GDT: Kings off-season thread

[cyclones22]

You don't build around Kopitar anymore. Trading for help for him is going to long term hurt the franchise. You bring in a Fiala or the sort to take the pressure off your top youth. To be their training wheels. Byfield is still freaking 19 years old. There's a ton more upside in helping him get better than helping Kopitar not completely fall off. Kopitar is 15 years older than QB.

For those who then come back with, well, QB or any other top forward prospect hasn't proven anything or maybe he's not good enough, then fire Yannetti and/or the development staff or the damn coaching staff because they're failing at their jobs. Draft picks are investments, like stock. I don't imagine any of you would keep a stockbroker if he kept making bad investments with your money. This whole thought process that we should make our prospects work in the mailroom before doing the jobs they're projected for is stupidity.

 

[KINGS17]

Fiala is only 26, same age as Kempe and is a ppg player with the ability to help drive a line. He will be productive through the length of his contract or at least the majority of it meaning he will play with Byfield and Kaliyev and whatever new comers we acquire or draft.

At this point Byfield can’t even carry Kopitars jock. We may be down on Kopitar but it’s about time we being in players to carry him instead of rely on him to do the heavy lifting. Fiala fits this need. Now if Byfield can take not just the next step but many steps then yes, I would love for him to take that top spot and play with Fiala and Kempe.

I love, love, love Kaliyev but he needs to improve his skating and keep maturing to get top line minutes. He has show chemistry with Byfield and the third line helps shield both players. I am hoping next year to see both players in the third line getting 12 to 14 5 on 5 mins a night and I want to see both unleashed On PP1. (Yes I take Kopitar off the top unit).

As for Vilardi I still think he is a player, but he is similar to Kaliyev in he is a bigger bodied, slower winger with offensive potential. Like I said if I didn’t include them above they are used in trades. Don’t need two similar wingers on the team when there are teams out there like Minny and The Coyotes begging for center depth and could still see him as a center. I use him in a trade because we got to give to get.

This organization needs to move Kopitar into a smaller role, not give him a crutch. Give Byfield the guy that will help his offensive output.

 

[tomd]

Why, because the Kings are going to contend with Kopitar on the roster?

For better or worse it is. Could have been different if the Kings had drafted better from 2017-2020 but the results are what they are. There is no way the team is going to go back into rebuild mode.

 

[kenito7]

If you read the post, I identified two to consider, if they bring in Fiala.


Why, because the Kings are going to contend with Kopitar on the roster?

I find it laughable that anybody wants to give a bigger role to Byfield than Kopitar. Yes Kopitar
is sliding quickly down the wrong side of the hill but he is light years ahead of Byfield who has shown nothing.

 

[KINGS17]

When you said "move" Moore and Arvidsson I thought you meant to different lines...I couldn't believe you meant to actually trade them.

I said Moore or Arvidsson.

...and yes if you bring in a good winger via UFA that is younger than them, you move one of the wingers that is older, not one of the kids.

 

[Piston]

What is the point of bringing in Fiala to play with Kopitar? That is a colossal waste of time. Fiala should be playing with Byfield and Kempe, if the Kings bring him in here.

Also, if that happens they should be moving Arvidsson or Moore to make room for a younger player. Kaliyev should be playing in the top six.

It is time to make room on the top six for the forwards who will actually be in the NHL in three years from now. I also don't see Vilardi anywhere on the roster. Are you just giving up on him?

The guy to move in the Top 6 is Iafallo. His trade value is never going to be higher, and he has an affordable contract for someone looking for two way play and secondary scoring. He should be playing lower down in the lineup whether he is here or somewhere else.

 

[johnjm22]

The Kings can contend with Kopitar on the roster if he's the 2nd or 3rd line center.

 

[johnjm22]

Tomd basically wants us to be like the Sharks.

Deplete the franchise of assets to try and prop up an aging core that's no longer capable of contending. Set the franchise up for a decade suffering.

 

[tomd]

Tomd basically wants us to be like the Sharks.

Deplete the franchise of assets to try and prop up an aging core that's no longer capable of contending. Set the franchise up for a decade suffering.

