Speculation: 2021-22 LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster discussion part III

[DoktorJeep]

Doesn't need another decent forward but needs a legit Top 6 forward?

Danault is currently better than every forward on the roster not named Kopitar.

The "packed forward group" is a pack of shit. It's only packed at the bottom and who really cares if any of them stay? Any one of these exposed forwards could have been lost in the expansion draft and nobody would have batted much of an eye. That means that they aren't worth anything and will eventually shake themselves out.

The simplest and most foolproof path to making the playoffs requires two things.

1. Kopitar and Doughty score at or around their peak career levels
2. Some new or existing guy scores more goals than Kopitar

Everything else with this team is a gamble that isn’t sure odds to take in the hope of a playoff seed. I’m in the “be patient” strategy camp, which it looks like Blake is executing, just in his uninspiring paint by the numbers approach. So the only way we stand a chance to check the second item off the list is if Kaliyev blows up the net in camp.

What evidence is there that PD turned down that offer? For all we know, it is just a rumour (Canadian spelling). From what I see, players are now looking at total dollars received much more than AAV. In other words, they will trade AAV for more term (see Nugent-Hopkins) or vice versa. Assume you are correct and that PD was looking at collecting $36mm+ over the next six years. With our cap space and the fact that we have no massive raises that need to be handed out in the next couple of seasons, why not sign PD for a higher AAV and shorter term? This allows him to test the market again in 2-3 years and potentially earn more than he would by signing long term now? This also would get his contract off the books by the time his replacements have arrived. I know it would be vast over payment, but why not $27-$30mm over three years?

$9-10M a year for Danault would quickly take away the title from Seth Jones for worse potential cap hit. It’s on par with UFA Bobby Holik, but Holik was better. Danault would have to score 40 points and make 40 saves in the net with the goalie out of the crease to earn that kind of coin.

Whackadoodle idea to free up short-term cap space for Danault (or another team's cap-dump tethered to a big-name trade acquisition): (1) Trade Quick away (no salary retention) to a contender. You won't get anything remotely worthwhile back, but the return isn't really the point; (2) Sign Jones for a two-year cheap-a$$ deal. Obviously he is not the "solution" in net, but he's an almost- semi-viable starter in case Petersen proves to not be the answer, either (basically, you're "buying time" with him); and, (3) Trade Brown (probably at the trade deadline to a contender) for a cost-controlled youngster and a pick.

^I probably wouldn't even do this given the opportunity, but given what else has transpired this summer, it's not THAT insane (and I'll pre-empt the "But the team would SUCK!" argument: everyone's seen the standings the last three seasons, right??)

It’s unfortunate that Blake hasn’t realized how much the Brown and Quick contracts hamper the ability to outbid other teams or weaponize cap space.

 

[BigKing]

There was a tweet posted about it but nothing final....yet As of today Byfield is our 3C next year.
If the Kings don't feel comfortable with Vilardi-Byfield-JAD, they can move Vilardi to wing and add a Vet 2C.

Also I think these Danualt to LA rumors may make sense depending on term and how they feel about Vilardi as a long term 2C on this team.
I would't mind seeing QB with Vilardi on the same line. If they click it will be the making of our first line in 3 years. Some centers need to move to wing, it's just a matter of time.

Hoven posting his projected lines does not make Byfield the 3c as of today. Plausible? Probable? Sure. I think he played ahead of Vilardi though so he could be the 2C actually.

 

[Statto]

My bet is Byfield down to the AHL now that the rules have changed and Kupari cracks the line-up.

Lizotte or Grundstrom on waivers. Lemieux and Wagner find their way in the line up.

It will come down to camp, guys will have to earn spots. Whatever happen there is zero chance Byfield is in the OHL. The AHL being an option is only a good thing for Byfield even if it’s only as extra motivation.

 

[Piston]

The simplest and most foolproof path to making the playoffs requires two things.


