Speculation: Fire Rob Blake Blow it Up Offseason Thread (update: Robitaille, Blake and Hiller stay)

[doug93003]

Is 1-3-1 really a mandate from management? Hiller couldn't have said "lol, f*** that shit, we doing something else"

1-3-1 is what you do when you don't have the speed, physicality, or talent to compete for the puck in the neutral zone or defend in your own end. For it to work you have to have a ton of talent and discipline going the other way...TB was a good example. The Kings got off to a good start but mean ol mr gravity stepped in and brought them back to earth.

If you can buyout PLD for 1/3, and you don't qualify Lizotte/Grundstrom, you've got:

18.5M in cap space with these holes left to fill:

Fiala-Byfield-Kempe
xxxxx-Kopitar-Kaliyev
Moore-Danault-Lafreniere
Turcotte-Thomas-xxxxx
xxxxx

Anderson-Doughty
Gavrikov-Clarke
xxxxx-Spence
Englund

xxxxx
Portillo

The problem is 18.5m in cap space would require a really good GM who can get crafty with the cap and existing contracts. Rob Blake has left zero doubt that he does not have this capability.

 

[doug93003]

Whilst I agree with most of this, the original contract dispute was triggered by the team low-balling him (context that regularly gets missed on the subject).

I’ve threatened to walk from jobs in the past on that basis (then got paid), so I absolutely understand why he did what he did. The team didn’t value him so he reacted emotionally… I’m not saying he did the right thing, but I get it.


Agreed.

BTW. I do want him gone, I just like to see balanced points. It’s a thing…

How do you low ball a defenseman who scores a ton of points and is still a career minus. Rob Blake was Rob Blakes biggest fan.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Lizotte has to go. I love his effort but that is a prime spot to add size and grit. Grundy can go too. No room for part time players on that line.

 

[BigBrown]

Lizotte has to go. I love his effort but that is a prime spot to add size and grit. Grundy can go too. No room for part time players on that line.

I've been a big Lizotte supporter over the years but yeah, I think it's time. The Kings need a different look in the bottom 6.

 

[johnjm22]

Nashville has now lost 5 straight series in the 1st round and hasn't had home-ice in any of the last 4 playoff losses. This is what Blake was shooting for, and sadly he has gotten it. You just can't expect to win in today's NHL without multiple stars in their prime, the league is an arms-race now, everything has adapted to offense, because that is what the fans want, in all sports.

Both teams are stuck in purgatory. Both of these teams are one dominant center away from being legit contenders. It has overtaken goaltending as the most important position in the sport. I think for the Kings, they could win a cup with Talbot as the goalie but not Kopitar as the 1C. You put a J Hughes or Eichel type on either of these teams it's a completely different story.

Nashville has been hoarding picks and prospects. They've traded away roster players like Ekholm and Jeannot for futures.

They've had 5 1st round picks in the last 3 drafts.

They have 4 picks in the 1st two rounds this years draft.

They've held onto their 1st round pick for 6 straight years.

They have plenty of cap space.

They're not tanking, but they are building. Seems like a pretty different situation than LA.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

If they run it back with Blake, another uninspired Blake hire, and the same mandated system I'm probably taking a step back from following the team on a daily basis. This season was one of my least favorite as a Kings fan, if not the worst.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Letting Roy walk for absolutely nothing would probably piss me off more than the PLD contract.

Ok, no, but kinda.

 

[kingsboy11]

If they run it back with Blake, another uninspired Blake hire, and the same mandated system I'm probably taking a step back from following the team on a daily basis.

That's the thing that doesn't make sense to me. It seems like all signs are pointing to him coming back, which means that Dubois isn't likely to get bought out (could still get traded I suppose, but that also seems unlikely). Blake would also have to hire a new coach, but what coach is going to sign for us when its possible that Blake won't even be the GM next year? So that could open the possibility of Hiller coming back, but then that wouldn't make any sense because the players don't want the 1-3-1 anymore.

Its setting up for a lame duck season

 

[Statto]

That's the thing that doesn't make sense to me. It seems like all signs are pointing to him coming back, which means that Dubois isn't likely to get bought out (could still get traded I suppose, but that also seems unlikely). Blake would also have to hire a new coach, but what coach is going to sign for us when its possible that Blake won't even be the GM next year? So that could open the possibility of Hiller coming back, but then that wouldn't make any sense because the players don't want the 1-3-1 anymore.

Its setting up for a lame duck season

I think in a possible defence to Hiller they would have felt that changing systems so late in the days wasn’t feasible. Several players hinted at that as did Hiller, I do tend to agree. He certainly got them playing with more intensity (compared to the slump) and they all say they enjoyed playing under him.

