LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Statto]

I know and understand why everyone has Turcotte at 4C but bigger picture is that if he stays healthy the discussion will very quickly be about moving him up in the lineup. Kaliyev should rightly get the first shot under Hiller (assuming his attitude is ok) but if he doesn’t take it, once Lizotte is healthy, Turcotte will put him under pressure. Once Turcotte establishes himself he will stay in the lineup as he will play the system and play at 100%. Coaches love that. His health is the only thing that will hold him back. The question then becomes whether he ends up a middle 6 or bottom 6 guy.

 

[kings11]

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Danault-Moore
Arvidsson-PLD-Kayilev
Grundstrom-Turcotte-Lewis
Extra: JAD

Don't be surprised if this is the roster we see soon due to cap restraints and waivers.

The issue is the third line has two players who are both RW, so one of Kayilev or Arvidsson will need to play LW. Or Hiller can move Grunstrom up to LW and shift Arvidsson over and move Kayilev to 4th line RW.

Turcotte-PLD-Arvidsson
Grundstrom-Lewis-Kaliyev

Looks better to me

 

[LAKings88]

I’m honestly shocked at the dislike for Fiala and Laf.

Team is a defensive boring team most years and as soon as they get skilled guys many of us are all about, jeeze, those guys aren’t defensive enough.

Fiala takes stupid penalties yes. Laf and Fiala make some I’ll advised passes that are do or die, yes.

Both are high skilled stick handlers who engage and actually try to create. Both are fast.

I don’t get the backlash for the two. Laf hasn’t had great shooting percentage but neither have the big guns lately.

Just don’t get the dislike. Laf is Iaffalo with more dangles.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I’m honestly shocked at the dislike for Fiala and Laf.

I’m honestly shocked at the dislike for the entire team and organization via this forum.

 

[tny760]

I’m honestly shocked at the dislike for Fiala and Laf.

Team is a defensive boring team most years and as soon as they get skilled guys many of us are all about, jeeze, those guys aren’t defensive enough.

Fiala takes stupid penalties yes. Laf and Fiala make some I’ll advised passes that are do or die, yes.

Both are high skilled stick handlers who engage and actually try to create. Both are fast.

I don’t get the backlash for the two. Laf hasn’t had great shooting percentage but neither have the big guns lately.

Just don’t get the dislike. Laf is Iaffalo with more dangles.

it's not dislike for me

fiala's penalties are sometimes backbreaking, not just stupid and he hasn't seemed to care even when punished for it. that's a big problem to me, but he gets a pass because he puts points on the board

laf is a fun dude to watch play hockey, yeah he creates, yeah he has energy, but yeah, he shoots 5% or some shit. austin wagner also shot 5%.. maybe he just doesn't have an "NHL shot". maybe he just can't get the puck in the net with PLD's boat anchor on his back either

laf just seems like a likely cap casualty to get RV back in the lineup. where else are you gonna create that space when you have a waivers exempt player? remember he was recalled when RV got his famous pre-LTIR "adjustment" so it's not like laf is exactly being hard-done by a half season jaunt in the AHL. bring him back up next season and let him put what he learned to use in a permanent role

 

[Johnny Utah]

Alex Laferriere is one of my favorite new Kings, but due to Cap contraints and his waiver eligibility, who can you send down?

Blake just said it at the Presser, when Arvy comes back, the Kings can only carry one extra player and that is typically a D (Moverare or Clarke) or JAD.

 

[bmr]

Alex Laferriere is one of my favorite new Kings, but due to Cap contraints and his waiver eligibility, who can you send down?

Blake just said it at the Presser, when Arvy comes back, the Kings can only carry one extra player and that is typically a D (Moverare or Clarke) or JAD.

What about if Lizotte is on LTIR?

 

[Johnny Utah]

What about if Lizotte is on LTIR?

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Danault-Moore
Arvidsson-PLD-Kayilev
Grundstrom-Turcotte-Lewis
Extra: JAD

Where does he fit?

