Toggle sidebar

GDT: Free Agent Frenzy--9am PST, 7/1/15

Good luck to Williams. I remember being skeptical when we first got him due to his unfortunate injury history at the time. He was a definite success story for us.
 
Is it even confirmed we offered him something?

Maybe he wanted to gtfo with everything that's been going on. That really sucks, if true.
 
kingsholygrail said:
No way the Kings didn't have a comparable offer.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling they let him walk. We have Gaborik, Toffoli, potentially Brown, Lewis, and Nolan down the right, with Zykov, Kempe, Mersch, Auger, and Watson able to play right wing in the fold. Throw in the fact that we only have 18 players right now, $9 million in cap space, with 2 key RFA's to sign, Voynov possibly coming back and taking a chunk of that, or even Richards being forced back on us, and having to re-up Kopitar, Pearson, and possibly Lucic all while finding another second pairing defenseman... I just don't think we have the room.
 
Wish he would've gotten more, but it was time to move on. It's a time of transition and some of the older parts need to be replaced by younger ones. Lucic's arrival means Gabby can play his natural position, which also means Brown can play his natural position on the third line as well. Williams will always be a Kings legend.

I think it's the same way with our defensemen. If DL can nab a legit 2nd pairing defenseman in case Voynov doesn't return for a reasonable price, then go for it. But no need to even look at these 3rd pairing type guys. Our pipeline has a ridiculous amount of prospects and it's time to break some of them in. McNabb isn't a rookie anymore and he was very solid, especially toward the end of the season. I'd much rather see Forbort out there than some UFA pickup. He's been groomed for this and isn't without talent. Our development program is good, folks. Have some faith in these guys making the jump.
 
Ron said:
Click to expand...


If it wasn't money or room then it has to be fit. Williams probably wasn't thrilled about getting some shiny hardware last season, always playing with energy, and being one of our most consistent producers and having to play on the third line often throughout the year.
 
Telos said:
If it wasn't money or room then it has to be fit. Williams probably wasn't thrilled about getting some shiny hardware last season, always playing with energy, and being one of our most consistent producers and having to play on the third line often throughout the year.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing once the Lucic deal went through, he knew he'd be on the 3rd line at best. Sucks he had to go, but its time to move on with the youth.
 
Always a special place in Kings history for the guy, but where's the spot on the team? After getting Lucic, it doesn't really even make sense that they would have much to talk about.

At least he's in the East. Not the Ducks or Blues or anything silly like that.
 
Telos said:
If it wasn't money or room then it has to be fit. Williams probably wasn't thrilled about getting some shiny hardware last season, always playing with energy, and being one of our most consistent producers and having to play on the third line often throughout the year.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking. He knew he'd be playing behind Gaborik & Toffoli.
 
kingsfan28 said:
I'm guessing once the Lucic deal went through, he knew he'd be on the 3rd line at best. Sucks he had to go, but its time to move on with the youth.
Click to expand...

Pretty much, he isn't going to be ahead of Gaborik or Toffoli, he's a natural RW, there's really no where else for him to go other than the bottom 6. That's gotta sting being a bonafide top 6 winger, who's always produced, coming off of a Conn Smythe winning season, and then having no where to go but the bottom 6.
 
Caps fan here, I almost feel bad like I want to say sorry for your loss, I can tell by this thread how much JW was loved. He will be in good hands here in Washington and I hope we get to enjoy a lot of good memories with him as you guys have. Looking forward to seeing him get us over the hump, I hope it happens.
 
Blades of steel said:
Caps fan here, I almost feel bad like I want to say sorry for your loss, I can tell by this thread how much JW was loved. He will be in good hands here in Washington and I hope we get to enjoy a lot of good memories with him as you guys have. Looking forward to seeing him get us over the hump, I hope it happens.
Click to expand...

We'll be rooting for him, that's for sure. I would enjoy seeing him score on Hank in a Game 7 and have the Caps eliminate those guys. Maybe he'll be the difference.
 
This was Lombardi's call. Saving cap space down the line, according to Rich Hammond.

Williams said more than once that his first preference was to stay with the Kings. His second preference was to sign with another contender, not chase the money, which he proved by only asking for a reasonable amount.

The same thing happened with Mitchell last year. Mitchell said he was excited to re-sign with a possible dynasty. Lombardi walked into the exit interview and told him before even beginning to negotiate that there was no room.

Sometimes Dean decides to let players walk.
 
Asheru said:
This was Lombardi's call. Saving cap space down the line, according to Rich Hammond.

Williams said more than once that his first preference was to stay with the Kings. His second preference was to sign with another contender, not chase the money, which he proved by only asking for a reasonable amount.

The same thing happened with Mitchell last year. Mitchell said he was excited to re-sign with a possible dynasty. Lombardi walked into the exit interview and told him before even beginning to negotiate that there was no room.

Sometimes Dean decides to let players walk.
Click to expand...

Hindsight 20/20, I'm sure Dean wishes he used the compliance buyout on MR and kept Mitchell.
 
Blades of steel said:
Caps fan here, I almost feel bad like I want to say sorry for your loss, I can tell by this thread how much JW was loved. He will be in good hands here in Washington and I hope we get to enjoy a lot of good memories with him as you guys have. Looking forward to seeing him get us over the hump, I hope it happens.
Click to expand...

With our luck, Kings and Caps in the Final.
 
Asheru said:
This was Lombardi's call. Saving cap space down the line, according to Rich Hammond.

Williams said more than once that his first preference was to stay with the Kings. His second preference was to sign with another contender, not chase the money, which he proved by only asking for a reasonable amount.

The same thing happened with Mitchell last year. Mitchell said he was excited to re-sign with a possible dynasty. Lombardi walked into the exit interview and told him before even beginning to negotiate that there was no room.

Sometimes Dean decides to let players walk.
Click to expand...

Which sucks in a way, but players come & players go. Time for some youth to come in. That's the reality of a cap world. You know how Dean is, I'm sure this decision wasn't easy for him, like it wasn't for letting Mitchell walk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom