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

[Lt Dan]

Even taking all of that into consideration, he's still worth the measly 1 year x $1.2 mil it would take to qualify him. There still has to be teams that would be willing to part with a 4th? 5th? to fill out their rosters after the expansion draft. I can accept whatever reason they would have to not protect him in the draft, but all you have to do is offer him what is a very reasonable QO to retain a tradeable asset for another year.

This

 

[DoktorJeep]

Wagner and his deal are blocking AA22. He’s guaranteed $1.1M this year and $1.4M next year whether he plays in LA or Ontario.

You don’t need both of these guys on the roster. AA probably thinks he’s worth more than Wagner and I don’t blame him since he put up triple the points last season. AA on the fourth line at $1.5 x 3 would be better than Wagner.

 

[LAKings88]

I’m over Wagner.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Here is Hoven's line-up.

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Vilardi – (OPEN RW2)
Andersson – Byfield – Brown
Moore – JAD – Wagner
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Hoven and Bernstein had Frk penciled in for that open RW2 saying the Kings might want to give him another shot with Vilardi.

The only issue with the above line-up is where does Lemieux fit, he was an everyday player under TM except missed one game (I think he was banged up). Also, this forward group is softer than the D, so have to imagine him or MacD are in the line-up.

At this rate, the Kings will have four healthy scratches at forward - Lizotte, Grunstrom, Lemieux and MacD (if they convert to forward).

 

[BigKing]

Wagner and his deal are blocking AA22. He’s guaranteed $1.1M this year and $1.4M next year whether he plays in LA or Ontario.

You don’t need both of these guys on the roster. AA probably thinks he’s worth more than Wagner and I don’t blame him since he put up triple the points last season. AA on the fourth line at $1.5 x 3 would be better than Wagner.

The problem is 11 hits in 47 games for AA.

He kind of has to be in a Top 6 role because of his offensive skills but then that team probably isn't any good. No argument that he is totally worth his QO though.

 

[BigKing]

Here is Hoven's line-up.

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Vilardi – (OPEN RW2)
Andersson – Byfield – Brown
Moore – JAD – Wagner
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Hoven and Bernstein had Frk penciled in for that open RW2 saying the Kings might want to give him another shot with Vilardi.

The only issue with the above line-up is where does Lemieux fit, he was an everyday player under TM except missed one game (I think he was banged up). Also, this forward group is softer than the D, so have to imagine him or MacD are in the line-up.

At this rate, the Kings will have four healthy scratches at forward - Lizotte, Grunstrom, Lemieux and MacD (if they convert to forward).

I'm 100% certain that will not be the lineup on opening night. That is a nightmare scenario for Byfield.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I wrote on Twitter that Kupari makes it and Byfield goes back to juniors. One is 18 and the other is 21. I got torched.

 

[LAKings88]

Brown Kopi Arvidsson
Iaffalo Byfield ?
Moore Vilardi Frk
Kempe JAD Andersson

 

[DoktorJeep]

Here is Hoven's line-up.

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Vilardi – (OPEN RW2)
Andersson – Byfield – Brown
Moore – JAD – Wagner
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Hoven and Bernstein had Frk penciled in for that open RW2 saying the Kings might want to give him another shot with Vilardi.

The only issue with the above line-up is where does Lemieux fit, he was an everyday player under TM except missed one game (I think he was banged up). Also, this forward group is softer than the D, so have to imagine him or MacD are in the line-up.

At this rate, the Kings will have four healthy scratches at forward - Lizotte, Grunstrom, Lemieux and MacD (if they convert to forward).

If Frk, Lizotte and Grundstrom round out that forwards lineup, anyone predicting playoffs is a blind faith believer.

 

[Johnny Utah]

What's the D?

Doughty-Anderson
Roy-Bjornfot
Walker-Maata

Extra: Clague

That's pretty soft when the rival teams are lining up either big D or big forwards.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Here is Hoven's line-up.

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Vilardi – (OPEN RW2)
Andersson – Byfield – Brown
Moore – JAD – Wagner
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Hoven and Bernstein had Frk penciled in for that open RW2 saying the Kings might want to give him another shot with Vilardi.

The only issue with the above line-up is where does Lemieux fit, he was an everyday player under TM except missed one game (I think he was banged up). Also, this forward group is softer than the D, so have to imagine him or MacD are in the line-up.

At this rate, the Kings will have four healthy scratches at forward - Lizotte, Grunstrom, Lemieux and MacD (if they convert to forward).

Ugly. Looks like another bottom 5 offense roster!

 

[YP44]

What's the D?

Doughty-Anderson
Roy-Bjornfot
Walker-Maata

Extra: Clague

That's pretty soft when the rival teams are lining up either big D or big forwards.

I expect/hope LA to bring in a top 4 LHD. This will push Maata out, and Clague will likely be a Kracken

 

[redcard]

Here is Hoven's line-up.

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Vilardi – (OPEN RW2)
Andersson – Byfield – Brown
Moore – JAD – Wagner
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Hoven and Bernstein had Frk penciled in for that open RW2 saying the Kings might want to give him another shot with Vilardi.

The only issue with the above line-up is where does Lemieux fit, he was an everyday player under TM except missed one game (I think he was banged up). Also, this forward group is softer than the D, so have to imagine him or MacD are in the line-up.