I'm just looking at the reality of the situation. Kopitar is going nowhere. Doughty is going nowhere. Denault is going nowhere. The kids are nowhere close to making big contributions. The Kings WILL be the Sharks until Doughty and Kopitar are gone. That is just reality. Complain about it. Moan about it. Be in denial about it. But that is what management and ownership is committed to. I'm simply looking for ways to make the best of the situation.

 

[johnjm22]

I'm just looking at the reality of the situation. Kopitar is going nowhere. Doughty is going nowhere. Denault is going nowhere. The kids are nowhere close to making big contributions. The Kings WILL be the Sharks until Doughty and Kopitar are gone. That is just reality. Complain about it. Moan about it. Be in denial about it. But that is what management and ownership is committed to. I'm simply looking for ways to make the best of the situation.

What you're advocating for will prolong the suffering after those guys are gone.

Thornton, Marleau and Pavelski are gone, and the Sharks are paying now for the mistake of trying to prop up the roster when they were there and clearly incapable of contending. They'll continue to pay for it for years to come.

 

[tomd]

What you're advocating for will pro long the suffering longer after those guys are gone.

Thornton, Marleau and Pavelski are gone, and Sharks are paying now for the mistake of trying to prop up the roster when they were there and clearly uncapable of contending. They'll continue to pay for it for years to come.

If management/ownership isn't committed to exactly what I said then tell me what direction they are committed to. I don't think you can though because what I outlined is EXACTLY what they are committed to. They are NOT going to restart the rebuild until the big contracts expire. You know it and I know it. In the meantime they are going to try maximize the performance on the ice.

Tell me I'm wrong.

 

[Cook24]

Kopitar ain’t it anymore, and after seeing where Byfield is at this season, I’m not so sure he’ll be able to make the next step next season…not really sure what Blake’s plan will be. I’m skeptical for next season…

 

[HookKing]

The mantra was not just get in. Everyone was expecting 2013 to be the first year for contending, then lightning struck with the Carter deal, Voynov's arrival, and discovering Quick has ice water in his veins.

After that, "just getting in" was no longer acceptable.

In 2012 the Kings won as a team that missed finishing 1st in the Pacific by 2 points. Your disdain for Lombardi is obvious, and difficult to understand, but keep going with the "he just got lucky" narrative.

And they don't even make the playoffs at all without getting Carter -- he got lucky.

 

[bland]

I'm just looking at the reality of the situation. Kopitar is going nowhere. Doughty is going nowhere. Denault is going nowhere. The kids are nowhere close to making big contributions. The Kings WILL be the Sharks until Doughty and Kopitar are gone. That is just reality. Complain about it. Moan about it. Be in denial about it. But that is what management and ownership is committed to. I'm simply looking for ways to make the best of the situation.

You basically just underlined the entire point, this management group doesn't know what it is doing.

But instead of advocating for change, you want them to do more of the same? But on a bigger scale?

Yeah, that'll fix it.

 

[tomd]

You basically just underlined the entire point, this management group doesn't know what it is doing.

But instead of advocating for change, you want them to do more of the same? But on a bigger scale?

Yeah, that'll fix it.

I've been saying that since 2018 but the same people keep defending Blake and Luc and the "plan". The rebuild was ill-conceived and was never going to work while keeping the most expensive contracts on the team. The lack of success drafting has put the final nail in the coffin. There is only one realistic way forward now. I'm not saying it is the right way forward but what you and others are advocating (i.e. trade 11 and 8 and continue rebuild) is NEVER going to happen. Once you get out of denial about that you can start thinking more clearly about what they should do within the confines of the "plan" they are committed to following.

 

[Schmooley]

I find it laughable that anybody wants to give a bigger role to Byfield than Kopitar. Yes Kopitar
is sliding quickly down the wrong side of the hill but he is light years ahead of Byfield who has shown nothing.

