Speculation: 2020-21 News/Rumors/Roster Thread Part III

[King'sPawn]

What the team needs is another Matt Greene type pickup. MacD can play that role for now, but I'm not sure there is much room for growth with his overall positioning and hockey awareness. As always, the problem is it's difficult to find a guy like Greene in the right age slot.

I mean... Matt Greene's criticism was his hockey awareness. The Kings acquired him when he was 25. MacDermid is 26.

Is there really that much of a difference between the two at the time Greene was brought in?

 

[KingsFan7824]

As always, the problem is it's difficult to find a guy like Greene in the right age slot.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Could be one way to expedite the rebuild.

 

[Johnny Utah]

It’s up to MacD to prove he is an everyday top 6.

Without him the toughest player in the line up is Wagner.

 

[DoktorJeep]

I think the Matt Greene types are done in the NHL. Guys who try to freeze pucks in the dzone get beat on plays because they can’t obstruct without taking a penalty.

MacDermid has turned himself into an NHL level role player. He has shown he can play 10 minutes a night, not take excessive minor penalties and acts as a scary deterrent to the opposition taking liberties.

He may have 2-3 years of this type of play left to give. So for the next couple of seasons he has a spot on the roster.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Could be one way to expedite the rebuild.

It’s tempting, but we should pass. Columbus will want a big package for him. He is worth that package, but I would rather keep our prospects and see what upside they have. That said, if a deal like Kupari, Iafallo, and our 1st next year would work, I would pull the trigger. I suspect they will want Turcotte or Byfield.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Could be one way to expedite the rebuild.

Just watched his goals from last year:



Almost every goal is done within 5 feet of the net. Ok, I'm in. BUT, it would most surely cost us Vilardi or Turcotte and man did I like the potential of Turcotte after watching the WJC. Then again, PLD would give us what both of those guys could offer right now.

 

[BringTheReign]

What the team needs is another Matt Greene type pickup. MacD can play that role for now, but I'm not sure there is much room for growth with his overall positioning and hockey awareness. As always, the problem is it's difficult to find a guy like Greene in the right age slot.

I heard someone compare Faber to Matt Greene but with above-average NHL foot speed. I've also heard him described as a physical version of Martinez. Martinez-Greene was a great pairing, so if Faber is a combo of the two, great!

EDIT: Token pointed out that Ben Meehan is the one described as a physical Martinez, not Faber. My bad!

 

[BringTheReign]

I mean... Matt Greene's criticism was his hockey awareness. The Kings acquired him when he was 25. MacDermid is 26.

Is there really that much of a difference between the two at the time Greene was brought in?

Greene was a former 2nd round pick who had already played a starting role on a team that made the Cup Finals. That's pretty damn different, no slight to MacD.

 

[bland]

A move like that wouldn't accelerate the rebuild, it would take three years off of the end. It would be sabotage.

Who would he play with? You would have to trade other kids to get him wingers or spend massively in free agency before the rest of the kids are ready to make a run as a team. It would put the Kings squarely in black hole territory.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

A move like that wouldn't accelerate the rebuild, it would take three years off of the end. It would be sabotage.

Who would he play with? You would have to trade other kids to get him wingers or spend massively in free agency before the rest of the kids are ready to make a run as a team. It would put the Kings squarely in black hole territory.

Wow, that’s dramatic.

 

[BringTheReign]

It’s tempting, but we should pass. Columbus will want a big package for him. He is worth that package, but I would rather keep our prospects and see what upside they have. That said, if a deal like Kupari, Iafallo, and our 1st next year would work, I would pull the trigger. I suspect they will want Turcotte or Byfield.

Zero chance they take the first deal unless it's this summer after Iafallo scores near a 0.75 point/game pace, Kupari blossoms, and that 1st round pick is top 5 for sure.

If PLD is truly available, I can't imagine anyone in our prospect pool being considered untouchable TBH. That might be different if Byfield had gone nuclear at the WJC, but he didn't (and I am a Byfield optimist who is not worried about him). I understand the notion of maximizing lottery tickets by keeping all our prospects, but it sure seems like they want Doughty/Kopitar in top pairing/top 6 roles when we're competitive again. PLD almost assures that in pushing Kopitar to our 2nd line. If we could get PLD by only giving up one of Turcotte, Vilardi, or Byfield, I think you have to consider it.

