Speculation: 2025 TDL Discussion

[Sol]

How many times has Blake made it past the first round since 2017?

 

[MonkeysUncle]

Josh Anderson at 33% retained for Spence plus a B prospect like Chromiak or Pinelli. He’s big and a RW. And guess who signed him to his last deal.

If I move Spence and Pinelli it's for something more than Anderson, also not a glowing endorsement that Bergevin signed him, especially to that cap hit

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

I like and have spoken many a times about Daniel Sprong a Right handed shooter that can play both Wing positions and help and enigmic PP...just so happens that Sprong is on Waivers as of today Jan 8th,2026

 

[Surf Nutz]

I like and have spoken many a times about Daniel Sprong a Right handed shooter that can play both Wing positions and help and enigmic PP...just so happens that Sprong is on Waivers as of today Jan 8th,2026

Anemic PP.

But free to cheap is worth a shot.

I like it.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

anemic

 

[MonkeysUncle]

Chris Kreider with retention makes some sense. New York's season is unsalvageable at this point. Rangers will be shipping out veterans for futures. If they're willing to shave a big chunk of Kreider's $6.5 million cap hit, Kreider could be the big bodied goal-scoring forward teams crave for the playoffs.

Kreider has a history of scoring goals in the playoffs. 24 goals in his last 43 playoff games over the past three seasons. Age and health are big concerns, though.

Just on his injuries alone would be a no go for me

 

[kilowatt]

I'd see if the Predators would trade Ryan O'Reilly. Two years left on his contract, and the Preds are down bad.

Turcotte - Kopitar - Kempe
Byfield - O'Reilly - Fiala
Moore - Danault - Laferriere
Foegele - Thomas - Jeannot

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Totally speculation on my part but

I'm a little wary of the recently-signed-in-Nashville guys as that city is getting a bit of a rep that we worry abou twith LA's 'country club' atmosphere, it's been labeled as the family friendly town where you settle down and don't worry about criticism, and it seems like some of those guys inked their retirement deals and have no intention of going anywhere. There's no friction, rumors, or anything...they just f***ing suck and no one is taking them to task for it and they dont' even seem slightly uncomfortable about being awful.

And, frankly, I appreciate the thought but I think the last thing we need is another aging two-way C.

 

[funky]

I hope we stand pat. We have too many players and I am really enjoying watching the young guys grow

Unless we land guy like Tuch and another quality goalie I don’t think we’re gonna be much of a threat past first round.

Rather save our ammo and spend it in future years when the young guys need some help

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Just noticed Alexander Holtz has been struggling to fit in Vegas.... Currently playing on the 4th line according to daily faceoff and sitting at 3 goals, 7 assists for 10 points in 40 games. That could certainly be an interesting but risky and potentially underwhelming option. Maybe low risk, high reward depending on the price to acquire?

Obviously hasn't shown a ton in the NHL to date and doesn't have great numbers this year but he's a right shot sniper who was a previous 7th overall pick. 22 years old so could certainly be part of the future if he breaks out. Lethal shot that could potentially help the Kings PP if he fits (maybe 2nd unit but still).

Edit: Just realized Vegas also has Barbashev and Roy out due to injury. So I'm not even sure Holtz would be a regular forward for them when they're fully healthy. Maybe worth the risk for something like a mid round pick and a prospect?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Just noticed Alexander Holtz has been struggling to fit in Vegas.... Currently playing on the 4th line according to daily faceoff and sitting at 3 goals, 7 assists for 10 points in 40 games. That could certainly be an interesting but risky and potentially underwhelming option. Maybe low risk, high reward depending on the price to acquire?

Obviously hasn't shown a ton in the NHL to date and doesn't have great numbers this year but he's a right shot sniper who was a previous 7th overall pick. 22 years old so could certainly be part of the future if he breaks out. Lethal shot that could potentially help the Kings PP if he fits (maybe 2nd unit but still).

Edit: Just realized Vegas also has Barbashev and Roy out due to injury. So I'm not even sure Holtz would be a regular forward for them when they're fully healthy. Maybe worth the risk for something like a mid round pick and a prospect?

We have that guy in our system to a degree in Fagemo and he can't even eat our popcorn

 

[DoktorJeep]

If I move Spence and Pinelli it's for something more than Anderson, also not a glowing endorsement that Bergevin signed him, especially to that cap hit

You’re ignoring the value of having two overpaid Anderson’s on the same team. It just might be the secret formula for a second round run for the ages. As long as we don’t play the Oilers.

 

[johnjm22]

I know it's unlikely because it's a division opponent, but if Vancouver completely falls off, Boeser very much fits what LA needs.

He likes playing at Crypto. He has an unbelievable 17 goals in 21 games against LA.

He's 27 years old.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

We have that guy in our system to a degree in Fagemo and he can't even eat our popcorn

Mehhhhhhh similar player profiles sure, but Holtz is definitely a better player with significantly more upside.

That said, you're probably right. Holtz is probably a nightmare fit for LA's system sadly

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Mehhhhhhh similar player profiles sure, but Holtz is definitely a better player with significantly more upside.

That said, you're probably right. Holtz is probably a nightmare fit for LA's system sadly

I think there's upside there on both guys and it's higher with Holtz but I guess what I'm saying is neither guy gets a shot because 'fit'

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Maybe the move could/should just be to target a big 4C at the deadline...

I've liked Helenius so far this year but he's still only 22 years old - Might be in over his head a bit if he's still in that 4C role come playoff time.

