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

[Raccoon Jesus]

Of course his body has been beat up, he's Atlas carrying an entire organization on his back...

I definitely don't doubt his heart. And some see him making noise as a bad thing--i see a guy who is fed up and he's faarrrrr from the only one, all the players' comments are totally damning.

 

[The Lukeman]

This guy is the Operation game board.

Yet he was still a PPG player on the Sabres. Shows how good he is. Im glad im not GM cause that's a risky decision to make on a dude with that many injuries.

 

[tbrown33]

Yet he was still a PPG player on the Sabres. Shows how good he is. Im glad im not GM cause that's a risky decision to make on a dude with that many injuries.

Too risky. And only guaranteed to have him for the next 5 seasons. I’ve seen this movie before.

 

[johnjm22]

If I'm NYR I'm emptying the cupboard for Eichel, their roster is ready to go with Panarin, Zib, Fox, etc.

But do they really want to trade him in the division?

Stuff like that shouldn't really matter, but the fanbase is already furious. Then they'd have to watch Eichel torch them for the next half decade. Tough situation.

 

[tomd]

It depends on who this team is being built around. If it's the Blake era draft picks, then this team is not ready for a deal like that. Richards was not brought in back in 2009. If Kopitar and Doughty still matter the most, then you might as well go all in for Eichel, and then not stop, because he won't be enough to get anything real done, and you can't keep wasting time.

I get it...you want Buffalo West and you're likely to get it. With Blake lying to your face every step of the way.

 

[Schmooley]

I get it...you want Buffalo West and you're likely to get it. With Blake lying to your face every step of the way.

Wait wouldnt getting Buffalo players like Eichel out west make it Buffalo West?

 

[tomd]

Wait wouldnt getting Buffalo players like Eichel out west make it Buffalo West?

It could...if he's not healthy.

 

[HookKing]

Right now, the "core" is Byfield and a bunch of prospects who look like middle six players at forward and 2nd/3rd pairing players on defense. Other than Byfield there isn't a single sure-fire top line player in the entire organization at this point. And everyone is treating Byfield as the next coming of Conner McDavid...he isn't. If he fully develops he'll be Eric Staal...a very very good NHL player but not generational. At worst he becomes Jordan Staal or slightly below.

To improve that "core" the team has to choose between: (1) spending another 3-4 years drafting talent and hope to find a couple of top 2D and a couple of top line wingers or (2) go outside the organization and fill the holes they have smartly. Is that tough? YES! But so is turning the franchise into Buffalo hoping to hit the lottery jackpot in the future.

I know that the dwindling number of posters on this board all prefer to go with choice #1. And that's fine...Buffalo West. But there are others way to build / rebuild a franchise than going the Buffalo route.

Finally, as to the history lesson you (once again) provided...Blake knew everything you regurgitated back in 2018. He knew that Quick/Brown/Doughty/Kopitar would be very difficult (if not impossible) to move. And yet he did the rebuild anyway in spite of that. Why would he do that? Two reasons: (1) He fully intended that Quick/Brown/Doughty/Kopitar would be part of the rebuilt core that would challenge for the next Cup...or (2) He is completely incompetent. And yes, the correct answer is (1) and (2).

They are? The only "next coming" surmise I can recall was the one and only Andy Andreoff.

 

[KINGS17]

It depends on who this team is being built around. If it's the Blake era draft picks, then this team is not ready for a deal like that. Richards was not brought in back in 2009. If Kopitar and Doughty still matter the most, then you might as well go all in for Eichel, and then not stop, because he won't be enough to get anything real done, and you can't keep wasting time.

I had a feeling four years ago Kopitar and Doughty wouldn't matter the most the next time the Kings are contending for a cup.

Hopefully, Blake just bides his time and starts adding some "not too high-priced" players who can help lead the team and bring the young guys along.

I don't think a trade for a player like Eichel is the answer at this time, and would likely extend the period of mediocrity.

