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

[Herby]

All I can say is there are different sources with different agendas.

First of all, Lebrun is saying what makes sense. Not what he heard. But it has happened recently with Eichel.

Who do you think is telling national media there are teams interested? The Sabres and Eichel's agent. Why?
- the Sabres want to drum up interest for a bidding war
- the agent wants to create a stir to get his boss, the player, out.
- it's true that teams, including the Kings, are showing interest.

Hoven has not said the Kings were never interested in Eichel. He said there's not much interest given some factors. He specifically says he's spoken to sources in the organization. Why?
- it's true and there's not much interest
- or they are trying to reduce the asking price.

I write for Hoven, so you know I trust him. I don't ask him to reveal the specific sources who give him information. But I think it's fair to say the answer is always in the middle:

The Kings showed interest in Eichel, because that's what competent GMs do. He's available and they followed up. However, more information has developed, and the Kings aren't interested in Eichel. Most notably because the asking price is too high.

Of course, if Buffalo were to offer him to LA for a 7th round pick, of course the Kings would take him. But that's not going to happen.

Regarding Iafallo: Latest on Kings Situation With Trade Deadline Approaching, Including Iafallo Updates

Long story short, the idea was that Iafallo's asking price of 4 x $5 million wouldn't work, and they wouldn't want a bridge deal. He re-signed for $4 million.

That said, there are absolutely some misses. Many of these things are very fluid. You either hear information as it comes in and accept changes happen, or he only reports what's already finalized and at that point, who cares?

Not saying you have to trust him. But I do think you're oversimplifying a fluid situation by asserting ONE source is wrong/full of BS.

I agree with you for the most part.

This happens in all sports all the time, teams manipulate the media for certain reasons. I am not saying that Hoven made up anything on Iafallo. I don't doubt that he has sources within the Kings organization and he has been right on many things, but also been wrong on things too.

I think Hoven is guilty of sometimes not realizing that either his sources don't have the full story or that his sources could be feeding him BS. I also think his verbiage could use a lot of work, he came away looking a bit ridiculous in the Iafallo thing and he could have handled it a bit better, IMO atleast.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

1. It's not just Eichel. It's everyone.

2. I think that is quite a reach. If the Kings trade Turcotte, Madden, #8 and Clague (as an example someone mentioned) there is no one left to support him? Man, you must think much less of our youth than I do. Byfield, Kaliyev, Bjornfot, Faber, Vilardi, Iafallo, Fagemo, Moore, Thomas, Cal P as youth or in prime. Still have Doughty and Kopitar for 3 years. The Kings have enough depth where trading a few pieces is not going to "kill the depth". If trading 3 or 4 non-elite assets is going to destroy the Kings prospect pool than the prospect pool might not be that good.

3. It's not just a trade for now. You don't think it's much easier to build a team when you have (assuming QB is as good as expected) two centers that good who happen to be 19 and 25 when next season starts?

1. No, everyone does not come with the same level of injury/recovery risk that Eichel does. We're talking about a pending neck/back surgery here.

2. Hey you just accused me of being a prospect homer, you don't get to have it both ways. All I'm saying is if you have a bunch of high end talent exiting, the ones left to replace them are likely middle six guys, and we're right back where we started. Our prospect pool is INSANE for middle six, top four guys, we need more blue chip 1st liners/top pairing guys--trading almost all of the latter for Eichel is a fair concern.

3. I agree that it's a trade for now AND later, really--the end of Kopi's career, the beginning of QB's--I just think it's fair based on recent history with both LA AND Buffalo that it's a move that gets you TO the edge of, but not THRU, the playoffs.

You can disagree with the above but you can't outright dismiss them. And the main point was that there are reasons to not trade for Eichel that aren't just 'i want to keep our prospects.'

 

[KingTech]

I think people put to much faith in what media members or bloggers say.

LeBrun (or his sources) have been wrong on a lot of things over the years. I agree with him that Eichel makes a ton of sense for LA (age, prospect capital, need for a 2nd star to join QB), but what he is hearing could easily be Buffalo using LA to try and drum up better offers from other teams.

Hoven, it's as if people forget he was spectacularly wrong on Iafallo only a few short months ago but now want to believe him because they want him to be right.

If LeBrun says he is hearing the Kings are in on it and Hoven is hearing they aren't, well it's obvious someone is getting BS information.

So how confident are you in trusting either guy?

Hoven was not wrong on Iafallo. You are not remember the whole situation of what hoven said. He said if Iafallo didn't come down from his 5 million a year ask he would be traded. Obviously he did come down as he resigned for 4 million.

 

[Jason Squirties]

I am telling you man, try it.

I was once skeptical and then I ate there and I am the believer that the Monkees were singing about

Del taco, taco bell, gimme some mo'. I'll hit the taquero with trompo on the way home too, IDGAF.

 

[kilowatt]

Too much for my blood.

