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

[Herby]

Just wanted to stick up for my guy MacD.

Yes, he took a step back this season. The numbers don't lie. He sucked. That said, any of you that want to say the Kings are a playoff team if he didn't play at all have had a lot of air let out of that balloon by seeing this team play like trash without him as well.

Roy in his exit interview saying he gets excited being paired with MacDermid just once again reiterates my point that he is a real character guy on a team that seems devoid of character. He wasn't given the two year contract because he was going to be the key piece of a Cup contender: it was a reward for the work that he has put in for years and because that work is something that Management wants the young guys to see and be around.

Blake never expected contention this year so MacDermid playing a lot of games doesn't matter. I would hope that those crucifying MacDermid can now be at a point where they can see that this team's issue wasn't MacDermid playing instead of Clague but rather that it just isn't good enough top-to-bottom no matter who is playing in place of MacDermid. As a matter of fact, the Kings should have a better draft pick thanks to Kurtis and who cares if they won four more games? They finished 14 points out of the playoffs haha.

Guy has a cap hit of $875,000. We'll see what the off-season brings but I think the Kings will be perfectly fine to carry him again as the #7D that plays maybe 30 games or they send him down and have ZERO problems paying him that $875k to be a total professional and bad-ass down in Ontario. Captain material. I think the latter is a real possibility and, if that happens, there is real value to it and it is completely worth the contract and every goal against that can be pinned on him this past season.

When the Kings were fighting for that playoff spot when no one else seemed to want it the points he cost them (which I'd say are probably anywhere from 2-4 points on the season) were pretty painful. But you are right, this team was never good enough, it was a mirage of slight overachieving and the fact that the division sucked outside of the top 3.

No one has a problem with MacD in the lineup in situations where toughness is needed, I just don't understand why they can't just put him on 4th line LW. Throughout the history of the league plenty of goons have transitioned from playing D at lower levels to being wingers in the NHL because they just can't play the D position at an effective level.

MacD playing 20-40 games a year at 4th line LW is not going to piss anyone off. He can still provide the toughness but his mistakes aren't going to end up in the back of our net and if game situation arises where they need to sit him (say down a goal in the 3rd) the Kings can just double shift a different winger.

Why can't the Kings do that?

The way Athanasiou ended the season, with one goal in the last 15 games, is it really worth bringing him back? He completely disappeared after the Jeff Carter trade, and I feel like how he closed out the season left a bigger impression than everything else he did prior.

I'm lukewarm in regards to bringing him back, as I feel like he's another one of those redundant players who makes no real impact in the outcome of a game. He's really a bottom six forward who is very streaky when it comes to offensive production, and he is pretty weak in his own zone.

I put him in my potential lineup for next season because I figured there is no way Blake would have kept him at the deadline if he didn't plan to sign him. But honestly, I think maybe its best to move on. A lot of the things that my buddies who are Wings fans told me came to fruition as the year went on, he's just one of those guys who's only role is to be a 2nd line winger on a really bad team. He just has had a tendency to disappear to much in his career, if anyone follows the NFL he's like Kenny Stills. He will amaze you with a beautiful play that gets you excited, and then you won't notice him again until the next beautiful play 7 weeks later.

The Kings are just so awful on the wing so it's tough to let a proven albeit inconsistent guy go, but I think I'd rather have Kaliyev, Turcotte or one of the other younger players play one of those top 9 winger roles than AA.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Here’s the full Drew Doughty exit interview.

 

[Sol]

What does it tell you guys that Mikey Anderson is one of the top 3 vocal players in the locker room.. That's insane.

 

[BigKing]

Sure, all things to be discussed in your exit interview or away from cameras. This was ridiculously childish and all part and parcel of the problem here - entitled players using their longterm contracts to leverage out coaches they don't want to play for, and now publicly using that leverage against the general manager to try and maximize TWO players remaining prime years.

Don't understand the need to rebuild Drew? Its because your team failed in 15, 16, 17 and 18 when the team was loaded with veterans and spent to the cap. THAT was your chance.

You were gifted a second chance you didn't deserve when Blake came in and acted against the teams best interests instead of tearing it down right away.

