Speculation: 2020-21 News/Rumors/Roster Thread
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cyclones22
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Yep and in part it's because the youth energized the vets. Similar response when Nolan and King were added in 2012. Just the hunger with a little skill add until the major piece in Carter came. Now imagine the same hunger and high talent skill add. Probably equates to a black hole finish, but upward and onward.
If Byfield, he'll get a long look at camp and in preseason games I think (to show him how close he is and how much work he needs), but ultimately won't. He needs a year of development but his ceiling is higher. He may get in a few games late in the season.
Stutzle has been talked about as the more NHL ready of the two. He'd get every chance to make the team. That's up to him.
The Lukeman
Opinionated
- Apr 7, 2019
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On her Mailbag on the Athletic, Lisa Dillman said she asked Rob Blake about Ben Hutton, and he responded that they have not decided yet. Confirms Hutton is in play for that LD UFA spot. Would be a solid bridge player.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Fagemo... so hot right now!
Ahhh, finally, a new avatar!!!
I'm conflicted on this.
On one hand, hard to believe based on how the kids played and more should this coming year.
On another, top-5 next year is loaded with top pairing dmen.
Win win unless we blackhole
Reaper45
Registered User
Exactly. Like do we think getting the kids feet wet and possible improving in the standings OR finishing with a top 5 pick are bad things? Let's see what the kids can do.Ahhh, finally, a new avatar!!!
I'm conflicted on this.
On one hand, hard to believe based on how the kids played and more should this coming year.
On another, top-5 next year is loaded with top pairing dmen.
Win win unless we blackhole
cyclones22
Registered User
Best case is continued improvement and some more lotto luck. Any spot in the top 3 will work!
I liked Ben Hutton, but he did not click with Doughty and even Jim Fox pointed that out.
Doughty-???
Anderson-Roy
Walker-MacDermid
Clague
Doughty-???
Anderson-Roy
Walker-MacDermid
Clague
lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
I have real doubts about Dustin Brown's ability to continue as the first line winger option. After a quality couple of years, he looked invisible in many games last season. He was on pace for a 42 point season, which doesn't cut it. Good thing Iafallo has continued to develop on the opposite side as Brown has faded.
Maybe Kaliyev or Fagemo shows up to camp and blows everyone away to take that spot.
I'm also curious why you think Luff will make the team. Obviously you've watched him a lot in Ontario. I just don't see any distinct quality that he will bring to that 4th line.
Reaper45
Registered User
It's possible at his age he'll continue to fade. Worst case scenario Brown could be swapped with Grundstrom or Wagner if Fagemo or Kaliyev dont take that spot on the 1st line. Brown even at his age can be an effective secondary winger who pk's. As fas as Luff goes I just have this feeling he's either going to get his chance here to figure it out or he's going to end up like Moulson/Purcell somewhere else. Honestly that 4th line rw could end up being anyone. Luff, Moore, Wagner, Grundstrom, Carter, Kupari, Thomas, Brown. Hard to accurately say anything with the extended time off and the flat cap.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Dustin Brown will be 36 soon.
Where does the time go?
Where does the time go?
regulate
Registered User
Blake's statement about Hutton is the ole we'll see if a better option comes up before settling for his services. The problem is he's not a good option as the #1 LHD, and is Bjornfot ready to take on that role at 19 years old? Kind of a catch 22 right now, you likely won't get a #1 LHD UFA as the market is limited (especially on the short-term the Kings are looking at), but you're not completely sure the youngsters are ready quite yet. So hence he's looking for a filler for the short-term. It may have to come via a trade with a defensemen that is signed for a couple of years. Plus with the expansion draft on the horizon, that's another issue that has to be taken into consideration, since you have to have at one defensemen exposed to the draft that are signed for the 21-22 season and have met the games played requirement of 70 games over the 19-20 and 20-21 seasons, or 40 games played in 20-21. They have to protect Doughty, and they will want to protect Roy and Walker. Right now MacDermid has to play 25 games this season to be meet the league criteria for the Kings for at least one spot which is likely attainable. But you would probably want one more player to meet the criteria in case of injury so you don't have to expose someone you want to protect. (edited out my incorrect info on previous version of this post).
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lexlavender
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- Jun 9, 2013
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f***, at this point if DB is making 40 points a season, I call that a mega win. Dude was producing half of that for a few years back there.
All The Kings Men
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regulate
Registered User
You are correct, I was reading the wrong column. I will fix my post. Thanks.
The Tikkanen
Pest
and he wont have played an NHL game in s long time when the season starts., not a good combo
SettlementRichie10
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- May 6, 2012
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Ahhh, finally, a new avatar!!!
I'm conflicted on this.
On one hand, hard to believe based on how the kids played and more should this coming year.
On another, top-5 next year is loaded with top pairing dmen.
Win win unless we blackhole
I assume we'll put together one black hole season before we return to the playoffs. We made a small run at the playoffs in 08/09 before settling back down into a top ten pick.
At least one of Vilardi/Turcotte/Kaliyev should graduate to full time NHL duties in 20/21, I feel. We some some flashes of Vilardi's impact at the end of this season, so I would assume it's him.
It's going to be really difficult to gauge prospect development for the next couple of years with the pandemic. The extended time off may help some prospects and damage others.
I still have my eyes on Byfield, Vilardi, Turcotte, and Kaliyev as the big four bluechippers here. If all goes according to plan, one of them will make the jump in 20/21, and another two will make the jump in 21/22. 21/22 will feature some actually respectable hockey. 22/23 we return to the playoffs.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Not just 7-0 to finish, that's 10-2-1. Dayum.
Almost fully agree. I'm pretty sure Vilardi is a fulltimer this year. I'm guessing Turcotte is a half-timer--but I think it will be tough to keep him down, he'll show he CAN play, it'll just be a question of his development/where do we want him to land, getting #1C minutes in Ontario or probably #3C-4C minutes in the NHL. The #2 is the wildcard but similar. I feel Kaliyev is further off.
SettlementRichie10
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I actually think we can protect Kaliyev in the NHL. Give him some 2nd unit PP time and let Kopitar be his hall monitor during 5v5 minutes.
BringTheReign
Registered User
Agreed. The hockey gods rewarded us and the Rangers for playing honest hockey down the stretch this year. Who can say that won't happen again next year?
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Thats' true. He's eventually gonna have to play with a Kopitar-type anyway, someone who can cover all the ice at an NHL level. I accept that Kaliyev is Vanek.
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