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

[Fishhead]

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.

Well, usually yeah but Vilardi did lose about a year and a half for his injury, so he might be due a little leeway. That said, I don't think that 40ish points is unreasonable for Vilardi next year either.

Here's some guys who were earlier picks who took 4-5 to hit that .5ppg mark:

Brayden Schenn took 4 years
JVR took 4 years
Turris took 5 years
Couture took 4 years
Johansen took 4 years
Schwartz took 4 years
Drouin took 4 years
Lindholm took 4 years
Horvat took 4 years

None of them had to deal with an injury coming in like Vilardi who lost what, 1.5 years? There is a lot of good production on that list, if Vilardi gets his conditioning sorted I think his production will fit in somewhere in the above group.

 

[johnjm22]

Well, usually yeah but Vilardi did lose about a year and a half for his injury, so he might be due a little leeway. That said, I don't think that 40ish points is unreasonable for Vilardi next year either.

Here's some guys who were earlier picks who took 4-5 to hit that .5ppg mark:

Brayden Schenn took 4 years
JVR took 4 years
Turris took 5 years
Couture took 4 years
Johansen took 4 years
Schwartz took 4 years
Drouin took 4 years
Lindholm took 4 years
Horvat took 4 years

None of them had to deal with an injury coming in like Vilardi who lost what, 1.5 years? There is a lot of good production on that list, if Vilardi gets his conditioning sorted I think his production will fit in somewhere in the above group.

Brayden Schenn, 21, D4 (.55PPG)
JVR, 21, D4 (.53PPG)
Turris, 22, D5 (.64PPG)
Couture, 21, D4 (.71PPG)
Johansen, 21, D4 (.77PPG)
Schwartz, 21, D4 (.70PPG)
Drouin took, 21, D4 (.73PPG)
Lindholm, 21, D4 (.63PPG)
Horvat, 21, D4 (.64PPG)

Average .66PPG (54 point pace)

Starting Next Season:
Vilardi, 22, D5
Andersson, 22, D5

They get the extra year to compensate for the rocky starts to their development.

.5ppg is actually a pretty low bar.

Time to put on the big boy pants. I expect production.

 

[unicornpig]

LOL vilardi out scored Kakko and lafreniere. Maybe the rangers should give up on them as well. People here need to relax

 

[killermiller]

LOL vilardi out scored Kakko and lafreniere. Maybe the rangers should give up on them as well. People here need to relax

^ This

Dude hasn't even played a full season worth of games yet and some people are already writing him off , same with Petersen

Can't wait for "Byfield is a bust, should have picked Stutzle " comments after next year when he only puts up 30 to 40 points.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Seth Jones’ agent is Pat Brisson, who has the best client list in the NHL. He’s best friends with Luc and is also Kopitar’s rep, along with a couple other current and past Kings (Turcotte). If Jones wants to come play in LA, as Eichel has been rumored to, that makes things a lot more interesting for fans. Unlike Eichel, Jones has limited trade protection with a 10 team no trade list, which severely narrows the market and returns beyond the built in restrictions with a big money UFA.

Columbus gets the best theoretical return if the wait till the next TDL. Their owner gave the GM a new deal and brought back JD, so Jarmo is unlikely to start pulling panicky moves. But the risk of Jones getting injured or playing bad can’t be ignored with this type of asset.

Trading for both those guys would be lopsided in terms of the number of players going out, if each are futures deals. Which I’m not convinced will be the case in an Eichel trade, since I haven’t heard the Sabres announce another rebuild. But for the Kings to be in the mix for those opportunities, you’re looking at 8 future/current roster NHL players leaving for 2 incoming NHL roster players. And $45M+ is on the cap for 4 players at that point, with actual pressure to win by going on deep runs.

It’s tantalizing to think about a lineup with Eichel, Jones, Kopitar and Doughty at the top of the roster. If your untouchables list was Kopitar, Doughty, Byfield and Kaliyev and you got those two players, a tiny fraction of Kings fans would not approve.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Jones is intriguing. There are some questions.

Where does he fit in the lineup? Being right handed do you pair with Roy? Doughty, Jones would really be loading up the 1st pair. Could move Roy down & run Doughty, Jones, Roy down the right side.

Cap: How much is Jones looking for. 8-10?

Advanced Stats: From lurking on the Philly section, they've pointed out that Jones is struggling with some of his numbers. How much of this is a warning sign & decline in play or playing large minutes on a bad team?

 

[kinghock]

Seth Jones’ agent is Pat Brisson, who has the best client list in the NHL. He’s best friends with Luc and is also Kopitar’s rep, along with a couple other current and past Kings (Turcotte). If Jones wants to come play in LA, as Eichel has been rumored to, that makes things a lot more interesting for fans. Unlike Eichel, Jones has limited trade protection with a 10 team no trade list, which severely narrows the market and returns beyond the built in restrictions with a big money UFA.

