Speculation: 2021-21 LA Kings News/Rumors/Roster discussion

[cyclones22]

What? Vilardi absolutely passed the eyeball test. It's plainly obvious that he has NHL skills. He made plays that nobody on the team could see or execute. He also has a heck of a shot. What he absolutely showed is that he's not good enough yet to carry a line as a rookie. You can't just throw him out there with anyone and expect production. His skating is a problem. Everyone knows that. So is consistency, he's a rookie. I expect those things to improve.

When TMc actually lined him up with wingers who actually complimented his game for a decent amount of time, he played well. It's not surprising that he started turning it on when Moore was on his line, then Iaffalo (who I'd been saying for awhile is exactly the type of linemate Gabe needs) and Andersson. He's not ruined. Not by a long shot.

That all being said, it's pretty much a consensus here that this upcoming season we need to see a jump in compete, consistency and in the standings or heads need to roll. We can agree on that at least.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Tkachukyov is gonna start the year in the minors if you go by history with these types of signings. The biggest implication is this likely means Matt Luff won’t be qualified.

I thought I read it was NHL or back home for Tkachev

Ok. Most people didn't think Vilardi passed the eye test for the majority of the games he played this past year but if you felt differently than that's ok. Comtois was the Ducks leading scorer (as modest a statement as that is) so there's that.

No comment on the folly of having your prized 19 year-old prospect being gifted a spot on the NHL roster as your Plan A?

Comtois was asked to go to the net and be open for the Ducks best offensive players.

Vilardi was handed the piano off Carter's back to be everything to the Kings.

They're not really comparable players, frankly.

Byfield being OHL or NHL, after seeing how much he learned in the AHL? Is that what you're talking about? While I agree no one was ruined by going back to juniors--it's pretty clear Byfield is ready for dealing with men.

And I wouldn't call Vilardi ruined either, quite the opposite frankly--I think this year was a positive for him in staying healthy for an entire season after nearly losing his entire career--that his expectations for offense were high for himself speaks volumes of his character and the frustration he voiced in interviews late in the year showed his hunger to me. I have no doubt we're seeing amonster in Gabe next year.

 

[johnjm22]

If Andersson and Vilardi don't produce next year, they probably never will.

They'll both be 22+ years old, have ample NHL experience under their belt, have roster spots all but assured, and an off season to prepare. It's go time.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If Andersson and Vilardi don't produce next year, they probably never will.

They'll both be 22+ years old, have ample NHL experience under their belt, have roster spots all but assured, and an off season to prepare. It's go time.

Not sure how I feel about Vilardi there, being as he has kind of a goofy trajectory. I have faith in him for next year, but I also wouldn't dumpster him if he has a slow start given it will be his first 'normal' NHL year.I think anyone that was with the team this year though is well prepared for next year, and that goes for all the kids around the league, really feeling like all the 19-20 YOs in the AHL are about to post-lockout year this league.

Andersson--yeah, he's pretty much AAAA right now. If he can't figure out the NHL, he's simply going to be one of those guys who is a forever allstar in the AHL/KHL. But I still think he brings a unique element that's only going to get better as he figures out his man strength, he's got a bit of Hornqvist in him in just being an absolute freak within 15 feet of the boards and net.

 

[Zine]

He was the leading scorer for one the best teams in the league.

KHL is not a high scoring league. It's tough to produce over there.

He had the second most points per game of any player in the league aged 25 or younger.

I mean, I'll be surprised if he pans out, but he does have skill. He's a scorer.

Correct. Tkachyov is really talented, but I don't think he's suited for the NHL style game.

Despite his stats, there always seems to be better options than him for the National Team, even when it's non-NHL level (Euro tour, whatever).

 

[EXTRAS]

Is this 28 year old Vlad tkachyov or 25 year old Vlad tkachyov?

 

[YAYSAY]

Yeah, and with that and a roll of toilet paper you could wipe your ass.

To claim Sakic hasn't won anything as a GM is stupid, the majority of the GMs in the league haven't if we go by winning meaning only a cup. He put together a team that won a President's trophy, obviously that's not the cup but it's still significant and is still winning something.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Seth Jones is worth the risk...do it Blake!

 

[Bandit]

To claim Sakic hasn't won anything as a GM is stupid, the majority of the GMs in the league haven't if we go by winning meaning only a cup. He put together a team that won a President's trophy, obviously that's not the cup but it's still significant and is still winning something.

Call me names if it makes you feel better. Nobody gives a shit about the president’s trophy and even fewer people can remember who won it 2 years ago without looking it up. Anyone who thinks it’s something to brag about probably has a closet full of participation trophies.

 

[Trash Panda]

He was the leading scorer for one the best teams in the league.

KHL is not a high scoring league. It's tough to produce over there.

He had the second most points per game of any player in the league aged 25 or younger.

I mean, I'll be surprised if he pans out, but he does have skill. He's a scorer.

Scoring prowess translating from the KHL to the NHL is rare, and I don’t see this instance being any different.