$9-10M a year for Danault would quickly take away the title from Seth Jones for worse potential cap hit. It’s on par with UFA Bobby Holik, but Holik was better. Danault would have to score 40 points and make 40 saves in the net with the goalie out of the crease to earn that kind of coin.

If you read my post, I am only suggesting that for 3 years. The question is, will he be worth it for that for the next three seasons? I would say yes based on his play, character and the multiple holes he fills in our lineup. Unless he regresses significantly, (we'd be getting his age 28, 29 and 30 seasons), we will get a player we need for $30 mm. What happens after is not our problem unless we bring him back at a vastly reduced rate. The important thing to remember from both his and our point of views is what is the total cost/value of the contract (term x AAV). AAV is only relevant to the extent we have cap issues, and we don't for the next three years. I realize this is thinking out of the box, but the value he possesses in terms of setting an example (along with AK) for all our youngsters as they become NHL players is incalculable.

 

[Fat Elvis]

All is quiet on the LA FA market. Be patient, don't get desperate. Glad LA's name isn't being thrown around in every single story.

 

[LAKings88]

All is quiet on the LA FA market. Be patient, don't get desperate. Glad LA's name isn't being thrown around in every single story.

Getzlaf to LA incoming :p

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Getzlaf to LA incoming :p

 

[DoktorJeep]

All is quiet on the LA FA market. Be patient, don't get desperate. Glad LA's name isn't being thrown around in every single story.

Expect more fireworks to be lit off tomorrow in Santa Ana than in Kings news

 

[Fat Elvis]

Getzlaf to LA incoming :p

I'd like to think that feeling was acid reflux. Though I'd be interested, just to piss off the ducks.

 

[johnjm22]

why not sign PD for a higher AAV and shorter term? This allows him to test the market again in 2-3 years and potentially earn more than he would by signing long term now? This also would get his contract off the books by the time his replacements have arrived. I know it would be vast over payment, but why not $27-$30mm over three years?

I would be totally down for this sort of strategy. Way overpay someone in exchange for them taking a short term deal.

But the thing is, we've never really seen anyone do contracts like that.

 

[DoktorJeep]

I would be totally down for this sort of strategy. Way overpay someone in exchange for them taking a short term deal.

But the thing is, we've never really seen anyone do contracts like that.

Agree it’s rare. But Taylor Hall did a 1 year $8M deal. And back in the day, pre cap,guys would take big money short term deals with Detroit and the Avs a lot.

 

[johnjm22]

Agree it’s rare. But Taylor Hall did a 1 year $8M deal. And back in the day, pre cap,guys would take big money short term deals with Detroit and the Avs a lot.

That Hall contract is probably the closest comp, but even then I wouldn't call it a huge overpayment for someone of Hall's pedigree.

If Danault is willing to sign a 1 year deal, I'll give him whatever he wants. 11M for all I care. It's not my money. But that's a mega overpayment. We've never seen anything like it before in the cap era that I can remember.

I also suspect the Kings are working with an internal budget.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Literally no one here is advocating a 7 year Danault deal so let's throw out the red herrings.

Like I said earlier anyone can reasonably disagree with it and even I would be cautious on the money and term but I'm noticing the same people mocking Danault are like a perfect circle Venn Diagram with the folks who have been saying "Stoll was replaceable" since 2012.

 

[KingTech]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome, Kurtis!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoAvsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#GoAvsGo</a> <a href="Avalanche Acquires Kurtis MacDermid">Avalanche Acquires Kurtis MacDermid</a></p>&mdash; Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) <a href="">July 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[DoktorJeep]

Literally no one here is advocating a 7 year Danault deal so let's throw out the red herrings.

Like I said earlier anyone can reasonably disagree with it and even I would be cautious on the money and term but I'm noticing the same people mocking Danault are like a perfect circle Venn Diagram with the folks who have been saying "Stoll was replaceable" since 2012.

It seems the floor for Danault is $30M total. The max yearly cap hit allowed is $16.3M with an $81.5M cap ceiling. It would seem the shortest probable deal is 4 years. So $7.5M Aav to hit $30M.

