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

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Encouraging tidbit from LAKI this morning on QB:

Lastly, Insiders, a quick hitter on and with Quinton Byfield. He’s been skating with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe on the team’s top forward line since he was moved there back on December 29 in Colorado. Over those five games, only Kevin Fiala is getting more high-danger chances per/60 than Byfield, a sign of strong underlying chance creation. His on-ice numbers, which account for the chances his linemates get too, place him third-best on the Kings in that span. Despite just one assist in that span, underlying numbers are quite good.

I'm telling ya, people were ready to give Mark Stone a Selke for doing what Byfield has been game in and game out since being moved to the top line.

If he's between the lines with you, you're losing the puck.
 
I don’t think it matters for a top player but for a rental it might be a no.
This team is in no position to be trading away 1st rounders in a deep draft. Especially with our deficiencies in net and on the backend. We need long term answers, not band aids

Yeah definitely not band-aids, but thinking for the next 4 years it's probably like this:

RD: Doughty-Clarke-Spence
LD: Anderson-Bjornfot-XXXXXX

If they were to trade for and extend Gavrikov, who is 27, they would get his prime years. So something like

Anderson-Doughty
Gavrikov-Clarke
Bjornfot-Spence

That's pretty solid for the next 4 years. If Clarke pans out like things indicate that's in the conversation for one of the top D in the conference. Moverare or Durzi can be kept around for injuries, 7th D, etc. After that things change dramatically with cap space, so there are options. So do we need a D? Maybe not if we make a trade. Goalie for sure, but not a lot of those are taken early anyways.

I certainly wouldn't just toss a 2023 1st in for a rental, but if Blake and co. did their diligence and included it in a deal for the right D they know they were going to retain, I'd be fine with it. From a CLB point of view, they would have to think the Kings with Gavrikov could easily win a round or two so that pick could get pretty late in the round.
 
Hopefully Durzi is part of the trade.

Anderson-Doughty
Chychrun-Roy
Edler-Spence
Walker

That's a mighty fine top 4.

I like Gavrikov a lot, but you're giving up a 1st + for a rental.
It just really seems like Durzi is part of the fabric of whatever team they are building here. He's sticking up for Byfield last game. Seems to be tight with captain-material Danault.

I get that he is a RHD and that is where the Kings have a surplus but I still don't think he is moved.
 
I'm telling ya, people were ready to give Mark Stone a Selke for doing what Byfield has been game in and game out since being moved to the top line.

If he's between the lines with you, you're losing the puck.
Once Moore and Kaliyev come back there will be some interesting lineup decisions to be made. Could see QB moving back to center at that time.
 
If I'm trading Gavrikov or Provorov to LA I'm asking for Spence back.

Someone will be the odd man out. You usually have to give to get. I think other gms likely understand what is up on the right side for LA.

Provorov seems like he needs a change of scenery. Makes a ton of sense but he is not without concerns too. Money would need to go back also of course. 6m is an expensive gamble for a guy in need of a rebound.
 
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It just really seems like Durzi is part of the fabric of whatever team they are building here. He's sticking up for Byfield last game. Seems to be tight with captain-material Danault.

I get that he is a RHD and that is where the Kings have a surplus but I still don't think he is moved.
I might be called crazy for this, but in that sense I see similarities with JMFJ. He's a riverboat gambler who plays with an edge and would stick up for teammates. We traded JMFJ (and it was the right thing to do), but if we do trade Durzi we're going to have to find those intangibles elsewhere. This team doesn't have them in spades like the Cup teams did.
 
If I'm trading Gavrikov or Provorov to LA I'm asking for Spence back.

Someone will be the odd man out. You usually have to give to get. I think other gms likely understand what is up on the right side for LA.

Provorov seems like he needs a change of scenery. Makes a ton of sense but he is not without concerns too. Money would need to go back also of course. 6m is an expensive gamble for a guy in need of a rebound.
I rather trade Durzi in a package for a signed Gavrikov than move Spence who has stud written all over him
 
I understand that market forces will likely yield in Gavrikov receiving a 1st round pick, but is he worth that for us even if we can retain him past this season? FWIW, he's currently a -1.2 GSVA and his ratings the last three years are -0.9, -0.8, and 0.7. I know CBJ hasn't been great those years, but they were basically NHL .500 for two of the three while playing a defense-oriented system.

