Blake unfortunately is in the same spot he was last year,still won’t make that big deal to fill real needs and quality players to make this team competitive to win a cup.Kovi isn’t the player to that puts this team in a run for a cup,still need a top 4 defenseman and or another top 6 fwd.Hope I’m wrong and Blake makes a trade that puts this team in a position to win it all.
If Kovalchuk, Toffoli, Pearson and Carter perform as hoped - and not necessarily beyond that (as in Kopitar and Brown exceeding expectations last year) the Kings offense should be
good to contend. Don't even factor in Vilardi contributing much, or Kempe or Iafallo increasing their production - which they may well do.
Since Blake did not deal the #1, JAD, Vilardi, Clague, etc, for a Patches or Skinner, he still has a now deeper asset-base, to deal at the trade deadline, if need be. The only
factor will be the cap...meaning if there is a deal for a top notch forward, some salary (Muzzin / Martinez?) and a JAD could land that player. By February, the Kings will
know what they 'actually have' and 'actually need' (a 20 goal Kovy or a 10 goal Kovy by Feb?? Another down year for TT, Pearson, or if Carter is producing less, or any injuries?)
Instead of having teams calling for Vilardi, Vilardi, Vilardi...they may be calling for: Vilardi, JAD, Clague, Kupari, Thomas, Petersen, Strand, Brickley...not that they
will pry any of them, but there is suddenly just more than Vilardi and the #1 GMs will covet.
What IF Carter is back to 30 goals, Kovy is on pace for 30 goals, TT is back to 30 goals, Pearson 20, Kempe 20...and Brown stil can score 25 and Kopi 30?
What if Vilardi comes out beasting and on pace for 20 goals? Or even 15?
It may be foolish to deal assets now for another top 6. The Kings have a great top 6 now. Point - the Kings do not know if their forwards are going
to perform to expectations, until probably November. That's fine. Make adjustments then or by deadline.
