Speculation: 2025 TDL Discussion

[AbsentMojo]

LAK rudderless clown show. A team that is realistic about themselves is either buying or selling.. this team 2 season in a row wont do a thing (which actually im glad in many ways). But so boring - as is the play style... as is watching 8 and 11 pass the puck arond on the PP. BORING and the definition of black hole

 

[bland]

Pretty sad state when the people running your team are denial about where team is at and how to build a team in todays game.

Actually, I think the lack of action is pretty much a sign that they do finally get it.

This year has been different. I have felt this way since summer. While I am just as afraid of what could happen as anyone, I do feel reasonably confident that they do get it and that in time we will look back at 2024-25 as the year that management broke through their awful cycle.

Still plenty of time to let hard-dying old habits screw things up, but I think we will be okay here.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

So far so good... probably Blake's best day since his tenure as GM began

 

[BaileyFan]

It’s gonna be just great when he hits the griddy on our own home ice and ends our season in Game 4.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Carolina 2 seasons in a row looks like giving up plenty of assets for deadline rentals w hope to sign and not able to.. guentzel and rantannen.. thats pretty sad

 

[FSL KINGS]

Any of you clamoring for Blake to make a move are just looking for some tequila shots and junk good for a temporary high. There is nothing in the realm of reality that can be done that turns this team into a legit threat and the only thing that he can do is make things even worse for the future.

This season is a win if we can get out of it without moving prospects/futures. Blake shouldn't be allowed to make any major decisions.

Rakell for what it would take to get him? Insanity.

This team's #1C got a two week break from travel and playing NHL hockey and somehow looks worse than he did before the break.

The more blown assets, the faster the teardown comes.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Jake Walman, Trent Frederic, Max Jones, yeahhh the Oilers beat us in 3 this year.

 

[Schmooley]

Actually, I think the lack of action is pretty much a sign that they do finally get it.

This year has been different. I have felt this way since summer. While I am just as afraid of what could happen as anyone, I do feel reasonably confident that they do get it and that in time we will look back at 2024-25 as the year that management broke through their awful cycle.

Still plenty of time to let hard-dying old habits screw things up, but I think we will be okay here.

I just dont think any players they like a lot that theyd give up the goods for are available.
If they really got it theyd move Danault right now while he still has some value to teams like NJ and Toronto, move Gavrikov, see what Doughty wants to do about his future…
Also take calls on Fiala and Moore if someone wants to pay full price for them and not struggling year price.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

LAK rudderless clown show. A team that is realistic about themselves is either buying or selling.. this team 2 season in a row wont do a thing (which actually im glad in many ways). But so boring - as is the play style... as is watching 8 and 11 pass the puck arond on the PP. BORING and the definition of black hole

I mean on one hand I def. don't want them to trade Clarke for a rental--but this lack of vision stuff is maddening. One foot in, one foot out, accomplishing nothing. It's that line straddling that's so frustrating--the rudderless ship of "we're not really competing, but we're also not rebuilding." what are we supposed to look forward to? Is the window open, or not? Shit or get off the pot but don't just stand there with your pants down and a dirty ass for four seasons +.

As Bernstein's f***face said, you should be happy with several 99 point+ seasons. Mediocrity is the vision they're selling and some schmucks love it.

Actually, I think the lack of action is pretty much a sign that they do finally get it.

This year has been different. I have felt this way since summer. While I am just as afraid of what could happen as anyone, I do feel reasonably confident that they do get it and that in time we will look back at 2024-25 as the year that management broke through their awful cycle.

Still plenty of time to let hard-dying old habits screw things up, but I think we will be okay here.

God I hope you're right, and what you're saying IS true. But I'll believe it when I see a commitment one way or the other.

