Around the League '16-'17 Other Teams' Free Agent Frenzy

[Raccoon Jesus]

Well yea...lol but if you use a follow and replace, you will get guys out of position...the idea that giving the puck carrier two options is a bad thing is insane....

I think most would agree with your last statement. I think the issue people have with the general idea was my statement because that's how I read the original post as well. Two behind the net is dumb if they're not even going to make an attempt to be a threat. If they at least step out front once in a while to keep people honest it's good, otherwise if I'm a d-man, I'm just going to eat your passing lane. Sort of like having a guy right in the low slot if you're never going to even try to hit his stick with the puck.

My biggest criticism of our power play is that the High umbrella isn't working. We don't how howitzers or elite shooters from the point to even be trying that.

The Kings, for the thousandth time, I don't know why they don't do this , but need to try the low behind the net triangle with pinched in defense. I've seen teams pull apart the PK much more often when they utilize behind the net presence. That behind the net triangle is extremly effective. Kings have the talent to do it as well but they're doing the high umbrella.

It can be. Especially against the Kings imo because behind-the-net is Quick's biggest weakness. We have (had?) the right guys to jam the net as well.

 

[Sol]

I think most would agree with your last statement. I think the issue people have with the general idea was my statement because that's how I read the original post as well. Two behind the net is dumb if they're not even going to make an attempt to be a threat. If they at least step out front once in a while to keep people honest it's good, otherwise if I'm a d-man, I'm just going to eat your passing lane. Sort of like having a guy right in the low slot if you're never going to even try to hit his stick with the puck.



It can be. Especially against the Kings imo because behind-the-net is Quick's biggest weakness. We have (had?) the right guys to jam the net as well.

I think we have the right guys to do behind the net triangle for sure. We don't have the right guys for a high umbrella though.

 

[LAKings88]

Free Agent Crop is pretty abysmal.

I’d only be mildly interested in:

Grabner
Maroon

 

[lumbergh]

Free Agent Crop is pretty abysmal.

I’d only be mildly interested in:

Grabner
Maroon

Kovalchuk would be good on Kopitar’s left side.

 

[Reaper45]

Kovalchuk would be good on Kopitar’s left side.

His back was bad back when he played in NJ, and he's been coasting collecting Rubles in Russia for a few years. I'd be shocked to see him come back and still be an impact player at 35.

 

[yankeeking]

lost a whole summer trying to follow the signing of that guy , F... that commie

 

[KINGS17]

What the Kings need to be doing is looking for the next Kovalchuk who is 17-18 years of age, not some broken down relic.

 

[KingTrouty]

We had him -- Prokhorkin -- its a shame he won't play for us

 

[deeshamrock]

Kovalchuk would be good on Kopitar’s left side.

Disagree. The last thing the Kings need is an overpaid , overage winger. He wants a multiyear deal, and wants $$$. He wants a a 3 yr deal in the 6M or north per range. That won't help the Kings. Also, he wants to sign with a contender, which they're not. Dreger said 8 teams have contacted Kovy's agent so far and more on the horizon. And some of them would then have to trade salary to afford him.

I believe Blake and Luc are trying to upgrade the 1st wing slot, but with a young (25ish or less) skilled winger who can be a contributing part of their future.

 

[deeshamrock]

Friedman theorizing on something that fits into the possibility of Toews being moved (which I first read in a Sportsnet article last Feb, citing his decline of the last 3 years ,etc.) Some of the Hawks blogs have hinted at it recently as well.

Hawks interested in John Tavares...

NHL Rumors: Carolina Hurricanes (No. 2) and the Edmonton Oilers (No. 10) - MyNHLTradeRumors.com

: Friedman on the Blackhawks: “They’re not going to tolerate being that bad again, they’re going to try something. I think they’ll make a run at John Tavares too. I do, I think they’ll ask, is there any way we can get him here?”

 

[KingTrouty]

Wow if the Hawks get out of the Toews contract and add Tavares. I wouldn't be opposed or salty, I don't mind it when Chicago is good (as long as we are, too )

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Friedman theorizing on something that fits into the possibility of Toews being moved (which I first read in a Sportsnet article last Feb, citing his decline of the last 3 years ,etc.) Some of the Hawks blogs have hinted at it recently as well.

Hawks interested in John Tavares...

NHL Rumors: Carolina Hurricanes (No. 2) and the Edmonton Oilers (No. 10) - MyNHLTradeRumors.com

: Friedman on the Blackhawks: “They’re not going to tolerate being that bad again, they’re going to try something. I think they’ll make a run at John Tavares too. I do, I think they’ll ask, is there any way we can get him here?”

