who should be returning will likely be Brown, Iafallo, Kempe, Athanasiou, Andersson, Moore, Grundstrom, Lemieux. Not a lot of finish or scoring talent in that pool.

Then you have the spares who will likely be in and out of the lineup with Lizotte and Wagner.

That’s a group of 14 forwards, most of which is composed of bottom six talent.

So what top six talent will be available this summer? The big names will be Landeskog, Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, and Laine. Then you have the likes of Hyman, Saad, Tatar, Schwartz, Palmieri, and Hoffman.

All UFAs, with the exception of Laine, who seems like a malcontent.

The Kings will have almost $20 million in cap space, which I imagine they will be using to their advantage to some capacity to add some talent.

 

[LAKings88]

Focusing on the forwards, next season the Kings likely have their four centers set with Kopitar, Vilardi, Byfield, and Anderson-Dolan. The biggest concern there is that they lack experience after Kopitar.

The eight wingers who should be returning will likely be Brown, Iafallo, Kempe, Athanasiou, Andersson, Moore, Grundstrom, Lemieux. Not a lot of finish or scoring talent in that pool.

Then you have the spares who will likely be in and out of the lineup with Lizotte and Wagner.

That’s a group of 14 forwards, most of which is composed of bottom six talent.

So what top six talent will be available this summer? The big names will be Landeskog, Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, and Laine. Then you have the likes of Hyman, Saad, Tatar, Schwartz, Palmieri, and Hoffman.

All UFAs, with the exception of Laine, who seems like a malcontent.

The Kings will have almost $20 million in cap space, which I imagine they will be using to their advantage to some capacity to add some talent.

Schwartz and Landeskog would be good adds. Doubt either leave their teams tho.

 

[kilowatt]

Schwartz and Landeskog would be good adds. Doubt either leave their teams tho.

Maybe Schwartz, but there's no way Landeskog leaves.

Focusing on the forwards, next season the Kings likely have their four centers set with Kopitar, Vilardi, Byfield, and Anderson-Dolan. The biggest concern there is that they lack experience after Kopitar.

The eight wingers who should be returning will likely be Brown, Iafallo, Kempe, Athanasiou, Andersson, Moore, Grundstrom, Lemieux. Not a lot of finish or scoring talent in that pool.

Then you have the spares who will likely be in and out of the lineup with Lizotte and Wagner.

That’s a group of 14 forwards, most of which is composed of bottom six talent.

So what top six talent will be available this summer? The big names will be Landeskog, Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, and Laine. Then you have the likes of Hyman, Saad, Tatar, Schwartz, Palmieri, and Hoffman.

All UFAs, with the exception of Laine, who seems like a malcontent.

The Kings will have almost $20 million in cap space, which I imagine they will be using to their advantage to some capacity to add some talent.

I really like those four down the middle. That's a really good group, and Vilardi and Anderson-Dolan will have a full year under their belts. There's a lot of potential there.

I agree that the wings seem like an issue though. I actually quite like the bottom six - lines of Iafallo / Vilardi / Andersson and Lemieux / JAD / Grundstrom. It's the top six wingers that don't cut it for me. Maybe we drop Moore back down to play with JAD? Does Athanasiou fit with the team? I could see us playing something like Kaliyev / Kopitar / Brown and Kempe / Byfield / AA, but that doesn't scare many teams in the league unless Byfield makes a huge leap and scores 60+ points.

We have a bunch of good, young players that I don't see fitting anywhere. Turcotte, Kupari, Thomas, Fagemo, Madden... where do we put them? Ontario for now, but long term? I'm having trouble constructing a roster.

 

[AzKing]

Any big name UFA would have to be an overpay to come to the Kings because other teams will want them as well. With the Kings not being anywhere near the top teams, the price tag is going to be higher.

I don't even think that Landeskog would pick up the phone if Blake called. He is 28 and I doubt that he will want to just wait 3-4 for the Kings to hopefully be back in the thick of things.

Is Jaden Schwartz the answer? The guy only has 7 goals and 4 of them came in two games.

It seems like the Kings either way overpay for someone good or they get a tier 2 guy who probably at best is a tick higher than players they already have.

Trades seem like the the better route but they need a dancing partner here.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Some teams will need to move cap but they usually don’t trade the type of impact players the Kings need. I don’t expect much more than a middle six winger and decent defenseman. It’s probably too early in the process to trade a top prospect anyway.

 

[tomd]

Some teams will need to move cap but they usually don’t trade the type of impact players the Kings need. I don’t expect much more than a middle six winger and decent defenseman. It’s probably too early in the process to trade a top prospect anyway.

I think if Blake can get his unicorn (i.e. a young-ish dynamic top 4 LHD) then he should be willing to trade any prospect not named Byfield.