Your team has won one playoff game in 7 years. You aren't good enough to challenge anymore. Your Cup days here are over. Either get on board with what must happen here or be the bad guy and force your way out. Don't demand to be catered to as your frustration mounts. That is not the leadership your team needs from you.

I completely understand this take on it as well and I'm not going to argue your point except to say that he feels Kopitar is still a great player and he believes he is still a great player. He also likes some of these young guys but feels they need more help next year than just prospects in order to make the playoffs and, you know, he isn't wrong. It comes down to how you interpret Doughty's comments: is it blow up the prospect pool to try and seriously contend next year or is it simply a plea to make the team better next season while also not mortgaging the future.

He is here for another six seasons if he stays for the duration of the contract. I'd hate for him to think that his Cup days here are over. Hell, if Blake does the rebuild the way you want to do it and they aren't in the mix within the next six seasons then the rebuild was a failure.

 

[BigKing]

What does it tell you guys that Mikey Anderson is one of the top 3 vocal players in the locker room.. That's insane.

I like Anderson, I really do. That said, he's the guy that watched Groesnick get slashed in front of him in the final minutes last night and nothing happens.

At least Roy said they were too passive and that really hurt them. Well, you've got to identify the problem before you can fix it so at least there is that.

 

[AlphaBravo]

The way Athanasiou ended the season, with one goal in the last 15 games, is it really worth bringing him back? He completely disappeared after the Jeff Carter trade, and I feel like how he closed out the season left a bigger impression than everything else he did prior.

I'm lukewarm in regards to bringing him back, as I feel like he's another one of those redundant players who makes no real impact in the outcome of a game. He's really a bottom six forward who is very streaky when it comes to offensive production, and he is pretty weak in his own zone.

Depends on if you have better options. This team is fully of 3rd and 4th liners. The top prospects will need time to pan out. I am fine with not resigning AA, if Blake is committed to bringing in a legit top 6 .

 

[lexlavender]

#1, If Doughty doesn't want to sit in a rebuild, he should be traded. We shouldn't be forced into making bad moves and mortgaging the future.

#2, I have no f***ING idea why there are people in here who say our prospect pool isn't good enough. Yes we are missing defensemen of course, but we literally have the deepest forward pool in the league, and they have only just started to step into the team. But there are people here acting like we need to keep drafting low for the next 5 years. We should be transitioning to SOMETHING at this point, which won't be a contender, but maybe a team that can play 500 hockey at least.

 

[Sol]

@BigKing You're right. That's one thing this team really needs is players sticking up for another.

Personally, when I watch assessments of the team I think Drew is the one who's gonna give the least amount of fluff and the most honesty. I think it says a lot when he thinks the problem isn't the defense units, and it's the offense. I think another interesting point is that he thinks they're running out of time, and thinks the franchise is heading in the wrong way if they don't bring in veterans. I think he makes it very clear that there's not much leadership in the locker room. Kings need to bring in an older player maybe like Eichel just to keep players like Drew happy. I wouldn't be surprised if Drew gets fed up next season and asks for a trade if nothing is done.. Especially if the team is doing this bad still. Can't blame him.


The fact that Carter is scoring so much is pretty insane now. He's a completely different player when you watch him. There's a big problem in the organization. Blake is dropping the ball big time. Todd is as well. And the locker room isn't right..

If the Kings can fire Todd today and hire Gallant.. This team will definitely have the right coach unquestionably. Todd just has too much of a history of leading weak minded locker rooms no where. We don't need that

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I fully agree with Doughtys comments, and management needs to be accountable for this mess they have created. They brought in these players, hired Todd and here we are. Yet, there’s still a large contingent whether in the media or social media still ignoring or unwilling to criticize management.

Even last night there was no mention of Rob Blake’s mismanagement or even more troubling articulating Robs plans for this team in the future. Everything starts at the top.

 

[Statto]

$21 million per year to mentor two players? Are you serious??

Byfield and Björnfot are examples. Add Vilardi, Turcotte, Kalyev, Thomas, Kupari, Anderson... etc. Even throw in Roy and Walker, who are still learning. All the prospects will gain from having Kopitar and Doughty to learn from and help shelter them. Would Anderson and Björnfot have done so well playing with a 3rd rate Merc as the blue line leader? Highly unlikely.

