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

[JKG33]

Happy to admit I was wrong on this one. I didn't think Fiala would be able to carry his own line like he has thus far.

 

[kilowatt]

I'm a big Kaliyev fan and i'm excited to see how he develops, but we won't know until it happens.

It still begs the same question - why are we even asking who's expendable between these 3? We don't need to make that decision right now.

This is what I want to know. Why are we even talking about them? Kempe's on track to be the first player since Palffy in 01-02 and 02-03 to have back-to-back 30-goal seasons with the Kings. In what universe is he expendable? If we should be moving anyone, it's players performing poorly relative to their cap hit.

We have three key players that aren't living up to their contracts: Edler, Quick, and Petersen. That's almost $15 million in cap space!

Where might we be with, say, Darcy Kuemper and Jakob Chychrun?

 

[Steve Zissou]

Brock Faber fanclub – you're up next!

 

[Trash Panda]

Kempe has upped his game for certain. I do think he's still too streaky to be a top-line forward. And by streaky, I don't just mean his production. I mean his engagement and effort into the forecheck.

I don't think "expendable" would be the best word - but the Kings have a lot of forwards and a hole in goaltending and left defense. It makes sense to trade from a position of surplus to fill this hole.

With Kempe, he has a few issues surrounding him:
Fiala is more skilled.
Kaliyev is producing at a better clip at the same age as Kempe was. With the Kings needing to build a younger core, it doesn't make sense to trade him (if the Kings already had a new core in, trading Kaliyev would be more defensible).
Viktor Arvidsson is more consistent in his execution
Danault, Lizotte, Iafallo, and Moore fill more niche roles.

So, it's not so much about "expendable" but more about trying to fill holes. Kempe provides the best value to fill a quality player, and the Kings would be hurt the least (long term and short term) to trade Kempe. Plus, they need to have cap space for all these contracts.

Thank god, I’m not the only one who fails to be blinded by the Cy Young stat lines.

 

[bmr]

How many of the same type of player do we need? All three are left handed scoring wingers who aren’t overly physical. At some point, you need to fill holes from an area of strength. Kempe took how many years to become a 50 point player? Yeah the 30+ goals is nice but he doesn’t do a hell of a lot when he’s not scoring goals. He’d also get you a bigger return right now. Kaliyev very well could surpass that, if given the opportunity, at a younger age.

Kempe has improved every year for the past few years. He also led the team in scoring last year in the playoffs. Who are you trading Kempe for? We aren't even sure if Kaliyev is gonna pan out the way some of us think. This is just insane to me. Kempe is literally the leading goal scorer on the team, AINEC.

 

[Nasti]

Kempe has improved every year for the past few years. He also led the team in scoring last year in the playoffs. Who are you trading Kempe for? We aren't even sure if Kaliyev is gonna pan out the way some of us think. This is just insane to me. Kempe is literally the leading goal scorer on the team, AINEC.

And scoring wingers are easy to replace. There are other aspects to the game other than scoring goals. So in this scenario, we trade Kaliyev instead according to you. What do you think the return would be for a guy who’s been relegated to 4th line duties? How about RHD. Should we keep Walker and trade Spence? I mean we’re not sure if Spence will pan out, right. What the hell was the point of the rebuild anyway?

 

[bmr]

And scoring wingers are easy to replace. There are other aspects to the game other than scoring goals. So in this scenario, we trade Kaliyev instead according to you. What do you think the return would be for a guy who’s been relegated to 4th line duties? How about RHD. Should we keep Walker and trade Spence? I mean we’re not sure if Spence will pan out, right. What the hell was the point of the rebuild anyway?

No - i'm not advocating for trading Kaliyev. You said out of Fiala/Kempe/Kaliyev that Kempe is the most expendable. Why are we even discussing that when Kempe just signed for a few more years and we have a cost controlled contract with Kaliyev? We are deeper with RHD so I would think Spence is a little more expendable, especially if it means getting an asset we really need.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Just popped a nice bottle of red wine with the Mrs...

We have three key players that aren't living up to their contracts: Edler, Quick, and Petersen. That's almost $15 million in cap space!