At this rate, the Kings will have four healthy scratches at forward - Lizotte, Grunstrom, Lemieux and MacD (if they convert to forward).

Its hockey, you have to assume 2 of those guys are hurt at any given point of the year. Plenty of opportunity to get Lemieux into the line-up in that regard.

 

[BigKing]

I wrote on Twitter that Kupari makes it and Byfield goes back to juniors. One is 18 and the other is 21. I got torched.

As you should. Byfield will have to trip all over himself to be sent down to the OHL. Doesn't matter that one will be 19 and one is 21: one's development is way more important than the other.

Kupari can easily go back down to Ontario. Byfield scorching the OHL does nothing for him.

I think Blake might have another move in him when it comes to that Top 6 but, if not, I expect Brown to be right there next to Kopitar.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kupari looked way better than Byfield to me.

 

[Tender33]

I honestly believe the Kings won't qualify Clague leaving him to become a UFA. This is for (2) reasons, he is waiver exempt so needs to make team out of camp or WILL get claimed off waivers, and also was drafted by Lombardi and Blake wants to put his own stamp on the team. By doing this the Kraken will select Wagner or Frk since they could sign Clague as a UFA after.

 

[BigKing]

Kupari looked way better than Byfield to me.

It doesn't matter though: Kupari starting the year in Ontario is not a detriment to his development whereas Byfield playing in the OHL during his D + 2 year (after obliterating it in his draft year) is stupid.

With that said, the two players don't have to be mutually exclusive. A big part of next season is going to be these young forward prospects pushing there way on to the NHL roster. That includes Kaliyev and Turcotte as well.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Drouin for AA! (& Määtta if they want him)

2 goals & 22 assists in 28 games for Drouin this year. $5M X 2 year contract. He needs out of MTL & could be a useful bridge player. Contract is up when Laine & Pasta are hitting free agency. (Still believe Blake will swing at a high end forward before rebuild is over)

Blake has worked with MTL before & seems like he might do Drouin a solid by trading for him & not trying to exploit MTL.

Would also ask what the add for LD Romanov or Guhle is.

 

[Matt13]

Drouin for AA! (& Määtta if they want him)

2 goals & 22 assists in 28 games for Drouin this year. $5M X 2 year contract. He needs out of MTL & could be a useful bridge player. Contract is up when Laine & Pasta are hitting free agency. (Still believe Blake will swing at a high end forward before rebuild is over)

Blake has worked with MTL before & seems like he might do Drouin a solid by trading for him & not trying to exploit MTL.

Would also ask what the add for LD Romanov or Guhle is.

First he wanted out of Tampa, now MTL. If they are giving him away, maybe. He’s not worth anything.

 

[johnjm22]

I don't have much faith in Kupari. I don't think he'll ever amount to much in the NHL.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Docgonzo]

Maybe it was just the team being awful but AA just tried to do so much by himself. Didn’t seem to find chemistry with anybody. I can see why’d they let him walk and try one of the prospects or bring in someone less one dimensional.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kupari showed some sick moves in a game against Colorado.

 

[bland]

Here is Hoven's line-up.

Iafallo – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kempe – Vilardi – (OPEN RW2)
Andersson – Byfield – Brown
Moore – JAD – Wagner
(Forward 13)
(Forward 14)

Hoven and Bernstein had Frk penciled in for that open RW2 saying the Kings might want to give him another shot with Vilardi.

The only issue with the above line-up is where does Lemieux fit, he was an everyday player under TM except missed one game (I think he was banged up). Also, this forward group is softer than the D, so have to imagine him or MacD are in the line-up.

At this rate, the Kings will have four healthy scratches at forward - Lizotte, Grunstrom, Lemieux and MacD (if they convert to forward).

Kempe - Kopitar - Brown (bumped down by Kupari or Kaliyev mid year)
Iafallo - Byfield - Moore
Andersson - Vilardi - Arvidsson
Lemieux - JAD - Martinook (hunch)
Lizotte, Grundstrom

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Roy
Moverare - Walker
Maatta

MacDermid as the surprise expansion draft choice. Wagner and Clague waived.

Peterson
Quick

 

[bland]

No, because Clague's exposed either way. So that wouldn't factor into the discussion of which forwards to keep, unless you would prefer to keep Clague and want to deter Seattle by leaving a few enticing but replaceable forward options available to them.



But he still scored at a 40 point pace through the shortened season. It doesn't matter that he was a potential star, he is a 40 point guy. And 40 point 26 year olds are worth $1.2 mil contracts and have trade value. I don't understand why we wouldn't just give him a qualifying offer and then try to shop him if he's not a fit.

It has nothing to do with his numbers, dude has a reputation issue that wasn't resolved in his one year cheap reclamation deal.

I thought he played pretty well too, but that's only part of it.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Wagner and his deal are blocking AA22. He’s guaranteed $1.1M this year and $1.4M next year whether he plays in LA or Ontario.

You don’t need both of these guys on the roster. AA probably thinks he’s worth more than Wagner and I don’t blame him since he put up triple the points last season. AA on the fourth line at $1.5 x 3 would be better than Wagner.

Both of them can go fly a kite.