Confirmed with Link: Changes Incoming

[KingTrouty]

The only good thing was Blake putting the spotlight on the players. They're the ones on the ice. They're the ones that have to produce.

We heard that from damn Sutter a million times, tho, Sox. Blake came across as completely green to me. JMO, brudda

 

[KingTrouty]

Yeah that was refreshing to hear. I cannot take another rebuild at this point. Also, it would be way to risky. We would be basically trading away Kopitar, Carter, and possibly Doughty, for a chance to draft a number 1 and 2 center, and arguably the best defenseman in the world again.

Completely agree, Alpha.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

We heard that from damn Sutter a million times, tho, Sox. Blake came across as completely green to me. JMO, brudda

Well at least he wasn't letting them use Sutter or lack of personnel as an excuse. That was my point. It's their fault they are where they are. A new coach will help but in the end it's still up to them.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Most on this site were very upset when Hextall left for Philly.

At this point, Blake is basically in the same scenario and should be given equal treatment.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Most on this site were very upset when Hextall left for Philly.

At this point, Blake is basically in the same scenario and should be given equal treatment.

I hate the guy personally, but I will give him a chance and judge him by his actions. The one quality he does have that will help him in this job is lack of loyalty. People mention DL making bad moves by not buying out Richards, signing Gaborik until forever, Sekera and Lucic trades etc. But the one that stands out the most for me, and is the hardest to explain, is signing Clifford until 2020 for $1.6MM. That is just insane. Who signs a dime a dozen bottom 6er to such a long term?

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Rob Blake on NHL Network right now.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Jonathan Quick age 31

Anze Kopitar age 30

Jeff Carter age 32

Drew Doughty age 27

Yup, that's the core you want to build on. Well, one out of four isn't bad for beginners.

Did you all know the core is in their prime?

Regarding your last question, I could not tell from the way they played and the immaturity they displayed this season.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Most on this site were very upset when Hextall left for Philly.

At this point, Blake is basically in the same scenario and should be given equal treatment.

Hexy knew what he was talking about at the drafts and what was going on with the roster while he was with the Kings. There was total synergy with him and DL. I don't see Blake in the same light.

 

[Bandit]

Jon Rosen mentioned that Blake will be looking to make a big splash in the UFA market and will not be rebuilding the team. I think its possible to revamp the team significantly in the off season and get us back to being a playoff team.

A lot of vague references are made in these posts that we do not have the cap space and we are doomed, but cap space can be opened up and there are in fact moves to be made that can make the Kings better this off season. I have already mentioned this in prior posts, but simply getting rid of Lewis and Clifford opens up $3.6 million in cap space. Trading Martinez for a high pick and/or prospect opens up another $4 million. We also have the option of buying out Gaborik. Lastly, there is the long shot of trading Gaborik if we sacrifice our first round pick (this is a big maybe).

I would personally try to target Oshie in the offseason, as I see him being a great fit with Kopitar. There may also be a deal to be made with Dallas. Dallas for one is desperate for a better defense and may be willing to trade a top 6 forward to make a deal for Muzzin or Martinez. Also, I am not sure if this deal can be made, but if Dallas lands the top 3 pick, I wonder if they would be willing to part with that pick for Muzzin? Dallas is not in a rebuilding stage and needs a no. 2 anchor on the blue line. The Kings, on the other hand, will have two first rounders in the 2017 draft, and can use them to get skilled forward prospects (maybe one of which will be ready to play this upcoming season), and use the other pick to rid themselves of Gaborik.

Blake is in for a rude awakening if he thinks the LA Kings will ever be able to make "a big splash in the free agent market." This has been said and proven a million times over:

Big names UFAs do not come to LA. Ever.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Blake is in for a rude awakening if he thinks the LA Kings will ever be able to make "a big splash in the free agent market." This has been said and proven a million times over:

Big names UFAs do not come to LA. Ever.

I don't know about now. Team's not bad. Sutter is gone which hopefully means more offense. Get to play with Kopitar or Carter. Offer them the money they want and they'll come.

 

[Bandit]

I don't know about now. Team's not bad. Sutter is gone which hopefully means more offense. Get to play with Kopitar or Carter. Offer them the money they want and they'll come.

Travel. Why do it when you can sign east?
Taxes. California is one of the worst states, if not the worst.

History is on my side here, and it's not exactly like the Kings are trending up to offset those reasons.

 

[bob77]

The coach is going to be the big thing. The players need to feel that they will be allowed to be creative offensively, and at times being on the wrong side of the puck defensively in hopes that it will lead to goals. Granted, you normally don't want the entire team taking chances offensively, but there are some players on rosters that need to be granted that freedom, guys like Toffoli or Carter or Kopitar, etc. Not necessarily Clifford, Andreoff, and perhaps a few others. But in any event, the team needs to find a balance between offense and defense that suits them, and they will need the freedom to experiment a bit to find this place without feeling like they are going to be benched.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Travel. Why do it when you can sign east?
Taxes. California is one of the worst states, if not the worst.

History is on my side here, and it's not exactly like the Kings are trending up to offset those reasons.