That's why I'd be more willing to kick the tires for Reinhart and an extension, unless Vancouver wants to overpay for him. <---- This is such a Benning move right here.

Losing Clague and Madden are kind of whatever. I like both of them but I'm not sure where they will end up. Losing them in a trade for Eichel wouldn't be a big deal. If we could reduce the cost on either of the other two pieces – two seconds instead of our first, Kupari instead of Turcotte – I'd be game. Taking on a $10 million cap hit is a tough pill to swallow, but Kopitar's and Quick's cap hits will drop off before we have to re-sign any of our top young players, so it's not the end of the world. Adding Eichel and signing a guy like Hyman would make this team significantly better.

So, Kupari, 8OA, Madden, and Clague for Eichel.

Iafallo - Kopitar - Byfield
Kempe - Eichel - Hyman
Andersson - Vilardi - Moore
Grundstrom - JAD - Brown

Anderson - Doughty
Bjornfot - Roy
Maatta - Walker

Petersen
Quick

There's still a hole at LD, but I'm not sure how to fix that right now.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Here’s the real question….who liked the Del Taco burger? Is that even still on the menu. I couldn’t believe they had it when I was last there and that was years ago in my early 20s.

 

[cyclones22]

Here’s the real question….who liked the Del Taco burger? Is that even still on the menu. I couldn’t believe they had it when I was last there and that was years ago in my early 20s.

Underrated burger. It tastes a lot like a hamburger that you would make in your backyard. Which is a lot more appealing to me than like let's say a Jack in the Box over-processed cheeseburger.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

All I can say is there are different sources with different agendas.

First of all, Lebrun is saying what makes sense. Not what he heard. But it has happened recently with Eichel.

Who do you think is telling national media there are teams interested? The Sabres and Eichel's agent. Why?
- the Sabres want to drum up interest for a bidding war
- the agent wants to create a stir to get his boss, the player, out.
- it's true that teams, including the Kings, are showing interest.

Hoven has not said the Kings were never interested in Eichel. He said there's not much interest given some factors. He specifically says he's spoken to sources in the organization. Why?
- it's true and there's not much interest
- or they are trying to reduce the asking price.

I write for Hoven, so you know I trust him. I don't ask him to reveal the specific sources who give him information. But I think it's fair to say the answer is always in the middle:

The Kings showed interest in Eichel, because that's what competent GMs do. He's available and they followed up. However, more information has developed, and the Kings aren't interested in Eichel. Most notably because the asking price is too high.

Of course, if Buffalo were to offer him to LA for a 7th round pick, of course the Kings would take him. But that's not going to happen.

Regarding Iafallo: Latest on Kings Situation With Trade Deadline Approaching, Including Iafallo Updates

Long story short, the idea was that Iafallo's asking price of 4 x $5 million wouldn't work, and they wouldn't want a bridge deal. He re-signed for $4 million.

That said, there are absolutely some misses. Many of these things are very fluid. You either hear information as it comes in and accept changes happen, or he only reports what's already finalized and at that point, who cares?

Not saying you have to trust him. But I do think you're oversimplifying a fluid situation by asserting ONE source is wrong/full of BS.

If Buff is saying the King's are interested then the King's are saying they are not for the exact same reason. I don't have a problem with being a mouthpiece and excited for a team. It's a cool gig. It's cool to run and say what someone told you. It's his job.

What I do not like is him acting like others are wrong. His responses to people questioning him come off narcissistic. Very..."you know who I am" guy in the comments section. It's a personal critique that I have as opposed to a professional issue. I appreciate what he does. I just wish he'd take a L with grace once in a while.

 

[Bandit]

I want to see him in Black. Not only do I think he's incredible but I really want Hovan to eat some more pie.

Yes, Eichel in black, the King sin the black hole. Sounds like a lot of black.

I am telling you man, try it.

I was once skeptical and then I ate there and I am the believer that the Monkees were singing about

See my previous post on this topic. The Del on Foothill in Pasadena had my picture on the wall I ate there so much.

 

[Herby]

I don't eat fast food much anymore, but all this fast food talk has be wanting to make a Portillos run (only fast food I still eat semi-regularly). Damn there are enough temptations with commercials and billboards, now I have to get it here.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I never for a moment believed Eichel would actually even want to come here, to be honest. Why would he? He's been on a rebuilding team for years now with nothing to show for it. He doesn't want to do that song and dance all over again in LA.

Moreover, I'd really hate to lose Turcotte or Byfield for someone who is going to be watching 20+ games a year in his street clothes.

Hard pass on Eichel. The cost is greater than the gain.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Underrated burger. It tastes a lot like a hamburger that you would make in your backyard. Which is a lot more appealing to me than like let's say a Jack in the Box over-processed cheeseburger.

It wasn’t smashed in either, other places it looked like it was stepped on (probably was). That was a long time ago and during my college days, I don’t eat fast food anymore unless it’s in and out where it’s cheap and fresh. Everywhere else is vastly over priced.