Now she's asking me why I'm crying after taking a drink.

 

[crassbonanza]

Just popped a nice bottle of red wine with the Mrs...



Now she's asking me why I'm crying after taking a drink.

Was it a cab?

 

[Nasti]

No - i'm not advocating for trading Kaliyev. You said out of Fiala/Kempe/Kaliyev that Kempe is the most expendable. Why are we even discussing that when Kempe just signed for a few more years and we have a cost controlled contract with Kaliyev? We are deeper with RHD so I would think Spence is a little more expendable, especially if it means getting an asset we really need.

I’m saying Kempe could be traded for other needs because the Kings already have an abundance of the same type of wingers and at some point you have to give the kids playing time unless you think we should trade the kids which would deem the rebuild pointless. I don’t think they’ll do it, because they’re allergic to making ballsy decisions, but you tried calling me out on a weeks old post and I’m giving you my take.

 

[lumbergh]

I'm gonna have to go ahead and kind of disagree with you on this one. If anyone is expendable out of the Fiala/Kempe/Kaliyev grouping it's gonna be Kaliyev. I'm not sure there are many Kings fans who would rather have him over Kempe. Streaky or not, Kempe is going to easily be the goal leader and now has the best +/- on the team. He's also only 26 years old. It's clear that he has elevated his game this year. Kaliyev still has some work to do to prove that he's not just a PP specialist.

<----
Dude you're stealing my line

 

[bmr]

<----
Dude you're stealing my line

LOL!!! I was hoping you would get a kick out of that one

 

[bmr]

I’m saying Kempe could be traded for other needs because the Kings already have an abundance of the same type of wingers and at some point you have to give the kids playing time unless you think we should trade the kids which would deem the rebuild pointless. I don’t think they’ll do it, because they’re allergic to making ballsy decisions, but you tried calling me out on a weeks old post and I’m giving you my take.

Not trying to call you out - just spark a discussion. Kempe is only 26, will be the leading goal scorer and is proving to be more reliable in a 200ft game. I think the focus of this team right now (if you look at Danault/Fiala/etc..) is having a core group of players in the 20s that can carry this team for the next 6-8 years. If we can trade Kempe for a rockstar defenseman, sure...but I'd rather Blake take some of the salary cap in the offseason and sign a new LHD to replace Edler and then have Bjornfot be more of a mainstay.

 

[Trash Panda]

Not trying to call you out - just spark a discussion. Kempe is only 26, will be the leading goal scorer and is proving to be more reliable in a 200ft game. I think the focus of this team right now (if you look at Danault/Fiala/etc..) is having a core group of players in the 20s that can carry this team for the next 6-8 years. If we can trade Kempe for a rockstar defenseman, sure...but I'd rather Blake take some of the salary cap in the offseason and sign a new LHD to replace Edler and then have Bjornfot be more of a mainstay.

Kempe as the center piece of a move for an actual solution on the LHD front is an ideal move.

His 200 foot game is a consequence of playing with the best center in Kings history, not an asset he inherently brings. Love the guy, love how he has developed, but swapping him for an LHD and replacing him with one of the 400 young wingers in the organization is a move for the better.

 

[lumbergh]

Not trying to call you out - just spark a discussion. Kempe is only 26, will be the leading goal scorer and is proving to be more reliable in a 200ft game. I think the focus of this team right now (if you look at Danault/Fiala/etc..) is having a core group of players in the 20s that can carry this team for the next 6-8 years. If we can trade Kempe for a rockstar defenseman, sure...but I'd rather Blake take some of the salary cap in the offseason and sign a new LHD to replace Edler and then have Bjornfot be more of a mainstay.

Not really sure what everyone sees in Bjornfot, but that's for another thread, another day.

 

[Schmooley]

Not really sure what everyone sees in Bjornfot, but that's for another thread, another day.

