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

[johnjm22]

Ive been watching most of the teams the last month or two. I probably have about 2-3 viewings per team some more and probably one or two just one game.

I will just throw out some names i think would be a decent fit for Kings in terms of style of play, without putting much stress on salary cap and other considerations but not going for hail mary unrealistic players either, so if a team doesn't seem like it will sell i won't bother with their players (though obviously you can make a hockey trade, but it would just take too long to list all options without the Kings paying me to do that )

G:
Karel Vejmelka - I think he would be an upgrade on Kuemper and together they would make a good option. He is UFA after this year. I think he is actually a good goalie, a reasonable starter.

Juuse Saros - would be fantastic but a pipedream and expensive contract. I don't like goalies with huge contracts unless they're absolutely best or top 3 in the world for a few years and Saros is on the edge of that category. 7.7 mil is probably a mil more than it should be.

D
Brian Dumoulin - a depth option on D with size and experience. UFA. Left shot

Bowen Byram - long shot and a hockey trade (I know I said i wouldn't do it but heck I'll make some exceptions). Left shot young D. I wouldn't judge individuals too harshly in the trainwreck that is the Buffalo Sabres. RFA

Dante Fabbro - I remember him as a draft prospect. Didn't live up to potential but I remember him as a puckmover, a bit vanilla, not really great at anything but can play some minutes. Right shot. Seemed to have fallen out of favor in Nashville. Depth option. UFA. Won't move the needle.

Jeff Petry - experience and UFA. Depth option. But not that interesting. Right shot.

David Savard - see Petry

Cody Ceci - could be a reasonable right shot depth option. UFA. A tier more interesting than Forbort, Savard, Petry Maatta etc.

Ivan Provorov - honestly I'd do it if it was very cheap. I don't get excited about him but he can be steady enough on a bottom pair of a good team. I remember I had high hopes for him back in junior, he should really have been Mikey Anderson with more offense but he is nowhere near that.

Jeremy Lauzon - another left shot D that would be an ok depth option. He has one year left at 2 million though. Can be physical. Big.

Alex Romanov - I reasonably liked him in past years but when I watched NYI this season he didn't make a good impression at all. He is a left shot D, young still. RFA. He will probably turn his game around away from NYI, for the type of game he plays he is young. Used to be competitive, physical as far as i remember years back like a budget Gavrikov. A bit heavy footed. But this year he just looked slow and lethargic to me. Worth thinking about if it's not expensive.

Ryan Lindgren - read everything i said about Romanov but he is a bit smaller lighter and faster. Still highly competitive and can be physical. Decent with puck but not much offensive game (like Romanov). UFA

Matt Grzelcyk - a smallish left shot D that as far as I remember from Boston plays bigger than his size. I liked him in Boston, didn't see much Pittsburgh this year. As far as I remember he is competitive, mobile and decent with puck but not an offensive defenseman.

Derek Forbort - I wouldn't be really interested but he's a decent 7th D option at this point. If it costs you less than a 5th rounder maybe an insurance policy. Won't move the needle anywhere.

Olli Maatta - See Forbort

Michael Kesselring - this would be fantastic but probably no way of making it happen. Big right shot steady defenseman that can do everything. Sweet contract. Young. Utah won't move him almost certainly. I would do Spence and first rounder if they took that kind of package or similar but they probably won't move him.


F
Ryan Donato - looked like a competitive guy that goes to the net and has seen his scoring go up a bit in a bigger role on a bad team. Would be a nice depth option up front and could slide even into top 6 on occasion. UFA

Jake Evans - a smart competitive center. Could also seamlessly switch to wing with his game. I'm not sure he is available and Montreal is not doing too terribly lately. UFA. Reminds me a bit of a younger Trevor Lewis but he can actually score on breakaways. There's also Dvorak and Armia in Montreal but they're a little less exciting than Evans to me.

Gustav Nyquist - he's slowing down but he is still savvy and can make a play. Just a depth option if he doesn't cost much. Not that exciting of an option.

Mathew Barzal - his game has been trending the wrong way but he's not that old and would do better away from NYI I'm sure of it. Expensive contract and more just an idea than anything tangible. That contract at over 9 mil is really a bit much for him though.

