Speculation: 2021-22 LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread Part VI

[Peter James Bond III]

I assume the trade freeze is over…one can also know that Blake and other GMs could have been talking during the freeze and maybe something is about to go down. Just seems weird the Kings would make #2 and #3 center changes with 2 players that have not played a single NHL game this year (JAD) or EVER. (Turcotte). I mean, why sit Kupari now?

AND with WJC on, maybe there’s talk surrounding one of them too.
I still think Blake will want to replace Edler, with a long term solution and maybe can package Kupari + ? For one. Maybe includes a roster player like Moore? Andersson…or another prospect like Grans? I like Grans, but Clarke and Faber probably higher on the RHD list. Also, several other prospects: Fagemo, Madden, etc. Think Chromiak untouchable. EVEN Vilardi, given his comments About not thinking he’s a RW. That’s not the attitude they want to see.

ALSO - maybe Helenius is more of what they want in bottom 6 than Kupari. Kupari was drafted at #19 overall to be top 6 and may not be happening. AND JAD also more suited for 3rd / 4th center.
Why couldn’t: Vilardi, Kupari, Grans + #1 be enough for Chychrun?

I’m not saying it could be Chycrhun. But a top 4 LHD for certain.
Just seems weird JAD suddenly recalled too to play tonight.

Byfield close…Turcotte possibly close to staying up. Kupari expendable for the right deal. Kings need a top 4 LHD.

 

[Mats26]

I’ll be shocked to see Lizotte on the team next year.

We said that last year too.
But I was talking about this year. They won't trade him this deadline if they are in contention for a playoff spot. But if he continues his play they can either resign him as a RFA until Helenius is ready or hopefully get a pick for him.

 

[Schmooley]

On a healthy team, there will be 4-5 center prospects battling for one center position. 3C. Kopi-Danault and Lizotte are not getting moved. So the battle between prospects will be heated. Not much you can do about it unless you move some to wing or make trades.

This way of thinking is too short term. If thats the case they are never going to take the next step. In the next 2 years Byfield needs to take over for Kopitar and Turcotte needs to push Danault down to 3c or have them both as 2a/2b centers that can be interchangeable depending on matchups and linemates. The center battle then becomes Lizotte, JAD, Thomas, Helenius for 4c.
Kupari always seemed like the odd man out and if Vilardi doesnt want to be a winger I think both these guys have value around the league. A left dman like Chychrun/Sanheim or scoring winger like Laine would be good targets.

 

[KINGS17]

I can only speculate that Hoven and Bernstein are willfully grouping the idea that fans wanting the coaching staff fired (other than Ranford, everyone else can go kick rocks) is the same as thinking the FO/ownership wanting to fire the coaching staff. It seems to me that the whole attitude is like you guys are idiots because the FO believes in this staff so we do too (because that's who butters our bread)! Of course we know that Luc and Blake are not going to fire TMc because that's a $5m (per season) mistake admission. How he even merited being the highest paid coach in the NHL at the time of signing, well...that's idiotic in and of itself.

Here's the thing, every coaching staff is going to deserve to be fired sooner or later. It's up to the FO to know when the right time is and here's a newsflash for those guys, the FO/ownership is almost always late to the party and by the time they recognize a change has to be made, the coaching staff and/or GM and President will have further damaged the franchise. So how much damage are you willing to inflict upon the future of the franchise, the young roster players and AHL prospects? I don't believe ownership is going to fire Luc and/or Blake, so we're f'd. We're not blind. We see more successful franchises handling and developing their youth differently than this regime. This regime in charge doesn't get to claim the 2012 and 2014 Cups, sorry.

Last season the Ontario Reign started 1-10-2 with the one of the youngest teams if not the youngest in the AHL. However, once they got used to each other and Wrobo's coaching, they went 16-8-3 and that's including missing key players to call-ups. The Reign's top 7 scorers last season in order: Kaliyev, Akil Thomas, Kupari, Turcotte, Byfield, Durzi and Fagemo. All of them 21 years old and younger. Durzi was 21 and Akil, Kupari and Fagemo 20. AK, Turcotte and Byfield teenagers. Kids lead that resurgence. That was promising. That is what made us excited about this season. Continued growth and responsibility and development.