 

[SmytheKing]

Getting Eichel won't make a difference if you don't have defensemen who can make a clean outlet pass. That's the biggest difference between the Kings today and the Kings of 2012-2014. Their depth on defense is horrid (I know they're young but it's what it is) and until that's addressed, you're gonna turn a 90 point center into a 70 point one.

 

[Bandit]

It wasn’t smashed in either, other places it looked like it was stepped on (probably was). That was a long time ago and during my college days, I don’t eat fast food anymore unless it’s in and out where it’s cheap and fresh. Everywhere else is vastly over priced.

 

[apadilla]

I think there are 3 Kings prospects that shouldn't be traded for anyone besides McJesus. The 3 are: Byfield, Kaliyev and Faber. I pick them because the Kings need these guys more than any other prospect.

While Kaliyev and Faber may be rated lower skill wise than say Turcotte and Kupari and maybe even Granz, I think Kaliyev and Faber meet the biggest needs the team has, aka scoring and a defenseman with skill and lots of bit.

I was wondering if you would agree that if the Kings traded for the likes of Eichel, Jones, Werenski, Draisette, etc... that Byfield, Kaliyav and Faber should be kept no matter what (minus McJesus)?

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I never for a moment believed Eichel would actually even want to come here, to be honest. Why would he? He's been on a rebuilding team for years now with nothing to show for it. He doesn't want to do that song and dance all over again in LA.

Moreover, I'd really hate to lose Turcotte or Byfield for someone who is going to be watching 20+ games a year in his street clothes.

Hard pass on Eichel. The cost is greater than the gain.

It’s a gamble and it does remind me a little of when Peyton Manning (granted he was vastly more established) was released by the Colts due to injury concerns and the fact they were going to draft Luck.

Manning couldn’t throw the ball further than 10 yards and it was bad. Broncos took a gamble coming off a playoff appearance and signed Manning despite the concerns that Manning was toast. It paid off obviously but the point is you rarely get a chance at these type of players. Sometimes you gotta roll the dice.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Underrated movie.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Getting Eichel won't make a difference if you don't have defensemen who can make a clean outlet pass. That's the biggest difference between the Kings today and the Kings of 2012-2014. Their depth on defense is horrid (I know they're young but it's what it is) and until that's addressed, you're gonna turn a 90 point center into a 70 point one.

It won't make a difference within.....5 years?

 

[No Name The Nameless]

It's much more nuanced than that, though.

Even leaving prospect adoration/acquisition price out of it, there are very real concerns about

2. Philosophies on team building, i.e. making the kind of trade it takes to get Eichel leaves us with no one to support him, like in Buffalo;

There are plenty of real concerns that aren't just "lol you're just a bunch of prospect homers."

I appreciate the dialogue.
This is actually a conversation that inrigues me. I'm curious as to why you think nobody will be left to support him. Who all do you expect to trade?

 

[Reclamation Project]

Del Taco is one of the few fast food spots I actually enjoy, their fries are great! Didn't realize we had so many sophisticated members on this site...

Underrated movie.

Becomes more and more relatable every year.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Del taco, taco bell, gimme some mo'. I'll hit the taquero with trompo on the way home too, IDGAF.

Hitting the Jack in the Box before getting on the 2 after games for catfood tacos.

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Here’s the real question….who liked the Del Taco burger? Is that even still on the menu. I couldn’t believe they had it when I was last there and that was years ago in my early 20s.

In the early 80s, I couldn't stay away from Bellbeefers. I thought that was the best food around, until Chicken McNuggets came out. In'n'Out or The Habit might as well be Michelin-rated compared to this crap.

On-topic: Brown + 2nd rounder (2021, 2022 or 2023; my preference is the later) + Non-top-3-prospect to Buffalo for Reinhart. As the kids today say: "Fight me."

 

[Herby]

Hitting the Jack in the Box before getting on the 2 after games for catfood tacos.

I never understood the hype of Jacks tacos. I’ve never eaten cat food but I can’t imagine it’s any worse.

And on the topic of fast food guilty pleasures, every once in awhile an Arby’s roast beef (or whatever meat it is) or a McRib (or whatever meat it is) hits the spot.

 

[saintsnsoldiers]

Hitting the Jack in the Box before getting on the 2 after games for catfood tacos.

JACK IN THE BOX TACOS ARE THE BOMB!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't eat fast food much anymore, but all this fast food talk has be wanting to make a Portillos run (only fast food I still eat semi-regularly). Damn there are enough temptations with commercials and billboards, now I have to get it here.

Product placement, baby!

I never understood the hype of Jacks tacos. I’ve never eaten cat food but I can’t imagine it’s any worse.

And on the topic of fast food guilty pleasures, every once in awhile an Arby’s roast beef (or whatever meat it is) or a McRib (or whatever meat it is) hits the spot.

Yeah totally underrated AND something you can't really get elsewhere. When you have that random craving, nothing else will do.