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

[Seattle King]

I mean the division is ours for the taking, the whole West is pretty weak--or, at the very least, everyone is "flawed" this year.

But it's still early, and window-open teams--like Edmonton and Calgary--may push all their chips in in a manner that the Kings probably shouldn't (yet).

I do think it's shaping up to be a weird year where whoever gets the hottest goalie and random scorer down the stretch will take the entire conference. My dark horse for all that is Winnipeg--if Hellebuyck shows up and Morrissey comes back hot. Otherwise despite our complete game vs. them last night Dallas is a good bet with Oettinger and with Robertson/Hintz having gone nuclear.

So I see what you're saying, I just don't think the Kings are 'ready' for that window-prolonging move yet. IE Toronto/Edmonton are teams that would/could/should sling it all for Chychrun.

Winnipeg picked the right coach. Also signed a $5M a year goalie who is worth significantly more than that. You have a good dark horse.

 

[Statto]

According to....who exactly?

me

Realistically do you really see it? Maybe I’m wrong, I hope so but there’s too many holes for a consistent run.

The D overachieved last year and is unbalanced this year. Our goaltending is a huge question mark and even with the best case scenario our young players don’t yet have the experience needed. If we get through a single play-off round that’s a huge success and a repeat of last year with the younger players in bigger roles would also be great.

Edit: Next season the target (IMO)is 2nd round with WCF the stretch goal. Then we become contenders hopefully.

 

[Kurrilino]

Apparently nobody has noticed that Colorado and Edmonton, the two biggest obstacles in our path, are not good this year and have assorted issues that have significantly diminished their short-term prospects.
Only losers say "we are 4-5 years away" and those losers will still be losing in 4-5 years with that attitude.
People with no sense of urgency ever accomplish anything worthwhile.

wow.. you should really take a look at Calgary and Vancouver.
Their kind of urgency led to decades of mediocrity without any hope of change

 

[Telos]

Mikey Anderson is having himself a pretty strong season so far. I haven't been a huge fan in the past of him being placed and forced on the top pairing but he has risen to the challenge. He leads the team as a +10 which is nearly double second place and his production is starting to tick up and he will be in the double digits soon. If he *knocks on wood* plays the full 81 games, leads the team +/-, and puts up 20+ points on the top pairing - I am beginning to wonder what his next contract will be since he did the Kings a favor with his current sweetheart deal to top it all off. His agent could and technically should ask for the moon from where he is standing.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

me

Realistically do you really see it? Maybe I’m wrong, I hope so but there’s too many holes for a consistent run.

The D overachieved last year and is unbalanced this year. Our goaltending is a huge question mark and even with the best case scenario our young players don’t yet have the experience needed. If we get through a single play-off round that’s a huge success and a repeat of last year with the younger players in bigger roles would also be great.

Edit: Next season the target (IMO)is 2nd round with WCF the stretch goal. Then we become contenders hopefully.

LOL fair enough, and I've been involved in this game way way too long, to realistically see anything, there are teams that lose that have no business losing, and teams what win that have no business winning.

Every single team has holes, and people are lying to themselves if they don't think that is true.....

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

me

Realistically do you really see it? Maybe I’m wrong, I hope so but there’s too many holes for a consistent run.

The D overachieved last year and is unbalanced this year. Our goaltending is a huge question mark and even with the best case scenario our young players don’t yet have the experience needed. If we get through a single play-off round that’s a huge success and a repeat of last year with the younger players in bigger roles would also be great.

Edit: Next season the target (IMO)is 2nd round with WCF the stretch goal. Then we become contenders hopefully.

I think how far we go this year is dictated less by us and more the tire fires around us.

It's why I'm careful about the raw 'finish' points numbers and putting more emphasis on how we look and growth for the future.

Like sure we had 90+ points last year and the conference was tougher, this year we really SHOULD finish higher both becauase of team growth but also because the conference is terrible. Like I'm not sure I can remember the west as a whole being so inferior aside from the Canucks' run as kings of the NorthLeast division. But like last year be cautious of fool's gold.

 

[LAKings88]

I think ownership/gms just want a kick at the can for as long as you can before the inevitable rebuild.

In this NHL you never know what can happen in the playoffs. The leafs can’t even get past the first round.

To do what Tampa has done is impressive. You build that kind of team and you’re set.

Even that took some time and luck. Even failure in the first round.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I think ownership/gms just want a kick at the can for as long as you can before the inevitable rebuild.

In this NHL you never know what can happen in the playoffs. The leafs can’t even get past the first round.