Fast forward to this season's team and its top 7 scorers: Frk, Tynan, Durzi, Tkachev, JAD, Tyler Madden (who was injured most of last season), Brayden Burke. This roster now has a bunch of AAAA players (Tynan and Burke), players who should be on the big club (JAD and Vilardi) or were NHL signings which the FO doesn't seemingly want anymore but owes them money (Frk, Tkachev and Wagner). Akil Thomas just came back from injury but after good seasons from Turcotte and Fagemo last year they earned bigger roles this season. Especially with AK, Kupari and Byfield seemingly graduated. Instead, those kids are taking back seats to much older players. Hell, Gabe is still just 22 FFS. WTF is this FO thinking? The kids aren't regressing. The FO's decision-making is. Both on the big club and the farm club. This is why some of us are pissed.

Nice post. I especially appreciate the points you made about the kids in Ontario last season. I don't believe the kids are going to learn anything about leadership from Kopitar, Doughty, and Brown.

 

[Mats26]

This way of thinking is too short term. If thats the case they are never going to take the next step. In the next 2 years Byfield needs to take over for Kopitar and Turcotte needs to push Danault down to 3c or have them both as 2a/2b centers that can be interchangeable depending on matchups and linemates. The center battle then becomes Lizotte, JAD, Thomas, Helenius for 4c.
Kupari always seemed like the odd man out and if Vilardi doesnt want to be a winger I think both these guys have value around the league. A left dman like Chychrun/Sanheim or scoring winger like Laine would be good targets.

Again, was talking about this year.
What happens next year is anyone's guess. If you think they are trading Lizotte with the taxi squads now in affect then that is shortsighted. They are not moving him. They will play musical COVID chairs and have prospects in and out of the lineup going forward, same like last year. At least we'll see a few games from the AHL call ups. It's up to the kids now to earn a spot, nothing will be handed to them.

 

[LAKings88]

We said that last year too.
But I was talking about this year. They won't trade him this deadline if they are in contention for a playoff spot. But if he continues his play they can either resign him as a RFA until Helenius is ready or hopefully get a pick for him.

I just don’t see it. If the center prospects can’t push him out by next year then they have bigger problems than losing Lizotte. I can see a team trading for him if the Kings are out for sure.

 

[RocketKing]

I think he's slotted fine in the bottom six but he's been flailing for a while, imo. If it were one-off mistakes being aggressive/creative I'd be comfortable with it, but he's making tentative decisions, not being very assertive, and losing a lot of checks. I'm not at all evaluating him on the competitiveness of the team, just on his growth, which I think has currently plateaued and is slightly regressing.

But, if you're going to bench him like it appears is happening tonight, just send him down to the A for some more big minutes and some confidence. If they can do it for Vilardi, they can do it for Kupari.

I see that too but I'm thinking JAD is better suited as one of those over Kupari due to his better defensive skills, but who knows? Maybe a bit if this was to elevate Kupari's visibility to make him more of a valuable trade asset while QB was going to be out? One of the obvious big brain farts from Kupari was that give away from behind the net directly onto the stick of an opposing player being immediately deposited into the net. Those kinds of high pressure choke job give away's in your D zone just can never happen in the NHL. Most nights in the NHL (especially with LA) that's a certain loss with games being so close.

I do like Kupari, not really crapping on him, but we simply have too many capable players at that spot and unless he REALLY ups his defensive game he's going to be hard pressed to dislodge one of the outer potential Centers for those bottom 6 roles.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Again, was talking about this year.
What happens next year is anyone's guess. If you think they are trading Lizotte with the taxi squads now in affect then that is shortsighted. They are not moving him. They will play musical COVID chairs and have prospects in and out of the lineup going forward, same like last year. At least we'll see a few games from the AHL call ups. It's up to the kids now to earn a spot, nothing will be handed to them.

Agree. Lizotte has even made his detractors quiet….I was one, but not anymore. I think by April, they will know where most all stand for next season and where they slot, or if they are traded…or not signed: Byfield, Turcotte, JAD, Kupari, Vilardi .and if Arty moves up…Lizotte Lemieux and /or Athanasiou resigned.

I think they will know what they want to do with all of these players by April. I think it’s possible even Vilardi and Kupari are dealt by the deadline for a LHD

Others, like Madden, Fagemo, Thomas, may take more time to see what their futures are. Helenius could come over at the end of his LIIGA season, He’s already signed.

One I hope is certain: Athanasiou not resigned! And hope Lemieux gets a 3 yr deal, honestly.