Now Danault may get offered more than $30M on a 5-7 year deal. So one thing to negotiate on is how much of the money is salary versus signing bonus. Blake gave that to Doughty and Kovalchuk. Kopi and Brown got them on their deals from Dean. But no one else

 

[DAkings20]

Pride = only giving up 1 goal in a loss

Passion = a commitment to not scoring

Power = wristers high and wide up and over the net into Section 300

 

[KingsHockey24]

If we really want a defensive shutdown center there are MUCH cheaper options out in the market right now than Danault.

Travis Zajac, Casey Cizikas, Brandon Sutter, Derek Stepan, Nick Bonino, Darren Helm.

Don't give Philip Danault 5+ million especially if it has term.

 

[YP44]

That Hall contract is probably the closest comp, but even then I wouldn't call it a huge overpayment for someone of Hall's pedigree.

If Danault is willing to sign a 1 year deal, I'll give him whatever he wants. 11M for all I care. It's not my money. But that's a mega overpayment. We've never seen anything like it before in the cap era that I can remember.

I also suspect the Kings are working with an internal budget.

I wanted LA to take this tactic with Landeskog. 3 year $10M per.

Don't see Landeskog doing it as sounds like Colorado has a 7x7 offer and they are a cup contender

 

[johnjm22]

Literally no one here is advocating a 7 year Danault deal so let's throw out the red herrings.

Like I said earlier anyone can reasonably disagree with it and even I would be cautious on the money and term but I'm noticing the same people mocking Danault are like a perfect circle Venn Diagram with the folks who have been saying "Stoll was replaceable" since 2012.

The thing is, I see teams like Boston and Pittsburgh (who also having aging centers they rely on for scoring) employ no-name guys to take away most of the heavy defensive lifting.

But the Kings have to bring in a big name UFA to do it?

Why isn't Lizotte on PK1 instead of Kopitar? AK is better at it than BL, but analytically it won't result in many more goals against over the course of the season.

I look at a guy like Wagner and think he could potentially make a great PKer. That speed will put all kinds of pressure on opposing PP players at the point. McClellan doesn't even seem interested in trying.

Last year we're playing meaningless games at the end of the season, you'd think it would be a great opportunity to try developing guys like JAD, Wagner, Lizotte as PKers / defensive specialists, instead Todd has Kopi out there running him into the ground.

 

[YP44]

The thing is, I see teams like Boston and Pittsburgh (who also having aging centers they rely on for scoring) employ no-name guys to take away most of the heavy defensive lifting.

But the Kings have to bring in a big name UFA to do it?

Why isn't Lizotte on PK1 instead of Kopitar? AK is better at it than BL, but analytically it won't result in many more goals against over the course of the season.

I look at a guy like Wagner and think he could potentially make a great PKer. That speed will put all kinds of pressure on opposing PP players at the point. McClellan doesn't even seem interested in trying.

Last year we're playing meaningless games at the end of the season, you'd think it would be a great opportunity to try developing guys like JAD, Wagner, Lizotte as PKers, instead Todd has Kopi out there running him into the ground.

I thought Bergeron killed penalties.

 

[johnjm22]

I thought Bergeron killed penalties.

He does. But his ES deployment has changed a lot to take defensive duties off him.

Was just using the PK as one example for us.

 

[YP44]

He does. But his ES deployment has changed a lot to take defensive duties off him.

Was just using the PK as one example for us.

roger that.

 

[King'sPawn]

Again, I feel Danault is unlikely in the sense that he (understandably) wants money and term, and the Kings will have several ELCs expiring within the next 3.

Plus depth at center is one area where they are very strong.

UFA is where teams overspend the most. Do it to address positions of weakness.

 

[Bandit]

Worse than pride=passion=power is hockey=hockey=hockey. Somebody got paid to come up with that...

 

[KingsHockey24]

My final prediction for tomorrow is Brandon Saad 3 years/12 million and moving one of our forwards/picks for Nikita Zadorov.