I guess I am not convinced he's worth the investment versus a player like Provorov who has proven his peak ability is higher in the right situation with the right partner. Durzi might just flat out be a better player even on his off-side than Gavrikov is at his best. If we're just looking for size and snarl above all else, why not address it for less on our 3rd pairing?
 
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Sign me up for Provorov, a prime candidate to bounce back ala Carter/ Gaborik, a clean bill of health, only 26, should be cheaper to acquire than Chychrun and would probably cost the same as a rental in Gavrikov. I'm always a fan of plucking out highly talented players that aren't playing to their potential in dumpster fire organizations, it seems to work out more often than not.

Anderson-Doughty
Provorov-Roy

Is a formidable top 4
 
Sign me up for Provorov, a prime candidate to bounce back ala Carter/ Gaborik, a clean bill of health, only 26, should be cheaper to acquire than Chychrun and would probably cost the same as a rental in Gavrikov. I'm always a fan of plucking out highly talented players that aren't playing to their potential in dumpster fire organizations, it seems to work out more often than not.

Anderson-Doughty
Provorov-Roy

Is a formidable top 4

STRONGLY Disagree on the boldfaced. Agree on everything else.

I think Chychrun's reported trade ask isn't commensurate with his actual value, it's far too high right now. You're trading for a hero and getting 'merely' a good offense-leaning top pairing d.
I think Provorov will cost a pretty penny but may be worth it, but comes iwth risk. You're trading for a 1st pairing dman and getting a stellar #2-#3 two way guy.
I think Gavrikov is the cheapest AND with the least risk. you're trading for a 2nd pairing dman and getting it.
 
Gavrikov is the only player who actually fills multiple needs on this team. It’s Gavrikov or bust as far as I’m concerned.
Which buckets are those that he fills that other options don’t? Since Kings games are blacked out for me on ESPN+, I’ve been watching Gavrikov, Chychrun, and Provorov as much as I can (watching Philly/Washington right now). I just don’t see it with Gavrikov. I don’t think he has the pace and ability to move the puck in order to play in our system.
 
I might be called crazy for this, but in that sense I see similarities with JMFJ. He's a riverboat gambler who plays with an edge and would stick up for teammates. We traded JMFJ (and it was the right thing to do), but if we do trade Durzi we're going to have to find those intangibles elsewhere. This team doesn't have them in spades like the Cup teams did.
I'll call you crazy only because Johnson never really stood up for teammates. He had five total fights in his Kings career when including one in pre-season. Durzi has five already when counting a rookie game against the Ducks.

Johnson had two fights during his initial late season call-up. The super hyped tough guy got flipped by Jan Bulis and then Carcillo beat him easily and then Doan tuned him up in the same game. The Doan fight occured after Dr. Doan shoved a Kings defenseman on top of the goalie. Johnson skated over to Doan like he was going to do something so Doan obliged and just started going at him. In my opinion, Johnson was kind of deflated after that initial call up and all that tough guy shit went out the window. He would get in three more fights: Sam Gagner, Dustin Penner and Derek Joslin. The latter was in a pre-season game and Joslin went after him. Penner went after Johnson for a hit Johnson made. You can kind of say Johnson was protecting the goalie in the Gagner fight but it is a bit of stretch: little Sam wanted the fight more.

Durzi fought Fabbri after starting a scrum by slashing at a Red Wings player who took a late slash at Quick. He fought that big dude in the Preds game when the Kings were blowing them out simply because the guy took a run at him and he didn't like it. Then I'm pretty sure Dunn on Seattle had boarded a Kings the game before (Lizotte?) so he fights Dunn. Then the Hyman fight which was the culmination of him begging Hyman to fight since the Byfield hit.

Johnson is also much bigger than Durzi. I just think that Durzi has much bigger balls and that Johnson really shied away from the rough stuff after his rude awakening to the NHL in his short initial call-up. Seems crazy to say but Durzi might actually be better offensively which is wild considering Johnson's pedigree. I say all of this as a guy that wasn't a Johnson hater either: that would be my wife since we got married.
 