 

[kingsfan28]

I'm seeing Trevor Lewis in Kupari but the problem is if the production isn't there, Trevor Lewis wasn't an outright liability. Kupari definitely needs to sit or get some AHL time. because that's a waste of a roster spot/minutes if you're just going to melt him on the 4th line...sick of this pattern.

Even playing 3rd line center he should be producing, either driving the plays and getting the puck to his linemates, or scoring. He's done neither very often. He's had that spot since the start of the season, then lost it to someone else and now I don't know where he is most night. I hope he figures it out, but right now, he doesn't have it.

 

[Mats26]

I just don’t see it. If the center prospects can’t push him out by next year then they have bigger problems than losing Lizotte. I can see a team trading for him if the Kings are out for sure.

Sure if we sink here in the next few months, but then why stop at Lizotte? AA, Brown, Maatta etc.. should all go.
The problem is Lizotte is no longer considered a 13th forward on the team. He's an NHL player. A kid needed to beat him already so we can keep him as a 13th forward. JAD came close last year but his injury kept him out too long and Lizotte took advantage of that. Also the coach loves him, so that complicates things.

I personally think Helenius is our 4C when we are contending for a cup. JAD should be in contention for our 3C , I just think he has the smarts on both ends to play that role, we'll see how things turn out.

 

[LAKings88]

Sure if we sink here in the next few months, but then why stop at Lizotte? AA, Brown, Maatta etc.. should all go.
The problem is Lizotte is no longer considered a 13th forward on the team. He's an NHL player. A kid needed to beat him already so we can keep him as a 13th forward. JAD came close last year but his injury kept him out too long and Lizotte took advantage of that. Also the coach loves him, so that complicates things.

I personally think Helenius is our 4C when we are contending for a cup. JAD should be in contention for our 3C , I just think he has the smarts on both ends to play that role, we'll see how things turn out.

I expect all the fringe to be moved out hopefully if they are out of a spot.

 

[kingsfan28]

Tonight begins the Crypto.com era.

 

[Steve Zissou]

I assume the trade freeze is over…one can also know that Blake and other GMs could have been talking during the freeze and maybe something is about to go down. Just seems weird the Kings would make #2 and #3 center changes with 2 players that have not played a single NHL game this year (JAD) or EVER. (Turcotte). I mean, why sit Kupari now?

Lisa Dillman reported today Kupari out with illness, non-Covid related.

 

[kilowatt]

Just for fun, I want to imagine a scenario in which we trade Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, and Quick. I'll pretend we don't get back any roster players. Here's what I'm guessing our roster would look like:

Iafallo - Byfield - Kempe
Grundstrom - Danault - Arvidsson
Moore - Turcotte/Kupari - Kaliyev
JAD - Lizotte - Lemieux

Bjornfot - Roy
Maatta - Anderson
Wolanin - Durzi

Petersen
Sparks

 

[KingTech]

Just for fun, I want to imagine a scenario in which we trade Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, and Quick. I'll pretend we don't get back any roster players. Here's what I'm guessing our roster would look like:

Iafallo - Byfield - Kempe
Grundstrom - Danault - Arvidsson
Moore - Turcotte/Kupari - Kaliyev
JAD - Lizotte - Lemieux

Bjornfot - Roy
Maatta - Anderson
Wolanin - Durzi

Petersen
Sparks

unrealistic having Bayfield who has no real nhl expeince I think u would have to move up Danault to 1 and one of Bayfield Turcotte Kurpari or Jad in the 2c spot

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Just for fun, I want to imagine a scenario in which we trade Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, and Quick. I'll pretend we don't get back any roster players. Here's what I'm guessing our roster would look like:

Iafallo - Byfield - Kempe
Grundstrom - Danault - Arvidsson
Moore - Turcotte/Kupari - Kaliyev
JAD - Lizotte - Lemieux

Bjornfot - Roy
Maatta - Anderson
Wolanin - Durzi

Petersen
Sparks

Would likely be ugly the rest of this year but probably good going forward, at least on an upward trajectory, especially with the addition of Clarke, and a good shot at Slafkovsky/Nemec/Jiricek/Casey et. al. if not Wright.

I would much prefer the energy to the playing-out-the-string PLUS it would force Todd to redistribute minutes. But Blake is not Billy Beane so.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings won't trade Kopitar or Doughty and I wouldn't trade Quick after the way CP has played.

