Kings News: Fiala to for 2022 first-round pick and Brock Faber

[Statto]

I love the trade.

I saw him twice live this year and he was the best player on-the-night, not named Krill. I include the Kings and Oilers players in that.

His age means it is far from an impatient move because he’s just entering him prime and can be a significant contributing factor for the duration of this deal. It’s not a deal that blocks anyone in of itself although it does create a case for moving out a player, with Iafallo being a reasonable suggestion for being the odd man out.

At least it guarantees no AA which is improvement by subtraction.

As for Faber, I like him but we did exactly the right thing by trading from a position of strength. He’d already turned down a contract and if he did so again in 12 months (by all accounts that was likely), he’s worth nothing and signs in Minnesota as a free agent. Any criticism about losing Faber without at least acknowledging that possibility is disingenuous.

Good trade and the right age at which to bring some in. Trade for a physical LHD and it’s a good off season.

 

[kingsfan28]

Kopitar's replacement will either be Byfield or Matthews.

That's quite bold. and i like it!

 

[Stimpythecat]

I posted this on the trade board:

So Fiala would only sign long term with the Kings. Arvidsson is currently a King. Forsberg is a soon to be UFA.

Arvidsson, Fiala, and Forsberg are all close friends. What are the chances they wanted to play with each other again?

Of all the teams with cap space, the Kings are improving, were a recent playoff team, and have the best prospect pool to sustain multiple contending seasons.

It does mean one or both of Iafallo and Kempe would have to be traded to fit them in if Forsberg's intention is to rejoin his friends.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Something that is non negotiable is if Byfield, Turcotte, Arty, Gabe, and Toby want meaningful minutes they should be hitting the weight room and power skating like they are the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s ark and it’s starting to rain.

Blake has shown in the last two off seasons that pedigree doesn’t mean a damn thing. If your not good enough to beat a guy out your not getting a spot.

Notice I didn’t say match a guys output to get a spot! Your gonna have to blow his doors off to get in the lineup which honestly is the only way these guys are gonna get close to their ceilings. Doing the bare minimum in the off-season and in practice isn’t gonna cut it. I think they are trying to build that kind of culture and if these high end picks won’t do it on their own then they were never gonna be Stanley cup quality players.

They might be good or serviceable players in the league with average to slightly above average habits but not freaks like Richards, Carter, Greene, Quick, and Doughty. They just don’t have the fire to compliment their talent.

Granted Drew has never been a pillar of fitness nor was Richards but I haven’t seen half the fire in these kids bellies to carry them to those heights.

Pay the fare or get off the f*** ing bus!

 

[SFKingshomer]

He adds to the 23-28 age range that we so desperately needed. Now they need to work on the D badly.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

The way this team is ran has all the makings of “got to make AEG happy and keep my job”

I'm sure there is some truth to this depending on how you look at it....but overall is a totally ignorant statement. Should Blake be making moves to NOT keep his job but to appease a bunch of armchair GMs who spend way too much f***ing time on the internet? That makes incredible sense. You win post of the day....again.

 

[redcard]

I posted this on the trade board:

So Fiala would only sign long term with the Kings. Arvidsson is currently a King. Forsberg is a soon to be UFA.

Arvidsson, Fiala, and Forsberg are all close friends. What are the chances they wanted to play with each other again?

Of all the teams with cap space, the Kings are improving, were a recent playoff team, and have the best prospect pool to sustain multiple contending seasons.

It does mean one or both of Iafallo and Kempe would have to be traded to fit them in if Forsberg's intention is to rejoin his friends.

Responded there before seeing this one, but Kempe wouldn't be traded to make room for Forsberg. It wouldn't make sense to acquire Fiala just to trade Kempe and would seem to go against Blake's moves to lower the age of the core.

Iafallo would certainly have to go, and the only other real option would be one of the goalies. Then you need Mikey, Kempe, and Forsberg to all take at least slightly below market deals (moreso for FF). Then you run into issues once Walker comes off LTIR and likely have to trade him.

Its certainly possible, but FF would have to really want to play here and Kempe would have to buy in as well and we'd have no money answer to the LD issue. I'd put it at a pretty low chance.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

He adds to the 23-28 age range that we so desperately needed. Now they need to work on the D badly.

