Speculation: LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread 2022-23 Season

[BigKing]

Maybe. I think TM's game management was fine in our series against Edmonton; we just didn't have the horses they did.

I think those Sharks teams were let down by goaltending and lack of depth scoring. Thornton and Marleau never had it in the playoffs, but Pavelski and Couture were killers. I typically subscribe to the puck luck arguments rather than perennial chokers for teams that came close but never made it, but I get the other perspective (especially in specific instances

Claude Julien was reverse swept and then won a Cup the next season. I’m also not sure a game 7 loss to an excellent Ducks team is a choke, but fine.

TM was reverse swept and...

Edmonton choke was Game 5 in Anaheim in a 2-2 series. Edmonton winning 3-0. Gave up three goals in the final 3:16 of the 3rd and lost in OT 2. Ducks became the first team to tie a playoff game down that much and with that little time remaining.

That reminds me a bit of 2013 Game 2 in LA. SJ up one with less than two minutes to go. Give up two goals in 22 seconds to lose the game.

I think the ongoing theme with his teams is a bit of fragility. When it goes south, it goes south quickly.

This isn't to say he is a "bad" coach but that is also tough to say because what is the baseline for comparison? Like, where do we cut off at "average" coach?

 

[funky]

I can live with this if we buy him out this summer. 166,000$ over his cap for one year but we are practically freed of his 5 million cap the rest of the 3 years. He needs to show he can at least be a backup next year at the NHL level. He is not worth much, passing through waivers, so even in a trade we'll need to retain alot more in 2 years than than the last 3 years of a buyout. Simply a bad signing from day 1.

Cap Hit Calculations​

SEASON	INITIAL BASE SALARY	INITIAL CAP HIT	SIGNING BONUS	BUYOUT COST	POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS	SAVINGS	CAP HIT ( LAK)
2023-24	$1,000,000	$5,000,000	$4,000,000	$1,166,667	$5,166,667	-$166,667	$5,166,667
2024-25	$6,000,000	$5,000,000	$0	$1,166,667	$1,166,667	$4,833,333	$166,667
2025-26	$0	$0	$0	$1,166,667	$1,166,667	-$1,166,667	$1,166,667
2026-27	$0	$0	$0	$1,166,667	$1,166,667	-$1,166,667	$1,166,667
TOTAL	$7,000,000	$10,000,000	$4,000,000	$4,666,667	$8,666,667	$2,333,333	$7,666,668

The great thing about this is, we don’t have to worry about it until the off-season. I am just hoping Cal bounces back as we have seen the talent he does possess.

 

[Telos]

Why are we still talking about spending valuable assets acquiring an offensive left defenseman when offense is the last thing affecting this team right now?

At this point, I think people want them to spend valuable assets on anything. But yeah, it depends, I mean top defenseman worthy of spending such assets on are typically more balanced and put up decent numbers even on the defensive side, but we are flush with offensive RD so I am fine if they can find that shutdown LD that balances the D.

It is just that we have Bjornfot, Moverare, etc. so if we make the deal it needs to be for someone who is just going to insta slot on the top 4. The bitter part is though if we get a Top 2 LD, Doughty is the wrench in the puzzle if they are not an offensive defenseman then the off and obviously cap space is going to matter here more and more with the vets we are carrying versus the prospects we want to get ice time.

The dream is if we can breakout a prospect like Clarke, add a solid pairing partner for him that is solid defensively, and then move Doughty to a more shutdown second pairing role, but knowing Doughty that is pretty much a pipedream.

 

[Statto]

So then, that goes back to my point, when RJ was saying this roster could contend.......your contention...is that it can't.....

Well it can’t contend no, making better use of the available assets it can probably make the play-offs. Bear in mind I have advocated taking a step back to allow younger players to grow into roles. If that happened I’d live with missing but I’m not suggesting throwing them to the lions.

Last years roster made the play-off but we could see the current issues on the horizon. Certain decisions seem to have compounded those problems and the lineup is now less balanced with the LHD issues and goaltending situation worse than last season. I’ve backed Blake throughout and whilst I loved the Fiala deal he’s started to back himself into a corner.

Clarke has the POTENTIAL to be good, he's not good this year, he's played 9 NHL games...and has shown sparks...he's been good at times, and has been shit other times....that's expected as a 18 year old playing D etc...

You just described Durzi but he’s had none of the disasters. He’s also been better than Walker. The eye test and underlying numbers support that. If he had a proper run he’d adapt pretty quickly as his IQ is up there.

As far as Spence....he played well last year, and then did not in the playoffs, he's working on his game....so do you want him working on his game and getting crushed in the NHL

He’s definitely added more to his offensive game in the AHL but he wasn’t getting crushed last year in the NHL. It’s not unreasonable to think he’d also be better than Durzi/Walker right now. He’s on the roster currently so surely give him a game because they only thing to lose at this point is face.