 

[bland]

I mean on one hand I def. don't want them to trade Clarke for a rental--but this lack of vision stuff is maddening. One foot in, one foot out, accomplishing nothing. It's that line straddling that's so frustrating--the rudderless ship of "we're not really competing, but we're also not rebuilding." what are we supposed to look forward to? Is the window open, or not? Shit or get off the pot but don't just stand there with your pants down and a dirty ass for four seasons +.

As Bernstein's f***face said, you should be happy with several 99 point+ seasons. Mediocrity is the vision they're selling and some schmucks love it.




God I hope you're right, and what you're saying IS true. But I'll believe it when I see a commitment one way or the other.

Their words are meaningless, we can only hope to judge them by their (in)actions

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Can someone with carnal knowledge confirm that everyone in the Kings staff doesn’t call each other by their names and just says BROTHA…

 

[MonkeysUncle]

Soucy -> Rangers for a 3rd. That wouldve been a nice get for LAK

But k

Jake Walman, Trent Frederic, Max Jones, yeahhh the Oilers beat us in 3 this year.

I was thinking when Kings find out they're playing Oilers in first round that they would just say, look so we know how this will end, so let's call it day and give the oilers little more time rest

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Sharks get a 2nd as a sweetener to take on Walman and turn around and trade him for a first 8 months later, that's fantastic

 

[unicornpig]

2 TDL's blake doing nothing to improve the team, while making crippling trades in the off-season to worsen the team. master class by blake.

 

[kingsfan2012]

2 TDL's blake doing nothing to improve the team, while making crippling trades in the off-season to worsen the team. master class by blake.

Byfield blockbuster tomorrow we’ll be a cup contender after that

 

[KingsHockey24]

Of courseeeeee I get called in for Jury Duty on deadline day.


I'm actually gonna jump off a bridge.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Of courseeeeee I get called in for Jury Duty on deadline day.


I'm actually gonna jump off a bridge.

You're going to miss out on them doing nothing substantial other than making AHL acquisitions.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

I find it crazy that AEG has let Blake remain as such a public figure for the organization with his out right disrespect, pompous, and almost contempt for the fans. He won’t answer questions or give interviews and every time I’ve seen him in a panel or address during his GM tenure he has been smug and dismissive of season ticket holders and fans. Dudes head is so far up his ass it’s crazy.


One cup and one Norris and he acts like he is even in the same solar system as Lidstrom.

 

[FSL KINGS]

I mean on one hand I def. don't want them to trade Clarke for a rental--but this lack of vision stuff is maddening. One foot in, one foot out, accomplishing nothing. It's that line straddling that's so frustrating--the rudderless ship of "we're not really competing, but we're also not rebuilding." what are we supposed to look forward to? Is the window open, or not? Shit or get off the pot but don't just stand there with your pants down and a dirty ass for four seasons +.

As Bernstein's f***face said, you should be happy with several 99 point+ seasons. Mediocrity is the vision they're selling and some schmucks love it.




God I hope you're right, and what you're saying IS true. But I'll believe it when I see a commitment one way or the other.

Cap is an issue. They need a top 6 center & probably a "star" wing. UFA, offer sheet seem like the most likely option due to lack of assets. These aren't available now. If you land both Moore & Doughty need to be dumped. That with Gavrikov's raise caps the team out.

Adding cap now that goes into next year doesn't allow for enough cap for both positions. Miss on Bennett because you traded for Rakell.

That's a major overhaul. Like adding a top 6 center & two top 4 D in one off-season like Washington. I'm dubious Blake can pull off a move like that.

That's about what it would take to contend.

 

[tigermask48]

I imagine the media availability tomorrow will just be a bunch of lame excuses about how they like their team until probably unprovoked Blake just says Clarke sucks, the team tried to trade him but no one wanted him. You know similar to what they did with Vilardi and Kaliev.

 

[Herby]

For the most part, free agents don't sign here: not top flight ones, anyways.

Travel, taxes, politics (sorry, but it matters).

