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

[AbsentMojo]

Am I the only one that is a bit afraid the defense will get disrupted when Doughty comes back and is happy with the status quo?

No you are not - I believe it will be a net negative. Its the ewing effect.. where the "legend" creates this dynamic that essentially gelds the underlings psychologically... when that player is gone, other people get to have their balls drop down and assume a leading role and feel more confident. Saw it happen with Durzi in 22-23.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Even though it's love some times you still need a divorce.

Contentious babble while we are on a 6 game heater.

Kaliyev sucks.

I'd be open to trade DD for a haul.

Second time we've had great performances in his absence.

If its above 95 feel free to round up to 100

Ignore gritches.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Spence, too.

Durzi and Spence setpped in as 1RHD and BOTH had games over 28 minutes in Drew's absence.

It's part of what caused mgmt to go 'see we're ready' and start burying and trading the shit out of the very kids that brought them there because they misdiagnosed it.

 

[AbsentMojo]

..

Spence, too.

Durzi and Spence setpped in as 1RHD and BOTH had games over 28 minutes in Drew's absence.

It's part of what caused mgmt to go 'see we're ready' and start burying and trading the shit out of the very kids that brought them there because they misdiagnosed it.

Yes Spence stepped up too and I believe Bjornfot was sort of serviceable as well. Durzi was outstanding on PP1.

 

[Schmooley]

I'd be open to trade DD for a haul.

Surprised to see you say this. The thing is what do you do to replace him on the right side? They dont have much in the pipeline thats ready besides maybe Salin next year.
Do you pay Gavrikov a boatload and keep him on his offside with Anderson?
Maybe make a move for a guy like Matheson or Petry?
What would you expect for a return in a Doughty trade?

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Surprised to see you say this. The thing is what do you do to replace him on the right side? They dont have much in the pipeline thats ready besides maybe Salin next year.
Do you pay Gavrikov a boatload and keep him on his offside with Anderson?
Maybe make a move for a guy like Matheson or Petry?
What would you expect for a return in a Doughty trade?

I'd be happy with a conditional first and a 4th,

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Surprised to see you say this. The thing is what do you do to replace him on the right side? They dont have much in the pipeline thats ready besides maybe Salin next year.
Do you pay Gavrikov a boatload and keep him on his offside with Anderson?
Maybe make a move for a guy like Matheson or Petry?
What would you expect for a return in a Doughty trade?

I think the point people are making is essentially "Hey, the Kings are the best defensive team in the NHL by a pretty big margin (analytically speaking) even without DD - Let's trade DD for a haul and keep the current defense rolling".

In theory, it makes sense. Save a ton of money and fetch a couple assets in return and keep rolling with your current D core.

But here's the reality: Trading a 35 year old, $11m defenseman who has trade protection and just missed the first half of the season due to injury is going to be VERY hard - Especially with the NHL's current cap situation.

Doughty's trade protection means he gets to submit a list of 7 teams he'd be comfortable being traded to. Knowing DD, you can guarantee those 7 teams will all be contenders or at the very least playoff teams.

How many contenders/playoff teams out there do we realistically think would be interested in DD?

The Kings would likely need to retain 25% - which brings Doughty's cap hit down to a much more palatable $8.25m but also leaves the Kings with $2.75m in dead cap for the next 2 years (not overly terrible, but not great either). And even at $8.25m it would be hard to make it work. You'd essentially need the "perfect" trade partner - A contending/playoff team who is looking to make a BIG shake up to their roster and is comfortable sending a player or two and some future assets the other way to make it happen. Is it possible? Sure. But it's more of a pipe dream IMO.

 

[KINGS17]

You all are dreaming, if you think you are getting "a haul" for Drew Doughty immediately after he comes back from his broken ankle injury.

 

[AbsentMojo]

The main reason you would move DD is cap space (11m) to take on a contract. Agree that his value is probably lowest ever so he may not get much of a return, may even have to eat some of his salary. Since last season DD has M-NTC with a 7 team list - so its possible to do it without his consent.

