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

[King'sPawn]

Wright and Bedard to Buffalo

Buffalo got 1st overall this year. They can't win the lottery more than twice in a row.

 

[Herby]

Pretty amazing how underrated Eichel has become. People acting like he's some 35 year old 50 point player. He's a generational player.

Elite skill (would immediately become the Kings most talented player), signed for term, 24 years old, and nearly a PPG player while carrying an entire dysfunctional organization and battling injuries. He's a superstar. I'd make that trade for anyone in the pipeline except Byfield because the entire point of acquiring him would be to solidify your top 2 centers for the next 10-15 years. He's an established NHL superstar, these prospects people worship like deities are not.

I haven't seen one person on this site advocate trading Byfield for Eichel. Same goes for Zegras.

Everyone will have Eichel avatars and order Eichel jerseys if he's traded to the Kings this week.

 

[King'sPawn]

Everyone will have Eichel avatars and order Eichel jerseys if he's traded to the Kings this week.

We get it. We're all mindless homers.

 

[Herby]

We get it. We're all mindless homers.

Easy bud, I was just playing.

You are not a mindless homer, some others though...well there have been some interesting posts here over the years. I think Kurri might have taken the cake a couple of days ago on the mainboard though.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Buffalo got 1st overall this year. They can't win the lottery more than twice in a row.

That rule actually takes into effect starting next year.
NHL Draft Lottery changes announced for 2021

Two other changes will begin with the 2022 NHL Draft Lottery:
-- Teams will be restricted from moving up more than 10 spots if it wins one of the lottery draws.

-- Teams cannot win the lottery more than twice in a five-year period. Wins in the lottery prior to 2022 will not be counted toward this total.

 

[King'sPawn]

Easy bud, I was just playing.

You are not a mindless homer, some others though...well there have been some interesting posts here over the years. I think Kurri might have taken the cake a couple of days ago on the mainboard though.

Sorry for getting sensitive. I just felt you put me in that group as well, because in some discussions you ask why I don't criticize Blake/the Kings the same.

That's what I get for posting when I should be sleeping. My apologies for jumping the gun.

 

[King'sPawn]

That rule actually takes into effect starting next year.
NHL Draft Lottery changes announced for 2021

Ah. I missed that part. Yup. Bed time.

 

[JKG33]

And you’d feel sicker if Byfield is dealt and posts 80+ points in his early 20s while Eichel misses a majority of games due to injuries.

At best Byfield is the type of impact player Eichel is. He could also (more likely) be significantly worse. He's not an Eichel/Matthews level prospect, he's in the Kakko/Patrick/Hughes range.

I'm taking the guy that's actually shown to be a superstar in this league, while 11 and 8 are still at the tail end of their prime. By the time Byfield hits his potential those two will be declined to the point where they're now supporting cast level players.

I'd much rather gamble on Eichel regaining health before I would bet that Byfield becomes an Eichel level player

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Trading for Eichel with no health issues? DEFINITELY
Trading for Eichel with his current health issues? I’ll pass, unless it is for a huge underpayment, which I doubt Buffalo does.

 

[King'sPawn]

Trading for Eichel with no health issues? DEFINITELY
Trading for Eichel with his current health issues? I’ll pass, unless it is for a huge underpayment, which I doubt Buffalo does.

To me, it's always boiled down to cost, and Buffalo would be better off getting another team to pony up the players and picks.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

At best Byfield is the type of impact player Eichel is. He could also (more likely) be significantly worse. He's not an Eichel/Matthews level prospect, he's in the Kakko/Patrick/Hughes range.

I'm taking the guy that's actually shown to be a superstar in this league, while 11 and 8 are still at the tail end of their prime. By the time Byfield hits his potential those two will be declined to the point where they're now supporting cast level players.

I'd much rather gamble on Eichel regaining health before I would bet that Byfield becomes an Eichel level player

This would be like the Kings trading Anze Kopitar in 2006 for Jason Spezza. Would you do that? After all, we all know Kopitar would never be as productive as a player as Spezza was back then.

 

[JKG33]

This would be like the Kings trading Anze Kopitar in 2006 for Jason Spezza. Would you do that? After all, we all know Kopitar would never be as productive as a player as Spezza was back then.