They need a little luck IMHO. They have spare parts but they need someone to see value in those parts. If they could move Iafollo and Walker out for assets to strengthen their 2nd round maneuverability in next years draft and free up cap space to make a run to go after a dman it might be the time to be aggressive.

I think Chichrun is overheated (not overated). I think there is value on some of these cap stretched teams that you could throw some A- to B+ prospects to with next years 1st to get something that fits our structure and cap schedule to get some balance on the left side. Only guys I wouldn’t move are Drew, Mikey, Spence, and Clarke.

 

[Lt Dan]

He adds to the 23-28 age range that we so desperately needed. Now they need to work on the D badly.

Badly?


Doughty Anderson
Roy Clarke
Bjornfot Durzi
Spence Moverare
Walker

That D is corps is pretty dang good, especially if Clarke delivers

 

[SFKingshomer]

Badly?


Doughty Anderson
Roy Clarke
Bjornfot Durzi
Spence Moverare
Walker

That D is corps is pretty dang good, especially if Clarke delivers

I haven't seen much of Clarke and don't expect him to make the team. They need a physical defenseman and a dynamic puck mover.

 

[Stimpythecat]

It was the Fiala only wanting to sign long term with LA that got my attention.

RHD is stacked with Doughty, Roy, Spence, Durzi, Walker, Strand, and Clarke. Walker would appear to be the odd man out even without Forsberg.

Moore-Danault-Arvidsson is not being broken up. Fiala-Kopitar-Kempe/Forsberg is likely the top line. Iafallo at $4 million is too much for a third line winger.

So Iafallo and likely Walker are possibly gone without Forsberg.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don’t think people realize how the Kings are operating. They’re going to continue to funnel in external players because they’re afraid of the prospects failing. But the reason they’re failing is due to coaching and ice time.

People don’t realize Blake is try to save his own skin by making the Kings are a bubble team. He has very little faith in the forwards and it’s obvious.

If the youth continues to get screwed then we’re looking to another 5-6 years of drafting and another coach to build the right wage.

The way this team is ran has all the makings of “got to make AEG happy and keep my job”

This offseason and upcoming season are going to tell me if Blake is just Dave Taylor or something more.

Something that is non negotiable is if Byfield, Turcotte, Arty, Gabe, and Toby want meaningful minutes they should be hitting the weight room and power skating like they are the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s ark and it’s starting to rain.

Legit spit out my drink lol

Blake has shown in the last two off seasons that pedigree doesn’t mean a damn thing. If your not good enough to beat a guy out your not getting a spot.

Notice I didn’t say match a guys output to get a spot! Your gonna have to blow his doors off to get in the lineup which honestly is the only way these guys are gonna get close to their ceilings. Doing the bare minimum in the off-season and in practice isn’t gonna cut it. I think they are trying to build that kind of culture and if these high end picks won’t do it on their own then they were never gonna be Stanley cup quality players.

I'm good with that and can appreciate that viewpoint. I want these guys to want it and in some ways I'm happy the Kings aren't forcing them or rushing them and are making them work hard.

HOWEVER--the big caveat is it's a steaming pile of horse shit when Grundstrom works his bag off to get in the lineup, scores 3 games in a row, then watches AA float around the ozone while getting scored on 3 times. If you're going to have this kind of accountability, it can't be selective accountability. Kopitar getting 24 minutes nightly only to be on the "-" side is similar, bad message to be sending to guys when you're telling them "you have to do x" to get 10 minutes. It would have been easy to get Kopi under 20 minutes a game, Danault matching him, and Byfield up to 15-16+. Offensive player need reps and big time with the puck, not minimal minutes and no PP time.

Like I said, if you're Kaliyev, have been absolutely busting your ass to develop your two-way game since draft time and were our leading PP scorer in limited time from the 4th line, and the Kings sign yet another roadblock after Blake pays lip service about needing you in the top six, what are you supposed to feel? That's not 'having to earn it,' that's being glass ceiling'ed.

And that's if your Kaliyev, the one that's actually favored. Imagine being literally any other prospect right now. you can exceed your draft pedigree and perform your balls off but you're jammed up under 12 minutes a game at best.

 

[Lt Dan]

I haven't seen much of Clarke and don't expect him to make the team. They need a physical defenseman and a dynamic puck mover.

Clarke IS a dynamic puck mover.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

It was the Fiala only wanting to sign long term with LA that got my attention.