 

[SFKingshomer]

I think if Blake can get his unicorn (i.e. a young-ish dynamic top 4 LHD) then he should be willing to trade any prospect not named Byfield.

Like you said it’s a unicorn, there’s not even that many in the league. Teams don’t move those guys for prospects unless the player doesn’t want to be there or he’s fallen out of favor. They will need to remain patient and draft that defenseman.

 

[tomd]

Like you said it’s a unicorn. Teams don’t move those guys for prospects unless the player doesn’t want to be there or he’s fallen out of favor. They will need to remain patient and draft that defenseman.

Drafting one involves luck and timing which is beyond the control of the organization. How many years did it take the team to replace Voynov who was a 2nd pairing guy.

If Werenski becomes available Blake needs to move whatever is reasonably necessary to make that trade happen. Again, anything and everything short of Byfield. And even Byfield might be on the table in the right kind of megadeal.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Drafting one involves luck and timing which is beyond the control of the organization. How many years did it take the team to replace Voynov who was a 2nd pairing guy.

If Werenski becomes available Blake needs to move whatever is reasonably necessary to make that trade happen. Again, anything and everything short of Byfield. And even Byfield might be on the table in the right kind of megadeal.

Columbus doesn’t have anyone to replace Werenski and he’s not available. It would take a monster package for him then he can sign in Detroit shortly after. Go over the list of teams and what defenseman might be available. All the best D were drafted by their organization and will be there for years. The only option is to overpay in free agency or make a minor move for a younger guy you hope can develop into that role. You don’t even see prospect type “hockey deals” often.

 

[tomd]

Columbus doesn’t have anyone to replace Werenski and he’s not available. It would take a monster package for him then he can sign in Detroit shortly after. Go over the list of teams and what defenseman might be available. All the best D were drafted by their organization and will be there for years. The only option is to overpay in free agency or make a minor move for a younger guy you hope can develop into that role. You don’t even see prospect type “hockey deals” often.

I don't disagree but Columbus wants a #1C and Byfield could be that guy. Just like Johansen was traded for Seth Jones a few years ago. Not saying it would or should happen but trades like this happen. I hope that at least you'll recognize how much luck and timing plays into getting a top D. Imagine if the Kings had been picking 3rd in 2009. That's how close the line is between a Cup and futility.

 

[SFKingshomer]

I don't disagree but Columbus wants a #1C and Byfield could be that guy. Just like Johansen was traded for Seth Jones a few years ago. Not saying it would or should happen but trades like this happen. I hope that at least you'll recognize how much luck and timing plays into getting a top D. Imagine if the Kings had been picking 3rd in 2009. That's how close the line is between a Cup and futility.

Yea and you don’t make trades like that until you’re ready. Why fill 1 hole while opening another? They are banking on filling the center position internally and Byfield is that guy. They are better off making small improvements until they see what they have.

 

[tomd]

Yea and you don’t make trades like that until you’re ready. Why fill 1 hole while opening another? They are banking on filling the center position internally and Byfield is that guy. They are better off making small improvements until they see what they have.

Fine with me. I'll stick by my earlier statement that Blake will set the playoffs as the goal and do virtually nothing to make the team better this summer. We'll see if I'm right.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Fine with me. I'll stick by my earlier statement that Blake will set the playoffs as the goal and do virtually nothing to make the team better this summer. We'll see if I'm right.

You act like these moves are easy to make. That trade was rare and it blew up in Nashville’s face like I predicted. Now they’re stuck with an anchor of a contract and lost a franchise defenseman. If there’s a major upgrade then explore it. Don’t get your hopes up because those guys are hardly ever available short of drafting them. The most we will see is a number 4/5 guy that’s decent on the PP.

 

[tomd]

You act like these moves are easy to make. That trade was rare and it blew up in Nashville’s face like I predicted. Now they’re stuck with an anchor of a contract and lost a franchise defenseman. If there’s a major upgrade then explore it. Don’t get your hopes up because those guys are hardly ever available short of drafting them. The most we will see is a number 4/5 guy that’s decent on the PP.

And you make drafting them sound easier than it is.

 

[SFKingshomer]

And you make drafting them sound easier than it is.

Go look over NHL rosters and I guarantee you most of the best defenseman were all drafted by their respective clubs.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Anyway, Girard is the guy I’d be after if I were Blake. Avs will need Johnson to waive his NMC for expansion and they have Byram to take Girards spot.