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Which buckets are those that he fills that other options don’t? Since Kings games are blacked out for me on ESPN+, I’ve been watching Gavrikov, Chychrun, and Provorov as much as I can (watching Philly/Washington right now). I just don’t see it with Gavrikov. I don’t think he has the pace and ability to move the puck in order to play in our system.

I've seen a few CLB games this year and last, and from my impressions he's very similar to a prime Matt Greene, but with better offensive instincts. It's really hard to evaluate any CBJ players this year because of the ridiculous amount of injuries, but on a healthy Jackets team, you're probably looking at upper 20's in points, 100 or so hits, and 100 or so blocked shots. Unlike Greene he's not a fighter and wouldn't beat the crap out of people.

He's not a punishing player, but is physical. His numbers are impacted this year as he's playing top pairing, which really is a bit above his head. He was really good against us when we played them, he's controlled and calm back there. It's not like the Kings forwards are easy to handle either. Very good penalty killer, solid positionally, just a solid all around guy who can chip in more than your average D man.

He's really not that different than Provorov. Comparing the two I would say Provo is a tad more physical I Gavrikov is better offensively, but Provo has the more proven track record and has done it for longer. Provorov is younger of course, but I would expect Gavrikov to cost about 1.5-2M less per year. I think either would fit. The pace is a concern, but will be with most defensive types. If Anderson can handle it either Gavrikov or Provorov should be able to.
 
Provorov had a really nice pass to set up a goal last night. Unfortunately for him, he passed to the wrong team right in his own slot for a quick turn around goal by Marcus Johansson. He had very little pressure and none of his teammates were in the area of the pass. We don't need this type of play.

The Kings are much better off just playing Bjornfot.
 
Honestly would just like to see Walker traded at this point. LA just needs a crease clearing big body dman that won’t cost a ton. Heck, I’d be good sending Walker out for picks and bringing in Spence for the year. Durzi is adjusting to his off side. Bjornfot can be the first call up.

Huh?
 
A mere few years ago we were completely bitching about how the team needed to completely exorcise the DL style of physical play and get quicker and more offensive. Props to the org for delivering on that, this is one of the best offensive Kings teams I can remember, even during the Gretz years. Not just scoring wise, but depth wise. Losing a top-6 guy doesn't even affect the offense. Hell, even losing 2 doesn't.

There is still work for the defensive side, but the rebuilding of the offense has been nothing short of masterful. The Kings hover around 10th as far as lowest average age for rosters, and that's with Quick sitting on the bench. Both he and Edler will be gone next year so the team will be a bit younger still.
 
Barring a clearing dman, I’d be content with Spence/Bjornfot.

The way things are going, it wouldn’t be shocking if LA doesn’t make any trades.

Walker has been ok. Just wish they could clear a bit of the clog.

If Byfield can center AI and Vilardi, the Kings are golden imho.

Got it, brain wasn't working this morning......not a rarity.
 
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What're folks thoughts on how long Byfield should play on the wing? At this point, I think we should just let it ride this way through next season. I'd rather get him juiced up with confidence in producing offense first, then slowly over next season they can swap roles with Byfield taking shifts at center bit by bit. It brings back memories of Kopitar and Carter being put out together at the end of games.

Also, not saying this is news or anything, but our forward corps has some size to it. Kupari and Kempe have for sure filled out, and players like Gabe and QB are using their frames all over the ice to win puck battles. It's awesome.
 
What is the obsession with a LHD?

Our only concern is missing toughness in general.
We can easily fill that by finally using our youngsters and getting rid of the oldies
Bjornfoot brings exactly this to the table, a defensive minded no nonsense defender who doesn't score at all.

Anderson - Doughty
Bjornfoot - Roy
Moverare - Spence/Grans

We can easily trade Durzi for a great goalie prospect and look golden.
There is absolutely no reason to trade away a fortune for what we already have.
The last thing we need is another offensive defender like Chychrun or Provorov.
 
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