Columbus gets the best theoretical return if the wait till the next TDL. Their owner gave the GM a new deal and brought back JD, so Jarmo is unlikely to start pulling panicky moves. But the risk of Jones getting injured or playing bad can’t be ignored with this type of asset.

Trading for both those guys would be lopsided in terms of the number of players going out, if each are futures deals. Which I’m not convinced will be the case in an Eichel trade, since I haven’t heard the Sabres announce another rebuild. But for the Kings to be in the mix for those opportunities, you’re looking at 8 future/current roster NHL players leaving for 2 incoming NHL roster players. And $45M+ is on the cap for 4 players at that point, with actual pressure to win by going on deep runs.

It’s tantalizing to think about a lineup with Eichel, Jones, Kopitar and Doughty at the top of the roster. If your untouchables list was Kopitar, Doughty, Byfield and Kaliyev and you got those two players, a tiny fraction of Kings fans would not approve.

2021-2022 lineup with Eichel, Jones, Kopitar and Doughty has no chance to win title.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Seth Jones’ agent is Pat Brisson, who has the best client list in the NHL. He’s best friends with Luc and is also Kopitar’s rep, along with a couple other current and past Kings (Turcotte). If Jones wants to come play in LA, as Eichel has been rumored to, that makes things a lot more interesting for fans. Unlike Eichel, Jones has limited trade protection with a 10 team no trade list, which severely narrows the market and returns beyond the built in restrictions with a big money UFA.

Columbus gets the best theoretical return if the wait till the next TDL. Their owner gave the GM a new deal and brought back JD, so Jarmo is unlikely to start pulling panicky moves. But the risk of Jones getting injured or playing bad can’t be ignored with this type of asset.

Trading for both those guys would be lopsided in terms of the number of players going out, if each are futures deals. Which I’m not convinced will be the case in an Eichel trade, since I haven’t heard the Sabres announce another rebuild. But for the Kings to be in the mix for those opportunities, you’re looking at 8 future/current roster NHL players leaving for 2 incoming NHL roster players. And $45M+ is on the cap for 4 players at that point, with actual pressure to win by going on deep runs.

It’s tantalizing to think about a lineup with Eichel, Jones, Kopitar and Doughty at the top of the roster. If your untouchables list was Kopitar, Doughty, Byfield and Kaliyev and you got those two players, a tiny fraction of Kings fans would not approve.

No freaking way that happens. That's gonna be having $40 million tied up in 4 players. That's ridiculous! LA will be looking for skilled depth guys to round out the team. They will look into big name guys but highly likely they'll make the move as the cost will be too rich for management. Look for Blake to buy low on some guys that are just hitting their prime and be on the fence for protection on the expansion draft.

 

[DoktorJeep]

No freaking way that happens. That's gonna be having $40 million tied up in 4 players. That's ridiculous! LA will be looking for skilled depth guys to round out the team. They will look into big name guys but highly likely they'll make the move as the cost will be too rich for management. Look for Blake to buy low on some guys that are just hitting their prime and be on the fence for protection on the expansion draft.

For shits ‘n giggles, let’s assume the following pieces are moved for Eichel and Jones.

Turcotte, Bjornfot, Kempe and 21 1st for Eichel.

Vilardi, Thomas, Walker, and two 21 2nds for Jones.

So you have the following NHL depth chart, which on paper is more talented while top heavy, but with ELC and second contract players who project as those skilled depth guys you’re saying the Kings are looking for to round out the team.

Center: Eichel, Kopitar, Byfield, JAD, Lizotte
Wing: Iafallo, Brown, AA22, Moore, Andersson, Kaliyev, Wagner, Lemieux, Grundstrom
RD: Doughty, Jones, Roy, Strand
LD: Anderson, Maata, MacD

If you put a LD like UFA Mike Reilly in there, at that point, you have to like the Kings chances of being way more competitive than the current situation. And you still have guys like Kupari and Fagemo on the Reign who could play some games next year with the Kings in place of Brown and AA22.

Not a championship level juggernaut, but they should score 2+ goals a game consistently and be entertaining on the way to a playoff berth.

 

[KingsFan7824]

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.

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.

Granted, we're probably back to the days when everyone made fun of the Kings for signing Randy Robitaille, after they let Luc Robitaille go over money, thinking that they could fool the idiots that buy LA Kings tickets, but it is still May. Nobody is out there making team altering moves, not just Blake.

 

[kinghock]

For shits ‘n giggles, let’s assume the following pieces are moved for Eichel and Jones.