To do what Tampa has done is impressive. You build that kind of team and you’re set.

Even that took some time and luck. Even failure in the first round.

Agreed, but it doesn't last....in theory.....Stamkos, Hedman, Point, Vasi, will become their Kopitar Doughty, Brown, Quick, etc, and the argument on this board is if that happens, TB should trade every single one of them, I would love to see if that actually happens.....so what teams do, is what LA did/doing now, once they win etc, they keep trying, while also retooling....they don't trade their stars unless there is a financial reason or they are asked for it etc.

 

[LAKings88]

Agreed, but it doesn't last....in theory.....Stamkos, Hedman, Point, Vasi, will become their Kopitar Doughty, Brown, Quick, etc, and the argument on this board is if that happens, TB should trade every single one of them, I would love to see if that actually happens.....so what teams do, is what LA did/doing now, once they win etc, they keep trying, while also retooling....they don't trade their stars unless there is a financial reason or they are asked for it etc.

Easy to be cutthroat in NHL 23, not so much in real life. Tampa has had to shed some pieces and make up for them elsewhere which they manage to do. Also knew when to burn firsts for those pieces that put them over. True tho, nothing last forever.

 

[BringTheReign]

How many top 4 LD under 27 have been traded in the past decade? Is there a filter on CapFriendly or Hockey Reference where we could look that up?

I just don’t see any player remotely available that’s in that preferred age window aside from Chychrun. There were guys like Soucy, but then Seattle got good. Who else is there?

 

[Cianide]

Colorado is a pretty good example of that. They had O'Reilly, Duchene, Shattenkirk, etc and had to bring all around again after that core moved on.

Yup. Landeskog has stuck around but I remember when they had Marek Svatos who was supposed to be a big time player. Nope. They really lucked out with Rantanen and Mac.

 

[Seattle King]

How many top 4 LD under 27 have been traded in the past decade? Is there a filter on CapFriendly or Hockey Reference where we could look that up?

I just don’t see any player remotely available that’s in that preferred age window aside from Chychrun. There were guys like Soucy, but then Seattle got good. Who else is there?

Perhaps Zadorov could be pried away from CGY, he's a UFA. The Flames dont seem to be going anywhere this year, they might be sellers.

 

[Fishhead]

I think how far we go this year is dictated less by us and more the tire fires around us.

It's why I'm careful about the raw 'finish' points numbers and putting more emphasis on how we look and growth for the future.

Like sure we had 90+ points last year and the conference was tougher, this year we really SHOULD finish higher both becauase of team growth but also because the conference is terrible. Like I'm not sure I can remember the west as a whole being so inferior aside from the Canucks' run as kings of the NorthLeast division. But like last year be cautious of fool's gold.

Average point % of teams by division:

Metro - .574
Atlantic - .595
Central - .529
Pacific - .521

There is a big gap obviously. The Kings are really good in one goal games, which bodes well for the playoffs, and at least they have a winning record against the East (only 5 western teams do).

If the Kings shore up the defense, it's not a reach to say they have a chance at winning the conference. They have the 2nd best record against the West of all western teams (behind Peg). When is the last time that ever happened? I don't think they match up well vs. Colorado, and Dallas would be challenging. I think they would be a handful for the rest of the teams.

 

[Cianide]

Kings can't sign Vilardi, Anderson, and Copley without shedding salary. So who gets dumped? Iafallo? Petersen? Maybe those guys can leave with some retainment. Thoughts?

 

[BringTheReign]

Perhaps Zadorov could be pried away from CGY, he's a UFA. The Flames dont seem to be going anywhere this year, they might be sellers.

I don’t see Zadorov as a huge asset in our system. We need players who can break out the puck and play with pace. That’s arguably exactly why Colorado moved on from him.

Kings can't sign Vilardi, Anderson, and Copley without shedding salary. So who gets dumped? Iafallo? Petersen? Maybe those guys can leave with some retainment. Thoughts?

It’s gotta be Walker to start. Anderson and Vilardi are both still RFAs, right?

 

[Surf Nutz]

Good question, I think it depends on what else has to be added to Pinelli. I think both will be NHL wingers. Turcotte is obviously better all-around but I think Pinelli will translate better.

The equivalency for me right now is Turcotte = Pinelli + 2nd.

Don’t see Blake going out and getting a rental. This team is not 1 LD away from competing for a cup.

Yeah it will be someone long term if it's a significant player. I can see Gavrikov or another pending FA if they get to chat with them about an extension before-hand.