Brock Nelson - he is UFA after this year. A really nice add for any team I think. Will probably cost a lot.

Filip Chytil - one of the few that looked like he gave a shit in the last 3 Rangers games I've seen. I remember scouting him as a draft eligible prospect and he still plays the same likeable direct, high-energy up and down game with reasonable skill-level. A middle six player but can play anywhere and with anyone. Really likeable. He has two years remaining at 4.44 mil after this one. I doubt Rangers are that interesting in moving him though, one of the few bright spots and young.

Adam Gaudette - not sure Ottawa will sell but he is UFA and a decent 4th line option.

Joel Farabee, Scott Laughton - worth looking into. I would even look into Konecny. But only Laughton is UFA. Didn't see too much of Philly this year so I won't comment.

Brandon Tanev - this is a guy I would look at for sure and probably wouldn't cost a huge amount. Can move up the lineup in a pinch. Competitive, mobile, and plays a direct game. Has enough skill to contribute some points. I think he would fit the Kings well. UFA

Utah forwards - I don't know what Utah intends to do but they have a bunch of UFA depth pieces that are reasonable options to add depth up front like Bjugstad, Carcone, Kerfoot. Kevin Stenlund has looked really interesting to me this year. He has one year after this one at 2 million. A range-y big center with better skill than you would think and a good competitor. Could probably play wing as well.




Probably forgot someone but those are my impressions from this season.

We don't have much cap space.

If they're serious about winning, they need to move Fiala. That cap space is better allocated elsewhere.

I'd add Cozens to your list.

 

[Omni Owl]

I think its time to have the discussion on moving Fiala, but its going to be difficult to near impossible with his NMC (masterclass management by Blake with that trade). It would have to be a PLD style deal where both players involved need changes of scenery. Mika Z and Barzal come to mind, but I don't reckon Fiala alone would do it. Petersson or Miller in Vancouver would be choice, but once again Fiala by himself wouldn't cut it. Ideally you move him for a C.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I don't see Fiala going anywhere.

He likes LA and his scoring is valuable even if it's in remission for the moment, magnifying his gaffe's.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Trade Fiala? He is the most dynamic player on the Kings. Kempe is a close 2nd.

 

[CarlSneep]

Fiala has a weird way of getting stuck back in a defenseman’s position (I think he turns back towards them a lot and so they jump into the zone to give him a passing option) and then he’s the worst defenseman I’ve ever seen so that always bugs me

 

[Fat Elvis]

Do admit that they're playing much better than I thought they would. Are they perfect? Absolutely not. Making too many changes isn't the right move with this group. Curious how they do when DD8 returns.

 

[chris kontos]

Trade Fiala? He is the most dynamic player on the Kings. Kempe is a close 2nd.

he is very dynamic in a comedy role. in an nhl hockey role, not so much

 

[Omni Owl]

Trade Fiala? He is the most dynamic player on the Kings. Kempe is a close 2nd.

Dynamic at turning over the puck in a flashy way and I would say taking bad penalties, but he's been able to curb that bad habit lately. Kempe is by far the better player both offensively and defensively, way more dynamic. Can you picture Fiala out there on the PK? Would be a debacle...

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Trade Fiala? He is the most dynamic player on the Kings. Kempe is a close 2nd.

Yes. He’s not even having a good year when it comes to production, and he manages to be a net negative on the ice with his frequent turnovers in dangerous areas. He is somehow -11 on a team where no other lineup regular is a minus player.

 

[King'sPawn]

Yes. He’s not even having a good year when it comes to production, and he manages to be a net negative on the ice with his frequent turnovers in dangerous areas. He is somehow -11 on a team where no other lineup regular is a minus player.

He's a very entertaining player when he scores, but he's among the most frustrating with his unforced errors.

 

[Lt Dan]

Trade Fiala? He is the most dynamic player on the Kings. Kempe is a close 2nd.

I would rather have another Kempe

Team play wins championships, let's start small with playoff rounds.

Kempe does the little things to help the team win. Fiala doesn't.