 

[FSL KINGS]

The main reason you would move DD is cap space (11m) to take on a contract. Agree that his value is probably lowest ever so he may not get much of a return, may even have to eat some of his salary. Since last season DD has M-NTC with a 7 team list - so its possible to do it without his consent.

Could give him the Trouba treatment where they threatened to just waive him.

 

[BaileyFan]

Surprised to see you say this. The thing is what do you do to replace him on the right side? They dont have much in the pipeline thats ready besides maybe Salin next year.
Do you pay Gavrikov a boatload and keep him on his offside with Anderson?
Maybe make a move for a guy like Matheson or Petry?
What would you expect for a return in a Doughty trade?

Just like the defense wasn’t hurt by Doughty’s absence, don’t expect it to be drastically improved when he returns. The main takeaway shouldn’t be that the Kings D corps is gonna be a wagon once we get DD back, it should be that the Kings can still easily perform at the “just get in” playoff threshold that BLuc wants without DD.

I’d retain whatever it takes to get a deal done. Any contender in the league would be interested in adding a Doughty at the right price for 3 playoffs.

 

[Schmooley]

Just like the defense wasn’t hurt by Doughty’s absence, don’t expect it to be drastically improved when he returns. The main takeaway shouldn’t be that the Kings D corps is gonna be a wagon once we get DD back, it should be that the Kings can still easily perform at the “just get in” playoff threshold that BLuc wants without DD.

I’d retain whatever it takes to get a deal done. Any contender in the league would be interested in adding a Doughty at the right price for 3 playoffs.

Yea I agree. Mostly was asking Surf Nutz because trading Doughty is not something he would usually be interested in discussing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think it's a fun thought exercise but there's no player who can impact the Kings in a trade for Doughty more than Doughty himself

but cue the Doughty/Marner rumors round 10, haha

 

[AbsentMojo]

Could give him the Trouba treatment where they threatened to just waive him.

I know youre kidding but technically I doubt one of the 7 teams is the Reign : )

 

[AbsentMojo]

I think it's a fun thought exercise but there's no player who can impact the Kings in a trade for Doughty more than Doughty himself

but cue the Doughty/Marner rumors round 10, haha

TO is top heavy in the forward dept with 60m committed in AAV.. and im sure DD has TO on his list. The trade makes a lot of sense for both teams.

 

[bland]

TO is top heavy in the forward dept with 60m committed in AAV.. and im sure DD has TO on his list. The trade makes a lot of sense for both teams.

That would be a disaster for the Kings.

 

[AbsentMojo]

That would be a disaster for the Kings.

Not at all.. Marner is a rental - get to try before u buy - and the Kings get out from under 2 more seasons of 11m for DD who is 35 coming off an injury.

 

[SmytheKing]

I think it's a fun thought exercise but there's no player who can impact the Kings in a trade for Doughty more than Doughty himself

but cue the Doughty/Marner rumors round 10, haha

Yup. If you move Doughty (or Kopitar really) at this time, you're saying that we're done with pretending. You aren't trying to to get a top flight guy, you're looking for youth/futures.

That said, this org right now has no ability to see beyond a few games so I would fully expect him to be moved with picks for someone of the same age and salary but with a longer contract.

 

[kingsfan28]

If we are talking about what PLD has the potential to be then I agree, but the guy has never consistently put it together in any meaningful way. So when I say best version, I mean the best version of him the NHL has seen. Vilardi, if he stays fit (which granted he has yet to do), will be more productive than PLD ever has been.

That's the big if with Gabe, his injuries. Even as a King, with every bad hit we all groaned, and even if he wasn't moved it will always follow him. He's yet to play more than 64 games. It just sucks he got moved for the wrong guy .

 

[Kudelski37]

That would be a disaster for the Kings.

It gets rid of a big contract that would limit the ufa contract offer to McDavid in 2026. Might be a little early to think that far ahead.

 

[tigermask48]

It's fun to dream and Toronto as a destination makes sense. But let's be real, there is zero chance Blake even entertains moving Doughty. It's more likely the Kings lose one of Spence, or Moverare on waivers because they are seen as "expendable".