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

[kilowatt]

It's worth pointing out that Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Austin Wagner, and Matt Roy were all picked in the same draft. Eichel and Kempe are the same age (Kempe is one month older). Eichel fits perfectly into our timeline. If you can get Eichel without selling the entire farm, you do it. Iafallo, Turcotte, 1st 2021 or 2022, and Clague? It's a no brainer. I think it will take a lot more than that though.

 

[Herby]

It's worth pointing out that Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Austin Wagner, and Matt Roy were all picked in the same draft. Eichel and Kempe are the same age (Kempe is one month older). Eichel fits perfectly into our timeline. If you can get Eichel without selling the entire farm, you do it. Iafallo, Turcotte, 1st 2021 or 2022, and Clague? It's a no brainer. I think it will take a lot more than that though.

I still don't see any way the Kings get him without including Byfield. Maybe if the Kings #1 this year were in the top 3, but it's looking right now like it may not be in the Top 10.

I think the cost is going to be high, Byfield + one of those 3 defenseman (probably Toby or Anderson instead of Roy due to age) would be the starting point. Eichel is at another level better than Richards and Carter were (and younger) and look what Philly got for them.

I would do everything I can to keep Toby, but at the end of the day it's a chance to get a 24 year old star player. The cost is going to be high, and I think many here won't be happy if it happens.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Even after several long losing streaks this year, the Kings have a cushion against those below them. I expect them to lose a lot too when they're playing Vegas every other game. But I don't think it will ever be bad enough to fall into the bottom 5 again.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

I still don't see any way the Kings get him without including Byfield. Maybe if the Kings #1 this year were in the top 3, but it's looking right now like it may not be in the Top 10.

I think the cost is going to be high, Byfield + one of those 3 defenseman (probably Toby or Anderson instead of Roy due to age) would be the starting point. Eichel is at another level better than Richards and Carter were (and younger) and look what Philly got for them.

I would do everything I can to keep Toby, but at the end of the day it's a chance to get a 24 year old star player. The cost is going to be high, and I think many here won't be happy if it happens.

I could see the Sabres wanting Faber. How good he was at the WJC and for the most part, looked as good or better than #5 overall Sanderson. So, I think there are really 3 top echelon young D in Anderson, Bjornfot and Faber....hard to gauge how good Grans is. Looks to be having a decent season in SHL, yet a team leading minus stat. Also, did not bode well that he was cut from Team Sweden.
Have high hopes for him, though. Big, RHD with top end skills and good skating.

 

[Herby]

Even after several long losing streaks this year, the Kings have a cushion against those below them. I expect them to lose a lot too when they're playing Vegas every other game. But I don't think it will ever be bad enough to fall into the bottom 5 again.

Yeah but the Kings also have a lot of games left against the Ducks and Sharks, two teams they are just better than, period.

Plus only a couple left against our kryptonite the Wild.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Eichel would be a lot better if he didn’t have to be the guy. I’m a little concerned about his ability to make his line mates better but he really hasn’t had much to work with. It would suck having 3 guys eating up so much cap but Kopitar isn’t that much longer.

 

[Herby]

Eichel would be a lot better if he didn’t have to be the guy. I’m a little concerned about his ability to make his line mates better but he really hasn’t had much to work with. It would suck having 3 guys eating up so much cap but Kopitar isn’t that much longer.

The cap is a concern but the Kings also have a lot of prospects that should be knocking on the door and will be on cheap ELC's that will help ease the strain of having three guys making over $30m

 

[johnjm22]

Sometimes you have prospects or young players that are highly regarded, but after having them in the organization for a bit you know they're overrated. You want to trade these guys away before the rest of the league finds out what they really are.

Dean did it a couple times with O'Sullivan and Hudson Fasching.

The only justification I could see for moving our high-end prospects/young players in a package for Eichel is if they fit the above criteria.

 

[The Lukeman]

Anderson and Toby are both perfect partners for Doughty now and for as long as Doughty has left as a #1 d-man in the league, whether it's 3 years of 10 years.

I don’t think either of them are top 2 defenseman on a contending team. Rasmus Dahlin is already a top defenseman in the league. Toby and Anderson don’t have the offensive upside to be elite. They have a combined 8 points (5 of which are secondary) and 0 goals in 32 games.

Imagine Doughty with someone who isn’t a rookie. He literally complained about this before the season.

Also the talk has been how LA doesn’t have that game breaking defensemen in the youth movement. One just became available. Makes more sense than Eichel, who’s position is by far our system strength

 

[HookKing]

Eichel would be a lot better if he didn’t have to be the guy. I’m a little concerned about his ability to make his line mates better but he really hasn’t had much to work with. It would suck having 3 guys eating up so much cap but Kopitar isn’t that much longer.

I wouldn't pay 10m for a someone that isn't the guy -- a franchise guy. Moreover, he's been well below average on the dot. No way would I want him for anything less than a bargain price.

 

[Bandit]

Yeah but the Kings also have a lot of games left against the Ducks and Sharks, two teams they are just better than, period.

Plus only a couple left against our kryptonite the Wild.

Only one left against the wild, thank creebus.

 

[SFKingshomer]

I’d prefer a defenseman to Eichel but not sure how many top guys are available. Werenski has been mentioned but I don’t see him being moved.

 

[funky]

I would drive Byfield to the airport myself for Eichel. To land a point per game young center locked up long term right now while Doughty and Kopitar still have a few great years left would be awesome.

Eichel has size, speed and can snipe. The Kopitar line is set. Put Vilardi on one side of Eichel and a burner or even a mucked on the other. Our bottom 6 is very solid

he brings years of high end talent. A true #1 as Kopitar starts to fade. Kopitar in a few years will still be a very high end second line center.

I know the price would be high. We have the talent. Do it before the luster starts to tarnish on some of the prospects.

