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

[Steve Zissou]

I f***ing love Schwartz and his versatility would be fantastic.

So do I. He's been an absolute warrior for St. Louis. But I certainly didn't love him this past season.

I watched a handful of Blues games this season and he looked like he's lost not just a step but 2 or 3 at that. Was also hurt for 16 games, so perhaps that's why...?

Maybe he'll rebound next year, but there is not denying he's probably on the decline now. Like Richards, those are some hard miles on his body.

Both The Hockey Writers and The Blues beat reporter Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic gave Schwartz the same grade in his postseason report card piece: F.

https://thehockeywriters.com/blues-2020-21-report-cards-jaden-schwartz/

'This is embarrassing': St. Louis Blues final 2020-21 report card following another first-round playoff loss

 

[KingsHockey24]

I just want Blake to full send it and pick up Sergachev from Tampa. Maybe take some cap back like Tyler Johnson who I think would benefit with more ice-time.

 

[Matt13]

I just want Blake to full send it and pick up Sergachev from Tampa. Maybe take some cap back like Tyler Johnson who I think would benefit with more ice-time.

Too dangerous as he is 2 years away from UFA. We trade the farm, he’s gone in 2 years and we have nothing to show for it.

 

[Lt Dan]

Fiala worth giving up Vilardi?

Yes

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Too dangerous as he is 2 years away from UFA. We trade the farm, he’s gone in 2 years and we have nothing to show for it.

Sergachev is only 22, he’ll be a RFA in two years.

 

[Matt13]

Sergachev is only 22, he’ll be a RFA in two years.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

View attachment 448880

And he’s a great dude!


If he becomes available, I’d easily give up the #8 pick and other assets, and also take on the Tyler Johnson contract in order to get it done.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Been reading up on the Leafs. Had me wondering if a guy like Morgan Reilly came free, maybe the Kings could pick him up cheap as mostly a salary dump. Then retain half & flip him. Giroux would be a forward version. 1 more year to UFA. Too much as a rental at full price on a team that needs cap.

Was also thinking about taking on that Johnson contract, or one like it & using that payment to go after players like S. Jones or Reinhart. No point in parting with our prospects.

 

[Ghetty Green]

This is not meant to disparage Kopi, but in reality he is a 2nd/3rd center logging 1st line minutes at this point in his carrer.

Lol this board... geez

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Lol this board... geez

Clearly Kopitar finishing 12th in scoring among centers with 50 points in 56 games is a sign that he’s nothing more than a grinding center. He only put up more points than Brayden Point, Patrice Bergeron, Mat Barzal, y’know, players who every sensible person would consider 3rd line centers.

It’s dumbfounding to see the disrespect Kopitar gets from the clueless masses.

 

[Choralone]

Clearly Kopitar finishing 12th in scoring among centers with 50 points in 56 games is a sign that he’s nothing more than a grinding center. He only put up more points than Brayden Point, Patrice Bergeron, Mat Barzal, y’know, players who every sensible person would consider 3rd line centers.

It’s dumbfounding to see the disrespect Kopitar gets from the clueless masses.

But you see, he doesn't yell at guys in front of the TV camera, so he's just a passionless Euro captain who's not pulling his weight.

 

[kinghock]

Armia sucks, he would just be Trent Hunter here.

Granlund is good but he'd infuriate people here by getting 40-50 points while they're expecting a savior

I f***ing love Schwartz and his versatility would be fantastic.

What about Galchenyuk?
His play in this year playoff confirmed that he still has talent and heart.
He can be had cheaply for 2-3 years…

 

[kinghock]

I could see that one if we want a more natural winger. Also a former #11 OA pick, too. I wouldn't be happy but that's just because I'm a huge Vilardi homer.

I have honest question to ask.
Can you please explain to me why you are so high on Vilardi?
He is very polarizing player to me.

His pluses are: great hockey IQ, great skills, great vision and good size.
His minuses are: very soft, bad defense and average skater.

His pluses are great for regular season.
His minuses are really bad for playoff.


P.S. May be unfairly, but he will always have question mark about his health.

 

[verbalkint47]

Fiala worth giving up Vilardi?

Wild fans seem open to Vilardi + 8OA for Fiala + 20/21 OA. I think I do that but it depends on what kind of contract Fiala and his representatives are looking for. Fiala would look great next to Byfield.

 

[kinghock]

Wild fans seem open to Vilardi + 8OA for Fiala + 20/21 OA. I think I do that but it depends on what kind of contract Fiala and his representatives are looking for. Fiala would look great next to Byfield.

I would not trade 8OA in this deal.

 

[verbalkint47]

I would not trade 8OA in this deal.

To each their own. Is there really that much difference in talent between the 8th OA and 21st OA in this draft?
Fiala is the superior player right now (and only 24). We'd still have a 1st and be able to draft someone like Lysell, Coronato, Cossa, Raty, Ceulemans, etc.

 

[Cook24]

Kempe and #8 pick for Fiala sounds better.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Fiala worth giving up Vilardi?

Vilardi and what else?

I just want Blake to full send it and pick up Sergachev from Tampa. Maybe take some cap back like Tyler Johnson who I think would benefit with more ice-time.

You have to assume getting rid of Sergachev is a last resort for TB.

I would not trade 8OA in this deal.

Then you're not getting Fiala. He's averaging 31g and 68pts per 82 games over the last 2 years.

 

[Martyros]

I also heard that Kopitar wears white after labor day.

 

[verbalkint47]

Kempe and #8 pick for Fiala sounds better.

I don't think the Wild would do that. The whole point of trading Fiala is to get a center back.

 

[kinghock]

To each their own. Is there really that much difference in talent between the 8th OA and 21st OA in this draft?
Fiala is the superior player right now (and only 24). We'd still have a 1st and be able to draft someone like Lysell, Coronato, Cossa, Raty, Ceulemans, etc.

I really believe Kent Johnson is high level of talent.
But reluctantly I can agree with you…

 

[kinghock]

Vilardi and what else?



You have to assume getting rid of Sergachev is a last resort for TB.



Then you're not getting Fiala. He's averaging 31g and 68pts per 82 games over the last 2 years.

Thank you. You convinced me about trading 8OA.

 

[bland]

But you see, he doesn't yell at guys in front of the TV camera, so he's just a passionless Euro captain who's not pulling his weight.

Two very different things here. Kopitar is a hall of famer, one of the very best pure hockey players ever, still a true #1 center, remarkably resilient and a true gentleman.

But you need someone else to be the leader of your team if you want to win. There is a difference between being a perfect role model and being a leader. That's just something that isn't in his vast arsensal. He settles down instead of inspiring up, which is wonderful if you have both options on your roster.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I have honest question to ask.
Can you please explain to me why you are so high on Vilardi?
He is very polarizing player to me.

His pluses are: great hockey IQ, great skills, great vision and good size.
His minuses are: very soft, bad defense and average skater.

His pluses are great for regular season.
His minuses are really bad for playoff.


P.S. May be unfairly, but he will always have question mark about his health.

I think he's closer to the guy we saw last year than the one at the end of this year.

I don't think he's soft, if anything, he's a little spicy when he's confident.

And because the best is yet to come for him. We've seen him coming off years of back injury AND in a covid season with all sorts of shit, the frustration he showed in that interview towards the end of the year showed me a guy who is hungry and his own worst critic. I trust him to do the right things to get on track.

I also think he's a unique player amongst what we have and I think he'll settle in as a winger when all is said and done.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Kempe and #8 pick for Fiala sounds better.

you are giving up scoring to add scoring? doesn't feel like the smartest approach to me...