Speculation: 2021-22 LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster discussion part IV Playoffs? I Danault

[deaderhead28]

Interesting forecast with respect to the point totals more than the teams. The cut off line for the #8 seed in both conferences is 96 points. Which feels accurate. But I think they’ve given too many points to the bottom teams and not enough to the top teams.

The bottom three teams should be Arizona, Buffalo and Columbus; all in the 65-70 point range. At the top end VGK and Tampa should be closer to 120 points than where they are. I also think Caroline get 105+ points and wins the Metro.

Everyone has an opinion on the teams based on current rosters. Looking at the Kings division, I think they overrated Seattle and underrated Calgary and Vancouver. If I was betting today, I’d wager on the standings end up looking something like …

Vegas 114 points - clear division leader with no goalie distractions
Calgary 99 points - Markstrom #2 goalie in the division and Sutter rubs off on Monahan and Gaudreau
Vancouver 97 points - Deepest top six forwards
Edmonton 96 points - Ken Holland keeps his job one more year
Seattle 86 points - they’ve got goaltending and defense to play Islanders style hockey if everything goes right
LA 86 points - Improvements at F and D aren’t enough to overcome injuries and a lack of finishing
SJ 76 points - Cutting Kane loose is the highlight of the season before a game is played
Ducks 71 points - Zegras and Comtois turn into full time top line players

Think it's still early to predict the standings.Want to see how the kids along with Arvidsson and Danault plays in camp and watch a few preseason games and see what the with final roster looks like.

 

[KingsFan7824]

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]Danault[/TD]
[TD]124[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]66[/TD]
[TD].137[/TD]
[TD].532[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kopitar[/TD]
[TD]126[/TD]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]67[/TD]
[TD].183[/TD]
[TD].532[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Iafallo[/TD]
[TD]125[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]56[/TD]
[TD].160[/TD]
[TD].448[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Brown[/TD]
[TD]115[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]50[/TD]
[TD].209[/TD]
[TD].435[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Athanasiou[/TD]
[TD]102[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]41[/TD]
[TD].176[/TD]
[TD].402[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Arvidsson[/TD]
[TD]107[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]42[/TD]
[TD].178[/TD]
[TD].393[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Frk[/TD]
[TD] 18[/TD]
[TD] 5[/TD]
[TD] 7[/TD]
[TD].278[/TD]
[TD].389[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Vilardi[/TD]
[TD] 64[/TD]
[TD] 9[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD].141[/TD]
[TD].375[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Moore[/TD]
[TD] 98[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]28[/TD]
[TD].133[/TD]
[TD].286[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Anderson-Dolan[/TD]
[TD] 38[/TD]
[TD] 6[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD].158[/TD]
[TD].263[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kempe[/TD]
[TD]125[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]32[/TD]
[TD].128[/TD]
[TD].256[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Lizotte[/TD]
[TD]106[/TD]
[TD] 5[/TD]
[TD]27[/TD]
[TD].047[/TD]
[TD].255[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Grundstrom[/TD]
[TD] 60[/TD]
[TD] 6[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD].100[/TD]
[TD].217[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Lemieux[/TD]
[TD]108[/TD]
[TD] 7[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD].065[/TD]
[TD].204[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Andersson[/TD]
[TD] 40[/TD]
[TD] 3[/TD]
[TD] 7[/TD]
[TD].075[/TD]
[TD].175[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Wagner[/TD]
[TD]109[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD].092[/TD]
[TD].174[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]

 

[KingsFan7824]

Couldn't figure out a way to type anything after I made the table, but, anyway, that's just the total G, Pts, and % at ES over the last 2 years of the 16 F's that are likely the top candidates for the probable 14 jobs on the roster. No context to the numbers, just straight numbers. One thing that stands out is how little Kempe produces at ES.

 

[johnjm22]

Couldn't figure out a way to type anything after I made the table, but, anyway, that's just the total G, Pts, and % at ES over the last 2 years of the 16 F's that are likely the top candidates for the probable 14 jobs on the roster. No context to the numbers, just straight numbers. One thing that stands out is how little Kempe produces at ES.

Kopitar and Danault are basically the same player at this point. Kopitar just gets more PP points.

The thing about Kempe, is that he doesn't really get secondary assists. His P/60 5v5 goal scoring rate last year was .71 which was 4th best on the team.

One player that surprised me is JAD. He quietly scored at a 17 goal pace. His P/60 5v5 goal rate was a team best .93.