What did this team have for talent in 2006? Very little. So then it makes sense to hold on to the prospect. But now with Eichel you can accelerate that and get someone to play with Kopitar and Doughty while they're still superstars. There's value in that. Eichel puts this team closer to a contender now.

Also 2021 Eichel > 2006 Spezza, and 2006 Kopitar > 2021 Byfield so thats not really a fair comparison.

You also say that as if Byfield is guaranteed to be Kopitar. He could just as likely be a Ryan Johansen. Or a Nolan Patrick.

 

[YP44]

I could be on board with eichel if the price is right. All depends.

My preference would be to use that space to trade for Bertuzzi and sign another UFA froward.
Also deal for Ghost.

 

[Piston]

One player everyone is forgetting is Anthony DeAngelo. Could he be the answer at LD? He'll be bought out so we can basically sign him on the cheap for one year on a 'show me' deal. He'll be 26 next season and only one year removed from a 53 point season (in 68 games). Yes, he was dismissed but it was because he wants to win badly. Put him in the right environment, and maybe he can control his anger issues. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[Bandit]

Eichel, DeAngelo… what’s next? Is there someone we can trade for that will be a GREAT fit for us if only he can make parole?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

One player everyone is forgetting is Anthony DeAngelo. Could he be the answer at LD? He'll be bought out so we can basically sign him on the cheap for one year on a 'show me' deal. He'll be 26 next season and only one year removed from a 53 point season (in 68 games). Yes, he was dismissed but it was because he wants to win badly. Put him in the right environment, and maybe he can control his anger issues. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

He's a righty.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

One player everyone is forgetting is Anthony DeAngelo. Could he be the answer at LD? He'll be bought out so we can basically sign him on the cheap for one year on a 'show me' deal. He'll be 26 next season and only one year removed from a 53 point season (in 68 games). Yes, he was dismissed but it was because he wants to win badly. Put him in the right environment, and maybe he can control his anger issues. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

The kings iced the first all black line in decades. Now, lets bring in the racist guy who only wants to 'win'. Hard pass

 

[Herby]

One player everyone is forgetting is Anthony DeAngelo. Could he be the answer at LD? He'll be bought out so we can basically sign him on the cheap for one year on a 'show me' deal. He'll be 26 next season and only one year removed from a 53 point season (in 68 games). Yes, he was dismissed but it was because he wants to win badly. Put him in the right environment, and maybe he can control his anger issues. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

I think people who dislike him for his ideological views are a bit ridiculous, but there were other, more tangible signs that he is an issue in the lockerroom.

He is insanely talented and maybe taking a flier for one year wouldn't be the end of the world, but I don't know about committing to a contract that would cause the Kings to be paying cap penalties if it didn't work out and a buyout was needed. This team has paid enough guys to go away over the years, we just got free of Ilya and Phaneuf and still have Richards until the end of time.

The rumors are a few teams are interested, because as you said he's a 26 year old RH d-man who is a proven point producer from the back end. As I like to say when people make the ridiculous lowball trade offers for (insert player), there are 32 teams, not just the Kings, it only takes 1 to offer multi year.

This would be like the Kings trading Anze Kopitar in 2006 for Jason Spezza. Would you do that? After all, we all know Kopitar would never be as productive as a player as Spezza was back then.

Devils advocate.

Would you have traded Aki Berg for Mats Sundin in 1996?


I don't want to move QB for Eichel and not saying QB is going to be a bust like Berg, but not sure I am ready to declare him an equal to Kopitar who is one of the best players in franchise history. I also don't think Spezza is at the level of Eichel, very good player but he was playing with a couple of star wingers during his peak years. Spezza never made Team Canada in a best vs. best, he was a bit inflated with that team.

Eichel for QB would likely be a lateral move in the big picture.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I think people who dislike him for his ideological views are a bit ridiculous, but there were other, more tangible signs that he is an issue in the lockerroom.

He is insanely talented and maybe taking a flier for one year wouldn't be the end of the world, but I don't know about committing to a contract that would cause the Kings to be paying cap penalties if it didn't work out and a buyout was needed. This team has paid enough guys to go away over the years, we just got free of Ilya and Phaneuf and still have Richards until the end of time.

