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

Choralone said:
Williams was a hero for the Kings, but I feel like we parted ways at just the right time for us. It just feels weird because we usually hang on to a player at least one year too long.
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I agree. Not sad one bit we didn't re-sign him. Top 6 is set, we need a 3C not winger, and money can be spent elsewhere. Thanks for the memories, time for some fresh, younger, hungry blood.
 
Lucic, Pearson, King, Clifford, Gaborik, Toffoli, Brown, Nolan, maybe Lewis, maybe Weal. There's nowhere for Williams to go. There's nowhere for Gaborik or Brown to play on the left side.

It was Lucic or Williams. Couldn't do both. Part of the struggles last year was that the top forwards were a little too much sizzle. Not that Williams isn't steak, but he's a small guy. We know about the trying to be too cute along the boards in the defensive zone. He put up the same numbers as the year before, but we all saw it was different. As was the entire team. We saw the 2 or 3 goals he scored in the last 2 months of the year. The 70 fewer shots from 13-14.

Perfect world, Williams is back. I'd rather have him than not. You knew there would be some changes after last year though. There will come a point next year where we all wish Williams was still a King. March 9th should be nice.
 
I think the "Williams money" will go to a defenseman. No doubt the Kings are looking for a d-man. We already know they've tried to resign Sekera and tried to acquire Kevin Bieska.
 
KingsFan7824 said:
Lucic, Pearson, King, Clifford, Gaborik, Toffoli, Brown, Nolan, maybe Lewis, maybe Weal. There's nowhere for Williams to go. There's nowhere for Gaborik or Brown to play on the left side.

It was Lucic or Williams. Couldn't do both. Part of the struggles last year was that the top forwards were a little too much sizzle. Not that Williams isn't steak, but he's a small guy. We know about the trying to be too cute along the boards in the defensive zone. He put up the same numbers as the year before, but we all saw it was different. As was the entire team. We saw the 2 or 3 goals he scored in the last 2 months of the year. The 70 fewer shots from 13-14.

Perfect world, Williams is back. I'd rather have him than not. You knew there would be some changes after last year though. There will come a point next year where we all wish Williams was still a King. March 9th should be nice.
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The Kings want Gaborik to play on the right side, not the left. That's where Lucic will hopefully slot in on the top line.
 
Reclamation Project said:
Better to let go a year early than a year late. Given all the recent events, we should all be able to relate.
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LOL it almost seems like Lombardi gets them wrong. People wish we kept Williams at those years/term. Not impressed with Lombardi over the past 12 months, to be frank.

Also, I don't think we had room for Williams anyways. We're pretty set down the RW with Gaborik/Toffoli/Brown there's literally nowhere for him to play. I'm more upset about the money/years he got than the actual fact he left. That's a bargain, man. Isn't that exactly what we gave him? Jeez.

Now let's see what Lombardi does to address that massive gap on defense.
 
Man, honestly, as long as it's not Dion Phaneuf. We cannot take that contract on our books for the love of God.
 
AKAY47 said:
Man, honestly, as long as it's not Dion Phaneuf. We cannot take that contract on our books for the love of God.
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What other Defenseman can Lombardi realistically acquire? Dion with salary retained, maybe being in LA, away from Toronto hotbed and Captaincy would do him good?
 
So he's made a couple mistakes, so what? I think his body of work speaks for itself.

The offense is set. Kings need to get a 3-4 D now.
 
cyclones22 said:
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.
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Exactly
 
SCARFACE909 said:
The Kings want Gaborik to play on the right side, not the left. That's where Lucic will hopefully slot in on the top line.
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That's what I'm saying. There's not enough room for everyone. Last year, Gaborik was on the left side, meaning there was a spot for Williams, even if on the 3rd line at times. With Lucic, a healthy Pearson, and King, Gaborik can't be left on the left side, Brown can't play there either, and then there's Toffoli.

The writing was on the wall when Williams wasn't re-signed earlier in the year. The picture became clear when Lucic was traded for.
 
SCARFACE909 said:
What other Defenseman can Lombardi realistically acquire? Dion with salary retained, maybe being in LA, away from Toronto hotbed and Captaincy would do him good?
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Honestly, I might be in the minority here, but I think Franson would be a perfect fit next to McNabb. Puck moving, right handed Dman. Can play on the PP with Doughty, if needed. He's seriously a perfect guy for us but I don't know why Lombardi doesn't want him.

I also think Kopitar is settling for a massive payday. If Williams is accepting $3.5M/2 years, and Kings couldn't afford that (LeBrun reported Kings spoke to him), then you have to assume it's because Kopitar wants Patrick Kane/Jon Toews money.
 
CTKingsFan said:
Agreed. Especially when you consider Martinez had 22 points in 56 games last year.


Not signing Sekera may prove to be a blessing.
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Well, I've said it a hundred times, not if you're going to have him play the off side.
 
AKAY47 said:
Honestly, I might be in the minority here, but I think Franson would be a perfect fit next to McNabb. Puck moving, right handed Dman. Can play on the PP with Doughty, if needed. He's seriously a perfect guy for us but I don't know why Lombardi doesn't want him.

I also think Kopitar is settling for a massive payday. If Williams is accepting $3.5M/2 years, and Kings couldn't afford that (LeBrun reported Kings spoke to him), then you have to assume it's because Kopitar wants Patrick Kane/Jon Toews money.
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Dean likes getting his guys from Trades, not free agency, minus the few exceptions of Scuderi and Mitchell. Also Kings had a chance at Franson at deadline, but Lombardi wanted Sekera more.
 
Well, if we're talking trade, then I have no idea. Looking at guys with a year left on their contract:
Yandle?
Luke Schenn?
Buff?

I dunno...
 
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