RHD is stacked with Doughty, Roy, Spence, Durzi, Walker, Strand, and Clarke. Walker would appear to be the odd man out even without Forsberg.

Moore-Danault-Arvidsson is not being broken up. Fiala-Kopitar-Kempe/Forsberg is likely the top line. Iafallo at $4 million is too much for a third line winger.

So Iafallo and likely Walker are possibly gone without Forsberg.

I would bet 100$ you see Fiala on line two with those guys and Moore with Kopitar or Byfield by the 30 game mark or to be more specific line 2 being line 1!

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

This offseason and upcoming season are going to tell me if Blake is just Dave Taylor or something more.




Legit spit out my drink lol



I'm good with that and can appreciate that viewpoint. I want these guys to want it and in some ways I'm happy the Kings aren't forcing them or rushing them and are making them work hard.

HOWEVER--the big caveat is it's a steaming pile of horse shit when Grundstrom works his bag off to get in the lineup, scores 3 games in a row, then watches AA float around the ozone while getting scored on 3 times. If you're going to have this kind of accountability, it can't be selective accountability. Kopitar getting 24 minutes nightly only to be on the "-" side is similar, bad message to be sending to guys when you're telling them "you have to do x" to get 10 minutes. It would have been easy to get Kopi under 20 minutes a game, Danault matching him, and Byfield up to 15-16+. Offensive player need reps and big time with the puck, not minimal minutes and no PP time.

Like I said, if you're Kaliyev, have been absolutely busting your ass to develop your two-way game since draft time and were our leading PP scorer in limited time from the 4th line, and the Kings sign yet another roadblock after Blake pays lip service about needing you in the top six, what are you supposed to feel? That's not 'having to earn it,' that's being glass ceiling'ed.

And that's if your Kaliyev, the one that's actually favored. Imagine being literally any other prospect right now. you can exceed your draft pedigree and perform your balls off but you're jammed up under 12 minutes a game at best.

I agree 1000% about Grundy dude works his bag off and while 4th line is better than healthy scratch it’s still insulting. As long as he is the buzzsaw he was last year he should never be omitted from the lineup.

Arty on the 4th line was horse shit as well. It did however make his next contract a smaller bridge deal and if he could shoot the back out of the net with Moore and Byfield on the 3rd line than a second line promotion mid to late season or next year is definitely in his cards. Once again him on the 4th line with 8 minutes a game and trash powerplay time is the work of an idiot. 3rd line minutes and 2nd pp time should be the basement based on what he showed (earned) last season.

I mean I wasn’t shy about saying it last year. Kopitar is the square peg on this team he doesn’t have chemistry with almost anyone and I don’t see him bring it every game let alone every shift. He has an insane amount of talent and experience but he has the intensity on a consistent basis of a manatee. He’s a legend and earned his contract and our respect but he sure as shit doesn’t earn his ice time!

 

[cyclones22]

This offseason and upcoming season are going to tell me if Blake is just Dave Taylor or something more.

I'm good with that and can appreciate that viewpoint. I want these guys to want it and in some ways I'm happy the Kings aren't forcing them or rushing them and are making them work hard.

HOWEVER--the big caveat is it's a steaming pile of horse shit when Grundstrom works his bag off to get in the lineup, scores 3 games in a row, then watches AA float around the ozone while getting scored on 3 times. If you're going to have this kind of accountability, it can't be selective accountability. Kopitar getting 24 minutes nightly only to be on the "-" side is similar, bad message to be sending to guys when you're telling them "you have to do x" to get 10 minutes. It would have been easy to get Kopi under 20 minutes a game, Danault matching him, and Byfield up to 15-16+. Offensive player need reps and big time with the puck, not minimal minutes and no PP time.

Like I said, if you're Kaliyev, have been absolutely busting your ass to develop your two-way game since draft time and were our leading PP scorer in limited time from the 4th line, and the Kings sign yet another roadblock after Blake pays lip service about needing you in the top six, what are you supposed to feel? That's not 'having to earn it,' that's being glass ceiling'ed.

And that's if your Kaliyev, the one that's actually favored. Imagine being literally any other prospect right now. you can exceed your draft pedigree and perform your balls off but you're jammed up under 12 minutes a game at best.

Yep, and I don't think that's on Blake, directly. I'm fine with Blake's roster shaping so far. I'm not fine w/how TMc is utilizing it and don't see the Kings ever having long playoff runs with him at the helm. That being said, Blake hired TMc and is paying him $5M a year, so it eventually falls back on his lap if TMc f***s this up. There better be some marked improvements in special teams next season or this team is going to be golfing early.

The outdated mindset that 3rd line = checking role is absolute dinosaur mentality. The best teams in the league have a much better minutes distribution between the top 3 lines and there are 20 and even 30 goal scorers playing on some 3rd lines. Go ahead and look it up. Now, the Pacific is more structured like old time teams of 2 scoring lines, 1 checking line and 1 energy line, but surprise, the division was garbage. We'll see if there's any adapting and evolving from the coaching staff. Toddfather...bleh.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

He adds to the 23-28 age range that we so desperately needed. Now they need to work on the D badly.

D is for the most part Ok with Doughty coming back. They did pretty well against Edmonton all things considered. Maybe sign Zadarov.

I think we need to upgrade in the size department, deal iafallo to make room for Nuke. The Petersen contract is probably untradeable unless we attached an asset to a team that needs to get to the floor. We need a solid goaltender to spell Quick. Other than that, I don’t think we do too much like making a big splash for a Chchchchchcryun.

Blake should target:

Nichushkin
Zadarov
Goaltender

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yep, and I don't think that's on Blake, directly. I'm fine with Blake's roster shaping so far. I'm not fine w/how TMc is utilizing it and don't see the Kings ever having long playoff runs with him at the helm. That being said, Blake hired TMc and is paying him $5M a year, so it eventually falls back on his lap if TMc f***s this up. There better be some marked improvements in special teams next season or this team is going to be golfing early.

The outdated mindset that 3rd line = checking role is absolute dinosaur mentality. The best teams in the league have a much better minutes distribution between the top 3 lines and there are 20 and even 30 goal scorers playing on some 3rd lines. Go ahead and look it up. Now, the Pacific is more structured like old time teams of 2 scoring lines, 1 checking line and 1 energy line, but surprise, the division was garbage. We'll see if there's any adapting and evolving from the coaching staff. Toddfather...bleh.

Yeah I think that's well said. To be clear, I have ZERO problem with the 'third line' at the end of the season/playoffs being Byfield/Vilardi/Kupari etc.; I DO have a problem when an overworked Kopitar is getting more than 20 minutes and Byfield 10 or less. The names of lines 1-3 don't bother me and we have enough depth that you could distribute those names in almost any manner you want and end up with effective lines. It's about opportunity and development and the usage of the top six vs. the bottom six has been the issue.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

D is for the most part Ok with Doughty coming back. They did pretty well against Edmonton all things considered. Maybe sign Zadarov.

I think we need to upgrade in the size department, deal iafallo to make room for Nuke. The Petersen contract is probably untradeable unless we attached an asset to a team that needs to get to the floor. We need a solid goaltender to spell Quick. Other than that, I don’t think we do too much like making a big splash for a Chchchchchcryun.

Blake should target:

Nichushkin
Zadarov
Goaltender

Honestly if Blake somehow signs Nuke or even Marchment I will shit my pants, that would be an absolutely absurd two years in a row of killer offseasons.

At that point my ire would be SQUARELY on TM...to the surprise of no one I'm sure haha.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Yep, and I don't think that's on Blake, directly. I'm fine with Blake's roster shaping so far. I'm not fine w/how TMc is utilizing it and don't see the Kings ever having long playoff runs with him at the helm. That being said, Blake hired TMc and is paying him $5M a year, so it eventually falls back on his lap if TMc f***s this up. There better be some marked improvements in special teams next season or this team is going to be golfing early.

The outdated mindset that 3rd line = checking role is absolute dinosaur mentality. The best teams in the league have a much better minutes distribution between the top 3 lines and there are 20 and even 30 goal scorers playing on some 3rd lines. Go ahead and look it up. Now, the Pacific is more structured like old time teams of 2 scoring lines, 1 checking line and 1 energy line, but surprise, the division was garbage. We'll see if there's any adapting and evolving from the coaching staff. Toddfather...bleh.

