News Article: Kings prospect Kevin Gravel talks potential contract, pro debut
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damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
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Its just like all things when contract time comes.
Both sides play hardball, Lombardi wants to pay what he wants.
Gravel wants to be paid what he wants, Both sides have a right too what they want.
If they don't see eye to eye, Gravel will walk and find his contract elsewhere.
Lombardi will move on.
I think not signing Gravel would be a huge failure, but That is just an opinion.
Both sides play hardball, Lombardi wants to pay what he wants.
Gravel wants to be paid what he wants, Both sides have a right too what they want.
If they don't see eye to eye, Gravel will walk and find his contract elsewhere.
Lombardi will move on.
I think not signing Gravel would be a huge failure, but That is just an opinion.
I think it's more likely DL wants to see him play against pros before caving on the asking price...the reality is DL has very little leverage.
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
- 21,668
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This isn't about money, and that's the last I'll say on this thread. Interviews with Dowd and Mersch coming soon. We can debate about them soon.
Regardless, Both sides will either work it out, or Gravel will walk and find his contract elsewhere.
If Kevin is not a King I wish him the best, he is a damn fine hockey player. I look forward too seeing him in the NHL.
kingsboy11
Champions Again
Dean is doing this so he doesn't have to waste a year on his ELC. I'm sure if he wanted to he could get a contract right now.
- Mar 9, 2002
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I am hoping this is the case. DL lives Dman,and Gravel looks good with size, skill, and smarts. Not every prospect pans out but he should have a better chance then most.
Keep the cupboard full Dean!
PJ Kings Hockey
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2013
- 4,861
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Got it. Very true.
Wow, this article got a lot more feedback than most articles posted here! Excellent questions by the way. Gravel is a very good interview as well. Glad he's finally part of the Monarchs.
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Frolov 6'3
Unregistered User
etherialone
dialed in your mom
Gravel IS a perfect fit for the Kings. His character has never once been questioned. Not by anyone at ScS and not by anyone in the Kings org to date. If there is a problem signing him then it falls flatly on our shoulders. Period.
PJ Kings Hockey
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2013
- 4,861
- 73
Herby
How could Blake have known?
Then why did he sign Mersch and Dowd?
Plenty of other teams sign their NCAA prospects. Kerdiles signed with the Ducks and Di Guiseppe with the Canes are two examples.
Again, this seems to me like it's all about money and unfortunately the Kings have very little leverage in these negotiations.
Thrice
To Be Everywhere...
- Sep 27, 2007
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kingsboy11
Champions Again
He probably values Gravel more than he does the other two.
Who knows. maybe there is more going on than what we know right now. It could be something really complicated or something really simple.
You're not going to speculate -- except you just did. Sure, kid.
I don't buy into the idea there is something wrong with Gravel. If there were a knock on him (and as far as I have seen there isn't) it probably would have come up long before this. Instead we have everyone at St. Cloud singing his praises.
Like most people in this thread I'm staying calm and am sure they'll figure the contract out soon. Don't read so much into it.
etherialone
dialed in your mom
Here is a "hypothetical"
?"hey buddy, how is it going? "k" Oh good good, getting settled and meeting the guys. Lots of a great people here" ? You mean in MCH? "k" yeah yeah busy meeting everyone and learning, so much to learn so quick so I am swamped all the time" ? You guys should have been the one. It was all there but what can you do?
"k" We thought we had it but it was so great to be a part of it that I will remember it forever" ? Still, Natl Champs I mean that would be so great. So what's going on now, how was your 1st game? "k" Fun! Yea, it was fun and so fast but so many great players too. Coaches are so detailed. I like it and can't wait to get a full season."
? Any word on a deal? "k" All I can say is that they are all working on it and it should come together pretty quick." ? Anything you can tell me about what might be holding things up? "k" No, it is just taking time to make sure everything is done right, other than that you know as much as I do".
All right best of luck and go get em.
"k" Thanks for everything and yep I can't wait to play".
Hypothetical conversation from today.
?"hey buddy, how is it going? "k" Oh good good, getting settled and meeting the guys. Lots of a great people here" ? You mean in MCH? "k" yeah yeah busy meeting everyone and learning, so much to learn so quick so I am swamped all the time" ? You guys should have been the one. It was all there but what can you do?
"k" We thought we had it but it was so great to be a part of it that I will remember it forever" ? Still, Natl Champs I mean that would be so great. So what's going on now, how was your 1st game? "k" Fun! Yea, it was fun and so fast but so many great players too. Coaches are so detailed. I like it and can't wait to get a full season."
? Any word on a deal? "k" All I can say is that they are all working on it and it should come together pretty quick." ? Anything you can tell me about what might be holding things up? "k" No, it is just taking time to make sure everything is done right, other than that you know as much as I do".
All right best of luck and go get em.
"k" Thanks for everything and yep I can't wait to play".
Hypothetical conversation from today.
