Confirmed with Link: Kings Sign Kopitar (2 Years/ $7m AAV)

[tigermask48]

It was very clearly a coup d’etat.

Yeah, if I remember right there was even reports of both Luc and Blake going to Anschutz and telling him they would fire Sutter and presented him with a plan of what they would do if promoted. Very much a coup and those two pouncing first chance they got.

 

[King'sPawn]

There would be no trade either way. If the Kings are out of the playoffs at the TDL they will likely be looking to add in a desperation move to save their jobs (see 2006 with DT)

Yeah, the idea that the Kings would pivot and try to rebuild after trading so many futures for Fiala, Gavrikov, and Dubois is pretty hilarious.

If the Kings are out of the playoffs near the deadline, they'll be making desperation moves. Even if they wanted to sell, sell what? Arvidsson? Roy?

 

[Sol]

Yeah, the idea that the Kings would pivot and try to rebuild after trading so many futures for Fiala, Gavrikov, and Dubois is pretty hilarious.

If the Kings are out of the playoffs near the deadline, they'll be making desperation moves. Even if they wanted to sell, sell what? Arvidsson? Roy?

I think they’d trade Byfield tbh.

Byfield + Moore capdump + for X to save themselves from the shit they created

 

[King'sPawn]

I think they’d trade Byfield tbh.

Byfield + Moore capdump + for X to save themselves from the shit they created

It's possible, but it depends on how each player's doing. If Byfield erupts and scores 50+ points, they may try to trade Spence, Turcotte, Bjornfot, Fagemo, etc instead.

But if Byfield underperforms, I wouldn't put it past them to trade away a player not developing fast enough despite their slow-boil approach.

 

[Nasti]

Byfield and Spence for Parrish and Sopel.

 

[Sol]

It's possible, but it depends on how each player's doing. If Byfield erupts and scores 50+ points, they may try to trade Spence, Turcotte, Bjornfot, Fagemo, etc instead.

But if Byfield underperforms, I wouldn't put it past them to trade away a player not developing fast enough despite their slow-boil approach.

I think if the Kings were willing to trade Vilardi who was clearly the best player from the rebuild at the time, then I think Byfield really needs to crack 20 goals + 20-25 assists.

I think if he doesn’t show some serious progress the Kings will definitely move him for someone who’s ready. They made it clear they aren’t looking for super long boils.

 

[tigermask48]

It's possible, but it depends on how each player's doing. If Byfield erupts and scores 50+ points, they may try to trade Spence, Turcotte, Bjornfot, Fagemo, etc instead.

But if Byfield underperforms, I wouldn't put it past them to trade away a player not developing fast enough despite their slow-boil approach.

Someone else on the NHL roster would still have to go to get the cap room to fit in anything.

Even by the deadline with some "creative" cap manipulation, the Kings won't have the space to fit a big acquisition in without one of Moore, Arvidson, Lizotte, Grundy, Kaliev, or Roy moving out.

That's the sad reality of this season, ANY NHL acquisition has to be met with a subtraction of some piece (or multiple pieces) of the current NHL roster. To make the team stronger the Kings 100% have to make the team weaker in another area.

 

[AbsentMojo]

The Kopitar extension was done for the exact same reasoning behind not fully embracing the rebuild.

Respect.

This is a fraternity looking out for itself, former players placing more importance on players than the organization. Its why Blake always took flyers on veterans like Phanuef and Kovalchuk. It's why prospects aren't valued as high as the wishes of veterans. Paying dues is more valued than raw ability.

This organization is a total mess and cannot win anything with priorities like these. It doesn't matter if Kopitar gets 70 or 90, if Johnny Utah gets his thugs, or who is in net. Its all window dressing for the real problem - infrastructure bent to fit in frat brothers.

Id put Walker's contract in that category (Bowling Green alum).. but the truth is, its not out of the ordinary to do this to some degree.. the business world works this way just as much (guys bring in people they know to build out their org). But, I'd say that the Kings do it more than most... it seems all the scrubs from the 90s LAK are assistants in Blake's org... Sturm from his association with SJ.

Blake's biggest problem is not embracing tradeoffs. E.g. if Blake was captain of the titanic, even knowing that only half the passengers could fit on the lifeboats, he would still try to cram everyone on there - sinking all the boats. This is because he does not want to make the hard decisions and would rather try the impossible than look reality in the face.

 

[YP44]

It's possible, but it depends on how each player's doing. If Byfield erupts and scores 50+ points, they may try to trade Spence, Turcotte, Bjornfot, Fagemo, etc instead.