 

[Martyros]

as i've said before, i have no problem including Byfield in a deal for Eichel, and it has nothing to do with why we picked him over who may become the best player in the draft. I'd do Byfield/Turcotte + combination(s) of Walker, Clague, Kupari + 1st/2nd/3rd round pick(s) this year along with an expendable roster forward... It is a trade for a franchise player signed long term.

 

[kilowatt]

I wouldn't pay 10m for a someone that isn't the guy -- a franchise guy. Moreover, he's been well below average on the dot. No way would I want him for anything less than a bargain price.

He's finally 50% on face-offs this year. Kopitar was sub-50% until he was 24, too.

 

[Herby]

I think some of you really drastically underrate Bjornfot, how good he is now and how good he has a chance to be. Maybe I am overly optimistic but I think he has a chance to be a Brent Seabrook type of player, not in style per se, but in the type of role he can have on a contender as a D partner to a star d-man (Doughty)

He is 19 and playing defense pretty darn well in the NHL. We will see though.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

All, in all, cannot be disappointed overall. I have never seen so many young players, hitting their stride in one season...where they are bonafide NHL players
and meeting or exceeding expectations 'at this time'.

Vilardi, Anderson, Bjornfot, JAD (sample size, but for real!) and can add (doing well) Grundstrom, Moore, Clague, Strand. Could almost add Petersen, but he emerged last year.
You can't really say Vilardi emerged last yr, only 10 games and was remained to be seen if he could handle 2C. He has now emerged (gained size, strength, stamina, better skating)

Players like Luff, Amadio and to a degree, Wagner, are what they are. Even Lizotte, to a degree. These will be replaced by next year, by more emerging talent. Remains
to be seen about Frk coming back and AA, if he is re-signed. And if Lias Andersson can arise. Hard
to say at this point. I still like his game for the most part. His linemates didn't help. Yes, linemates should help you out. Like JAD, Grundstrom and Moore were doing that. Each one of them, were making the other 2 better. Still, it's up to Lias. Not making excuses, but what I stated, was part of the problem.

Never thought I could say Trevor Moore is better than Lizotte, but he is. JAD certainly burst on the scene and did not see that coming. Even looked awesome on the PP, the few
shifts he got on it. Impressed.

So, that's 8 young players that have emerged this year. And more to come. Although Clague and Strand are in the AHL, they certainly more then held their own and can now
be said they are (capable of being) NHL defensemen. Just a numbers game. If one is traded, that's just the way it is. They both cannot be protected for expansion draft. (as far as I have seen)

Good times ahead. Now, figure out Ontario and stabilize that mess.

 

[LAKings88]

In an interview with ATKM, Fox was more interested in Ristolainen(sp) than Dahlin.

 

[jfont]

If we are looking at Buffalo, stop talking about Eichel, start talking about Dahlin

We already have our #1 C in Kopitar for at least a couple seasons. We still do not have a partner for Doughty. Eventually, 1 of Byfield, Vilardi, or Turcotte will become our new #1 C. Either way, a move like this would happen at the draft/offseason, not during the season.

Dahlin has not looked good defensively this year

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think some of you really drastically underrate Bjornfot, how good he is now and how good he has a chance to be. Maybe I am overly optimistic but I think he has a chance to be a Brent Seabrook type of player, not in style per se, but in the type of role he can have on a contender as a D partner to a star d-man (Doughty)

He is 19 and playing defense pretty darn well in the NHL. We will see though.

Someone one mentioned Hjalmarsson too and I can see either of those well, I get what you're saying

 

[Peter James Bond III]

I think some of you really drastically underrate Bjornfot, how good he is now and how good he has a chance to be. Maybe I am overly optimistic but I think he has a chance to be a Brent Seabrook type of player, not in style per se, but in the type of role he can have on a contender as a D partner to a star d-man (Doughty)

He is 19 and playing defense pretty darn well in the NHL. We will see though.

So well put and it's 100% true. He even has good timing on pinches and they are pretty effective. Also, going to the net, at least once a game. I never again want to see Wheeler or Pronman say Tobias has no flash. I think by the time he's 21, he will be scoring a few and having key assists.

He's taken a few big hits lately and shrugs them off. He's so resilient and tough, in that regard. He's no wilting flower and is not out handled by a Jordan Greenway.
The skating, the poise, the reads, the coverage, the work on the boards, in front of the net...skating or passing the puck leaving the zone. He's remarkable.
He's just scratching the surface at being even more. 19 years old!

 

[cyclones22]

Tobi is going to be better than Voynov.

 

[KingLB]

The need for a “Doughty partner” is a poor asset usage. If the Kings get a true #2 or even a 1b. You don’t pair him with Doughty, you put him in the second pair and have one of them on the ice for atleast 45 mins of the game. Instead of both on the ice for 25 mins. It’s what the Kings did when Voynov was on the team. It’s what the Ducks did with Pronger/Neids.

 

[driller1]

The need for a “Doughty partner” is a poor asset usage. If the Kings get a true #2 or even a 1b. You don’t pair him with Doughty, you put him in the second pair and have one of them on the ice for atleast 45 mins of the game. Instead of both on the ice for 25 mins. It’s what the Kings did when Voynov was on the team. It’s what the Ducks did with Pronger/Neids.

Hello Matt Roy!!!

If DD takes 24 mins and Roy 21, you get your 45. Don't think Roy's been as good since the concussion, but still a #2 in my mind.

 

[johnjm22]

Bjornfot shows flashes of potential that only the special players have.

People think his upside is limited because he's never been a big scorer. They're wrong.

Toby scored at nearly a .5 pace in the AHL as a rookie 18 year old defenseman. Most of our highly regarded forward prospects would struggle to accomplish that.

Trading him would be asinine.