I’m not saying I’d go with Hiller but I’m not set against it IF he comes with a very different game plan.

 

[Telos]

Letting Roy walk for absolutely nothing would probably piss me off more than the PLD contract.

Ok, no, but kinda.

I am not too sure what you do at this point. It really depends on the future plan. The mistake was already made to let him walk at the trade deadline, but it was one that had to be made because of all the mistakes prior leading up to Blake having the gun to his head and being all-in on this season. If we now learn that the gun is being lowered and Blake is allowed to stay then we are in for some crazy punishment these next few seasons.

I love Arvy, but I think you let him walk. There is an argument for re-signing Roy though. He is a good defender - was likely easily worth a 1st + at the deadline. He probably will command a $5-6M extension that will be opened up once Gavrikov walks or is dealt - would get reduced value because of the NMC but it would be something if he is willing to waive. Just gotta make sure we don't offer anymore NTC/NMC to any more players, and deal Roy later on if we need. The Kings gotta make room for both Clarke and Spence, or deal Spence; but after that then RD starts to dry up and we actually will start to have a piled up at LD.

Anderson isn't going anywhere anytime soon and is probably a future captain. I think Dvorak is actually going to be solid in the future, Booth has a little bit of upside and a chance at making the roster eventually, and Moverare is already good enough to be at least a bottom pairing for either Spence or Clarke, or at least be the 7th D to keep on the team.

 

[Piston]

Some quick thoughts:

I was very concerned with Kopitar's exit interview. He realizes time is running out and still wants a chance to win here. If the team listens to him, we are in for two more season of trying to fill in gaps and not building for the future. At the same time, he took all the money off the table in his last contract negotiations- did he receive market value, absolutely. Did he leave room in the cap to improve the team- fugetabouit, He deserves to finish his career here but not at the expense of the team's future.

Our most tradeable asset is Doughty- he wants to win, and the Maple Leafs, his home town team desperately need someone to show them how to take the next step. That would be the one team he'd accept a trade too, and if we retain 50% we can get some nice assets back.

Bill Guerin paid a huge price to get Suter and Parise out of his locker room because he wanted a change in culture. The Kings need to seriously think about doing the same thing with trades rather than buyouts. The GM needs to have the balls to tell AK and DD the facts of life rather than caving to their demands. On this issue will the next five seasons rest.

It's time to give some of our youngsters, Portillo, Kaliyev, Turcotte, Thomas, Fagemo, et al a fair shot at making it. If they fail, move on, if they prove they can play, we can look to fill other needs.

Fiala just disappeared in the playoffs- is that who he is? Regular season success only counts for so much.

My disdain for Luc is well known. I just hope he (and Blake) are held accountable. I think pressure from the fans may make a difference. I live in South Carolina now- The Hurricanes and Panthers are so well run by comparison, either one could win it all. Meanwhile, the Kings are moving sideways rapidly, not a good place to be.

 

[Sol]

I don’t care 1 percent about what Kopitar wants. It DOES matter he’s made insane money his entire career. Kings don’t owe him anything.

 

[theMajor]

Im gonna really miss Matt Roy

 

[KINGS17]

I'm not sure if it is or isn't given most rebuilds 'fail'

Yet--it seemed they were on the right track

Yet again--is it too much to expect an articulation of a proper vision after this many years? We still don't know what the hell they're doing other than trying to emulate Nashville and are unfortunately closer than I thought they ever would be as per @Herby 's illustration

This is true most rebuilds do fail.

Also true: All mediocre black hole teams fail.

At least try to become a contender and take a shot at grabbing the brass ring.

 

[johnjm22]

The Kings should be looking into trading Moore IMO.

The saying is: Buy low, Sell high. Moore's stock is at a high.

I love him, but he just had a 30 goal season, and is locked up for 3 more years at 4.2M. His NTC expires soon.

He should have a lot of value right now, and it will never be higher.

 

[tny760]

Im gonna really miss Matt Roy

i'm not gonna miss having clarke in the lineup nightly

i will however miss the 1st/2nd we probably could've pulled for roy at the deadline

 

[johnjm22]

Some quick thoughts:

I was very concerned with Kopitar's exit interview. He realizes time is running out and still wants a chance to win here. If the team listens to him, we are in for two more season of trying to fill in gaps and not building for the future. At the same time, he took all the money off the table in his last contract negotiations- did he receive market value, absolutely. Did he leave room in the cap to improve the team- fugetabouit, He deserves to finish his career here but not at the expense of the team's future.