I’d love a plate of crow on this one, but between the Kings marred history with Russians & the writing on the wall, I just don’t see it.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Nucking Futts! Kings got a very creative player. Move over, 'Lacrosse style' goal scorers.....Vladimir has gone full psycho....although if the javelin speared the goalie, would have been a 5 minute major? lol

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I mean I'm not over the moon or anything but dont you think this is a little overly critical given the draft lottery hasn't even happened yet and teams are still playing?

No it’s not overly critical, this FO hasn’t earned ANY leeway.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Its a free lottery ticket, nothing worth complaining about.

That keeps getting repeated on here, it’s a free lotto ticket!

Yet this guy doesn’t even fill a need. If he was a top 6 talent, he’d be getting serious offers elsewhere and the Kings would sign him to a multi year contract.

 

[JTeller97]

That keeps getting repeated on here, it’s a free lotto ticket!

Yet this guy doesn’t even fill a need. If he was a top 6 talent, he’d be getting serious offers elsewhere and the Kings would sign him to a multi year contract.

What do you expect RB to be doing right now? We're 2 months away from the draft and free agency. This is basically a PTO to a guy who supposedly had offers from other teams, I don't foresee any potential down side with this signing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

No it’s not overly critical, this FO hasn’t earned ANY leeway.

So what should Blake have done right this moment to improve the team to escape your wrath

remember the draft lottery hasn't happened and many teams are still playing

because it just sounds like you're saying 'there's nothing he could have done i'm going to be pissed no matter what'

 

[DryIslandBartender]

What do you expect RB to be doing right now? We're 2 months away from the draft and free agency. This is basically a PTO to a guy who supposedly had offers from other teams, I don't foresee any potential down side with this signing.

RB is just spinning wheels signing guys we have no need for. Unless the Luffs, AA’s, Moore’s etc are to be in a trade package later on. Otherwise I don’t see how this signing impacts anything for next season. Like someone else said, he probably ends up in Ontario.

 

[kingsfan28]

If Andersson and Vilardi don't produce next year, they probably never will.

They'll both be 22+ years old, have ample NHL experience under their belt, have roster spots all but assured, and an off season to prepare. It's go time.

Pretty sure this applied to Kempe a few years ago and look at him now. Not much has changed, and we're all still waiting for him to breakout. Valardi doesn't even have a full nhl season under his belt, so it's a bit much to ask a 2nd year pro to put up 30 plus or whatever high expectation you have of him. He's good, we've see what he can do, he just needs to learn the game more and play.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

So what should Blake have done right this moment to improve the team to escape your wrath

remember the draft lottery hasn't happened and many teams are still playing

because it just sounds like you're saying 'there's nothing he could have done i'm going to be pissed no matter what'

Again, there is no need for this guy, we don’t need depth either. So nobody has really explained where this guy fits or what he brings to the Kings other than to say it’s a free lotto ticket. Kings need to start adding quality, not quantity or fillers.

 

[Damassk]

Is this 28 year old Vlad tkachyov or 25 year old Vlad tkachyov?

Yeah, Kings Twitter wasn't sure either)
This one (25 years)
Vladimir Tkachyov at eliteprospects.com

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Again, there is no need for this guy, we don’t need depth either. So nobody has really explained where this guy fits or what he brings to the Kings other than to say it’s a free lotto ticket. Kings need to start adding quality, not quantity or fillers.

So you're just going to be pissed no matter what. Got it.

 

[johnjm22]

Pretty sure this applied to Kempe a few years ago and look at him now. Not much has changed, and we're all still waiting for him to breakout. Valardi doesn't even have a full nhl season under his belt, so it's a bit much to ask a 2nd year pro to put up 30 plus or whatever high expectation you have of him. He's good, we've see what he can do, he just needs to learn the game more and play.

30?

I'm looking for better than .5 points per game, and/or a 20+ goals. That would be 42+ points over the course of a full season. He wasn't that far off this year (35pt pace). So it's not unrealistic at all.

If you're a lottery pick forward, and you can't do that in your D5 year, you're probably never going to be a great player.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

So you're just going to be pissed no matter what. Got it.

 

[Reclamation Project]

^ This offense, this whole f***ing team. I did not watch my buddies die face down in the muck to watch this f***ing team score 2 goals a night!

 

[YAYSAY]

Call me names if it makes you feel better. Nobody gives a shit about the president’s trophy and even fewer people can remember who won it 2 years ago without looking it up. Anyone who thinks it’s something to brag about probably has a closet full of participation trophies.

Lmao wtf are you talking about? What names did I call you? All I'm saying is that individual and team trophies are significant and indicative of something. The presidents trophy shows that Sakic put together an amazing team and that is worth something to the Avs. A GM isn't a bad GM simply because he hasn't won a cup yet.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I dunno man, I'm feeling pretty good not shitting my pants every time Blake blinks, but I guess I can see how not overreacting to every little thing comes off as unusual to someone who's perpetually upset

Again there's really nothing going on right now, I get that this guy is just a mystery box at this point but without the end of the playoffs and/or the draft lottery there's nothing to do. I figured Blake showing he's even active right this moment could be seen as a positive but here we are