Is the window closing?

[kingsfan28]

I think this is relevant again:


Jim Fox pretty much predicted the window.

I forgot what a smug SOB Hayward was in that video. 2 Cups later And "Justin Schultz...." Hayward was hyping him like he was the next EK.

 

[xavi4life]

What killed the Kings:

1) Losing Voynov
2) Mike Richards debacle
3) Dustin Brown contract
4) Losing Justin Williams (Which isn't talked about)

 

[Fishhead]

What killed the Kings:

1) Losing Voynov
2) Mike Richards debacle
3) Dustin Brown contract
4) Losing Justin Williams (Which isn't talked about)

I think this is because Lucic and Williams were more or less a wash. Fixing the other three needs some kind of divine intervention.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think this is because Lucic and Williams were more or less a wash. Fixing the other three needs some kind of divine intervention.

Yeah.

Lost a #2-#3 D for nothing.
Had a #2C become a #4C and get stuck with a cap hit for eternity.
Had a top-six winger become a top-nine winger but get paid like a 1LW...death sentence in the cap world
I think we certainly miss Williams' intangibles but Lucic's production was a wash...if you're going to say we miss Williams, we also miss Stoll, Greene, Mitchell, Regehr, et. al. (which isn't to say we don't).

For a team that wasn't on paper going to out-talent teams like the Sharks, Ducks, Hawks--especially in a cap world--those parts are arguably irreplaceable. There isn't another Willie Mitchell in the league at this exact moment, never mind one who is a free UFA with injury concerns reducing his value.

 

[DanKD]

Absolutely the window is not closed. The window isn't fully open with a breeze coming in like it was a couple years ago, but it's still open. We are among a number of really good teams who will have to have some things break our way such as good health and clicking at the right time, but we still have some elite players in their prime, a good coach and a reliable system that we train our players to play in on an ongoing basis.

We are still top 10 for vegas stanley cup betting odds.

 

[damacles1156]

It's real simple, raise your hand if you thought Pitt had a cup winning roster last season, or that the Sharks would actually make a Final....

I bet I don't see any hands raised.

I thought Pitt wouldn't even make the playoffs halfway through the season. Also sure as heck wouldn't have bet money that Brent Burns would outplay Drew Doughty, come playoff time.

 

[I Am Ziggy Palffy]

Windows definitely not closed. Put Kopitar (C), Doughty (D) and Quick (G) on any team and they instantly become a legit contender. It's more difficult now than a couple seasons ago, but the true strength of the team from a couple seasons ago remains in tact.

 

[rajuabju]

Windows definitely not closed. Put Kopitar (C), Doughty (D) and Quick (G) on any team and they instantly become a legit contender. It's more difficult now than a couple seasons ago, but the true strength of the team from a couple seasons ago remains in tact.

3 players isnt enough for the core. Our problem is that we have 0 secondary scoring, and our defensive depth has gone out the window.

Just looked at our roster again from our cup winning teams. The defense we had then vs now... its just ugly, and I dont think Tom Gilbert is gonna be the answer.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

3 players isnt enough for the core. Our problem is that we have 0 secondary scoring, and our defensive depth has gone out the window.

Just looked at our roster again from our cup winning teams. The defense we had then vs now... its just ugly, and I dont think Tom Gilbert is gonna be the answer.

I wouldn't say it's ugly, but I WOULD say it has big question marks. There's a clear dropoff behind DOughty-Muzzin-Martinez where McNabb could step up huge, and we don't yet know what we have in the rest...but those HAVE to be upgrades on at least Schenn-Scuderi!

I'm not going to go as far to say we CERTAINLY upgraded our depth in the offseason, but I think DLs moves were good, and I have to think SOME of the youth takes a step forward. Guys like Latta/Trotman were good prospect/tweener signings that could surprise. Gravel and Forbort appear ready for the jump. A more experienced McNabb could be a godsend as could a year of development and health for Pearson. SOMEONE in our depth will most certainly step up, whether that's Shore, Andreoff, Dowd, Mersch...we have a lot of options is my point, we just have to hope to find the right mesh.

A lot has to go right, but you have to say that for almost EVERY team--very few enter the year with certainties as 'cup contenders' and remember the years we did that were only the years after we went deep or won a cup.

 

[Trolfoli]

It's real simple, raise your hand if you thought Pitt had a cup winning roster last season, or that the Sharks would actually make a Final....

I bet I don't see any hands raised.