Run a list of the biggest free agent signings for Taylor/Lombardi/Blake and you will see it is guys at the end of their careers (Kovalchuk and only because Rob gave the extra year), former Kings, or the sweet combination of both (Duchesne, Robitaille, Blake).

Scuderi and Mitchell were cases of what was believed overpayment on the former and the willingness to give an extra year after concussion issues for the latter. There is always a catch when it comes to the Kings getting a sought after free agent.

Yup, all of this.

On the taxes, people have this belief that millionaires don’t care about taxes, when time and time again we see that they do. People are free to disagree that millionaires should care about taxes, but CA’s high tax rate for top earners (in comparison to many other states) is a negative for the guys who have money as a big motivation, which is clearly the case with Rantanen. Signing in Dallas or Tampa would be like getting an extra year of salary from signing in LA.

You are right too, politics does matter, I don't want to get to deep into it or start any arguments, but CA has a very polarized image in this country, one that usually depends on which side of the aisle you side with. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, just dealing factually. To be fair, there certainly also guys that would be turned off by Texas or Tennessee too.

I think you also left out the winning aspect of it for some guys, some guys like Rantanen who are all about the money, while others care more about winning. The Kings have not won a playoff series in a decade, most players in the league right now have never seen this team win a playoff series their entire careers.

So you miss out on any player who cares a lot about money, any player who cares the most about winning and you miss out on some others who my not be a fit culturally. It's no surprise that the Kings struggle to sign FA's. They are fighting an up-hill battle that for the most part isn't their fault.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

I imagine the media availability tomorrow will just be a bunch of lame excuses about how they like their team until probably unprovoked Blake just says Clarke sucks, the team tried to trade him but no one wanted him. You know similar to what they did with Vilardi and Kaliev.

They are gonna let Blake cream pie Bernstein and Hoven and put it on the hub.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I find it crazy that AEG has let Blake remain as such a public figure for the organization with his out right disrespect, pompous, and almost contempt for the fans. He won’t answer questions or give interviews and every time I’ve seen him in a panel or address during his GM tenure he has been smug and dismissive of season ticket holders and fans. Dudes head is so far up his ass it’s crazy.


One cup and one Norris and he acts like he is even in the same solar system as Lidstrom.

All Blake has delivered to fans as GM is a series of soul crushing gut punches in trades and built a horrible organization with a boring style of play... after being a disloyal gutless coward as a player. Did I miss anything?

 

[bland]

All Blake has delivered to fans as GM is a series of soul crushing gut punches in trades and built a horrible organization with a boring style of play... after being a disloyal gutless coward as a player. Did I miss anything?

At least the Women's whatever thing last night wasn't sponsored by The Weinstein Company.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Yup, all of this.

On the taxes, people have this belief that millionaires don’t care about taxes, when time and time again we see that they do. People are free to disagree that millionaires should care about taxes, but CA’s insanely high tax rate for top earners (in comparison to many other states) is a negative for the guys who have money as a big motivation, which is clearly the case with Rantanen. Signing in Dallas or Tampa would be like getting an extra year of salary from signing in LA.

You are right too, politics does matter, I don't want to get to deep into it or start any arguments, but CA has a very polarized image in this country, one that usually depends on which side of the aisle you side with. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, just dealing factually. To be fair, there certainly also guys that would be turned off by Texas or Tennessee too.

I think you also left out the winning aspect of it for some guys, some guys like Rantanen who are all about the money, while others care more about winning. The Kings have not won a playoff series in a decade, most players in the league right now have never seen this team win a playoff series their entire careers.

So you miss out on any player who cares a lot about money, any player who cares the most about winning and you miss out on some others who my not be a fit culturally. It's no surprise that the Kings struggle to sign FA's. They are fighting an up-hill battle that for the most part isn't their fault.

DL miraculously turned LAK into a FA destination because of the culture he built. This regime has quickly destroyed it. We will probably not see that again in our lifetimes barring some miracle.