If they wanted to be conservative then maybe go with just one of Spence and Clarke but not leave out both. I’ve been pretty consistent on that throughout. I don’t think the roster needs major surgery as sorting out the D could be done in a couple of moves.

Granted all the issues become bigger when the coach loses the room. I don’t see any moves making that much difference until that is resolved.

 

[YP44]

Moore signing...not sure how I feel about it. Could be great, could also see it going south. For what he has brought the last year and a bit well worth it.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Lotto picks sometimes work out nicely. Chabot being available with the puck traded for Lucic would have been nice. The picks could also be traded for a player that is actually good at keeping the puck out of the net.

And sometimes they fall flat on your face......Just see Boston and their three picks in a row......how did that work out for them?

You probably don,t know what the lottery tickets get you for 4 or 5 years but what does Chychrun get you? It might solve a problem at LD but that still leaves you no goaltenders and a couple of very high priced old guys that will never again be what they once were.

Yes....so think of it as a boat.....the holes are leaky at LD and G.....so we plug the LD....or we say, no can't plug that LD cuz the G hole is leaky??

Really?

 

[King'sPawn]

Vilardi is a tough player to get a read on and always has been.

Hard to ignore his total lack of production when guys like Fiala and even Kopitar are consistently producing.

I don’t think the hot streak was a total fluke but it was definitely closer to a fluke than it was a new norm. Vilardi appears to need very specific linemates and deployment to produce.

Seems to be a combination of being snakebit and confidence. He's still creating chances and making himself available. The puck's just not going in. He has taken over shifts a lot less frequently, though, which is why I do think there's an issue with the confidence and needing to have a few pucks go in.

Of course, with younger players, lack of consistency is the biggest obstacle.

 

[Mats26]

Knew Moore was going to be the first to sign. 4.2 million for 5 years is a long contract. Vilardi and Anderson will need to come in lower than that.

 

[Little Psycho]

That’s a long ass contract

 

[unicornpig]

Nice cap hit but if kempe or iafallo doesn't move....

 

[FSL KINGS]

Moore signing...not sure how I feel about it. Could be great, could also see it going south. For what he has brought the last year and a bit well worth it.

No worries. After the Cal contract, Blake is due.

Nice cap hit but if kempe or iafallo doesn't move....

Telling ya, Kempe to center is just too easy. Otherwise Blake would have to trade a wing & then trade for a center with no money because the cap isn't jumping 4 million next year.

 

[kovacro]

I like Moore but not at that number or term.

 

[Statto]

Nice cap hit but if kempe or iafallo doesn't move....

Or RV… it pretty much guarantees one goes.

The deal itself I don’t mind… feels like a precursor to something else.

 

[King'sPawn]

Worried about the length of the Moore contract due to his style of play and age. Otherwise I'm happy to keep him for another 5 years.

 

[BringTheReign]

TM was reverse swept and...

Edmonton choke was Game 5 in Anaheim in a 2-2 series. Edmonton winning 3-0. Gave up three goals in the final 3:16 of the 3rd and lost in OT 2. Ducks became the first team to tie a playoff game down that much and with that little time remaining.

That reminds me a bit of 2013 Game 2 in LA. SJ up one with less than two minutes to go. Give up two goals in 22 seconds to lose the game.

I think the ongoing theme with his teams is a bit of fragility. When it goes south, it goes south quickly.

This isn't to say he is a "bad" coach but that is also tough to say because what is the baseline for comparison? Like, where do we cut off at "average" coach?

That’s fair, and yeah, you make a good point on who is an average coach versus a good coach. At some point you have to try to find a pattern. If I’m going to bring up his winning record and playoff runs as better than average, I also need to admit that his team’s collapses could be seen as worse than average.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Search by thread isn't working on my mobile interface, so forgive me if it's been discussed, but any thoughts on acquiring Joel Edmunson from Montreal for the LHD spot?

NHL trade board 2022-23: Bo Horvat is off the market, injuries pile up and more updates on top deadline targets

Here are the names generating the most buzz around the league, with analysis from Eric Duhatschek, Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo.

theathletic.com

 

[crassbonanza]

I mean, on one hand I am happy for Trevor Moore I always liked him, but I am skeptical of that contract. 4.2 million for a half point per game forward when we are already loaded up with those is questionable. He is essentially Iafallo at his peak. The concern is the same as I have had about a lot of Blake's moves with the forward group, he is assembling a bunch of middle 6 forwards who are at or approaching 30. Next season the Kings are going to have Danault(30), Iafallo(29), Moore(28), Kempe(27) and Arrvidson(30) taking up 24 million in cap. Middle 6 guys are important, but building around them doesn't seem very wise.