But if Byfield underperforms, I wouldn't put it past them to trade away a player not developing fast enough despite their slow-boil approach.

not sure Bjornfot or Fagemo have much value

 

[KINGS17]

The Kopitar extension was done for the exact same reasoning behind not fully embracing the rebuild.

Respect.

This is a fraternity looking out for itself, former players placing more importance on players than the organization. Its why Blake always took flyers on veterans like Phanuef and Kovalchuk. It's whyThe prospects aren't valued as high as the wishes of veterans. Paying dues is more valued than raw ability.

This organization is a total mess and cannot win anything with priorities like these. It doesn't matter if Kopitar gets 70 or 90, if Johnny Utah gets his thugs, or who is in net. Its all window dressing for the real problem - infrastructure bent to fit in frat brothers.

The only way I am even 10% ok with this is if BLuc goes out to surf the monster wave and they don't come back.

 

[BigKing]

The Kopitar extension was done for the exact same reasoning behind not fully embracing the rebuild.

Respect.

This is a fraternity looking out for itself, former players placing more importance on players than the organization. Its why Blake always took flyers on veterans like Phanuef and Kovalchuk. It's why prospects aren't valued as high as the wishes of veterans. Paying dues is more valued than raw ability.

This organization is a total mess and cannot win anything with priorities like these. It doesn't matter if Kopitar gets 70 or 90, if Johnny Utah gets his thugs, or who is in net. Its all window dressing for the real problem - infrastructure bent to fit in frat brothers.

As a STH'er, can we at least get Johnny's thugs? Being soft and hopeless is a lot more difficult to be attached to than hard and hopeless: just ask my wife.

 

[deaderhead28]

 

[Sol]

As much as I like Kopitar it’s pretty depressing that this is where we’re at a franchise after a rebuild. Still extending players like Kopitars rather than giving the rookies a fair chance. Depressing.

 

[bland]

Placing personal comfort over team success is not an attribute you want in a captain.

 

[YP44]

As much as I like Kopitar it’s pretty depressing that this is where we’re at a franchise after a rebuild. Still extending players like Kopitars rather than giving the rookies a fair chance. Depressing.

only depressing thing is the team never did a full rebuild, and that is only depressing if you think the team should have done a scorched earth rebuild. They never did, and are trying to be competitive now, this helps that goal. Completely get the view if you do not agree that should be the goal.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I'm still confused as to why Blake thought trading for a young center was the most pressing need. I mean it made some sense if Kopitar had signaled retirement after his current contract. I don't think this contract sucks just like I don't think the trade/contract for Dubois sucked. It just doesn't make sense. This team definitely needed to add a physical element and goaltending. The defensive issue were addressed with Gavrikov. Trading the assets to get Dubois would've been far better used to get a goalie. The open roster spots the trade created allowed for younger players to come in and then hopefully some physicality on the 3rd pairing and bottom six through FA or trade.

If the Kings goaltending is shaky next year this is going to be an absolute train wreck. I guess the first half of last season was. Or maybe the whole season was.

Let me add that I wanted Koptiar to be a King for life and that another team would've given him this contract. So on that front I guess I'm fine with this in a vacuum. It's the bigger picture that's the problem here.

 

[Sol]

only depressing thing is the team never did a full rebuild, and that is only depressing if you think the team should have done a scorched earth rebuild. They never did, and are trying to be competitive now, this helps that goal. Completely get the view if you do not agree that should be the goal.

I don’t think you can truly have a viable chance to win whenever you abandon a rebuild and try to salvage it through trades.

The Kings are sacrificing long term success for short term pseudo-competitiveness.

The only way to rebuild is to sell it all, not build upon the previous foundation that is hovering around the edge of their competitive viability.

Kopitar and Doughty are gonna be done any moment. Is it truly worth it to f*** everything up for them and rely on them. Because once they’re done you’re going back to a rebuild immediately while accomplishing nothing.

 

[tigermask48]

The bigger picture has always been the problem since Blake took over. There has never been a moment in his tenure here where I've had a clear idea of what he's trying to build.
There isn't a set core unless you start grabbing players of random ages. Blake has a defense first coach in place, but keeps bringing in high skill players that then get benched when they struggle, so there isn't really a team identity at all.

It's just a bizarre mess of parts cobbled together with money and duct tape.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

The bigger picture has always been the problem since Blake took over. There has never been a moment in his tenure here where I've had a clear idea of what he's trying to build.
There isn't a set core unless you start grabbing players of random ages. Blake has a defense first coach in place, but keeps bringing in high skill players that then get benched when they struggle, so there isn't really a team identity at all.

It's just a bizarre mess of parts cobbled together with money and duct tape.

