I know others might disagree but I still think Turcotte is capable of playing higher up the lineup.
Fiala - Byfield - Kempe
Turcotte - Kopitar - xxx
Moore - Danault - Fagemo
xxx - Thomas - Laferriere
There are some decent free agents too, some worth more than others. Some of the right handed forwards available are: Reinhart, Stamkos, Marchessault, Pavelski, and Toffoli, to name a few. Could slot a guy like Toffoli next to Kopitar and Turcotte in the short term.
We need to stop giving away first round picks and start focusing on our development pipeline. We need to start finding the Wyatt Johnstons and Brock Fabers of the world to supplement the talent we have.
The other goal of the offseason HAS to be get meaner. I know
@Johnny Utah will appreciate that.
The even better option here is to trade a bunch of these guys, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that.
If it is to get meaner, it means we have to create a proper forth line and jettison Lizotte and not stick Turcotte in his place.
The coaches have talked about depth and trying to get offensive depth from all four lines, which is stupid as we don’t even have enough offensive depth to fill three lines.
To have a guy like Fiala play with scrubs or even PLD for that matter is absolutely ridiculous. Your knee capping them before they hit the ice.
You are also having those scrubs try and play an offensive game, taking away from their defensive strength. It just creates a whole lot of nothing.
Make two pure scoring lines. Phil Danault should never be on a scoring line. Not around the NHL for his defensive game. He is the perfect third line center where he will play that defensive game yet pot some points.
After a few days of thinking about lineups, there is no way that PLD is not here next year. It is a massive buyout at 2/3 cap hit which is starting to look like that may be the case with him turning 26 before June 30 the playoffs, not expected to end in. time. I still want to see PLD as a winger and Byfield centering him with Fiala on the wing. All three can skate like the wind, have the skills to play with each other, and Bill 200 foot game is getting to be among the best on the team. Fiala is great at getting into the corners and fishing pucks and PLD likes floating off the wing to catch a pass and one timing it. Then it comes to Byfield who has uncanny vision and reach and has passed a lot of pucks into the open area in front of the net in which Kopitar and Kempe don’t seem ready for. Both PL and Fiala have quick hands that can pop those.
Kopitar is not going anywhere and will remain the de facto number one center even if he would be one of the better number two centers in the league. I would love to see him on the number two line with another defense stud in Kempe with an offensively gifted winger such as Fagemo or Kaliyev. if they need a guy that hunts pucks then Turcotte is your winger on that line. Either way you have a second line that has good scoring ability and complete defense.
Danny Is the perfect number three center like I said. Moore had a career beside him yet has the speed to play a defense game. Laf’s play improved throughout the year and I think he’ll make a big improvement last next year. This is our checking line that can add the odd goal as all three players do have an offensive touch.
Fourth line consist of talented forecheckers and face punchers. Thomas is due a chance and can play that gritty game. I am overdone with Grundstrom and his cold streaks. The guy plays five good games in a row and disappears for 20. I am done with Lizotte being used to clean the snow off the ice. Both are restricted and will cost around 1.5 and 2 million a year which is way too much money on the fourth line for what they bring. Both would have a bit of trade value and should bring back some sort of or be used to try and find their replacement.
I know I have inserted a lot of young Clares in the lineup, but we need youth contracts as we’re up against the cap and need goalies
Dubois and his massive contract could’ve been used to do this, but we cannot go back in the past to negate the trade. So we have to bandage what we have and try to get a bit of money where we can.
Doughty, Spence, and Clarke are my right pair defenseman.
I do not like our left pairing defenseman and I am not as thrilled with Anderson as most are on this board. To me he tops out as a second defenseman. Saying that would he look beautiful beside Clarke.
It’s Gavrikov’s time to go. doesn’t have an offensive bone in his body. He is basically another Anderson with less skill and grit. I try and trade him to Ottawa for Chychrun even if I have to throw Grundstrom or somebody in the trade to make it happen. It saves us mil and a 1/2 on the cap.
If Boston is out of the playoffs tonight, I could see them trading one of their goalies for positional help. Fat kid on a cookie.
And yes, I’m drinking in my hot tub and don’t have any of the contracts in front of me. I might’ve just built a $90 million roster or missed a player, but I don’t think LA is going to concede and not try and win.
I also don’t think they’re gonna trade her two legends or get a taker for a PLD. We will be dressing a runaway model from the used clothing bin.
Oh, and for coaches, it would be Rob the bid from Carolina. These players need to be yelled at once in a while
As for Luke, I give him to Quebec city so he can try and start his own team there with his super agent friend, and his best buddy Mr. biceps.
Piece of it Kings fans. I also reserved the right to your erase this post when I am sober tomorrow