I thought Pitt wouldn't even make the playoffs halfway through the season. Also sure as heck wouldn't have bet money that Brent Burns would outplay Drew Doughty, come playoff time.

I'd like to see Burns drag Scuderi's corpse around the ice and see how well he does then.


As for the window...

 

[The Tikkanen]

I wouldn't say it's ugly, but I WOULD say it has big question marks. There's a clear dropoff behind DOughty-Muzzin-Martinez where McNabb could step up huge, and we don't yet know what we have in the rest...but those HAVE to be upgrades on at least Schenn-Scuderi!

I'm not going to go as far to say we CERTAINLY upgraded our depth in the offseason, but I think DLs moves were good, and I have to think SOME of the youth takes a step forward. Guys like Latta/Trotman were good prospect/tweener signings that could surprise. Gravel and Forbort appear ready for the jump. A more experienced McNabb could be a godsend as could a year of development and health for Pearson. SOMEONE in our depth will most certainly step up, whether that's Shore, Andreoff, Dowd, Mersch...we have a lot of options is my point, we just have to hope to find the right mesh.

A lot has to go right, but you have to say that for almost EVERY team--very few enter the year with certainties as 'cup contenders' and remember the years we did that were only the years after we went deep or won a cup.

I think a lot of NHL teams have positioned themselves not to get hurt badly by the expansion draft. You see a lot of NHL teams that lack quality forward depth and missing that solid 4th defensemen who would be plucked away by Vegas. With so many NHL teams having question marks on the roster this could be a wild season. And with the Vegas draft looming you could see quite a few trades especially at the deadline for fear of losing a solid player and get nothing in return. I'd guess teams that fall out of the race will position their teams just to defend the expansion draft.

 

[LAKings88]

What killed the Kings:

1) Losing Voynov
2) Mike Richards debacle
3) Dustin Brown contract
4) Losing Justin Williams (Which isn't talked about)

It ended up being a wash but picking Greene over Mitchell too.

 

[YP44]

It's real simple, raise your hand if you thought Pitt had a cup winning roster last season, or that the Sharks would actually make a Final....

I bet I don't see any hands raised.

I thought Pitt wouldn't even make the playoffs halfway through the season. Also sure as heck wouldn't have bet money that Brent Burns would outplay Drew Doughty, come playoff time.

before the season started I thought pittsburgh would be up their in the East, half way through the year I thought they would be out by round 2.

San Jose I thought would get back to the playoffs (I really liked their off season last year) although I thought it would have more to do with Calgary and Vancouver regressing then their own accord. Either way I did not think they would make the finals.

 

[Little Psycho]

They are definitely going down that road, but then you look at teams like the Pens and the Sharks....

 

[YP44]

They are definitely going down that road, but then you look at teams like the Pens and the Sharks....

both the pens and sharks had very goof off season's a year ago. Kessel, Martin and Ward acquisitions were very key.

I think for LA signing low risk one year deals is key this year. LA is set up very well to get through the expansion draft and I think this year will be a re-tool year, but expectation should still be that this is a playoff team.

 

[The Tikkanen]

both the pens and sharks had very goof off season's a year ago. Kessel, Martin and Ward acquisitions were very key.

I think for LA signing low risk one year deals is key this year. LA is set up very well to get through the expansion draft and I think this year will be a re-tool year, but expectation should still be that this is a playoff team.

Exactly. We've heard the term 5 year plan before from Lombardi, I think we're seeing a 2 year plan. Small deals that the Kings will be out from under by the start of 2017-2018 and either Brown is selected by Vegas or bought out and his cap hit is off minus a possible buy out for 2017-2018. It will be a lot easier to fill holes next summer.

 

[kilowatt]

The window is closing because we lost our second-best defender for no ****ing reason. If Voynov was still on the team, the Kings never trade for Sekera, they get a good young prospect at the draft, and the Kings defense doesn't suck so bad.

Muzzin - Doughty
Martinez - Voynov

That's a defense that can win championship. But Voynov was really ****ing important, the Kings developed him for a long time, and he was signed to a great contract. I don't know of another team that lost a player of Voynov's caliber for absolutely no reason. At least with a contract situation, you can choose to sell if you know the player wants to leave. We just kind of got ****ed.

Then the wheels fell off. Stoll and Richards - core players for a while - forgot how to play hockey and got in trouble with the law. All of a sudden, with the actions of these three players, LA is no longer a great place to play. There's "something in the water" out in LA.