 

[Mats26]

Has anyone given a single thought (pre Danault )of how the center positions would of looked like if Kopi goes down with an injury? It would of looked like Vilardi- Lizotte-JAD- and who knows...maybe QB somewhere in the mix. Same with Doughty. We have been blessed with these 2 staying healthy for most of their careers but the term "insurance policy" was used and fits with why we brought in Danault and Edler.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Has anyone given a single thought (pre Danault )of how the center positions would of looked like if Kopi goes down with an injury? It would of looked like Vilardi- Lizotte-JAD- and who knows...maybe QB somewhere in the mix. Same with Doughty. We have been blessed with these 2 staying healthy for most of their careers but the term "insurance policy" was used and fits with why we brought in Danault and Edler.

Edler in 2021 is not an insurance policy on Doughty.

They've been cleaning house for years now. The C depth problem hasn't been adequately addressed since at least Stoll. On a team with zero expectations the last few years, it would've made no difference if Kopitar got hurt. Now that they've invested in the team again, you just have to hope that these guys don't let management down again, because they've already done it like 3 times.

 

[Mats26]

Edler in 2021 is not an insurance policy on Doughty.

They've been cleaning house for years now. The C depth problem hasn't been adequately addressed since at least Stoll. On a team with zero expectations the last few years, it would've made no difference if Kopitar got hurt. Now that they've invested in the team again, you just have to hope that these guys don't let management down again, because they've already done it like 3 times.

We still need a top D man. Edler is not it. But if Doughty goes down, I feel better with :

Edler - Walker
Andersen - Roy
Bjornfot -Strand

then what we had last year.

Maybe it's time to have some expectations, how do you expect to advance if your only expectation is to lose.

 

[BigBrown]

Danault mostly played with Gallagher and Tatar during these past two regular seasons. In the 2020/21 season they had a remarkable 20 GF, 3 GA at 5on5.

Not sure what linemates would be considered comparable for the Kings.. Maybe Arvidsson can be compared to Gallagher, both being smaller productive and somewhat feisty players (an edge to Gallagher in that department).. Athanasiou could be similar to Tatar, if I squint hard enough.

 

[johnjm22]

Has anyone given a single thought (pre Danault )of how the center positions would of looked like if Kopi goes down with an injury? It would of looked like Vilardi- Lizotte-JAD- and who knows...maybe QB somewhere in the mix. Same with Doughty. We have been blessed with these 2 staying healthy for most of their careers but the term "insurance policy" was used and fits with why we brought in Danault and Edler.

I'm wondering the same thing about the goaltending position.

 

[johnjm22]

Danault mostly played with Gallagher and Tatar during these past two regular seasons. In the 2020/21 season they had a remarkable 20 GF, 3 GA at 5on5.

Not sure what linemates would be considered comparable for the Kings.. Maybe Arvidsson can be compared to Gallagher, both being smaller productive and somewhat feisty players (an edge to Gallagher in that department).. Athanasiou could be similar to Tatar, if I squint hard enough.

Tatar is still available.

 

[KingsFan7824]

We still need a top D man. Edler is not it. But if Doughty goes down, I feel better with :

Edler - Walker
Andersen - Roy
Bjornfot -Strand

then what we had last year.

Maybe it's time to have some expectations, how do you expect to advance if your only expectation is to lose.

This year there are certainly expectations. They put money into the team while the cap stays flat. Everyone above the players is expecting something positive. It's now up to what have become untrustworthy players(although most anywhere are) to put TM in a position where his decisions actually matter.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I'm wondering the same thing about the goaltending position.

Quick is the insurance. If Kopitar goes down, Vilardi, or Byfield, or someone, has to be the one that's ready.

There's a cap. Every base can't be covered. Some of these ELC guys have to start doing more.

 

[johnjm22]

Quick is the insurance. If Kopitar goes down, Vilardi, or Byfield, or someone, has to be the one that's ready.

There's a cap. Every base can't be covered. Some of these ELC guys have to start doing more.

Quick gets injured every year. He's coming off shoulder surgery.

Goaltending is a very fragile position for the organization right now. One of Quick/Petersen gets injured (likely IMO), and we've got some issues.

Villalta can't even hang in the AHL and he's next on the depth chart.

I bet they add another goaltender.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Garret Sparks says hello.

 

[Reaper45]

Quick gets injured every year. He's coming off shoulder surgery.

Goaltending is a very fragile position for the organization right now. One of Quick/Petersen gets injured (likely IMO), and we've got some issues.

Villalta can't even hang in the AHL and he's next on the depth chart.