 

[KINGS17]

Right now, the "core" is Byfield and a bunch of prospects who look like middle six players at forward and 2nd/3rd pairing players on defense. Other than Byfield there isn't a single sure-fire top line player in the entire organization at this point. And everyone is treating Byfield as the next coming of Conner McDavid...he isn't. If he fully develops he'll be Eric Staal...a very very good NHL player but not generational. At worst he becomes Jordan Staal or slightly below.

To improve that "core" the team has to choose between: (1) spending another 3-4 years drafting talent and hope to find a couple of top 2D and a couple of top line wingers or (2) go outside the organization and fill the holes they have smartly. Is that tough? YES! But so is turning the franchise into Buffalo hoping to hit the lottery jackpot in the future.

I know that the dwindling number of posters on this board all prefer to go with choice #1. And that's fine...Buffalo West. But there are others way to build / rebuild a franchise than going the Buffalo route.

Finally, as to the history lesson you (once again) provided...Blake knew everything you regurgitated back in 2018. He knew that Quick/Brown/Doughty/Kopitar would be very difficult (if not impossible) to move. And yet he did the rebuild anyway in spite of that. Why would he do that? Two reasons: (1) He fully intended that Quick/Brown/Doughty/Kopitar would be part of the rebuilt core that would challenge for the next Cup...or (2) He is completely incompetent. And yes, the correct answer is (1) and (2).

How so? Byfield doesn't have to be Connor McDavid. If Blake learned anything during his time under Lombardi, I hope it is that quality depth wins Stanley Cups, not one-line teams.

You seem to be rooting for Blake to make a mistake here, and shove all his chips in when he would be drawing to an inside straight.

 

[tomd]

I had a feeling four years ago Kopitar and Doughty wouldn't matter the most the next time the Kings are contending for a cup.

Hopefully, Blake just bides his time and starts adding some "not too high-priced" players who can help lead the team and bring the young guys along.

I don't think a trade for a player like Eichel is the answer at this time, and would likely extend the period of mediocrity.

Do you think Blake will be honest enough to say that that is the plan for the next 2-3 years? You know he's going to say the goal is the playoffs...and then do virtually nothing to make it happen. As Mr. Rotten once said..."ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

 

[KINGS17]

Do you think Blake will be honest enough to say that that is the plan for the next 2-3 years? You know he's going to say the goal is the playoffs...and then do virtually nothing to make it happen. As Mr. Rotten once said..."ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

I really could care less what Blake says. His moves tell me what I need to know.

Am I going to be upset if they don't make the playoffs next season? No, because it is likely this team is not going to be good enough next year to do it.

Next year is time for Byfield, Vilardi, and possibly another one or two young guys to play full time, for a full 82-game schedule in the NHL.

 

[SFKingshomer]

How many rebuilding teams have traded for an impact player or two and turned into sudden contenders? Closest might be STL but they had a solid group in their prime that was much more experienced than Byfield, Bjornfot, etc. The Kings just aren’t there yet. Adding Richards was good timing but it didn’t improve the record much until they got Sutter and Carter. They were in a completely different spot and should not rush the process.

 

[Bandit]

Do you think Blake will be honest enough to say that that is the plan for the next 2-3 years? You know he's going to say the goal is the playoffs...and then do virtually nothing to make it happen. As Mr. Rotten once said..."ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

Don’t get pissed at the recruiter because he told you you’d get to see the world in the Navy and you imagined Hawaii but now you’re roasting your ass of in Beirut.

 

[KINGS17]

Don’t get pissed at the recruiter because he told you you’d get to see the world in the Navy and you imagined Hawaii but now you’re roasting your ass of in Beirut.

...or that the world is 70% water.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I get it...you want Buffalo West and you're likely to get it. With Blake lying to your face every step of the way.

You can think that, but that's not what I said. I said the scale of moves this summer is completely dependent on whose team this is. If it's Kopitar and Doughty, then use the picks, prospects, and cap room to get a lot better today. If we don't know who the new core is yet, then you add, but don't go crazy, since you don't know who you're adding anyone to.