Interesting thought. Would help a bit but they still won't be a contender if they give Tavares $10 million. They have no depth and their defense is still awful. Crawford will cover holes by the defense but it still isn't a good defense. You swap Kopitar with Crosby for the same cap hit and it'll help, sure, but the Kings still won't be contenders without scoring depth throughout the lineup.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Wow if the Hawks get out of the Toews contract and add Tavares. I wouldn't be opposed or salty, I don't mind it when Chicago is good (as long as we are, too )

I don’t see how the Hawks won’t have to retain $$ on his contract - or take back a bad contract in exchange.

 

[KingTrouty]

I don’t see how the Hawks won’t have to retain $$ on his contract - or take back a bad contract in exchange.

Agreed, brother. That's why it would be a wow for me if they were able to do it unscathed.

 

[Little Psycho]

What the Kings need to be doing is looking for the next Kovalchuk who is 17-18 years of age, not some broken down relic.

I've seen posts about getting Vanek or Kovalchuk which would have been great 5 years ago. Pass on both.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Disagree. The last thing the Kings need is an overpaid , overage winger. He wants a multiyear deal, and wants $$$. He wants a a 3 yr deal in the 6M or north per range. That won't help the Kings. Also, he wants to sign with a contender, which they're not. Dreger said 8 teams have contacted Kovy's agent so far and more on the horizon. And some of them would then have to trade salary to afford him.

I believe Blake and Luc are trying to upgrade the 1st wing slot, but with a young (25ish or less) skilled winger who can be a contributing part of their future.

The Kings are one of the five teams in on Kovalchuk according to TSN.

 

[deeshamrock]

The Kings are one of the five teams in on Kovalchuk according to TSN.

Well that's a bit of a surprise. But maybe they've been trying to trade for a winger and the price tag is too high. But I can't see him landing in LA, given the options (he wants to play for a contender) or unless they overpay. And that wouldn't get them to the promised land...unless they make other moves.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Well that's a bit of a surprise. But maybe they've been trying to trade for a winger and the price tag is too high. But I can't see him landing in LA, given the options (he wants to play for a contender) or unless they overpay. And that wouldn't get them to the promised land...unless they make other moves.

The only contender The Hockey News mentions (and TSN sites) is Boston, the others are no closer to a contender than the Kings are.

https://www.tsn.ca/off-season-watch-the-suitors-for-kovalchuk-1.1099678

THN also mentions Vegas as someone to "keep an eye on" and obviously that's a better situation.

 

[BigKing]

Well that's a bit of a surprise. But maybe they've been trying to trade for a winger and the price tag is too high. But I can't see him landing in LA, given the options (he wants to play for a contender) or unless they overpay. And that wouldn't get them to the promised land...unless they make other moves.

Who knows what the players idea of a "contender" is? It isn't science, but I'm pretty sure Kopitar/Doughty/Quick all got mentions in that player's poll taken during last season.

Guys who are (were?) as talented as Kovalchuk have egos so he could easily believe adding himself to those three guys and a team that made the playoffs last season means he is on a contender.

I'm not saying yes or no to it because I really don't know how good he is at this point, but if you could add him for "free" and he could pot 25 playing with Kopitar, that sounds fun.

Kovalchuk/Kopitar/Brown
Vilardi/Carter/Toffoli
Pearson/Kempe/Lewis
Iafallo/Amadio/Whoever

Maybe Vilardi breaks in as a winger on the 3rd line and they give the 70's line one last chance. Point is that there is a lot of talk about depth and rolling lines; to do so, the Kings need to add someone on top of Vilardi while also hoping Vilardi is actually ready.

If they could get to a place where they can have a guy like Iafallo on the 4th line with an improved Amadio, well now we are cooking with gas. Would allow for Kopitar to hopefully get less minutes as well.

 

[deeshamrock]

Who knows what the players idea of a "contender" is? It isn't science, but I'm pretty sure Kopitar/Doughty/Quick all got mentions in that player's poll taken during last season.

Guys who are (were?) as talented as Kovalchuk have egos so he could easily believe adding himself to those three guys and a team that made the playoffs last season means he is on a contender.

I'm not saying yes or no to it because I really don't know how good he is at this point, but if you could add him for "free" and he could pot 25 playing with Kopitar, that sounds fun.

Kovalchuk/Kopitar/Brown
Vilardi/Carter/Toffoli
Pearson/Kempe/Lewis
Iafallo/Amadio/Whoever

Maybe Vilardi breaks in as a winger on the 3rd line and they give the 70's line one last chance. Point is that there is a lot of talk about depth and rolling lines; to do so, the Kings need to add someone on top of Vilardi while also hoping Vilardi is actually ready.

If they could get to a place where they can have a guy like Iafallo on the 4th line with an improved Amadio, well now we are cooking with gas. Would allow for Kopitar to hopefully get less minutes as well.

