Confirmed with Link: Kings trade Nate Thompson and ARI 5th round pick to MTL for CGY 4th round pick in 2019

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He'll be 35, I concur it's not going to be easy for him to land a job. I think we have to look at it this way. Kubalik wasn't coming over, and Thompson wasn't coming back. Neither may play in the league next year. We got a 4th in return. I'll take it.

My worry with Kubalik trade is that it was the Hawks who got him, they have been amazing at evaluating skilled players for quite some time. Kind of like the Kings are with goalies.
 
My worry with Kubalik trade is that it was the Hawks who got him, they have been amazing at evaluating skilled players for quite some time. Kind of like the Kings are with goalies.

I like Kubalik, and I think the Kings do too. But he wasn't going to come over, at least for us, that was made clear. What ya gonna do? He does have an NHL release.
 
Good luck to Nate Thompson, I hope he has a nice run with a Montreal squad which looks like it’s headed to the playoffs as a surprise team. You got to wonder if Marc Bergevin saw Thompson score last game against Boston, who the Habs are chasing, and decided to do the deal.

Solid asset management by GMRB, he improved draft depth and preserved ice time for players more important to the rebuild.

My only concern is with Thompson gone, I no longer have a pick for this seasons Brian Willsie award. Which is given to the journeyman player who scores a goal in a meaningless game to get a win and knock the Kings out of the top draft spot. With the teams improving play, there may not be a Willsie given out this season.
 
My only concern is with Thompson gone, I no longer have a pick for this seasons Brian Willsie award. Which is given to the journeyman player who scores a goal in a meaningless game to get a win and knock the Kings out of the top draft spot. With the teams improving play, there may not be a Willsie given out this season.

It'll probably be Wagner or something, who will in all likelihood be a future journeyman in the NHL.
 
My only concern is with Thompson gone, I no longer have a pick for this seasons Brian Willsie award. Which is given to the journeyman player who scores a goal in a meaningless game to get a win and knock the Kings out of the top draft spot. With the teams improving play, there may not be a Willsie given out this season.

Hey, Willsie did us a solid. Two Cups. It all worked out in the end.

Stamkos would be a 20-goal scorer on this team anyway.
 
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Kings needed to:
- make room for a young player
- unload a vet when Lewis comes back

As a bonus, a 4th rounder is better than a 5th round pick+. Quality > Quantity.
 
I know Thompson is an older guy and probably doesnt give a shit ( he's got a trade somewhere to play meaningful games), but I wonder if other players would give him assholes about being worth stuff all. If it was a younger kid it could really burst their bubble. You could just imagine Doughty or another yapper winding him up on the ice.
 
Kings needed to:
- make room for a young player
- unload a vet when Lewis comes back

As a bonus, a 4th rounder is better than a 5th round pick+. Quality > Quantity.

I can maybe see the timing being forced so it is what it is, but I disagree with the last part. 10 slots in the late middle of the draft is worth less than two picks at that point.

I know we're ultimately splitting hairs on philosophy here but when they're all lottery picks more is better as you can pack them to move up if needed rather than move up before you need to because you're 'forced.' it's less chips to play.
 
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My worry with Kubalik trade is that it was the Hawks who got him, they have been amazing at evaluating skilled players for quite some time. Kind of like the Kings are with goalies.

I agree in general but even they miss.

Quick example, David Rundblad.
 
No one will know if it is was worth moving up in the draft until the team sees who's available when they go to the table. Even then, WE won't know unless the Kings publicize it.
 
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I can maybe see the timing being forced so it is what it is, but I disagree with the last part. 10 slots in the late middle of the draft is worth less than two picks at that point.

I know we're ultimately splitting hairs on philosophy here but when they're all lottery picks more is better as you can pack them to move up if needed rather than move up before you need to because you're 'forced.' it's less chips to play.

I guess it's just an issue of agreeing to disagree.

A 5th round pick was used to move up 6 spots last year.

I would rather have two 4ths than a 4th, a 5th, and a 5th/6th/7th. The quality of players available is considerably better.
 
Nate Thompson is a 35 years old UFA with a NTC who has scored 6 points and has a -4.68 CF% Rel, which is only better than Daniel Brickley and JAD for players that have had any ice time this season. Thompson was a great vet, but he was not a prized commodity and getting any value from him is a win. Also, this could be a favor done by Blakey, putting Nate in a position where he could potentially play meaningful minutes in the playoffs. Lastly, The Kings needed to make room for young players to get ice time, but didn't want to embarrass the veterans and this helped in that regard.
 

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