That all being said, next year's draft has some defensemen we could REALLY use, and Blake would need to do his homework on exactly why PLD wants out. We need to rebuild a culture, not bring in someone who is going to ask for a trade if things go south.

EDIT: I think folks are overlooking that if you trade for PLD right now, you're getting a 1st line center who is cost-controlled at $5M/year for this season and next AND is a RFA after that. That adds tremendous value.

 

[KopitarFAN]

It’s tempting, but we should pass. Columbus will want a big package for him. He is worth that package, but I would rather keep our prospects and see what upside they have. That said, if a deal like Kupari, Iafallo, and our 1st next year would work, I would pull the trigger. I suspect they will want Turcotte or Byfield.

At some point, you have to sh*t or get off the pot, I could see them willing to offer either Turcotte or Byfield because Dubois is 22, he's not some 28 year old gonna be a UFA at seasons end.

Obviously it would come down to the other pieces involved, if they want Turcotte/Byfield, a 1st, AND a defenseman (Bjornfot/Anderson). That's probably too much.

Maybe they could take Brandon Dubinsky's contract that's going on LTIR to lower the price tag.

 

[Token]

I heard someone compare Faber to Matt Greene but with above-average NHL foot speed. I've also heard him described as a physical version of Martinez. Martinez-Greene was a great pairing, so if Faber is a combo of the two, great!

I think you are combining reports on Faber and Meehan.

Meehan was described as a meaner version of Marty.

Methinks Ben is touched by leprechauns.

 

[bland]

Wow, that’s dramatic.

Clearly you don't understand the situation.

 

[BringTheReign]

I think you are combining reports on Faber and Meehan.

Meehan was described as a meaner version of Marty.

Methinks Ben is touched by leprechauns.

View attachment 382895

Ah crap, you're totally right. Meehan was noted to play with an edge and hit in open ice. I'll edit.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Keep in mind PLD himself was a 3rd OA pick and his trajectory has been constantly up. After last year's playoffs, he's primed for a breakout. Nothing would be off the table, not even Byfield. I imagine they'd ask for Vilardi (+prospect and 1st rd pick) since he's 'ready' and CBJ isn't gonna wait for Byfield. I'm not real sure how I feel about that and it would be a real nut-buster for Blake. It might help make us competitive a year or two sooner, but is that really worth it? I don't think there's a 'right' answer. Just depends on how high on is on PLD. that Athletic article referenced some who would see him as a top-5 center; if that's the case, you kind of have to pull the trigger. I'm not 100% sure that's how I feel about him...but he sure has all the tools. And as you see from the video, like Turcotte, he's fearless and always in the thick of things. Definitely a net presence and just bulldozes the f*** out of everything.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Dubois needs another new contract before Turcotte or Byfield need their first post-ELC contract. Maybe even by 2 years.

The Kings gave up a two 1sts, Schenn, and Simmonds, before they ever got out of the 1st round prior the 2012 playoffs. Ended up working, but that was a gigantic risk. DL at least knew what Kopitar and Doughty were by then though. At least the Kings had made the playoffs in 2010 and 2011. What are you adding Dubois to? You don't know yet. If he can't help Columbus be a real contender, what's he going to do here?

If the Kings aren't going anywhere this year, Dubois or not, and likely not going anywhere next year, when Brown and Carter are still here at 37 years old, you've just wasted Dubois at $5m. Then he has to be signed at likely an even bigger deal, while Kopitar and Doughty are that much older.

Slow, steady, and boring is the way to go.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Dubois needs another new contract before Turcotte or Byfield need their first post-ELC contract. Maybe even by 2 years.

The Kings gave up a two 1sts, Schenn, and Simmonds, before they ever got out of the 1st round prior the 2012 playoffs. Ended up working, but that was a gigantic risk. DL at least knew what Kopitar and Doughty were by then though. At least the Kings had made the playoffs in 2010 and 2011. What are you adding Dubois to? You don't know yet. If he can't help Columbus be a real contender, what's he going to do here?