 

[kingsboy11]

Ideally I'd want someone in the Sergachev/Werenski realm, but those guys are very difficult to trade for. I'd lean towards going all in for Dougie Hamilton. He's not quite in the age range and he'd probably want to go to a contender, but he fills a direct need and can take pressure off of Doughty plus he would only cost cap space. Its probably extremely unlikely, but I say why not at least try

 

[Peter James Bond III]

If Blake were to trade from a position of strength, then I would think that Turcotte would be the chip that would get the most return because Byfield is never going to be moved. It would seem counterproductive to move Bjornfot, Kaliyev, Roy, Fagemo and maybe a few others. I don't think Thomas has much value on the trade market and Kupari needs more exposure of we would be selling low which I don't want to do unless the return is equitable.

I would agree with you on everything except that 'Thomas doesn't have much value". He gained over 20 lbs the last 2 years and has like 14 inch pipes. He's put together a pretty good year
and scored goal #10 today and has about 25 pts. He's pretty mature and focused. I do not know the 'Seattle - Kings' poster (are you on here?) on lakingsinsider, but he always knows..like stuff like "AA's agent is not happy and it looks like it's not going to be 2-3 yrs and 1.7 million, at the moment". Inside type stuff. Weekly. But I saw last year he wrote that 'scouts love Akil Thomas'...and I did not forget that.

I would surmise the Byfields, Turcotte's, Bjornfot's, Kaliyev's are higher on other teams' lists, but Thomas is pretty highly regarded.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Any big name UFA would have to be an overpay to come to the Kings because other teams will want them as well. With the Kings not being anywhere near the top teams, the price tag is going to be higher.

I don't even think that Landeskog would pick up the phone if Blake called. He is 28 and I doubt that he will want to just wait 3-4 for the Kings to hopefully be back in the thick of things.

Is Jaden Schwartz the answer? The guy only has 7 goals and 4 of them came in two games.

It seems like the Kings either way overpay for someone good or they get a tier 2 guy who probably at best is a tick higher than players they already have.

Trades seem like the the better route but they need a dancing partner here.

If the Kings are going after Landeskog, or more importantly if he considers an offer from them, they're then not expecting to not be competitive for 3-4 years. Those would be the years you're paying some stupid 7 year UFA contract for. You want years 1-3, but pay for years 5-7, because of the cap. Maybe 1 more year of building the roster, but by year 2, it's all in at that point.

That's the problem with the big name UFA market. If you go that route, you have to get something done within the first couple season, or else there's no reason to get involved with it. You want to get more specific role guys in free agency, that's a bit different, but you don't have 7 years with the money guys.

I don't disagree but Columbus wants a #1C and Byfield could be that guy. Just like Johansen was traded for Seth Jones a few years ago. Not saying it would or should happen but trades like this happen.

Johansen had scored 60g and 130pts in the 2 seasons prior to the trade. Richards for Schenn would be more like Werenski for Byfield, but the Flyers were going out of their way to trade him. Clb needs to want to trade him. Assuming they're not rebuilding, a guy with 6 games and 1pt in his career is not the C they need before Jones needs to get paid.

I hope that at least you'll recognize how much luck and timing plays into getting a top D. Imagine if the Kings had been picking 3rd in 2009. That's how close the line is between a Cup and futility.

Sort of an odd couple sentences from you, gotta be honest.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Their is so much to like about Akil Thomas, he has the motor of a top-level bottom six player (not afraid to do the dirty work), while having the skill to make it as a 2nd line guy.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I would agree with you on everything except that 'Thomas doesn't have much value". He gained over 20 lbs the last 2 years and has like 14 inch pipes. He's put together a pretty good year
and scored goal #10 today and has about 25 pts. He's pretty mature and focused. I do not know the 'Seattle - Kings' poster (are you on here?) on lakingsinsider, but he always knows..like stuff like "AA's agent is not happy and it looks like it's not going to be 2-3 yrs and 1.7 million, at the moment". Inside type stuff. Weekly. But I saw last year he wrote that 'scouts love Akil Thomas'...and I did not forget that.

I would surmise the Byfields, Turcotte's, Bjornfot's, Kaliyev's are higher on other teams' lists, but Thomas is pretty highly regarded.

But Thomas isn't going to get you a real difference maker. Not yet at least. He'd bring back an NHL player today, but not the top line kind the Kings need. So then is it worth doing? I would say no, and I'd rather keep him around in that case.

 

[johnjm22]

Ideally I'd want someone in the Sergachev/Werenski realm, but those guys are very difficult to trade for. I'd lean towards going all in for Dougie Hamilton. He's not quite in the age range and he'd probably want to go to a contender, but he fills a direct need and can take pressure off of Doughty plus he would only cost cap space. Its probably extremely unlikely, but I say why not at least try

But how often does signing one of the biggest UFA prizes actually turn out to be a good idea? Maybe 5% of the time?

It usually turns into a disaster and the team regrets it.