I could go on, but I won't.

 

[Trolfoli]

The window is closing because we lost our second-best defender for no ****ing reason. If Voynov was still on the team, the Kings never trade for Sekera, they get a good young prospect at the draft, and the Kings defense doesn't suck so bad.

Muzzin - Doughty
Martinez - Voynov

That's a defense that can win championship. But Voynov was really ****ing important, the Kings developed him for a long time, and he was signed to a great contract. I don't know of another team that lost a player of Voynov's caliber for absolutely no reason. At least with a contract situation, you can choose to sell if you know the player wants to leave. We just kind of got ****ed.

Then the wheels fell off. Stoll and Richards - core players for a while - forgot how to play hockey and got in trouble with the law. All of a sudden, with the actions of these three players, LA is no longer a great place to play. There's "something in the water" out in LA.

I could go on, but I won't.

Don't worry. We got Gilbert to fill Voynov's role next year!



Just think how great the team would have looked with Voynov coming back and Lucic. The Kings should have been doing some damage in last years playoffs.

 

[sinister6000]

How long are they going to keep Voynov kicked out of the US?

 

[Fishhead]

How long are they going to keep Voynov kicked out of the US?

He wasn't kicked out per se, he left on his own. He can come back, but needs to apply for a new Visa. Then, he needs to get the OK from the NHL.

At any rate the Kings would be one of the last teams he would end up with, given their statements after the proceedings.

 

[YP44]

He wasn't kicked out per se, he left on his own. He can come back, but needs to apply for a new Visa. Then, he needs to get the OK from the NHL.

At any rate the Kings would be one of the last teams he would end up with, given their statements after the proceedings.

Has it been decided if the NHL is letting him play in the World Cup? It is an NHL event and last I heard Russia picked him, the NHL said he would not be allowed, but Russia was disputing.

I think the outcome of that will go a long way to determine if he plays in North American again.

I agree with you on the fact if he was allowed to play LA would be one of the last teams to allow him to play. However I believe LA would still hold his rights so maybe he could be dealt. Although really what is his value at this point? Plus teams would know LA would not want him playing so LA would not be dealing from a position of strength. He maybe would get a 3rd?!?

 

[tsanuri]

Has it been decided if the NHL is letting him play in the World Cup? It is an NHL event and last I heard Russia picked him, the NHL said he would not be allowed, but Russia was disputing.

I think the outcome of that will go a long way to determine if he plays in North American again.

I agree with you on the fact if he was allowed to play LA would be one of the last teams to allow him to play. However I believe LA would still hold his rights so maybe he could be dealt. Although really what is his value at this point? Plus teams would know LA would not want him playing so LA would not be dealing from a position of strength. He maybe would get a 3rd?!?

I think the league is going to stick to it's position on this one. He never faced the NHL for whatever discipline they were going to hand out. And I suspect it could have ended up being a year suspension. Since even though he missed a whole year really it was with pay. So not really punishment.

I agree with what they might be able to get if he were ever able to come back. And that the Kings wouldn't want him here.

 

[The Pale King]

That's a defense that can win championship. But Voynov was really ****ing important, the Kings developed him for a long time, and he was signed to a great contract. I don't know of another team that lost a player of Voynov's caliber for absolutely no reason. At least with a contract situation, you can choose to sell if you know the player wants to leave. We just kind of got ****ed.

The Red Wings lost Vladmir Konstantinov after their '97 Cup win to reasons beyond their control. He was a better player than Voynov, no doubt (runner up to Leetch for the Norris that year), but he also had a few more years under his belt.

He's the only guy I can think of though, and it feels wrong even comparing their situations, however remotely.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The Red Wings lost Vladmir Konstantinov after their '97 Cup win to reasons beyond their control. He was a better player than Voynov, no doubt (runner up to Leetch for the Norris that year), but he also had a few more years under his belt.

He's the only guy I can think of though, and it feels wrong even comparing their situations, however remotely.

And then they repeated in 98

But he was essentially 'replaced' by a full season of Larry Murphy, so there's that. Probably Anders Eriksson's best season too, and he was parlayed into Chris Chelios in 1999.

 

[YP44]

And then they repeated in 98

But he was essentially 'replaced' by a full season of Larry Murphy, so there's that. Probably Anders Eriksson's best season too, and he was parlayed into Chris Chelios in 1999.

ya hard to compare due to pre-cap nature of being able to replace players. No cap Sekera would have re-signed.