 

[Herby]

Alex Laferriere is one of my favorite new Kings, but due to Cap contraints and his waiver eligibility, who can you send down?

Blake just said it at the Presser, when Arvy comes back, the Kings can only carry one extra player and that is typically a D (Moverare or Clarke) or JAD.

It's really unfortunate for the Kings that we have a GM that's job is on the line, we could actually do something logical like trade 31 year-old Danault to an actual contender to free up space and a center spot.

But instead we will keep Danault, either miss or lose in the 1st round and then the new GM will trade him this summer for less value than he would have at this years deadline because the contending team will get two playoff runs instead of three.

 

[Kudelski37]

It's really unfortunate for the Kings that we have a GM that's job is on the line, we could actually do something logical like trade 31 year-old Danault to an actual contender to free up space and a center spot.

But instead we will keep Danault, either miss or lose in the 1st round and then the new GM will trade him this summer for less value than he would have at this years deadline because the contending team will get two playoff runs instead of three.

Danault has a NMC this season. Placing PLD on waivers to send to Ontario opens a center space too. It opens up around 1.1 million in cap space if he shows up to Ontario.

 

[YP44]

I’m honestly shocked at the dislike for Fiala and Laf.

Team is a defensive boring team most years and as soon as they get skilled guys many of us are all about, jeeze, those guys aren’t defensive enough.

Fiala takes stupid penalties yes. Laf and Fiala make some I’ll advised passes that are do or die, yes.

Both are high skilled stick handlers who engage and actually try to create. Both are fast.

I don’t get the backlash for the two. Laf hasn’t had great shooting percentage but neither have the big guns lately.

Just don’t get the dislike. Laf is Iaffalo with more dangles.

Iafallo is more defensively responsible but really Laf playing games given his draft position is a win. He could develop into Iafallo. I have liked what he has brought to the table, but do wonder if once RV is back and if Turcotte is kept up if he would be better served in the AHL.

FIala was a darling last year. He is so damn skilled it is awesome to watch. His chipping Perry like shit needs to go though. Refs are definately watching him closely and for good reason too.

 

[Herby]

Danault has a NMC this season. Placing PLD on waivers to send to Ontario opens a center space too. It opens up around 1.1 million in cap space if he shows up to Ontario.

I'm pretty sure that Danault would waive to go to a contender. He has to realize what is likely to end up happening in LA this summer. I doubt he wants to go through that at age 31, his window to win a cup is shrinking.

As far as waiving PLD, it's not a video game. You think Blake can go to the executives at AEG and tell them we are going to pay another $8m to a person to not be involved with the Kings. How many millions would that be between PLD, TMac, Phaneuf, Provorov.

 

[LAKings88]

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Danault-Moore
Arvidsson-PLD-Kayilev
Grundstrom-Turcotte-Lewis
Extra: JAD

Where does he fit?

Looking at AK. We will see how Hiller handles it but org doesn't seem to be on good terms with Arty for whatever reason.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Start with Fiala, Byfield, Kopi & fill out from there.

Edit: Laf can go to Ontario & work on his shot.

 

[Kudelski37]

I'm pretty sure that Danault would waive to go to a contender. He has to realize what is likely to end up happening in LA this summer. I doubt he wants to go through that at age 31, his window to win a cup is shrinking.

As far as waiving PLD, it's not a video game. You think Blake can go to the executives at AEG and tell them we are going to pay another $8m to a person to not be involved with the Kings. How many millions would that be between PLD, TMac, Phaneuf, Provorov.

I don't think Blake would make either of those moves. If he gets replaced, then it is possible.

There is the chance that PLD would not report to Ontario and the Kings could terminate his contract. I don't know what that means for cap or real salary. Again, I know Blake won't do this, but if he gets fired that opens up a lot of options.

What do you think is going to happen this summer that Danault will want to leave? I'm asking who leaves and for what if they are traded.