Turcotte, Bjornfot, Kempe and 21 1st for Eichel.

Vilardi, Thomas, Walker, and two 21 2nds for Jones.

So you have the following NHL depth chart, which on paper is more talented while top heavy, but with ELC and second contract players who project as those skilled depth guys you’re saying the Kings are looking for to round out the team.

Center: Eichel, Kopitar, Byfield, JAD, Lizotte
Wing: Iafallo, Brown, AA22, Moore, Andersson, Kaliyev, Wagner, Lemieux, Grundstrom
RD: Doughty, Jones, Roy, Strand
LD: Anderson, Maata, MacD

If you put a LD like UFA Mike Reilly in there, at that point, you have to like the Kings chances of being way more competitive than the current situation. And you still have guys like Kupari and Fagemo on the Reign who could play some games next year with the Kings in place of Brown and AA22.

Not a championship level juggernaut, but they should score 2+ goals a game consistently and be entertaining on the way to a playoff berth.

This team is going to be not to bad and not too good.
Gerry West used to call this kind of team building mediocracy trap.

 

[kinghock]

No freaking way that happens. That's gonna be having $40 million tied up in 4 players. That's ridiculous! LA will be looking for skilled depth guys to round out the team. They will look into big name guys but highly likely they'll make the move as the cost will be too rich for management. Look for Blake to buy low on some guys that are just hitting their prime and be on the fence for protection on the expansion draft.

100% agree

 

[Schmooley]

A Jones and Laine package would be great.

 

[DoktorJeep]

This team is going to be not to bad and not too good.
Gerry West used to call this kind of team building mediocracy trap.

If I had to put money down, I’d go with your assessment of the team being mostly bad and missing the playoffs next season. I have no faith in Blake’s ability to make trades or signings that raise the talent level. My basic expectation is for the Kings to be a non factor in the league until Byfield is 23 years old if the plan is to keep Kopitar and Doughty as the best players.

Signing a couple of depth players in the offseason isn’t going to move the needle.

 

[Mats26]

If we sign AA+Moore+Andersson+Lizotte(all RFAs that should be on the roster) that will add around 6-7 million or so on the cap. Which leaves us with ~13 million in cap.
I don't see how we can add Eichel's 10 million without shedding salary. Is Quick, Brown, Kopitar or Doughty getting traded this summer? I don't think so. So for once I agree with Hoven on this, Eichel doesn't make any sense. We have so many holes to fill while prospects are still developing, better use of cap will be to fill out our D positions and top 6 wingers. A savvy GM will look at taking advantage of the upcoming oppurtunites with cap space and expansion this summer.

 

[Schmooley]

If we sign AA+Moore+Andersson+Lizotte(all RFAs that should be on the roster) that will add around 6-7 million or so on the cap. Which leaves us with ~13 million in cap.
I don't see how we can add Eichel's 10 million without shedding salary. Is Quick, Brown, Kopitar or Doughty getting traded this summer? I don't think so. So for once I agree with Hoven on this, Eichel doesn't make any sense. We have so many holes to fill while prospects are still developing, better use of cap will be to fill out our D positions and top 6 wingers. A savvy GM will look at taking advantage of the upcoming oppurtunites with cap space and expansion this summer.

Could see Brown retiring and them not signing AA. Also can see them including Lizotte in a one of the big name trades. Those teams need warm bodies and he hustles and sets a good example on a blue collar team.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Could see Brown retiring and them not signing AA. Also can see them including Lizotte in a one of the big name trades. Those teams need warm bodies and he hustles and sets a good example on a blue collar team.

Brown still has $4m coming to him. He's not giving that up. He's also not hurt enough to go on LTIR. As long as AA isn't too expensive, really no reason not to bring him back. They need depth.

 

[DoktorJeep]

If we sign AA+Moore+Andersson+Lizotte(all RFAs that should be on the roster) that will add around 6-7 million or so on the cap. Which leaves us with ~13 million in cap.
I don't see how we can add Eichel's 10 million without shedding salary. Is Quick, Brown, Kopitar or Doughty getting traded this summer? I don't think so. So for once I agree with Hoven on this, Eichel doesn't make any sense. We have so many holes to fill while prospects are still developing, better use of cap will be to fill out our D positions and top 6 wingers. A savvy GM will look at taking advantage of the upcoming oppurtunites with cap space and expansion this summer.

According to CF, the Kings have just under $20.5M in free cap space next season after committed salary today. In my trade scenario above, you lose close to $10M in nhl cap hit. Some of that is offset by cap hit to Byfield and Kaliyev, so close to $27M in cap space. So AA, Moore, Anderson, Lizotte should fit in there for like $5.5. Probably kills a guy like Reilly, but not unworkable overall.