Bjugstad and Stenlund seem like pretty great options that may be available if Utah starts to find themselves comfortably out of a playoff spot. Both around a $2m cap hit so probably wouldn't be too hard to make the cap work. Both big boys too. Bjugstad at 6'6 and Stenlund at 6'5.

Turcotte - Kopitar - Kempe
Foegele - Byfield - Jeannot
Fiala - Danault - Laferriere
Moore - Bjugstad/Stenlund - Lewis

Or we could REALLY load up the 4th line with size and run:
Lee - Helenius - Bjugstad/Stenlund
But then I'm not really sure what happens to Moore and Lewis in that scenario so probably not.

Having that extra experience at 4C while keeping a big body in the lineup could be advantageous. Helenius could finish out the year in Ontario if needed since he's waiver exempt.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Woah or what if they added one of Bjugstad / Stenlund AND Claude Giroux (50% retained)???

Mock trades:
Trevor Moore and a 2025 3rd round pick to OTT in return for Claude Giroux (50% retained)

2026 4th round pick to Utah for Kevin Stenlund

Turcotte - Kopitar - Kempe
Foegele - Byfield - Giroux
Fiala - Danault - Laferriere
Jeannot - Stenlund - Lewis

Anderson - Doughty
Gavrikov - Clarke
Edmundson - Spence

Kuemper
Rittich

Notice me sempai, notice me

 

[FSL KINGS]

Replaced Blake with who?

He is only looking better right now.

Despite some people who can't shift gears mentally.

They are looking at a multi year extension for Blake right now.

Vegas is top of the Charts and Edmo is West Champ.

Losing again in the first round may not change anything.

Maybe you guys are expecting a repeat new years collapse?

I almost barfed reading many of the above suggestions.

When you aren't good enough to make it in pro hockey, you don't get the hands on experience to know the right decisions to make.

Sure some get lucky occasionally but it's mostly "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

Absolutely no point in rushing DD back while they are winning and regardless he should start on 3rd pair because that can be adjusted as quick as the next

shift if it looks like the moment for a myriad of reasons.

Hiller seems to be good at picking the moments of need and or opportunity and the players.

King's are putting up wins! It should be fun, but the regular season doesn't matter. Vgk, EDM are having good seasons. Van is having injury & drama issues. Flames have come back down after talking about selling off before they got hot. It's going to take a Todd like meltdown for the King's to miss the playoffs. Don't see it being likely.

We're closing in on a decade of Blake. I'm looking at this team & coach, thinking they have about 5 playoff games in them against the Oilers based off past observations. Maybe I'm wrong & for the first time since Sutter was the coach the King's will make it past the first round. 97 could catch a puck to the ankle 2 weeks before playoffs. Who knows?

The suggestion above are based on the King's struggling to include skill players in the lineup going back to Kovalchuk. The King's also have limited cap space for expensive rentals & limited assets to trade for the top talent. Given how Foegele, Jeannot & Edmundson have worked out so far, Blake targeting more physical, energy types is about all I'm hoping for.

Team needs a Carter, Gaborik level snipers. That's unlikely.

Blake being replaced, he's failed to make it past the first round. He makes emotionally driven trades, hands out contracts that often bite him, & acquires players that don't mesh with what he's trying to build. After almost a decade it's time for new leadership. King's could end up with a Chiarelli that sets the team back further. The current leadership isn't getting us anywhere though.

Side note, Oilers lost some good pieces from last year & their goaltending is still bad. Their bottom 6 can probably be exploited. They'll just double shift 97 & 29 in the first round to make up for it. They'll tire out eventually, but not in the first round.

 

[Surf Nutz]

King's are putting up wins! It should be fun, but the regular season doesn't matter. Vgk, EDM are having good seasons. Van is having injury & drama issues. Flames have come back down after talking about selling off before they got hot. It's going to take a Todd like meltdown for the King's to miss the playoffs. Don't see it being likely.

We're closing in on a decade of Blake. I'm looking at this team & coach, thinking they have about 5 playoff games in them against the Oilers based off past observations. Maybe I'm wrong & for the first time since Sutter was the coach the King's will make it past the first round. 97 could catch a puck to the ankle 2 weeks before playoffs. Who knows?

The suggestion above are based on the King's struggling to include skill players in the lineup going back to Kovalchuk. The King's also have limited cap space for expensive rentals & limited assets to trade for the top talent. Given how Foegele, Jeannot & Edmundson have worked out so far, Blake targeting more physical, energy types is about all I'm hoping for.

Team needs a Carter, Gaborik level snipers. That's unlikely.

Blake being replaced, he's failed to make it past the first round. He makes emotionally driven trades, hands out contracts that often bite him, & acquires players that don't mesh with what he's trying to build. After almost a decade it's time for new leadership. King's could end up with a Chiarelli that sets the team back further. The current leadership isn't getting us anywhere though.

Side note, Oilers lost some good pieces from last year & their goaltending is still bad. Their bottom 6 can probably be exploited. They'll just double shift 97 & 29 in the first round to make up for it. They'll tire out eventually, but not in the first round.

I mean this makes sense but the Pacific may be the strongest divvy.

I think that will be taken into account, and if the Kings maintain a similar performance thru the season,

Blake and Hiller will be back next season.

And they probably should be, measured on progress and a 32 team league.

I want to take it easy on the posters here due to what happend this week and not be a senseless idiot

like @Lt Dan .

So I am leaving that criticism out for now.

All the best to everyone, their families and friends.