He has not been the same player since his injury last year. He was starting to take a step right when that injury happened also. He was skating really well and joining plays. Fox was gushing over him a lot at the time also.
Hes regressed a fair amount actually.
The AHL is not helping guys as much as the organization thinks. Especially a guy like Fagemo that is a scorer down there and a 4th line plug on the big club.
Chromiak may be the next in line to get the short end of the stick between two leagues but a guy like Lafferriere may benefit from the AHL.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Turns out when you only play a guy a handful of NHL games in a bit role, he can't flourish. Who knew

 

[Trash Panda]

Turns out when you only play a guy a handful of NHL games in a bit role, he can't flourish. Who knew

He literally made only one bad play last night, and it ended up in the net.

He was better than anyone else on the back end who doesn’t wear 44 or 8 last night. Durzi in particular was a tire fire defensively, but snapping a stretch pass buys a guy a whole lotta rope.

 

[KINGS17]

Kempe has upped his game for certain. I do think he's still too streaky to be a top-line forward. And by streaky, I don't just mean his production. I mean his engagement and effort into the forecheck.

I don't think "expendable" would be the best word - but the Kings have a lot of forwards and a hole in goaltending and left defense. It makes sense to trade from a position of surplus to fill this hole.

With Kempe, he has a few issues surrounding him:
Fiala is more skilled.
Kaliyev is producing at a better clip at the same age as Kempe was. With the Kings needing to build a younger core, it doesn't make sense to trade him (if the Kings already had a new core in, trading Kaliyev would be more defensible).
Viktor Arvidsson is more consistent in his execution
Danault, Lizotte, Iafallo, and Moore fill more niche roles.

So, it's not so much about "expendable" but more about trying to fill holes. Kempe provides the best value to fill a quality player, and the Kings would be hurt the least (long term and short term) to trade Kempe. Plus, they need to have cap space for all these contracts.

Hey, Bernie Nichols once scored 70 goals, and 150 points for the Kings in a single season.

...and he was traded. Kempe isn't immune.

 

[kenito7]

Hey, Bernie Nichols once scored 70 goals, and 150 points for the Kings in a single season.

...and he was traded. Kempe isn't immune.

King's history shows there is no immunity from stupidity but of all the Kings forwards Kempe should be the last to go except for Fiala. The return would have to be more than a Chychrun. Kempe is a good winger at a good price

 

[johnjm22]

Bjornfot is 21 years old.

Defensemen take a long time to really hit their stride. A lot of times it doesn't happen until their mid 20's.

 

[Nasti]

Hey, Bernie Nichols once scored 70 goals, and 150 points for the Kings in a single season.

...and he was traded. Kempe isn't immune.

And the Kings won the trade too.

 

[KINGS17]

King's history shows there is no immunity from stupidity but of all the Kings forwards Kempe should be the last to go except for Fiala. The return would have to be more than a Chychrun. Kempe is a good winger at a good price

If the Kings got a two-for-one like they got in the Nicholls deal, they would be a much better team.

 

[Herby]

His elite hockey IQ is starting to produce some offense this season, despite not having big time offensive skill. 2 points, 4 SOG and the usual dominant defensive play returning from injury. Some players just think and process the game at a much higher level than most, and Faber is one of those players.

I'm still happy the Kings made the trade, we desperately needed a player like Fiala, but I think Faber has always been really underrated here and elsewhere. He is pretty similar as a prospect to Clarke, as far as overall value.

 

[bmr]

His elite hockey IQ is starting to produce some offense this season, despite not having big time offensive skill. 2 points, 4 SOG and the usual dominant defensive play returning from injury. Some players just think and process the game at a much higher level than most, and Faber is one of those players.

I'm still happy the Kings made the trade, we desperately needed a player like Fiala, but I think Faber has always been really underrated here and elsewhere. He is pretty similar as a prospect to Clarke, as far as overall value.

Still a trade you have to make. It’s one of those things where you will always wonder what if. Faber would still be a couple years out and there will always be question marks if he really would have had his heart in it if he played here. Fiala is a wonderful player and so dynamic.

It’s a good thing we still have Clarke and prospects on the right side that mitigate the loss.

This Kings team can be such a force if we can just add that coveted LHD and a franchise goalie. Literally no holes at that point.