Even if you don’t agree with the approach I find it hard to believe you don’t at least see the argument for the direction that has been taken.

 

[BigKing]

I fully agree with Doughtys comments, and management needs to be accountable for this mess they have created. They brought in these players, hired Todd and here we are. Yet, there’s still a large contingent whether in the media or social media still ignoring or unwilling to criticize management.

Even last night there was no mention of Rob Blake’s mismanagement or even more troubling articulating Robs plans for this team in the future. Everything starts at the top.

Fox said during the first Avs tire fire game that it was Kupari's last game because it was his sixth game and they wanted the ELC to slide.

Later on, he said on air that Blake texted him to let him know he was wrong and that Kupari already had too many seasons under his belt. So, yeah, this broadcast team isn't going to go out of its way to question anything...not that I expect team employees to do so on a broadcast.

What I don't like is that Rosen didn't totally bite his tongue when he was the LAKI. He immediately called the Pearson trade resource mismanagement but I doubt we ever get that from whomever is writing for it now.

 

[bouncesonly]

I don't think the Kings ever had a chance at the cup since the Voynov incident. 2018 was probably the closest but Kopitar's Hart-like performance masked the lack of offensive depth and was embarrassingly exposed against Vegas. Whatever Drew might say on or off the ice, he's still a very good defenseman....and I don't see him or Kopitar severely declining in the next 2, maybe 3, seasons. So I agree with Drew to some degree, Kings should probably make use of that opportunity since they're literally paying for it at almost 20+ mil/year. If not, why the hell are they paying 20+ mil/year waiting and then be really screwed when they're ready and stuck with practically unmovable contracts on likely declining players.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Welp, Doughty definitely put the front office on notice.

 

[King'sPawn]

#1, If Doughty doesn't want to sit in a rebuild, he should be traded. We shouldn't be forced into making bad moves and mortgaging the future.

#2, I have no f***ING idea why there are people in here who say our prospect pool isn't good enough. Yes we are missing defensemen of course, but we literally have the deepest forward pool in the league, and they have only just started to step into the team. But there are people here acting like we need to keep drafting low for the next 5 years. We should be transitioning to SOMETHING at this point, which won't be a contender, but maybe a team that can play 500 hockey at least.

The prospect pool, at least the chunk of it, had their first AHL year together.

It's not so much that they aren't good enough, but they were acclimating to North American professional hockey.

And frankly, Mikey Anderson and Lias Andersson are the only ones to take additional ownership and responsibility. Fighting in defense of teammates, communicating, showing you care/etc. Until the youth starts taking ownership, the Kings do need to keep drafting and keep their core vets until someone actually takes over.

Maybe some of it is deference to Doughty and Kopitar. But the youth needs to show they can handle it.

 

[BigKing]

@bland

I hadn't seen the full Doughty interview so I didn't see question asked about if he would be happy if big changes aren't made. That question and answer is pretty rough as I had only seen the quote about needing to bring guys in. "Big changes" coupled with the prospect comment makes it easier to criticize him since the argument can easily be made that he's fine with trading all of them for immediate help.

That said, it is the day after two straight ass-whoopings so it could be more immature Doughty behavior v. the start of him making demands to improve or get dealt.

 

[BigBrown]

Doughty is as sick as the rest of us of the team not being competitive but they better not make decisions based on what he wants. These things can't be forced. Buffalo has been going for short term fixes in free agency ever since signing Ville Leino what, almost ten years ago? Make smart moves even if that means no moves at all, or else the Kings will end up in the same boat.

Hopefully the Kings can find and acquire some pieces that fit this summer and if they don't, be patient. Even though it really, really sucks.

 

[tomd]

Doughty is as sick as the rest of us of the team not being competitive but they better not make decisions based on what he wants. These things can't be forced. Buffalo has been going for short term fixes in free agency ever since signing Ville Leino what, almost ten years ago? Make smart moves even if that means no moves at all, or else the Kings will end up in the same boat.