Gotta go with Pins with his ascencion this season. What happens with Turcotte after another bell ring or 2 or 3 and he already is being forced to modify his game for safety reasons. Agree no rental only if you have a firm handshake on a contract extension. Things can change during the playoffs. Such moves led to the downfall of future HoF GM Lombardi.

 

[Seattle King]

wow.. you should really take a look at Calgary and Vancouver.
Their kind of urgency led to decades of mediocrity without any hope of change

I am simply saying that making assumptions that your team isnt good enough to win for the next 4-5 years is a good way to create a negative culture that breeds a perennial loser like Vancouver is and will be for the next...forever.
The Kings are only a couple of players away from really making some noise in the Western Conference playoffs. And what is frustrating is that we have the surplus to acquire those players and nothing is happening. Hopefully the D can be fixed and another quality G can be brought in.

 

[bmr]

Kings can't sign Vilardi, Anderson, and Copley without shedding salary. So who gets dumped? Iafallo? Petersen? Maybe those guys can leave with some retainment. Thoughts?

Kings have about 14.36 mill in projected cap space next year. Biggest things coming off books are Quick (5.8 mill), Phaneuf (1.062 mill) and Lemieux (1.35 mill). Moore's new contract kicks in from 1.875 to 4.2 mill.

They would need to sign:

Lemieux
Kupari
Vilardi
JAD
Anderson
Edler
Quick
Copley

They should have enough wiggle room to get this done. I think they will definitely look for a trade. Perhaps Walker comes off in a trade? Kopitar has one additional year on his contract and then that would save an additional 10 mill.

 

[Cianide]

It’s gotta be Walker to start. Anderson and Vilardi are both still RFAs, right?

Both RFAs. Walker's not getting much, 2.6m. I think you start with Iafallo, Lemieux, Kupari??, Petersen, and whoever else can shed salary. Walker's worth his weight in gold.

 

[unicornpig]

Kings have about 14.36 mill in projected cap space next year. Biggest things coming off books are Quick (5.8 mill), Phaneuf (1.062 mill) and Lemieux (1.35 mill). Moore's new contract kicks in from 1.875 to 4.2 mill.

They would need to sign:

Lemieux
Kupari
Vilardi
JAD
Anderson
Edler
Quick
Copley

They should have enough wiggle room to get this done. I think they will definitely look for a trade. Perhaps Walker comes off in a trade? Kopitar has one additional year on his contract and then that would save an additional 10 mill.

Quick, Andersen and lemieux won't be back next year

 

[King'sPawn]

Quick, Andersen and lemieux won't be back next year

Mikey Anderson, not Lias Andersen.

 

[kings11]

Gotta go with Pins with his ascencion this season. What happens with Turcotte after another bell ring or 2 or 3 and he already is being forced to modify his game for safety reasons. Agree no rental only if you have a firm handshake on a contract extension. Things can change during the playoffs. Such moves led to the downfall of future HoF GM Lombardi.

Turcotte for all his injuries is exactly the type of player we desperately need.
The kid is a winner and gives 110% every time, he oozes leadership potential ala Mike Richards and is the one prospect in our stable who I can see as our future “C”

 

[Schmooley]

Apparently nobody has noticed that Colorado and Edmonton, the two biggest obstacles in our path, are not good this year and have assorted issues that have significantly diminished their short-term prospects.
Only losers say "we are 4-5 years away" and those losers will still be losing in 4-5 years with that attitude.
People with no sense of urgency ever accomplish anything worthwhile.

Thats the thing. The Kings wouldnt normally be a contender but the league is not that good this year. Their only kryptonite is Carolina. A healthy Colorado at the top of their game would beat the Kings in a series also but otherwise I havent seen a team this year that is head and shoulders better than them.
Its good on Blake to see the league wide weakness and pick up Fiala to make a run.

 

[Statto]

LOL fair enough, and I've been involved in this game way way too long, to realistically see anything, there are teams that lose that have no business losing, and teams what win that have no business winning.

Every single team has holes, and people are lying to themselves if they don't think that is true.....

You’re not wrong. I’ve been involved with teams that won against the odds and in later years inexplicably lost a shed load of games.

I’m only thinking in terms of what the logical path seems to be from my limited perspective. So would I be surprised if we end up in the SCF? Yes, but I wouldn’t be shocked.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Turcotte for all his injuries is a factory the type of player we desperately need.
The kid is a winner and gives 110% every time, he oozes leadership potential ala Mike Richards and is the one prospect in our stable who I can see as our future “C”

Dead on, no argument here.
Ironic and somewhat hexworthy that you maybe a little too accurately compare him to Richards.