Speculation: Another year of this Bluc **** (The 2024-25 season thread)

[Trash Panda]

so....Denis Gauthier.

That is honestly pretty bang-on.

Other than Dennis being a bargain bin option, and Edmundson being a top dollar FA signing.

Completely understand the need for the player, but the term on that contract is going to age like a bag of milk.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

As far as getting back to a cup team my biggest hopes for the season is the vets struggle, the kids exceed expectations, and we play collectively bad enough to see Luc and Blake and company shown the door in January.

Then we get a like minded GM that sells parts and we do a proper rebuild with some good complimentary pieces to start with. We need to hit a lottery pick for a game breaker 1D and 1C. I honestly like QB as a winger.

 

[Statto]

As far as getting back to a cup team my biggest hopes for the season is the vets struggle, the kids exceed expectations, and we play collectively bad enough to see Luc and Blake and company shown the door in January.

Then we get a like minded GM that sells parts and we do a proper rebuild with some good complimentary pieces to start with. We need to hit a lottery pick for a game breaker 1D and 1C. I honestly like QB as a winger.

I agree on liking QB at wing but we need to see him at C for an extended period before we can take an objective view on it.

 

[johnjm22]

Did they tell Clarke to tone down that talk?

And if you know, if not why?

No idea if they told him to tone it down. I just think it's part of his game. A Duck's fan described Clarke as the Trevor Zegras of defense.

Usually this sort of thing tempers with age. Doughty used to talk a ton of shit, he still does, but it's not as dick-ish.

 

[johnjm22]

That is honestly pretty bang-on.

Other than Dennis being a bargain bin option, and Edmundson being a top dollar FA signing.

Completely understand the need for the player, but the term on that contract is going to age like a bag of milk.

I think the Edmundson signing is more comparable to Montreal signing Alzner. Everybody knew he was spent, but Bergevin gave him a big fat contract anyways. It ended in a buyout.

BTW, Bergevin also signed Edmundson in Montreal.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

I agree on liking QB at wing but we need to see him at C for an extended period before we can take an objective view on it.

We have like 4-5 years of we are in a rebuild lol

 

[johnjm22]

Then we get a like minded GM that sells parts and we do a proper rebuild with some good complimentary pieces to start with. We need to hit a lottery pick for a game breaker 1D and 1C. I honestly like QB as a winger.

Problem is, when you draft players sometimes it takes a long time before they contribute.

A guy we draft in 2027 might not be good until 2032 when Byfield is 30.

Building a contender is all about TIMING; everything coming together at the right time. BLuc has completely thrown off the timing of the organization.

Kopitar/Doughty too old. Byfield/Clarke too young. If you rebuild the next wave of youth will be entering their prime when Byfield and Clarke are exiting it.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I think the Edmundson signing is more comparable to Montreal signing Alzner. Everybody knew he was spent, but Bergevin gave him a big fat contract anyways. It ended in a buyout.

BTW, Bergevin also signed Edmundson in Montreal.

Yes he did, and the current contract is almost identical save for a small raise.. same term, same 10 time NTC bla blah balh.. probably took out his word doc did a few edits and sent it over

 

[Surf Nutz]

I agree on liking QB at wing but we need to see him at C for an extended period before we can take an objective view on it.

Quenton Byfield was born to center, raised to center, grew up as a center, drafted to center and put on Kopitars wing to learn how to be a NHL center.

QB has incubated to return to center and the Kings have a top tier winger in K Fi ready to roll.

He must be put at center and left at center for the rest of his career.

The universe has spoken...

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Problem is, when you draft players sometimes it takes a long time before they contribute.

A guy we draft in 2027 might not be good until 2032 when Byfield is 30.

Building a contender is all about TIMING; everything coming together at the right time. BLuc has completely thrown off the timing of the organization.

Kopitar/Doughty too old. Byfield/Clarke too young. If you rebuild the next wave of youth will be entering their prime when Byfield and Clarke are exiting it.

Problem is Vlarke is not a 1 D and we don’t have the horses to have a window like the Kopitar/Doughty Kings, Stamkos/ Herman Lightning, Toews/Kane Blackhawks, Crosby/ Malkin Pens, or Mackinon/Makar Avs. I left off those orange and blue fellers because they haven’t won shit!