 

[tomd]

You can think that, but that's not what I said. I said the scale of moves this summer is completely dependent on whose team this is. If it's Kopitar and Doughty, then use the picks, prospects, and cap room to get a lot better today. If we don't know who the new core is yet, then you add, but don't go crazy, since you don't know who you're adding anyone to.

It's not really about whose team it is. Blake has made it pretty clear that he wants to return to the playoffs while Kopitar and Doughty are still with the team. His goal was 21-22. Even if he goes with a young team next year he can make the team much more competitive by adding a top 4 LHD and 1 or 2 scoring wingers. He knows how doable that is and I'm sure he's had discussions with other teams about possible trades already. The question is can he get it done.

I'm sure he'll make his intentions clearer at the next STH meeting if not sooner. I can see a lot of people on this board revolting if he says he is going to be aggressive this summer trying to make the team better with the goal of returning to the playoffs next year.

 

[tomd]

Don’t get pissed at the recruiter because he told you you’d get to see the world in the Navy and you imagined Hawaii but now you’re roasting your ass of in Beirut.

You keep saying that you're ok with someone lying to you. I've never met an honest person say they are ok with that. Something to think about...

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It's not really about whose team it is. Blake has made it pretty clear that he wants to return to the playoffs while Kopitar and Doughty are still with the team. His goal was 21-22. Even if he goes with a young team next year he can make the team much more competitive by adding a top 4 LHD and 1 or 2 scoring wingers. He knows how doable that is and I'm sure he's had discussions with other teams about possible trades already. The question is can he get it done.

I'm sure he'll make his intentions clearer at the next STH meeting if not sooner. I can see a lot of people on this board revolting if he says he is going to be aggressive this summer trying to make the team better with the goal of returning to the playoffs next year.

YOu're gonna have a long summer if you keep arguing with strawmen and imaginary people.

 

[tomd]

YOu're gonna have a long summer if you keep arguing with strawmen and imaginary people.

Actually just going to wait and see what Blake says and then what he does. You know as well as I do that this board will melt down in anger if Blake pulls off a major trade for a star player or two. Either way it's going to be an interesting summer. I wish we knew what AEG was expecting.

 

[King'sPawn]

YOu're gonna have a long summer if you keep arguing with strawmen and imaginary people.

Reason No. 1 why I would never be a mod - I can't ignore people who I know are wasting my time. I salute you.

 

[KINGS17]

It's not really about whose team it is. Blake has made it pretty clear that he wants to return to the playoffs while Kopitar and Doughty are still with the team. His goal was 21-22. Even if he goes with a young team next year he can make the team much more competitive by adding a top 4 LHD and 1 or 2 scoring wingers. He knows how doable that is and I'm sure he's had discussions with other teams about possible trades already. The question is can he get it done.

I'm sure he'll make his intentions clearer at the next STH meeting if not sooner. I can see a lot of people on this board revolting if he says he is going to be aggressive this summer trying to make the team better with the goal of returning to the playoffs next year.

Again, you want people to be angry about what Blake says, without considering the actions Blake takes this summer.

Yes, if Blake trades two high-level prospects and a high draft pick for a player like Eichel, then those of us responding to your posts will be pissed.

If he can find a top 4 LHD or a scoring winger or two in the UFA market, without signing any of them to long-term contracts, then more power to him.

As I said in an earlier post, I really don't concern myself with what Blake or Robitaille say, because they have been backpedaling away from their initial assessment of the team they took over after about four months into their first season in charge.

 

[Herby]

YOu're gonna have a long summer if you keep arguing with strawmen and imaginary people.

Idk, there have been quite a few posts on this board that suggest to me that Tomd is right and there will be quite a few people very angry if the Kings were to for example, trade for Eichel.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I can't even remember the last time someone on the Kings outmuscled a team like this...

 

[KingLB]

Idk, there have been quite a few posts on this board that suggest to me that Tomd is right and there will be quite a few people very angry if the Kings were to for example, trade for Eichel.

I mean...this is the internet...you can always find someone to argue anything. Tomd is living proof.