We won cups because of players like Justin Williams. We didn't win dick when we had one of the most dynamic players in hockey in Palffy

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Trading Fiala is a pipe dream and almost not worth talking about with his NMC. Gotta hope he can turn his season around.

Instead, the Kings should be putting together a package to add Alex Tuch from the Sabres.

The price would likely be pretty high but would be very worth it. He'd be just what the doctor ordered. A big, 6'4 right shot forward who can skate and score. Could play anywhere in the top 9 and on the PP.

If Moore is included in the package the cap would be pretty easy to figure out. It's just a matter of how much you would need to add in addition to Moore to get the Sabres to say 'yes'.

So the question for the #boards is: What would you package with Trevor Moore to acquire Alex Tuch from the Sabres?

 

[Herby]

Trading Fiala doesn't make sense.

The Kings haven't had enough offense to beat Edmonton in the past three years. Trading away a proven NHL scorer, even one with some flaws in his game, is not the solution. The Kings won't beat Edmonton in a best-of-seven series by relying on 3-2 or 2-1 games, we've seen this over the last three years. To have a realistic chance, they need to score four goals in at least two or three of those games. It has to be an all-hands-on-deck effort, including Fiala.

 

[Schmooley]

Trading Fiala doesn't make sense.

The Kings haven't had enough offense to beat Edmonton in the past three years. Trading away a proven NHL scorer, even one with some flaws in his game, is not the solution. The Kings won't beat Edmonton in a best-of-seven series by relying on 3-2 or 2-1 games, we've seen this over the last three years. To have a realistic chance, they need to score four goals in at least two or three of those games. It has to be an all-hands-on-deck effort, including Fiala.

Fiala has not proven his game translates in the playoffs. They may have even looked better without him a couple years ago before he came back from injury mid series.
With his capspace they could find a goal scorer.
I dont think they explore trading him though.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Seen the action from the "I hope the Kings implode and everyone is fired" contingent lately?

 

[bland]

Trading Fiala doesn't make sense.

The Kings haven't had enough offense to beat Edmonton in the past three years. Trading away a proven NHL scorer, even one with some flaws in his game, is not the solution. The Kings won't beat Edmonton in a best-of-seven series by relying on 3-2 or 2-1 games, we've seen this over the last three years. To have a realistic chance, they need to score four goals in at least two or three of those games. It has to be an all-hands-on-deck effort, including Fiala.

You may want to look at their record with and without Fiala in the playoffs.

They are CLEARLY a better team without Fiala I'm the lineup, and they DO win close games without him.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Fiala has not proven his game translates in the playoffs. They may have even looked better without him a couple years ago before he came back from injury mid series.
With his capspace they could find a goal scorer.
I dont think they explore trading him though.

You can still add a scorer without trading Fiala though

I love Moore but he seems to be expendable with how the Kings are rolling in his absence. That's $4.2m in cap space right there.

You can get creative and add a scorer with those savings alone. Alex Tuch would be the best option. Other options could be Claude Giroux (50% retained)? Or maybe Conor Garland from the Canucks (less excited about this option)? Plus there's more options available in that $4-5m cap hit range if you look at left shot scoring wingers as well.

Tuch would be an unbelievable add.

 

[Herby]

Seen the action from the "I hope the Kings implode and everyone is fired" contingent lately?

What a coincidence, the same thing Axl says every regular season. Then ofcourse you "two" disappear every spring after telling people to "Go root for the Ducks"

But who disappears from this forum on the other side, can you give some examples, I seem to see everyone still here.

You may want to look at their record with and without Fiala in the playoffs.

They are CLEARLY a better team without Fiala I'm the lineup, and they DO win close games without him.

The same logic could be applied to Drew Doughty, I don't think it means anything.

Do you believe this team can win 4 out of 7 games vs. Edmonton trying to grind out 3-2 wins? I don't, and I think the previous three years of data proves that point beyond any doubt. And just to clarify, I am not saying Fiala is some huge difference maker, but he is a better offensive player than whatever AHL/healthy scratch would replace him.

The clearest way to beat Edmonton is to try and exploit their 25th ranked PP. Not to again try the futile exercise of trying to take the air out of the ball to stop McDavid defensively.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Moore is definitely getting exposed, poor playoffs, poor season as far as offence goes.