I just posted an identical thought in the offseason thread. The only thing I will say is that separates this team from the later years of DT is I think the Kings have much more value in assets to sell should the blow the entire thing up in the next year or two.

 

[tigermask48]

I don’t think you can truly have a viable chance to win whenever you abandon a rebuild and try to salvage it through trades.

The Kings are sacrificing long term success for short term pseudo-competitiveness.

The only way to rebuild is to sell it all, not build upon the previous foundation that is hovering around the edge of their competitive viability.

Kopitar and Doughty are gonna be done any moment. Is it truly worth it to f*** everything up for them and rely on them. Because once they’re done you’re going back to a rebuild immediately while accomplishing nothing.

I keep trying to give Blake the benefit of the doubt and it's getting harder all the time...

He signed Danault, trades for Fiala, Kempe emerges, OK here's the start of a core you could build around... Nope rely on Quick, Kopitar, Doughty to no success.

He Trades for Korpisalo and Gavrikov. Ok they match the age of those above for the most part but are solid pickups... Nope gotta trade more assets for Dubois... Ok, so that means they'll transition to PLD, Danault next year... Nope Kopitar for two more years blocking yet more prospects from developing.

 

[Sol]

The bigger picture has always been the problem since Blake took over. There has never been a moment in his tenure here where I've had a clear idea of what he's trying to build.
There isn't a set core unless you start grabbing players of random ages. Blake has a defense first coach in place, but keeps bringing in high skill players that then get benched when they struggle, so there isn't really a team identity at all.

It's just a bizarre mess of parts cobbled together with money and duct tape.

That’s the thing. In a perfect world you’d want Kopitar to end where he started, but at the same time it’s not a perfect world and I would have not brought back Kopitar. Disney endings is a nicety not a necessity. If we could have traded Kopitar for a 1st or something. Or not even bring him back I’m cool with that. I’m more concerned about Byfield not playing 1C then I am about Kopitar getting paid again to block the spot.

Signing him to another two years was the wrong move as a whole. He’s a good player but he’s not what the Kings need. Kopitar should be moved to a cup contender for a good haul, not some guy who’s gonna center top line for a bubble team. It makes no sense.


I legit thought the only other reason they brought PLD was to take over Kopitars spot because he was gonna finish after his contract was done. This makes everything else much more confusing.

The PLD move looks even more like they gave up on Byfield being 1C.

Such a weird franchise.

 

[BaileyFan]

So it has to be the players way or nothing at all? There's these things called Negotiation and Comprimise that both sides could have tried a little of

This extension at this price reeks of Blake just giving Kopitar everything he asked for... Same exact salary (it's actually even worse, Anze gets 6.225 million of the first year as a signing bonus...) full no movement clause, and it's a two year deal at 35+ so the Kings are stuck with 7 million cap hit for two years whether he plays or not. The only thing the Kings get is a lower cap hit.

It feels like Blake didn't even try to negotiate at all and just gave into every concession.

That's quickly becoming a feature of Blake contracts. Moore, Gavrikov, Dubois, and now Kopi left nothing on the table when it comes to both AAV and term. Just watch, Roy and Arvidsson are next.

 

[johnjm22]

I'm still confused as to why Blake thought trading for a young center was the most pressing need. I mean it made some sense if Kopitar had signaled retirement after his current contract. I don't think this contract sucks just like I don't think the trade/contract for Dubois sucked. It just doesn't make sense. This team definitely needed to add a physical element and goaltending. The defensive issue were addressed with Gavrikov. Trading the assets to get Dubois would've been far better used to get a goalie. The open roster spots the trade created allowed for younger players to come in and then hopefully some physicality on the 3rd pairing and bottom six through FA or trade.

If the Kings goaltending is shaky next year this is going to be an absolute train wreck. I guess the first half of last season was. Or maybe the whole season was.

Let me add that I wanted Koptiar to be a King for life and that another team would've given him this contract. So on that front I guess I'm fine with this in a vacuum. It's the bigger picture that's the problem here.

Respectfully, I don't understand this point of view.

I think it's been very clear the Kings primary need has been another center.

It's just a question of whether to try and fill that need internally or get outside help. Blake chose the later.

I agree we need a goalie and some physicality, but center is the primary need for the team.

 

[KINGS17]

Some day the Ducks and Sharks will stop tanking and the Kings will be near the bottom of the division. That day is coming sooner than the BLuc lovers and Kopitarians think.

 

[JJDrums]

Ridiculous. Look at what Bergeron took from the bruins so they could compete. 7 M for Kopitar is a complete waste of resources once again. Kopitar wanted the cash over winning. Can’t wait til Blake it turfed