If the Kings aren't going anywhere this year, Dubois or not, and likely not going anywhere next year, when Brown and Carter are still here at 37 years old, you've just wasted Dubois at $5m. Then he has to be signed at likely an even bigger deal, while Kopitar and Doughty are that much older.

Slow, steady, and boring is the way to go.

Agree with all but the boldfaced, the guy was an absolute maniac in the playoffs. If anything, that's a value add for teams looking for playoff players. I certainly wouldn't want to be up against him in a 7-game series. He's an angry Kopitar.

 

[King'sPawn]

Greene was a former 2nd round pick who had already played a starting role on a team that made the Cup Finals. That's pretty damn different, no slight to MacD.

I reiterate - how is Greene's age, criticism, and role different from MacDermid? Draft pedigree by this age means very little. And teams on which a player plays on is out of their control (unless they sign as a free agent).

Greene was brought in to be a cornerstone leader, yes, and he had skills to be a regular NHLer.

Yet Greene was a tough, bottom-pairing defenseman who was criticized for taking himself out of position for a big hit. He had limited offensive ability.

Prior to his trade to LA, Greene had 1 goal and 13 points in 151 games (age 25 by offseason)

MacDermid has 4 goals and 13 points in 90 NHL games (will turn 27 during this season)

Greene had leadership qualities, which is sorely missed. But I don't think it's inconcievable for MacDermid to provide a comparable skillset and presence.

 

[cyclones22]

The team has only 2 rebuilding seasons in the bin, it's far too early to cash in your chips for a player that moves you from bottom five to what? The top teams don't trade their top prospects until the team is actually good. At this point of the rebuild, when there are multiple positions in need of improvement, now's not the time to be impatient. Overwhelmingly the best teams in the league have drafted and developed their best players.

 

[Token]

Keep in mind PLD himself was a 3rd OA pick and his trajectory has been constantly up. After last year's playoffs, he's primed for a breakout. Nothing would be off the table, not even Byfield. I imagine they'd ask for Vilardi (+prospect and 1st rd pick) since he's 'ready' and CBJ isn't gonna wait for Byfield. I'm not real sure how I feel about that and it would be a real nut-buster for Blake. It might help make us competitive a year or two sooner, but is that really worth it? I don't think there's a 'right' answer. Just depends on how high on is on PLD. that Athletic article referenced some who would see him as a top-5 center; if that's the case, you kind of have to pull the trigger. I'm not 100% sure that's how I feel about him...but he sure has all the tools. And as you see from the video, like Turcotte, he's fearless and always in the thick of things. Definitely a net presence and just bulldozes the f*** out of everything.

Another big consideration - with the flat cap and long financial recovery, do you want to be paying a $10+M contract in two years or in 5 years?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Another big consideration - with the flat cap and long financial recovery, do you want to be paying a $10+M contract in two years or in 5 years?

Yep. Still, a philosophical question. If you're Blake you can sell PLD = playoff revenue by the time that contract matters. Or, if you're AEG, f*** you Rob, we're not ready to compete, stop spending my future money. It's certainly a consideration.

 

[BigKing]

Matt Greene: Eternally underrated. I love MacD but Greene runs circles around him and always will.

As for trading prospects for PLD, remember the Kings being rated as a Top 5 prospect pool in the DL rebuild with players like Hickey, Bernier, Moller and Purcell leading the way. You know what PLD is and the rest is hope. I'll reiterate that Blake better be looking into it but it's not an easy decision.

 

[Docgonzo]

You can’t compare this to Richards because Richards was 26, honestly don’t remember the age, when the Kings acquired him. Dubious is what we’d hope one of our center prospects would turn into. But it all depends on cost because if they’d want D prospects we can’t really afford to give a lot of those up.

He’s 1 year older than Vilardi and 3 years older than Turcotte. Plus if they asked for Turcotte our center depth would be Kopitar, Dubios, Vilardi and Byfield....all huge and skilled. That’d be a nightmare for other teams to play against.