They're not adding him for free, he'll cost 6 to 7 M per year. I get that you mean, not trading someone, but he's coming in with a big pricetag. And for 7M per he'd have to pot a lot more than 25 goals.
And it won't get them to the promised land. It takes more than that. DL thought Lucic would 'be that guy' and didn't work.
I'd rather invest 6 M per year on a younger player who could be with in a few years when as they grow

Vilardi was drafted to be a center and that is a hole they need to fill, he should start on the 2C with Carter on wing. Amadio on the 3rd line C. Kempe can move to wing.

It's a very competitive division and conf. and the other teams are getting better, some have drafted better over the last few years. It makes a differenc.e

I'm not against them signing for or trading for a skilled winger, just not one turning 36. .

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Just sign Tavares and Kovalchuk and call it a day

 

[LAKings88]

Stay the course. Let Amadio and Vilardi have a shot. Use Kempe more.

Kick some tires on possible trades (Skinner).

Look into Grabner’s price tag.

Stay away from UFAs unless Tavares specifically wants to play in LA.

 

[BigKing]

They're not adding him for free, he'll cost 6 to 7 M per year. I get that you mean, not trading someone, but he's coming in with a big pricetag. And for 7M per he'd have to pot a lot more than 25 goals.
And it won't get them to the promised land. It takes more than that. DL thought Lucic would 'be that guy' and didn't work.
I'd rather invest 6 M per year on a younger player who could be with in a few years when as they grow

Vilardi was drafted to be a center and that is a hole they need to fill, he should start on the 2C with Carter on wing. Amadio on the 3rd line C. Kempe can move to wing.

It's a very competitive division and conf. and the other teams are getting better, some have drafted better over the last few years. It makes a differenc.e

I'm not against them signing for or trading for a skilled winger, just not one turning 36. .

Which is why I put "free" in quotes. It would require a shedding of salary the following season once Doughty's new money kicks in, but then you'd also have a better idea of what you have in Brickley/LaDue.

Again though, I'm not advocating for it since I have zero idea of what he is even capable of anymore. I will say, however, that the UFA market for 25-30 goals is at $6-7MM. Granted, that is for younger players but that's where it is at. Problem with Kovalchuk is not even knowing if he is a 25-30 goal guy.

As for Vilardi, I actually prefer 3C and moving Kempe to wing but if Stevens remains stubborn with Kempe at C, then I can see Vilardi breaking in as a winger with Carter or even Kopitar. If he shows in TC and pre-season that he can hang at C, then he should play there but that means they have to scrap the Kempe as a C plan. I say this only because expecting him to come in as a 2C is expecting a lot when expecting him to be a 2W is already expecting a ton. Just trying to temper expectations.

 

[Stimpythecat]

I say no on Kovalchuk. For the salary and term that Kovalchuk reportedly wants, the kings would have to move out not one but two of the larger contracts. He wants a 2-3 year deal around $6 million. Almost certainly one of Muzzin/Martinez/Phaneuf and possibly one of Brown/toffoli/Pearson would have to go at some point.

Kempe, Brickley, Iafallo, and Rempal's ELCs expire and they all need new contracts the same year Doughty's extension kicks in.

 

[BigKing]

I say no on Kovalchuk. For the salary and term that Kovalchuk reportedly wants, the kings would have to move out not one but two of the larger contracts. He wants a 2-3 year deal around $6 million. Almost certainly one of Muzzin/Martinez/Phaneuf and possibly one of Brown/toffoli/Pearson would have to go at some point.

Kempe, Brickley, Iafallo, and Rempal's ELCs expire and they all need new contracts the same year Doughty's extension kicks in.

Since they aren't rebuilding, my dream is Tavares as a UFA and you move salary accordingly, obtaining low cap guys/prospects to fill out the bottom lines. If they weaken the defense by trading one of 6/27, I want it to be because a real difference maker is being added.

Vilardi/Kopitar/Brown
Pearson/Tavares/Carter
Iafallo/Kempe/Lewis
Flotsam/Amadio/Jetsam

Assume Toffoli is moved to make room. Martinez as well. Kings get back picks/prospects and/or low cap young guys that maybe slot in on the 3rd/4th line/bottom pair or healthy scratch.

Played around on Cap Friendly with it at an $80MM cap. Can make it work for next season by moving Martinez/Toffoli but the new Doughty money makes it tough and the defense looks rough without some sort of one-year placeholder like Folin last season. Tavares is gnarly though and, after one more season of Carter, you can move him when Doughty's new money kicks in and move pieces around up front, i.e. Kempe to wing etc.

It would be rough paying Tavares/Doughty/Kopitar but, if they are all in on this core, I'm willing to forgo a rebuild if you bring in a player like Tavares that can elevate the play of his wingers. Love Carter, but I don't necessarily view him as that type of center.

This is all really pie-in-the-sky off season garbage, but I'd love to take a run with a forward lineup like that one for one season and then sell-off as needed to work around a core of Kopitar/Tavares/Doughty/Quick if there are no plans to alter the current core except for hoping prospects work out.