Did you watch that series? You barely heard Kopitars name and he was matched up against an injured Draisaitl. When he got caught out there matched against McDavid he got caved. He didnt take the puck to the net once or have any dangerous offense all series. Hes not light years ahead of anybody.
Id rather watch the young draft picks get their shot in big minutes with the best wingers on the team as linemates and fail then watch Kopitar go through the motions and keep the team stagnant for another couple seasons.

 

[Docgonzo]

If the Kings get a Fiala, Forsberg, Marner, Nylander etc stick them with Byfield and Kaliyev see if there is chemistry for the future. And lower Kopitar’s minutes to 16ish. Course you actually have a coach that has balls to do that and most don’t seem to have it.

 

[kilowatt]

When you said "move" Moore and Arvidsson I thought you meant to different lines...I couldn't believe you meant to actually trade them.

Yeah I could see dropping one of them down to the third line to spread the scoring out a bit more, but off the team? They were two of our top five players this year.

 

[Sol]

If the Kings get a Fiala, Forsberg, Marner, Nylander etc stick them with Byfield and Kaliyev see if there is chemistry for the future. And lower Kopitar’s minutes to 16ish. Course you actually have a coach that has balls to do that and most don’t seem to have it.

What does it say about the prospects that their ignition has to come from outside the organization.

Kings will be heading to another rebuild if the staff and Byfield don’t take a Grand Canyon size step forward. But there’s no reason to believe the forwards will be anything special so rebuild is pretty likely

 

[KingsHockey24]

What does it say about the prospects that their ignition has to come from outside the organization.

Kings will be heading to another rebuild if the staff and Byfield don’t take a Grand Canyon size step forward. But there’s no reason to believe the forwards will be anything special so rebuild is pretty likely

Imagine we can convince Arizona that Vilardi is still going to be a legit player and they give us Crouse. He'd address the lack of size, and depth scoring we need. Plug him anywhere in the top 9.

 

[Sol]

Imagine we can convince Arizona that Vilardi is still going to be a legit player and they give us Crouse. He'd address the lack of size, and depth scoring we need. Plug him anywhere in the top 9.

I would love Crouse. I’d take him and Forsberg.

 

[KingsFan7824]

The guy to move in the Top 6 is Iafallo. His trade value is never going to be higher, and he has an affordable contract for someone looking for two way play and secondary scoring. He should be playing lower down in the lineup whether he is here or somewhere else.

His trade value likely can't get lower than right now. The rest of the league can't be as dumb as TM and Blake/Robitaille, right?

 

[kenito7]

Did you watch that series? You barely heard Kopitars name and he was matched up against an injured Draisaitl. When he got caught out there matched against McDavid he got caved. He didnt take the puck to the net once or have any dangerous offense all series. Hes not light years ahead of anybody.
Id rather watch the young draft picks get their shot in big minutes with the best wingers on the team as linemates and fail then watch Kopitar go through the motions and keep the team stagnant for another couple seasons.

And yet he was still better than Byfield. Not arguing how great Kopitar is just pointing out how poorly
Byfield has played.

 

[Schmooley]

And yet he was still better than Byfield. Not arguing how great Kopitar is just pointing out how poorly
Byfield has played.

Yea Byfield was not ready for playoffs against McDavid thats for sure. I dont think anyone was expecting that from him. Teams with good rookies in a rebuild like Seider and Zegras werent good enough to elevate their teams either. It takes time.
That said there is a correlation between role and production.
As said before look at Caufield. They just showed Evan Rodriguez put up 15 goals in 30 games when Crosby was out in the beginning of the season. When Crosby came back he had 4 goals the rest of a year when put in a smaller role. At some point they have to give a kid a good spot with the teams best wingers and say its yours to lose.

 

[kilowatt]

I can’t help but think what the series against Edmonton would have looked like with Doughty, Arvidsson, and Carter. We sent Carter at 50% retained for two third round picks, knowing full well (and unbeknownst to us) that they’d be bringing in veteran help to make the playoffs. We could have iced this roster:

Kempe - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafallo - Carter - Grundstrom
Lemieux - Lizotte - Kupari

Anderson - Doughty
Bjornfot - Roy
Edler - Durzi