We need to do a proper rebuild if by field and Clarke are around great if not you don’t build another Black hole team around them. They can help the new core come into their own and be great senior players like Carter and Williams were.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Problem is Vlarke is not a 1 D and we don’t have the horses to have a window like the Kopitar/Doughty Kings, Stamkos/ Herman Lightning, Toews/Kane Blackhawks, Crosby/ Malkin Pens, or Mackinon/Makar Avs. I left off those orange and blue fellers because they haven’t won shit!

We need to do a proper rebuild if by field and Clarke are around great if not you don’t build another Black hole team around them. They can help the new core come into their own and be great senior players like Carter and Williams were.

Yay!! Build Buffalo, Detroit, or Ottawa.......

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Yay!! Build Buffalo, Detroit, or Ottawa.......

No not like that you have to do a good job.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

No not like that you have to do a good job.

Oh, ok build like EDM, MTL and WPG.....

Sounds so easy to just spout off, build the right way.....

 

[Kurrilino]

Quenton Byfield was born to center, raised to center, grew up as a center, drafted to center and put on Kopitars wing to learn how to be a NHL center.

QB has incubated to return to center and the Kings have a top tier winger in K Fi ready to roll.

He must be put at center and left at center for the rest of his career.

The universe has spoken...

Not just the universe has spoken, his skill set dictated it.
He has great stick handling skills and superb game vision and passing.
His shot is mediocre at best, a born play making center

 

[Surf Nutz]

Not just the universe has spoken, his skill set dictated it.
He has great stick handling skills and superb game vision and passing.
His shot is mediocre at best, a born play making center

Lol, same thing but ya, I hope he worked on the shot.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Gavrikov will walk next summer.

The Kings will either need to sign another UFA LHD man or find a way to get Kirsinov over here and skipping Ontario. Even then do the Kings want Spence or Clarke playing with another younger player.

Doughty, Anderson, Spence, Clarke and Edmundson are the Kings D for the next few years barring anything crazy happening. So they need a LHD.

 

[Reaper45]

so....Denis Gauthier.

Denis Gauthier was still a f***ing hitting machine. If Edmundson can do that I’ll be happy. I don’t think he’s mobile enough.

 

[Johnny Utah]

2025 NHL Free Agents

Tracking the status and signings of all NHL free agents.

www.spotrac.com

 

[Trash Panda]

Denis Gauthier was still a f***ing hitting machine. If Edmundson can do that I’ll be happy. I don’t think he’s mobile enough.

Yeah, but the guy was a black hole in every measurable way otherwise.

Didn’t defend well. Couldn’t break the puck out. Zero hockey sense. Offensive black hole. Was a net loss for the team in every way.

 

[Telos]

All I require from Edmundson is okay but strong physical defensive play, and if Connor McDavid is revenge punking Mikey Anderson in the corner he goes over there and responds with force and fists. If your team is getting pushed around by Connor McDavid of all players with no response then you're doing hockey wrong. This army needed a couple of criminals.

 

[johnjm22]

All I require from Edmundson is okay but strong physical defensive play

Has there been any indication that he's strong defensively?

 

[bland]

Yeah, but the guy was a black hole in every measurable way otherwise.

Didn’t defend well. Couldn’t break the puck out. Zero hockey sense. Offensive black hole. Was a net loss for the team in every way.

He isn't supposed to help the team win - nobody short of a Josi could have done that - he is supposed to be a bridge player helping Clarke grow into an impact NHL defenseman without fear of getting his tongue ripped out. It's clearly following the Doughty-O'Donnell path.

Its an awfully expensive insurance policy, but if they commit to growth over short-term success, this could finally be a positive season.

 

[Telos]

Has there been any indication that he's strong defensively?

I don't think so, I just need okay defensively, he has shown that he hits people, punches them in the face, and crosschecks the shit out of them with their backs turned. So that is what I was alluding to seeing more of.

 

[johnjm22]

He isn't supposed to help the team win

That's not what management thinks.

if they commit to growth over short-term success, this could finally be a positive season.

If the team is in the playoff, they're okay with selling to help the team now.

 

[bland]

That's not what management thinks.


If the team is in the playoff, they're okay with selling to help the team now.

Whether they think it or not, the pieces are now in place for it to happen organically.