But Brown has to go - look how much more flexibility there is in the roster without him and a Kempe-Kopitar-Iafallo line is more exciting than stale old Kopitar-Brown combo.

 

[Telos]

Meh, I am in the middle but am sliding closer and closer to trading the lot of them. Doughty is the one I would try to keep the most, but if someone is willing to offer a reasonable haul I could be persuaded.

Kopitar I would trade if he expressed interest, he'd be worth the most and still has solid numbers. Despite the frustration with him, his absence would be felt the most.

I would approach Brown and if he is open to a trade I would send him anywhere; otherwise, at the very least, I would make sure he was on the bottom 6 from here on out.

Quick I would most definitely trade. He may have more interest with how well he's been playing and while he wouldn't yield a big return, if you can find someone that would take him for a decent return I think you take it and send him on his way to compete for something.

The Kings made their bed with Petersen, for better or worse he will be sticking around for a few years and will be the guy until he proves he needs to be extended long term or we find a replacement.

 

[kilowatt]

Meh, I am in the middle but am sliding closer and closer to trading the lot of them. Doughty is the one I would try to keep the most, but if someone is willing to offer a reasonable haul I could be persuaded.

Kopitar I would trade if he expressed interest, he'd be worth the most and still has solid numbers. Despite the frustration with him, his absence would be felt the most.

I would approach Brown and if he is open to a trade I would send him anywhere; otherwise, at the very least, I would make sure he was on the bottom 6 from here on out.

Quick I would most definitely trade. He may have more interest with how well he's been playing and while he wouldn't yield a big return, if you can find someone that would take him for a decent return I think you take it and send him on his way to compete for something.

The Kings made their bed with Petersen, for better or worse he will be sticking around for a few years and will be the guy until he proves he needs to be extended long term or we find a replacement.

It's neither here nor there, but the most-discussed trade for Quick on the trade board is Koskinen + Edmonton's 1st for Quick. Not only are there some very good prospects around the 25-30 range, but not having an extra first round pick as a trade chip last draft was the reason we didn't get Wallstedt. I love Quick, but if he wants another shot at a cup, we should trade him tomorrow.

 

[King'sPawn]

Don't know why everyone wants to trade Kopitar, Doughty, and the likes when the prospects are going through the same system that has brought us here.

 

[kilowatt]

Don't know why everyone wants to trade Kopitar, Doughty, and the likes when the prospects are going through the same system that has brought us here.

Because this is a fan message board where we talk about random stuff, is that okay? I probably should've run it by you first. I'm sorry

 

[RocketKing]

It's neither here nor there, but the most-discussed trade for Quick on the trade board is Koskinen + Edmonton's 1st for Quick. Not only are there some very good prospects around the 25-30 range, but not having an extra first round pick as a trade chip last draft was the reason we didn't get Wallstedt. I love Quick, but if he wants another shot at a cup, we should trade him tomorrow.

That would be a tidy haul for JQ and I wouldn't stand in his way if he wanted to go and try to win another cup. If he continues to shine as he has so far (mostly) then I would think that the Av's would also be in a position to kick the tires there as well. If Quick gets hot in the playoffs he might make the difference for them to go on a long run or win a cup.

 

[bland]

Don't know why everyone wants to trade Kopitar, Doughty, and the likes when the prospects are going through the same system that has brought us here.

Because the team's identity won't change until the front office accepts that those two are not capable of leading a team, especially one of younger players, to the playoffs much less Cup contention.

The identity MUST change, but the fraternity in charge will give them every opportunity and then some more, all to the detriment of the development of prospects being taught how not to lose as opposed how to win.

For years folks have let their love of the players blind them to the fact that their presence alone is problematic for a team that badly needs to cut ties to the previous identity. The infatuation has lead to nearly a decade of mediocrity.

 

[King'sPawn]

Because this is a fan message board where we talk about random stuff, is that okay? I probably should've run it by you first. I'm sorry

I'm all for discussion. I just don't see why people think trading vets will fix the issues.

Sorry for participating in the discussion of random thoughts. I forgot we're only allowed to participate in groupthink.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm all for discussion. I just don't see why people think trading vets will fix the issues.

It won't, because it's not just a flat tire; however, you still have to change the flat tire even if there's 5 other things wrong with the car.