 

[johnjm22]

The Kings do have a lot of tradable assets with value if they decided to rebuild.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I love Danault but I would move him.

Kopitar has two more years after this.

PLD has 7 more years left.

Byfield can play center.

Turcotte, Thomas, and Helenius all can play center. Kings have said Helenius will be the 4C eventually.

Turcotte should be playing 3C and PLD 2C.

 

[Herby]

I don't think Blake would make either of those moves. If he gets replaced, then it is possible.

There is the chance that PLD would not report to Ontario and the Kings could terminate his contract. I don't know what that means for cap or real salary. Again, I know Blake won't do this, but if he gets fired that opens up a lot of options.

What do you think is going to happen this summer that Danault will want to leave? I'm asking who leaves and for what if they are traded.

No way would PLD not report to Ontario, it's not like he's being sent to Manchester, they practice in El Segundo and play a pretty short drive away on weekends. He has $60 million reasons to just report there, plus I think we all agree he isn't some super competitive guy, he probably really wouldn't care to much as long as he's still getting paid. He'd probably just go down there, sulk, be a poor influence on young players and collect his massive paycheck. With his play on the ice and his baggage now as a culture killer in three places, what kind of offers would he be getting in free agency? He'd probably have to sign a 1 year- $3m type show me contract, that's a far cry from $60m or even the check the Kings would have to write him if they bought out his contract.

As far as this summer, I fully expect the new GM to come in and clean house similar to what was done between the summer of 2006 and the 2007 trade deadline. This is going to be a 4-5 year rebuild and that doesn't fit in with players aged 27+. Guys like Kempe (28 this year), Moore (29), Danault (31), Fiala (28), Gavrikov (29) are going to be out of their primes by the time the Kings are ready to contend again and I expect most of them are moved for picks and prospects that will be more viable assets for the coming rebuild.

If the goal is to win Stanley Cups, the most proven way to do it is to draft and develop franchise superstar players and build around them, most of the teams that have done that since the implementation of the salary cap 19 years ago have done that by drafting those types of players near the top of the draft. The Kings need to be picking near the top of the draft in 2025, 2026, 2027 drafts to make up for not picking near the top of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 drafts like they would have had Blake not prematurely ended the rebuild.

If Blake is retained or the mandate from AEG is to be black hole contenders, I fear it's a long time before we ever see a true Stanley Cup contender in LA.

The Kings do have a lot of tradable assets with value if they decided to rebuild.

Yup, as mentioned above, that is one area where Blake will leave the new GM in a good spot. All those names I listed would be nice additions to a true Stanley Cup core, and would bring a nice return to the Kings. Only Fiala from that group is probably overpaid and it's minimally, all the other ones have great value for a contender with those cap hits.

 

[johnjm22]

As far as this summer, I fully expect the new GM to come in and clean house similar to what was done between the summer of 2006 and the 2007 trade deadline. This is going to be a 4-5 year rebuild and that doesn't fit in with players aged 27+. Guys like Kempe (28 this year), Moore (29), Danault (31), Fiala (28), Gavrikov (29) are going to be out of their primes by the time the Kings are ready to contend again and I expect most of them are moved for picks and prospects that will be more viable assets for the coming rebuild.

Yup, as mentioned above, that is one area where Blake will leave the new GM in a good spot. All those names I listed would be nice additions to a true Stanley Cup core, and would bring a nice return to the Kings. Only Fiala from that group is probably overpaid and it's minimally, all the other ones have great value for a contender with those cap hits. n

Problem is, how do you contend with an 8.5M handicap on the roster? Even if you buy him out, you still have a 4M handicap on the books when QB and Clarke are in their prime.

Contenders usually need every last bit of cap space.

We're in a really shitty spot right now. We just have to hope PLD turns it around I guess.

If the Kings clean house this Summer, I think Drew would agree to be traded, but LA would likely have to retain. Kopitar I'm not sure.