Our most tradeable asset is Doughty- he wants to win, and the Maple Leafs, his home town team desperately need someone to show them how to take the next step. That would be the one team he'd accept a trade too, and if we retain 50% we can get some nice assets back.

Bill Guerin paid a huge price to get Suter and Parise out of his locker room because he wanted a change in culture. The Kings need to seriously think about doing the same thing with trades rather than buyouts. The GM needs to have the balls to tell AK and DD the facts of life rather than caving to their demands. On this issue will the next five seasons rest.

It's time to give some of our youngsters, Portillo, Kaliyev, Turcotte, Thomas, Fagemo, et al a fair shot at making it. If they fail, move on, if they prove they can play, we can look to fill other needs.

Fiala just disappeared in the playoffs- is that who he is? Regular season success only counts for so much.

My disdain for Luc is well known. I just hope he (and Blake) are held accountable. I think pressure from the fans may make a difference. I live in South Carolina now- The Hurricanes and Panthers are so well run by comparison, either one could win it all. Meanwhile, the Kings are moving sideways rapidly, not a good place to be.

I think it's a forgone conclusion they're still going for it over the next two years until Kopitar retires.

There's a 99.9% chance it fails.

But I don't really mind as longs two things happen:
1) After Kopitar retires the FO gets wiped out, and we start a rebuild proper.
2) We don't have any terrible contracts on the books that will handicap the franchise like PLD.

I'm still somewhat hopeful they can find a way to dump Pierre this offseason.

 

[Little Psycho]

Im gonna really miss Matt Roy

Imma miss watching him watching the goals go in right next to him

 

[Schmooley]

Im gonna really miss Matt Roy

McDavid and Draisaitl will also

 

[SettlementRichie10]

After absorbing all the exit interviews and the general messaging from the organization, it’s clear those in power are white knuckling until the whole apparatus comes unglued. What a sad state of affairs.

Any notion of trading a major piece is likely off the table. Kopitar and Doughty may as well be signing the checks. It’s their team and they want to win and the office will acquiesce. Luc is a feckless boardroom figurehead at this point and more interested in quarterly P&Ls. He has his dogs underneath him (Blake), adjacent to him (Brisson), and above him (Beckerman). And that’s that.

They won’t buy out PLD. They won’t even try to trade him. They won’t trade Doughty. They wouldn’t even trade Matt Roy. They’ll continue scouring the league for veteran mercenaries to fill holes and hold on the youth they’re forced to.

The most embarrassing part of all this are slackjawed bootlickers like the Mayor and some of the posters here. But they won’t be forced to admit they were wrong until the bitter end. They’re like children who still think Santa Claus is real. They’ll face reality eventually, or they’ll run away forever to hide.

If the team misses the playoffs, maybe that’s enough of a shock to Uncle Phil’s dialysis machine to wake him up.

This is the most rudderless and impotent this franchise has been since the late 90s. Learn to enjoy the team ironically. Save your money.

 

[Nasti]

They’re like children who still think Santa Claus is real.

Wait. What?

 

[johnjm22]

The rumors about LA trying to move PLD around the deadline can't be 100% verified of course, but they seemed to have more legitimacy than most rumors you hear.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

The rumors about LA trying to move PLD around the deadline can't be 100% verified of course, but they seemed to have more legitimacy than most rumors you hear.

Doesn't matter, didn't you just read the most respected, authorized poster on this board who knows exactly what's going on, they didn't try and trade PLD, they aren't going to try and trade PLD....he knows man...he knows.

 

[Omni Owl]

Bill Guerin paid a huge price to get Suter and Parise out of his locker room because he wanted a change in culture. The Kings need to seriously think about doing the same thing with trades rather than buyouts. The GM needs to have the balls to tell AK and DD the facts of life rather than caving to their demands. On this issue will the next five seasons rest.

Absolutely. A current buyout of PLD would cripple the cap situation for a long time, just like it did to the Wild, who are still f***ed because of it. I'd rather see him waived (if it gets that bad, which its close to getting to) or traded. Only problem with both of those scenarios is the Kings would have to retain on the deal and get negative value from him. Plus I don't see any other team in the league wanting him. They're f***ed in just about every possibility thanks to that ridiculously stupid contract.

 

[johnjm22]

Absolutely. A current buyout of PLD would cripple the cap situation for a long time, just like it did to the Wild, who are still f***ed because of it. I'd rather see him waived (if it gets that bad, which its close to getting to) or traded. Only problem with both of those scenarios is the Kings would have to retain on the deal and get negative value from him. Plus I don't see any other team in the league wanting him. They're f***ed in just about every possibility thanks to that ridiculously stupid contract.

Waiving him and sending him down to Ontario only saves us 1.15M