 

[Schmooley]

Brown still has $4m coming to him. He's not giving that up. He's also not hurt enough to go on LTIR. As long as AA isn't too expensive, really no reason not to bring him back. They need depth.

Yea I just wouldnt be surprised if it happened. I had thought it then Blake accidentally said it and corrected himself in his post season interview and it made me wonder even more.
I dont mind AA coming back. But I disagree about needing depth. They are a team of middling depth. They need high end NHL talent.

 

[kinghock]

According to CF, the Kings have just under $20.5M in free cap space next season after committed salary today. In my trade scenario above, you lose close to $10M in nhl cap hit. Some of that is offset by cap hit to Byfield and Kaliyev, so close to $27M in cap space. So AA, Moore, Anderson, Lizotte should fit in there for like $5.5. Probably kills a guy like Reilly, but not unworkable overall.

Kings cannot afford flashy trades if they want to win championship.
This will kill talent level on the team.
The only positive of this team is quantity and quality of yang prospects.
Let’s compare compare 2012 and 2021 rosters.
We lost a lot of great players:
1. Jake Muzzin
2. Rob Scuderi
3. Alec Martinez
4. Slava Voynov
5. Robyn Regehr
6. Matt Greene
7. Jeff Carter
8. Mike Richards

9. Justin Williams
10. Tyler Toffoli

Jonathan Quick is 70% of himself in 2012
Dustin Brown is 70% of himself in 2012
Anze Kopitar is 80% of himself in 2012
Drew Doughty is 85% of himself in 2012
We need to continue with rebuild for now.

 

[Mats26]

Could see Brown retiring and them not signing AA. Also can see them including Lizotte in a one of the big name trades. Those teams need warm bodies and he hustles and sets a good example on a blue collar team.

So who is the winger or wingers that will replace the 27 goals that AA and Brown scored from the wing this year? Pro rated to 40+ goals in a 82 game season? Are we expecting Eichel to score 40 goals playing with Iafallo or Moore? Even if he does that we are still with the same offensive production. This teams needs scoring wingers and less 2-way character guys filling the top 6.

 

[Schmooley]

So who is the winger or wingers that will replace the 27 goals that AA and Brown scored from the wing this year? Pro rated t0 40+ goals in a 82 game season? Are we expecting Eichel to score 40 goals playing with Iafallo or Moore? Even if he does that we are still with the same offensive production. This teams needs scoring wingers and less 2-way character guys filling the top 6.

Hey I dont have answers just saying I can see that happening. There are lots of scenarios that can play out with their open cap space and roster right now. In this case I see them as -
Iafallo - Kopitar - xx
Kempe - Byfield - xx
Lias. - Vilardi - xx/Moore
Grundstrom - JAD - xx/Moore
Lemieux and Luff as 13/14
The right side would be filled with players like Kaliyev, Tkachev and outside help like Laine or Reinhart etc.. Whoever of Fagemo, Thomas, Kupari, Turcotte that dont get traded will have their chance to impress in camp.
If they go after Eichel then the roster will look a lot different.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Kings cannot afford flashy trades if they want to win championship.
This will kill talent level on the team.
The only positive of this team is quantity and quality of yang prospects.
Let’s compare compare 2012 and 2021 rosters.
We lost a lot of great players:
1. Jake Muzzin
2. Rob Scuderi
3. Alec Martinez
4. Slava Voynov
5. Robyn Regehr
6. Matt Greene
7. Jeff Carter
8. Mike Richards

9. Justin Williams
10. Tyler Toffoli

Jonathan Quick is 70% of himself in 2012
Dustin Brown is 70% of himself in 2012
Anze Kopitar is 80% of himself in 2012
Drew Doughty is 85% of himself in 2012
We need to continue with rebuild for now.

So when does this championship happen? Or if that’s too uncertain, how about just the playoffs?

 

[johnjm22]

LOL vilardi out scored Kakko and lafreniere. Maybe the rangers should give up on them as well. People here need to relax

That's a laughably dumb comparison.

Kakko and Laf are in their D1 and D2 years.

Guys who become scorers in this league usually have produced by the time they hit their D4 years. If Vilardi can't do it in his D5 year there's a problem.

 

[Martyros]

That's a laughably dumb comparison.

Kakko and Laf are in their D1 and D2 years.

Guys who become scorers in this league usually have produced by the time they hit their D4 years. If Vilardi can't do it in his D5 year there's a problem.

what's also laughably dumb is claiming next year would be Vilardi's D5 year. He was on the shelf for his first 2 years in their entirety and his D3-4 years weren't even full years.