 

[bmr]

No way would PLD not report to Ontario, it's not like he's being sent to Manchester, they practice in El Segundo and play a pretty short drive away on weekends. He has $60 million reasons to just report there, plus I think we all agree he isn't some super competitive guy, he probably really wouldn't care to much as long as he's still getting paid. He'd probably just go down there, sulk, be a poor influence on young players and collect his massive paycheck. With his play on the ice and his baggage now as a culture killer in three places, what kind of offers would he be getting in free agency? He'd probably have to sign a 1 year- $3m type show me contract, that's a far cry from $60m or even the check the Kings would have to write him if they bought out his contract.

As far as this summer, I fully expect the new GM to come in and clean house similar to what was done between the summer of 2006 and the 2007 trade deadline. This is going to be a 4-5 year rebuild and that doesn't fit in with players aged 27+. Guys like Kempe (28 this year), Moore (29), Danault (31), Fiala (28), Gavrikov (29) are going to be out of their primes by the time the Kings are ready to contend again and I expect most of them are moved for picks and prospects that will be more viable assets for the coming rebuild.

If the goal is to win Stanley Cups, the most proven way to do it is to draft and develop franchise superstar players and build around them, most of the teams that have done that since the implementation of the salary cap 19 years ago have done that by drafting those types of players near the top of the draft. The Kings need to be picking near the top of the draft in 2025, 2026, 2027 drafts to make up for not picking near the top of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 drafts like they would have had Blake not prematurely ended the rebuild.

If Blake is retained or the mandate from AEG is to be black hole contenders, I fear it's a long time before we ever see a true Stanley Cup contender in LA.



Yup, as mentioned above, that is one area where Blake will leave the new GM in a good spot. All those names I listed would be nice additions to a true Stanley Cup core, and would bring a nice return to the Kings. Only Fiala from that group is probably overpaid and it's minimally, all the other ones have great value for a contender with those cap hits.

Biggest thing for me is to move away from people tied to the organization in the GM spot - same basic concept when Lombardi was brought in. The Kings do have some good pieces and people in the organization, but i'm not sure we will contend (especially with Edmonton/Vegas there) again until we are able to get these younger franchise players.

Blake is absolutely missing the bus on the leadership/culture part of the equation. I'm not sure how Lombardi would have felt with Fiala, but I guarantee you he doesn't pick up Dubois. The strange thing is that Blake has made some good signings with guys who care about winning.

Problem is, how do you contend with an 8.5M handicap on the roster? Even if you buy him out, you still have a 4M handicap on the books when QB and Clarke are in their prime.

Contenders usually need every last bit of cap space.

We're in a really shitty spot right now. We just have to hope PLD turns it around I guess.

If the Kings clean house this Summer, I think Drew would agree to be traded, but LA would likely have to retain. Kopitar I'm not sure.

Russell Morgan mentioned something interesting the other day about Dubois seemingly talking to Hiller more than McClellan. I think that and a combination of more experience with the team should elevate him higher than what he is now. It would be a tough pill to swallow to buy out that contract. He's still 25 and based on his past experience seems to get better with additional time with a team.

 

[Herby]

Problem is, how do you contend with an 8.5M handicap on the roster? Even if you buy him out, you still have a 4M handicap on the books when QB and Clarke are in their prime.

Contenders usually need every last bit of cap space.

We're in a really shitty spot right now. We just have to hope PLD turns it around I guess.

If the Kings clean house this Summer, I think Drew would agree to be traded, but LA would likely have to retain. Kopitar I'm not sure.

I think you have to keep him and hope he can return to his career norms, which would still make him a viable 2C once the rebuild is finished. I don't really know what else to do, a buyout is a lot of money to expect ownership to shell out, and puts the Kings in a bad cap spot. And he is not tradable.

As far as guys currently in the organization who you can probably confidently pencil in for the rebuild, assuming Blake doesn't do any more damage at the deadline to hamstring the next guy.