We have the ability to have three lines Puting offensive pressure with completely different skill sets and intensities I’m down for a full throttle bet you can’t hit this mentality. If our players do what they are capable of and the young guys grow 30% we are a nightmare to play against. Add a 4th line that can go in and do damage and make skill players pay a physical toll and I like the innovation and heat our team brings. Key is can the backend keep up and can the goalies keep us in the games.

 

[kinghock]

It was the Fiala only wanting to sign long term with LA that got my attention.

RHD is stacked with Doughty, Roy, Spence, Durzi, Walker, Strand, and Clarke. Walker would appear to be the odd man out even without Forsberg.

Moore-Danault-Arvidsson is not being broken up. Fiala-Kopitar-Kempe/Forsberg is likely the top line. Iafallo at $4 million is too much for a third line winger.

So Iafallo and likely Walker are possibly gone without Forsberg.

Strand is gone too

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Yep, and I don't think that's on Blake, directly. I'm fine with Blake's roster shaping so far. I'm not fine w/how TMc is utilizing it and don't see the Kings ever having long playoff runs with him at the helm. That being said, Blake hired TMc and is paying him $5M a year, so it eventually falls back on his lap if TMc f***s this up. There better be some marked improvements in special teams next season or this team is going to be golfing early.

The outdated mindset that 3rd line = checking role is absolute dinosaur mentality. The best teams in the league have a much better minutes distribution between the top 3 lines and there are 20 and even 30 goal scorers playing on some 3rd lines. Go ahead and look it up. Now, the Pacific is more structured like old time teams of 2 scoring lines, 1 checking line and 1 energy line, but surprise, the division was garbage. We'll see if there's any adapting and evolving from the coaching staff. Toddfather...bleh.

Be careful what you wish for.

Todd f***s this up, they have positioned Sturm to step in as HC. That is why they placed him in Ontario, so clearly management has some expectations for the next couple seasons.

 

[shuchukfan]

I think both GMs did their guys a solid. Fiala wanted to play for LA (if the WIld couldn't sign him) and Faber wanted to play for Minnesota. That said, I hope Fiala gives him the Roy treatment the first time they play Faber. Well, maybe make it a legal check this time.

 

[Eagle Fang]

I like the trade. Fiala at least plays like he's got a pair which this team desperately needs. Sucks to lose Faber but his style of play seems pretty similar to Bjornfot, Spence and Anderson. To get a 25 yr old, 85pt winger who plays with some tenacity for a late 1st and a prospect seems like a pretty good deal.

I get the concern about the young players and roster spots but have to see what they do when the season starts before harping on that.

 

[Cheech89]

Actually its worse.

All the suffering of delaying then begrudgingly attempting the rebuild is thrown out the window.

Imagine being Kaliyev, now knowing there is little chance at top 6 minutes for years to come.

Imagine being Turcotte, seeing Boldy, Hughes, Zegras and Caufield getting actual top 6 responsibility while being paid 15 times the Target Assistant GM level paycheck you are drawing - and are guarateed to draw again next year - behind TJ Tynan on the 2nd unit.

Imagine being Vilardi and JAD knowing there is literally nowhere for you to play now that you are out of options and just waiting to find out where you are being traded to start proving yourself all over again.

Imagine being Byfield, sitting watching both the Kings and Reign lose winnable series without you, knowing the next mistake will cost you another game or two.

How are these kids supposed to develop the confidence to improve knowing what's in front of them - on a mediocre team? Its not like they are being boxed out of a contender, this is still a 50/50 playoff squad with Fiala.

Kopitar has never played well with a puck carrying winger. Forget about on paper stat stuff, look at the styles of play and see if they match. Anze doesn't do anything offensively away from the puck, and Fiala always dominates it. Its not a complimentary set up. Might help Kempe, though.

Its indicative of the belief that Kopitar, Doughty and Quick are the better bet to succeed instead of grooming high end prospects. Completely disagree with that on principal. Its the wrong bet to take, and its out of hubris and hope, not intelligence. Its just going to limit the high end potential while increasing the likliehood of mediocrity - with the bottom falling out once Kopitar falls off the cliff.

Im not in favor of handing any one spots. These have to be earned. Lizotte earned a spot, fighting and clawing and improving on his own. I recall seeing footage of him playing in summer leagues during last off season.

I don’t think prospects that have things given to them will develop the character needed to win another cup.

Doesn’t matter what line these kids play on right now, just don’t get scored on and score goals. Earn a spot.