The rumors are a few teams are interested, because as you said he's a 26 year old RH d-man who is a proven point producer from the back end. As I like to say when people make the ridiculous lowball trade offers for (insert player), there are 32 teams, not just the Kings, it only takes 1 to offer multi year.



Devils advocate.

Would you have traded Aki Berg for Mats Sundin in 1996?

I don't want to move QB for Eichel and not saying QB is going to be a bust like Berg, but not sure I am ready to declare him an equal to Kopitar who is one of the best players in franchise history.

Eichel for QB would likely be a lateral move in the big picture.

Nobody knew what the Slovenian kid was going to be, which is why he fell into the Kings’ laps in 2005. We know what Eichel is, and I think those who describe him as generational throw that label around a bit too generously. I’d be in favor of getting him, but no, I wouldn’t give up Byfield for a player who has health issues.

 

[tomd]

A very realistic deal for a *healthy* Eichel would be Vilardi, Turcotte, and 8OA. Vilardi and Turcotte become very expendable with an Eichel acquisition. This would be exactly the type of trade Blake could make to jumpstart the franchise again.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Nobody knew what the Slovenian kid was going to be, which is why he fell into the Kings’ laps in 2005. We know what Eichel is, and I think those who describe him as generational throw that label around a bit too generously. I’d be in favor of getting him, but no, I wouldn’t give up Byfield for a player who has health issues.

I don't think anyone wants to give up Byfield but just for the sake of discussion I'll say that we had seen greatness in Anze. Also, Eichel and Spezza are not even close.
I appreciate the analogy though.

 

[BigKing]

What did this team have for talent in 2006? Very little. So then it makes sense to hold on to the prospect. But now with Eichel you can accelerate that and get someone to play with Kopitar and Doughty while they're still superstars. There's value in that. Eichel puts this team closer to a contender now.

Also 2021 Eichel > 2006 Spezza, and 2006 Kopitar > 2021 Byfield so thats not really a fair comparison.

You also say that as if Byfield is guaranteed to be Kopitar. He could just as likely be a Ryan Johansen. Or a Nolan Patrick.

If they trade for Eichel, they have to keep Byfield. The idea here would be to get him so you get Kopitar/Eichel/Byfield for the entirety of Byfield's ELC. Maybe you like Turcotte more but I'm trying to keep my best prospect if possible.

I said during the season I'm on board for an Eichel trade if the price is right and I say that knowing that it doesn't mean Kupari/8OA/Walker or some other trash offer. The neck issue just can't be ignored though.

One player everyone is forgetting is Anthony DeAngelo. Could he be the answer at LD? He'll be bought out so we can basically sign him on the cheap for one year on a 'show me' deal. He'll be 26 next season and only one year removed from a 53 point season (in 68 games). Yes, he was dismissed but it was because he wants to win badly. Put him in the right environment, and maybe he can control his anger issues. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

The Kings are a woke organization at this point so I don't even think it will be entertained. After the fall of the 2014 team and even the friggin mascot, they aren't going to go near him.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I don't think anyone wants to give up Byfield but just for the sake of discussion I'll say that we had seen greatness in Anze. Also, Eichel and Spezza are not even close.
I appreciate the analogy though.

How are they not close? Look up Spezza’s point totals up until 2006. You could say he was even better than Eichel. Spezza was also a 2nd overall selection who many thought to be “generational” when he made the OHL as an underaged player.

 

[YP44]

One player everyone is forgetting is Anthony DeAngelo. Could he be the answer at LD? He'll be bought out so we can basically sign him on the cheap for one year on a 'show me' deal. He'll be 26 next season and only one year removed from a 53 point season (in 68 games). Yes, he was dismissed but it was because he wants to win badly. Put him in the right environment, and maybe he can control his anger issues. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

1) isn't he a RHD?
2) even before him hitting a teammate is there not off ice issues rumored? One of which is racism which, if true, makes him a poor fit anywhere let alone on a team that just drafted a Black player the highest in league history.

Like the player but not the fit, and without meeting him doubt I like the person

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Even with ignoring the behavior--ADA couldn't stick with a Stanley Cup Contender in TBL, a blackhole, no direction team in Arizona, or a rebuilding team in similar situation in NYR. What in the world makes you think the Kings can 'fix' whatever is going on there?