 

[dman3474]

Seems to be a combination of being snakebit and confidence. He's still creating chances and making himself available. The puck's just not going in. He has taken over shifts a lot less frequently, though, which is why I do think there's an issue with the confidence and needing to have a few pucks go in.

Of course, with younger players, lack of consistency is the biggest obstacle.

He was also an "unknown" at the beginning of the season, he was not being targeted by teams as being able to score and had weaker matchups. Now he has more of a target on his back and is going up against stronger opposition. He is going to have to figure out how to adjust to take it up another level

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He was also an "unknown" at the beginning of the season, he was not being targeted by teams as being able to score and had weaker matchups. Now he has more of a target on his back and is going up against stronger opposition. He is going to have to figure out how to adjust to take it up another level

Yeah he went from an amazing line 3 to a struggling Line 1 vs. better checkers and bigger minutes and helped them become relevant again before getting put with...whatever is left just like last year. Add that to normal youthful ebbs and flows and here's what you get.

He also hasn't played more than what, 40 games in a season his entire life? Considering the schedule to start the season I wouldn't be surprsied if he's just hhit a wall.

I mean, on one hand I am happy for Trevor Moore I always liked him, but I am skeptical of that contract. 4.2 million for a half point per game forward when we are already loaded up with those is questionable. He is essentially Iafallo at his peak. The concern is the same as I have had about a lot of Blake's moves with the forward group, he is assembling a bunch of middle 6 forwards who are at or approaching 30. Next season the Kings are going to have Danault(30), Iafallo(29), Moore(28), Kempe(27) and Arrvidson(30) taking up 24 million in cap. Middle 6 guys are important, but building around them doesn't seem very wise.

I'm only concerned about this due to his so-far inability to move anyone really, otherwise Kempe and Arvidsson are easy trade bait effective immediately.

The timing is uncanny with Vilardi and Kaliyev acquitting themselves in the top six.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Yeah he went from an amazing line 3 to a struggling Line 1 vs. better checkers and bigger minutes and helped them become relevant again before getting put with...whatever is left just like last year. Add that to normal youthful ebbs and flows and here's what you get.

He also hasn't played more than what, 40 games in a season his entire life? Considering the schedule to start the season I wouldn't be surprsied if he's just hhit a wall.



I'm only concerned about this due to his so-far inability to move anyone really, otherwise Kempe and Arvidsson are easy trade bait effective immediately.

The timing is uncanny with Vilardi and Kaliyev acquitting themselves in the top six.

With Vilardi, the only thing to watch for is decision making, if he's still making the right decisions, and getting to the right areas, he will be fine.....puck luck will come around for him

 

[kenito7]

And sometimes they fall flat on your face......Just see Boston and their three picks in a row......how did that work out for them?



Yes....so think of it as a boat.....the holes are leaky at LD and G.....so we plug the LD....or we say, no can't plug that LD cuz the G hole is leaky??

Really?

If you plug one hole but the other one can still sink you have you made progress? If you only want to make the playoffs this year you can make a fix that could get you there but if you want to be contender fixing this years LD problem is just a band aid that dosen't come close to solving the many issues.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

If you plug one hole but the other one can still sink you have you made progress? If you only want to make the playoffs this year you can make a fix that could get you there but if you want to be contender fixing this years LD problem is just a band aid that dosen't come close to solving the many issues.

Yes, 100% you have made progess....you have LESS HOLES TO FILL.....

 

[johnjm22]

Unless you are moving Iafallo and/or Ardvisson

How about sign Moore trade Iafallo?

It's not that easy.

Columbus could barely get a bid on Bjorkstrand. Henrique had no takers at all coming off a 26 goal season.

It ain't easy finding teams who want to take on 4M+ contracts for guys coming off injury who are barely even 20 goal scorers.

 

[Surf Nutz]

So then, that goes back to my point, when RJ was saying this roster could contend.......your contention...is that it can't.....

Not going to go in depth about your evaluation of the D men, only to go....WTF are you smoking, Clarke has the POTENTIAL to be good, he's not good this year, he's played 9 NHL games...and has shown sparks...he's been good at times, and has been shit other times....that's expected as a 18 year old playing D etc... but if you want this team in contention, Clarke isn't playing on it....simple as that. As far as Spence....he played well last year, and then did not in the playoffs, he's working on his game....so do you want him working on his game and getting crushed in the NHL, or in the AHL which is where players are supposed to work on their game?

Everyone is bitching about not seeing the shiny new toys, that they forget the shiny new toys, need work.

 

[Surf Nutz]

So Copley is the new number 1 goalie?

Yes or you can look at he is doing what Cal should have, playing more than Quick to keep him rested as a potential weapon for the playoffs. Or in this situation the race to get in to the playoffs.