Now team rolling without him.

Not sure that he would get much in return and if an offensive player is injured, he slots in line 1-3.

But if you can get an upgrade with more consistency you could dump him for cap space.

 

[Surf Nutz]

What a coincidence, the same thing Axl says every regular season. Then ofcourse you "two" disappear every spring after telling people to "Go root for the Ducks"

But who disappears from this forum on the other side, can you give some examples, I seem to see everyone still here.



The same logic could be applied to Drew Doughty, I don't think it means anything.

Do you believe this team can win 4 out of 7 games vs. Edmonton trying to grind out 3-2 wins? I don't, and I think the previous three years of data proves that point beyond any doubt. And just to clarify, I am not saying Fiala is some huge difference maker, but he is a better offensive player than whatever AHL/healthy scratch would replace him.

The clearest way to beat Edmonton is to try and exploit their 25th ranked PP. Not to again try the futile exercise of trying to take the air out of the ball to stop McDavid defensively.

My dearest Herbert,

I believe you have it right over Bland here.

The waiving of a white flag would connotate surrender.

An amber alert would be appropriate to locate any of the missing you are concerned about.

It can be initiated through local law enforcement.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Moore is definitely getting exposed, poor playoffs, poor season as far as offence goes.

Now team rolling without him.

Not sure that he would get much in return and if an offensive player he slots in line 1-3.

But if you can get an upgrade with more consistency you could dump him for cap space.

Det just hired Todd & Moore did well with Todd hockey.

Moore is also signed 3 more years & no NTC. Look at teams like Buffalo, Ottawa that have trouble bringing guys in. NYR or other teams looking for a quick retool could be interested too.

Swapping Moore for a larger, more physical guy that can handle getting hit in neutral ice on the wall would help.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Seen the action from the "I hope the Kings implode and everyone is fired" contingent lately?

The King's feel like they're close to being competitive in the playoffs. Contender? Not ready to make that jump. Blake trading Vilardi, Iafallo, Kupari, Durzi for Kuemper (cap dump at the time) was a huge setback. Burning assets when you have limited time with Kopi, Doughty is painful.

Blake is going to need to find a top 6 C in the next couple of years to keep the team out of a rebuild. Limited disposable assets complicates this. Not impossible, but Blake is going to need a win soon.

Edit: It seems like half the teams in the league are looking for top 6 centers.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Det just hired Todd & Moore did well with Todd hockey.

Moore is also signed 3 more years & no NTC. Look at teams like Buffalo, Ottawa that have trouble bringing guys in. NYR or other teams looking for a quick retool could be interested too.

Swapping Moore for a larger, more physical guy that can handle getting hit in neutral ice on the wall would help.

Agreed but I'd like to see some offensive ability to go along with it.

Maybe the smart play would be to see how he looks when he comes back.

Especially if he had been battling his injury for an extended time period.

If he is better you consider keeping him, or it builds some value for him potentially.

If not he is what he was earlier this season.

Someone here suggested sell high on him after last season and they were right.

But he played so well with Danault, who has definitely come down a few levels himself.

Wheels kind of fell off and Moore looked ok with the two big K's.

 

[Schmooley]

You can still add a scorer without trading Fiala though

I love Moore but he seems to be expendable with how the Kings are rolling in his absence. That's $4.2m in cap space right there.

You can get creative and add a scorer with those savings alone. Alex Tuch would be the best option. Other options could be Claude Giroux (50% retained)? Or maybe Conor Garland from the Canucks (less excited about this option)? Plus there's more options available in that $4-5m cap hit range if you look at left shot scoring wingers as well.

Tuch would be an unbelievable add.

I agree I was just discussing it because of all the chatter on this board about trading him. Though if a team wanted him bad enough and made a good offer its not the worst idea in the world. I suppose Moore is a good candidate as they look about the same without him. Im surprised no one mentions Danault in this conversation really. Maybe because a center is harder to replace for the Kings right now.

 

[Little Psycho]

who cares about all this trade talk when we are going to end up against the Oilers AGAIN. Is this what Groundhog Day feels like?