Whiskeypete
Registered User
i've got to agree with the majority here and say if they don't sign him, it will be a very big mistake.
i wonder if trading for McNabb has possibly created a shift in how they viewing KG? could the improvement and steadying play of Muzzin have caused a change in opinion?
like others believe i think we could see the trio of KG, McNabb and Forbort for 5+years to come in the not do distant future fulfilling the SAH roles alongside DD, VV and ?
i wonder if trading for McNabb has possibly created a shift in how they viewing KG? could the improvement and steadying play of Muzzin have caused a change in opinion?
like others believe i think we could see the trio of KG, McNabb and Forbort for 5+years to come in the not do distant future fulfilling the SAH roles alongside DD, VV and ?
I'm not hitting the panic button on the contract until it gets much closer to the signing deadline, but I think that the only thing that the McNabb acquisition did was buy the Kings the time to develop KG properly. A full season in Manchester is not going to hurt him. He needs to play a full 80+ game season before stepping into the LA lineup, if only to prove that he can do it. This is the way Lombardi has done things for a long time. Players have to bide their time, earn their chances, and then take hold once the opportunity arises. McNabb is further along and is ready to slot in. When the next slot opens up, Forbort and Gravel get to play for it. It's as simple as that, but I don't think it lessens the Kings' evaluation of KG. If anything, they want him on the roster because of how much the Kings value defensemen. The deal, I'm sure, will get done, but I'm also sure that you don't stop loving your prospects just because other players in the organization do well. Better to have an abundance of riches than to sour on one because you have 2 other good players.
Whiskeypete
Registered User
I hear you and agree. I was just presenting an alternative reason as to why he signed an ATO and not the ELC at this point. Personally I think it Dean not wanting to burn a year of ELC, we know how well Dean strategizes and works his contracts.
I feel KG would benefit from a year in MAN minimum to learn the LA system and grow physically. The kid needs to add some beef to his frame imo.
What is puzzling with this scenario, if it isn't Dean managing his cap and contracts relates to your point concerning the "abundance of riches". The past few seasons have shown just how lean the supply is of quality SAH Dmen throughout the league. For LA to possibly not sign Gravel would be a mistake because of this. The trio of KG-Forbort-McNabb alone gives LA a steady stream of what appears on paper currently to give the team a tremendous trio of SAH D.
Yes McNabb is further along, he will likely be on the LA roster full-time beginning next season as the #7 D. My original question though still stands. Did McNabb's acquisition possibly change/alter LA's plan with Gravel? It may be a change as subtle as he will get his ELC and the clock begins ticking on or around August 15, instead of the present. Perhaps McNabb's status and Forbort's time table to LA, have now eased Dean's urgency for SAH Dmen. Perhaps Muzzin's play now has Dean looking at McNabb-Forbort-Muzzin as his SAH within the next year or two, which means Gravel likely wouldn't be needed for at least 3 seasons from now.
CNS is dialed in with MAN and his comments stating that KG needs to earn the contract at this point, somewhat refute my point. Dean may possibly be tight against his limit of 50 contracts and he needs to evaluate any and all prospects, he has 11 RFA/UFAs alone this summer he needs to eval.
There is a lot of "what ifs" involving the scenario from many posters, but I strongly feel Dean will do what everyone here wants and sign Gravel.
etherialone
dialed in your mom
Throwing it out there but KG believes entirely that he is going to sign a deal pretty soon and that he is a big part of the Kings future plans. "not worried at all about it, just trying to get everything right before the signatures are done".
KG sure thinks he is part of the Kings plans.
KG sure thinks he is part of the Kings plans.
kingsfan
President of the Todd McLellan fan club by default
At this point in the season you can sign contracts that don't actually begin until next season. That's what happened with Mersch and Dowd, their NHL contracts don't actually take effect until 2014-2015 season.
They aren't. ELC's can carry a lot of bonuses which is likely what the hold up is (if there actually is a hold up).
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
I agree with Whiskeypete that the acquisition of McNabb changed something in DL's pathway. Maybe very little effect on the Gravel situation, for all we know it's maybe as simple as saving the ELC for next season, but we have an abundance (compared to other teams) of prospect defenseman in like manner with Gravel/Forbort/McNabb/Campbell. Maybe Campbell is the xfactor here, who knows. And don't forget Bodnarchuk. Point is, I don't see Manchester rolling with a 6-d unit that could all be NHL defensemen. someone contract-wise is likely the odd man out unless I'm misunderstanding how this all works which is also possible because it's early 
Edit: After reading Gann's article I get the feeling Campbell will actually be heading somewhere else where he's not so buried and can play.
Edit: After reading Gann's article I get the feeling Campbell will actually be heading somewhere else where he's not so buried and can play.
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Whiskeypete
Registered User
regardless of the debate and "what ifs" Gravel has the right attitude currently imo. based on what TG is saying and also some quotes in Andy T's article:
On coming to Manchester on an amateur tryout and not having an NHL contract:
“Pretty much, coming here, they wanted one last look at me. I took the ATO. They said [to] come in here and show that you can make the transition to being a pro, and we’ll go from there. I don’t really know. [I'm] just coming here to work hard, and keep my mouth shut, and try to play well on the ice. Hopefully things work out well for me.â€