Hopefully the Kings can find and acquire some pieces that fit this summer and if they don't, be patient. Even though it really, really sucks.

When Doughty demands a trade after another bad year then the Kings will be Buffalo. Doughty clearly is not happy with the direction of the team.

This will be the 9th straight year that Buffalo has drafted in the top 8 and that includes a #1 and two #2 (and that doesn't include a #1-#3 pick this year). So drafting high doesn't guarantee anything if your management team is completely incompetent. There's nothing wrong with free agency as long as you get the right guys.

 

[tomd]

@bland

I hadn't seen the full Doughty interview so I didn't see question asked about if he would be happy if big changes aren't made. That question and answer is pretty rough as I had only seen the quote about needing to bring guys in. "Big changes" coupled with the prospect comment makes it easier to criticize him since the argument can easily be made that he's fine with trading all of them for immediate help.

That said, it is the day after two straight ass-whoopings so it could be more immature Doughty behavior v. the start of him making demands to improve or get dealt.

He was asked if he would be ok if no changes were made in the direction of the team this summer...he hesitated for a second and said "no". Looked like a lot was going through his mind before answering and he knew he was delivering an ultimatum to Blake by saying it.

 

[BigKing]

He was asked if he would be ok if no changes were made in the direction of the team this summer...he hesitated for a second and said "no". Looked like a lot was going through his mind before answering and he knew he was delivering an ultimatum to Blake by saying it.

So are you saying I need to actually watch the video? Hoven has the transcript and he framed it on his website as "big changes": not simply "changes".

For me, that is a "big" difference.

 

[tomd]

So are you saying I need to actually watch the video? Hoven has the transcript and he framed it on his website as "big changes": not simply "changes".

For me, that is a "big" difference.

It's worth watching to see his facial expression and get the full impact of his responses.

I wouldn't have said this before this year but it is obvious that Doughty is the heart and soul of the team and really wants to win again in LA. I can't imagine how bad this team would be (and for how long) if he were traded.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

I'll say it again. SItting on 21 million in cap space was and is horse shit. The Kings should have signed a couple real vets with skill to help lead the team and give the kids some confidence.
I never subscribed to the idea that they will take the roster spot of one of the kids. You can't roster a team that is chalk full of under 25 year olds. That breeds losers. That causes contention. That doesn't allow a proper evaluation of the players.

At the very least the should have brought in a vet and traded him for a pick once the kids developed. It's loser mentality.

 

[BigKing]

I'll say it again. SItting on 21 million in cap space was and is horse shit. The Kings should have signed a couple real vets with skill to help lead the team and give the kids some confidence.
I never subscribed to the idea that they will take the roster spot of one of the kids. You can't roster a team that is chalk full of under 25 year olds. That breeds losers. That causes contention. That doesn't allow a proper evaluation of the players.

At the very least the should have brought in a vet and traded him for a pick once the kids developed. It's loser mentality.

He brought in Maata and signed AA so it wasn't completely "throw the kids to the wolves" but, again, a top 10 pick was always the goal this year while allowing the most important prospects to play together down in Ontario. Looks like mission accomplished.

Agree that there is a tipping point for being cool with losing for draft picks and I think we are at that spot but, again, I've always felt that this offseason was when Blake was going to start using his gun powder: we'll just see how much he uses. What you're saying should have happened this season will happen next season, I believe. I think the first rounder this year is firmly in play.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

So are you saying I need to actually watch the video? Hoven has the transcript and he framed it on his website as "big changes": not simply "changes".

For me, that is a "big" difference.

Bernstein asked the question and he used the words “big moves.”

 

[BigKing]

Bernstein asked the question and he used the words “big moves.”

No surprise it was Bernstein Bear asking that question

 

[raswilliam]

With current state of the NHL (flat salary cap/covid restrictions/ticket sales down) now is a very good time to acquire a killer young player that already has a long term contract. Cost controlled young players and draft picks, of which the Kings many, I'd think would have inflated value as opposed to years past. Teams with cap issues or GM's trying to lessen their payroll with likely overpay for cost controlled assets. Kings are in a really good spot right now to snag some established talent for a reasonable price.