Byfield - xxxx - xxxx
xxxx - PLD - xxxx
Kaliyev- Turcotte - xxxx
xxxx - Helenius - Laf

Anderson - Clarke
xxxx- xxxx
xxxx - Spence

xxxx
Portillo

The biggest regrets about what Blake did was not putting the team in a position to be drafting near the top of this past years draft, where there was so much high-end center talent, and trading Faber. Both assets would have been huge core parts of the rebuild. They are leaky at defense for the future, and they missed out on a chance at Kopitar's replacement.

 

[Kudelski37]

No way would PLD not report to Ontario, it's not like he's being sent to Manchester, they practice in El Segundo and play a pretty short drive away on weekends. He has $60 million reasons to just report there, plus I think we all agree he isn't some super competitive guy, he probably really wouldn't care to much as long as he's still getting paid. He'd probably just go down there, sulk, be a poor influence on young players and collect his massive paycheck. With his play on the ice and his baggage now as a culture killer in three places, what kind of offers would he be getting in free agency? He'd probably have to sign a 1 year- $3m type show me contract, that's a far cry from $60m or even the check the Kings would have to write him if they bought out his contract.

As far as this summer, I fully expect the new GM to come in and clean house similar to what was done between the summer of 2006 and the 2007 trade deadline. This is going to be a 4-5 year rebuild and that doesn't fit in with players aged 27+. Guys like Kempe (28 this year), Moore (29), Danault (31), Fiala (28), Gavrikov (29) are going to be out of their primes by the time the Kings are ready to contend again and I expect most of them are moved for picks and prospects that will be more viable assets for the coming rebuild.

If the goal is to win Stanley Cups, the most proven way to do it is to draft and develop franchise superstar players and build around them, most of the teams that have done that since the implementation of the salary cap 19 years ago have done that by drafting those types of players near the top of the draft. The Kings need to be picking near the top of the draft in 2025, 2026, 2027 drafts to make up for not picking near the top of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 drafts like they would have had Blake not prematurely ended the rebuild.

If Blake is retained or the mandate from AEG is to be black hole contenders I fear it's a long time before we ever see a true Stanley Cup contender in LA.



Yup, as mentioned above, that is one area where Blake will leave the new GM in a good spot. All those names I listed would be nice additions to a true Stanley Cup core, and would bring a nice return to the Kings. Only Fiala from that group is probably overpaid and it's minimally, all the other ones have great value for a contender with those cap hits. n

His agent would probably try to physically pick him up and carry him to report, but when a guy has quit the chance isn't zero. Essentially, the Kings lose nothing for trying like receiving a free lottery ticket. I'm well aware PLD is close to the end of his career if he doesn't turn it around soon. I think I stated in a main board thread that he will be lucky to get a PTO in 25-26 if he wants to keep playing in the NHL.

Either way with the waiving, the Kings would have an extra slot for one of the young forwards to prove what they can do.

I don't think the Kings will get rid of the late 20s guys with term, but thanks for answering.

 

[YP44]

I love Danault but I would move him.

Kopitar has two more years after this.

PLD has 7 more years left.

Byfield can play center.

Turcotte, Thomas, and Helenius all can play center. Kings have said Helenius will be the 4C eventually.

Turcotte should be playing 3C and PLD 2C.

I approve of this plan.

Would move Roy as well.

 

[Herby]

I don't think the Kings will get rid of the late 20s guys with term, but thanks for answering.

Then we are right back here again next year. How do you add the type of high-end pieces needed if you aren't going to do a full rebuild? Hard to find 1C's and 1D's losing in round 1 and picking 18th.

Nothing against any of those guys, they have all good players for the most part, even if they were just the wrong guys at the wrong time, but they have to be moved to create opportunities and to make sure the team is bottom 5 next year.

 

[johnjm22]

I'm usually not a "culture" guy, but I think PLD is the exact type of player you don't want on the roster when you're trying to rebuild and bring in young players.

The highest paid player on the team would be a lazy, overrated, overpaid, unmotivated prima donna loser. It's bad for the whole team IMO.