Some guys on a hockey board that may or may not be employed told me taxes don't make a difference when free agents sign a contract.

 

[regulate]

Some guys on a hockey board that may or may not be employed told me taxes don't make a difference when free agents sign a contract.

And why would that be? 13% state tax is a lot higher than 0% state tax on half of your games. That's a big chunk of change.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Because they're ****ing idiots that don't understand basic finance!

 

[AlphaBravo]

Blake is in for a rude awakening if he thinks the LA Kings will ever be able to make "a big splash in the free agent market." This has been said and proven a million times over:

Big names UFAs do not come to LA. Ever.

At the end of the day it comes down to money. If LA outbids other teams, they can sign a good UFA. LA (aka south bay) is an appealing place to live and raise a family. If Lucic is willing to sign in frozen Edmonton for money, I am sure players will sign in LA, which is a ten times better place to live.

 

[KINGS17]

Because they're ****ing idiots that don't understand basic finance!

Just picked up my taxes today and wished I lived in a 0% income tax state.

 

[kings11]

Yes, but how many have happened under the current administration?

you mean the administration that seems to have ties and is in bed with Russia??? that admin??

 

[Reclamation Project]

Just picked up my taxes today and wished I lived in a 0% income tax state.

Sending my check off on Friday. Total crooks!

 

[Reaper45]

At the end of the day it comes down to money. If LA outbids other teams, they can sign a good UFA. LA (aka south bay) is an appealing place to live and raise a family. If Lucic is willing to sign in frozen Edmonton for money, I am sure players will sign in LA, which is a ten times better place to live.

Which is why L.A.'s best free agent signings are Rob Scuderi, Pavol Demitra and Willie Mitchell. Guys like L.A., but don't want to live/sign here as free agents regardless of how much is offered. It's never been a prime spot, even after 2 cups.

 

[kings11]

Jonathan Quick age 31

Anze Kopitar age 30

Jeff Carter age 32

Drew Doughty age 27

Yup, that's the core you want to build on. Well, one out of four isn't bad for beginners.

Did you all know the core is in their prime?

Well K17, its goes both ways.. look at the contenders.. the real cup contenders..

Sharks

Joe Thornton age 38

Patrick Marleau age 38

Joe Pavelski age 33

Brent Burns age 33

Logan Couture age 29

Matin Jones age 28

Blackhawks

Jonathan Teows age 29

Patrick Kane age 29

Duncan Keith age 34

Corey Crawford age 33

Arten Anisimov age 29

Penguins

Sidney Crosby age 30

Evgeni Malkin age 31

Phil Kessel age 30

Matt Murray age 23

 

[BigKing]

Well K17, its goes both ways.. look at the contenders.. the real cup contenders..

Sharks

Joe Thornton age 38

Patrick Marleau age 38

Joe Pavelski age 33

Brent Burns age 33

Logan Couture age 29

Matin Jones age 28

Blackhawks

Jonathan Teows age 29

Patrick Kane age 29

Duncan Keith age 34

Corey Crawford age 33

Arten Anisimov age 29

Penguins

Sidney Crosby age 30

Evgeni Malkin age 31

Phil Kessel age 30

Matt Murray age 23

Interesting that San Jose is included as a "real contender" or it could be you trying to prove your point by including a team with a bunch of old guys.

Panarin is 25 for Chicago. Kane is better than any of the Kings players. Toews is arguable as well.

Crosby and Malkin are better than any of the Kings players.

I'm not saying the current core can't win another one, just saying that comparing Kopitar/Carter to Kane/Toews and Crosby/Malkin is not apples to apples.

 

[tsanuri]

Interesting that San Jose is included as a "real contender" or it could be you trying to prove your point by including a team with a bunch of old guys.

Panarin is 25 for Chicago. Kane is better than any of the Kings players. Toews is arguable as well.

Crosby and Malkin are better than any of the Kings players.

I'm not saying the current core can't win another one, just saying that comparing Kopitar/Carter to Kane/Toews and Crosby/Malkin is not apples to apples.

They did make it to the finals last year. So I would say they are a real contender. Much like the Pens are still the team to beat being the current winners, even if I feel there are better teams out there.

 

[kings11]

They did make it to the finals last year. So I would say they are a real contender. Much like the Pens are still the team to beat being the current winners, even if I feel there are better teams out there.

Yeah I wasn't sure if BigKing was just being an a$$, but as much as i hate the sharks and its a lot they are contenders...

 

[BigKing]

They did make it to the finals last year. So I would say they are a real contender. Much like the Pens are still the team to beat being the current winners, even if I feel there are better teams out there.

They are as real of a contender as the 15 other teams in the playoffs. This franchise won the whole damn thing then missed the playoffs the next so just making it the year before and then backing in to the playoffs doesn't make me say "real" contender.

Would you put money on them without great odds? Of course not.

There is a reason the list started with San Jose and it isn't because they are a favorite: it's because of the age of their core.

They are the 9th favorite per Vegas at 16-1, down from 12-1 at the start of the season. Vegas isn't the end all, be all of predictions, but you get the picture. There are at least five teams one could rattle off as a favorite before landing on San Jose.

Ducks are better, for starters.