I bet they add another goaltender.

They did, Sparks.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Quick gets injured every year. He's coming off shoulder surgery.

Goaltending is a very fragile position for the organization right now. One of Quick/Petersen gets injured (likely IMO), and we've got some issues.

Villalta can't even hang in the AHL and he's next on the depth chart.

I bet they add another goaltender.

There are only so many goalies you can have. Name the team that goes 3 deep. 3 real options, not just 3 names. You can maybe get to a handful, and that's probably stretching it. Between the Kings and Reign, they have 7 goalies under contract.

 

[Cook24]

Anyone think the Kings may have held out in signing AA, until they found out Landeskog was resigning in Colorado? They would’ve had 8.5mil plus a year to offer Landeskog. Obviously Danault wouldn’t have happened as that money would’ve went toward Landeskog.

If the Kings have Danault almost 6 mil and 6 years I don’t think they would’ve had an issue giving Landeskog 7 years 8.5ish mil…

Would explain them last minute deciding to keep AA, after the Landeskog resigning news broke…

 

[KingsFan7824]

Anyone think the Kings may have held out in signing AA, until they found out Landeskog was resigning in Colorado? They would’ve had 8.5mil plus a year to offer Landeskog. Obviously Danault wouldn’t have happened as that money would’ve went toward Landeskog.

If the Kings have Danault almost 6 mil and 6 years I don’t think they would’ve had an issue giving Landeskog 7 years 8.5ish mil…

Would explain them last minute deciding to keep AA, after the Landeskog resigning news broke…

Danault and Landeskog play different positions.

 

[Cook24]

Danault and Landeskog play different positions.

Yes…and…

 

[KingsFan7824]

Yes…and…

And so you don't just flip who you're going for that quickly. Or, you shouldn't. If they're looking at the guy who would be their 1LW, then he stays where he is, and then the Kings say ok, we'll get a C now, who they couldn't have gotten had they signed the LW, then that's not a plan. That's just, we have to do something to please people. If you're going for Landeskog, but you end up having to sign Saad, ok, that's the same position.

Doubt they had any real chance at Landeskog anyway. Nobody seems to have that chance.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Anyone think the Kings may have held out in signing AA, until they found out Landeskog was resigning in Colorado? They would’ve had 8.5mil plus a year to offer Landeskog. Obviously Danault wouldn’t have happened as that money would’ve went toward Landeskog.

If the Kings have Danault almost 6 mil and 6 years I don’t think they would’ve had an issue giving Landeskog 7 years 8.5ish mil…

Would explain them last minute deciding to keep AA, after the Landeskog resigning news broke…

You are assuming that Landeskog would have wanted to signed here....doubtful.

 

[BringTheReign]

Kopitar and Danault are basically the same player at this point. Kopitar just gets more PP points.

Except for the fact that Danault has had one of the best play driving wingers in the league to play with for the past few years in Gallagher, and Tatar might be down now but he’s more skilled than Iafallo was for most of that time as well.

 

[Cheech89]

Except for the fact that Danault has had one of the best play driving wingers in the league to play with for the past few years in Gallagher, and Tatar might be down now but he’s more skilled than Iafallo was for most of that time as well.

AI picked it up last year. Scored some goals and did a good job holding onto the puck.

 

[kilowatt]

We don't have a ton of cap space, but I'd sign Tatar to a 1 year, $1 million deal. I know we have a logjam at forward, but he's probably better than some of our other options.

Iafallo - Kopitar - Brown
Tatar - Danault - Arvidsson
Kempe - Vilardi - Athanasiou
Andersson - JAD - Moore

Other options: Tkachov, Grundstrom, Lemieux, Wagner, Lizotte, all the rookies

 

[BigKing]

Anyone think the Kings may have held out in signing AA, until they found out Landeskog was resigning in Colorado? They would’ve had 8.5mil plus a year to offer Landeskog. Obviously Danault wouldn’t have happened as that money would’ve went toward Landeskog.

If the Kings have Danault almost 6 mil and 6 years I don’t think they would’ve had an issue giving Landeskog 7 years 8.5ish mil…

Would explain them last minute deciding to keep AA, after the Landeskog resigning news broke…

Absolutely not. I don't think they were looking to give that much term and dollars to a winger who is a tad older but has a lot harder miles on his engine than Danault.

A diminished Danault in the later stages of this deal is still believed to be useful while there is far more concern about Landeskog's game at that point. You are talking one more year and $3MM more per season. Of course, he wasn't going to sign here anyways.