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

[bmr]

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.

It's not an obsession, it's more like a mission. I still like the idea of grabbing Carson Soucy in the offseason. Dude has been a positive +/- even on questionable teams. And he has size.

 

[Kurrilino]

It's not an obsession, it's more like a mission. I still like the idea of grabbing Carson Soucy in the offseason. Dude has been a positive +/- even on questionable teams. And he has size.

I would really like Soucy.
It's just that he is a little bit out of the age window and the Kraken would ask for a fortune for his rights.
Getting him in the offseason would be a bidding war with actual contenders

 

[bmr]

I would really like Soucy.
It's just that he is a little bit out of the age window and the Kraken would ask for a fortune

He's in the last year of his contract. He's only 28 - hardly out of his prime. You can easily get 4-5 years there.

 

[Kurrilino]

He's in the last year of his contract. He's only 28 - hardly out of his prime. You can easily get 4-5 years there.

I didn't finish typing when clicking "post"
My answer was about trading for his rights.

But getting him for a reasonable price in the offseason would be a wet dream

 

[Schrute farms]

The obsession with LHD is because we need a LHD -- maybe 2. Playing young guys on their wrong side, especially when they haven't done so before and learning on the job, makes no sense. I still don't understand why Bjornfot isn't playing but whatever.

We almost all agree we need some size and piss/vinegar. But if we fill that requirement via a forward, where they heck is he playing? We are overloaded with forwards right now. Same with RHD. The clear & obvious fill spot for size/toughness is at LHD. Edler can be the #7 occasional guy. Whether that guy be an elite top 4 LHD or a 3rd line guy -- i don't care. But that's the one spot we can make an acquisition and easily slot him in (some might say it's a necessity).

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

It's almost criminal how underrated Durzi is on this board...., his play of late has been absolutely stellar.....he's still young as hell, still learning the position at the NHL level, and half of you would rather trade him than develop him, how in the world does that make any sense?

EVERY opposing broadcast, nothing but praise....and that's not to say they watch him all the time, but man......it's insane.

Bjornfoot will be Edler's replacement, simple as that.

Andersson - Doughty
Durzi - Roy
Bjornfoot - Clarke
Walker

Next year's D...unless a major move is made, but if one is, I don't see Durzi being the one traded....

 

[bmr]

It's almost criminal how underrated Durzi is on this board...., his play of late has been absolutely stellar.....he's still young as hell, still learning the position at the NHL level, and half of you would rather trade him than develop him, how in the world does that make any sense?

EVERY opposing broadcast, nothing but praise....and that's not to say they watch him all the time, but man......it's insane.

Bjornfoot will be Edler's replacement, simple as that.

Andersson - Doughty
Durzi - Roy
Bjornfoot - Clarke
Walker

Next year's D...unless a major move is made, but if one is, I don't see Durzi being the one traded....

I don't think he's criminally underrated. Most people here really appreciate how dynamic and effective he is in the O-zone, especially on the Power Play. The big issue is he's been the worst +/- on the team for most of the season and he has some really bad defensive lapses. I've talked about this and I would prefer Spence over him, but that's just my opinion. Maybe you get a guy like Soucy and still him with Durzi on his natural side.

 

[Fishhead]

It's almost criminal how underrated Durzi is on this board...., his play of late has been absolutely stellar.....he's still young as hell, still learning the position at the NHL level, and half of you would rather trade him than develop him, how in the world does that make any sense?

EVERY opposing broadcast, nothing but praise....and that's not to say they watch him all the time, but man......it's insane.

Bjornfoot will be Edler's replacement, simple as that.

Andersson - Doughty
Durzi - Roy
Bjornfoot - Clarke
Walker

Next year's D...unless a major move is made, but if one is, I don't see Durzi being the one traded....

Durzi was defensive shit for most of this season, but his play in the last 2 weeks has been nails, absolutely fantastic. It's going to take more time to evaluate if it's an anomaly or if his brain is slowing down and he's learned things, but if it's the latter it makes for some tough decisions.

I worry if Spence isn't on the roster next year, if that's the case and I'm him I approach management about a possible move. He has nothing left to prove in the AHL, he's a NHL player in a lower league right now. Same with Bjornfot. I really don't see Roy or Walker with the team next year, not because they are terrible but because there are better, younger players. Do we keep Durzi in over Spence or Clarke? Or is he a better option over a true LD? No easy choice.

And to be completely honest, if I'm a Kings forward prospect in Ontario not named Turcotte or Pinelli, I'd be evaluating my options because I'm probably not breaking in with this organization. When healthy, the 4th could be Kupari/Lizotte/Kaliyev with JAD rotating in. Three of those were top Reign scorers.

One thing is for certain, if the opportunity arises we could put together one hell of a package for the right player.

 

[Master Yoda]

Durzi was defensive shit for most of this season, but his play in the last 2 weeks has been nails, absolutely fantastic. It's going to take more time to evaluate if it's an anomaly or if his brain is slowing down and he's learned things, but if it's the latter it makes for some tough decisions.

I worry if Spence isn't on the roster next year, if that's the case and I'm him I approach management about a possible move. He has nothing left to prove in the AHL, he's a NHL player in a lower league right now. Same with Bjornfot. I really don't see Roy or Walker with the team next year, not because they are terrible but because there are better, younger players. Do we keep Durzi in over Spence or Clarke? Or is he a better option over a true LD? No easy choice.

And to be completely honest, if I'm a Kings forward prospect in Ontario not named Turcotte or Pinelli, I'd be evaluating my options because I'm probably not breaking in with this organization. When healthy, the 4th could be Kupari/Lizotte/Kaliyev with JAD rotating in. Three of those were top Reign scorers.

One thing is for certain, if the opportunity arises we could put together one hell of a package for the right player.

Agree about Durzi. His d-zone play and decision making has been much improved lately.

Definitely need to try to move Walker and some of these prospects.
Even if you're not packaging them for a bigger piece, it might be the right time to move some guys stuck in Ontario to get other assets like draft picks or other prospects.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Durzi was defensive shit for most of this season, but his play in the last 2 weeks has been nails, absolutely fantastic. It's going to take more time to evaluate if it's an anomaly or if his brain is slowing down and he's learned things, but if it's the latter it makes for some tough decisions.

I worry if Spence isn't on the roster next year, if that's the case and I'm him I approach management about a possible move. He has nothing left to prove in the AHL, he's a NHL player in a lower league right now. Same with Bjornfot. I really don't see Roy or Walker with the team next year, not because they are terrible but because there are better, younger players. Do we keep Durzi in over Spence or Clarke? Or is he a better option over a true LD? No easy choice.

And to be completely honest, if I'm a Kings forward prospect in Ontario not named Turcotte or Pinelli, I'd be evaluating my options because I'm probably not breaking in with this organization. When healthy, the 4th could be Kupari/Lizotte/Kaliyev with JAD rotating in. Three of those were top Reign scorers.

One thing is for certain, if the opportunity arises we could put together one hell of a package for the right player.

I get your sentiment but I don't know if that's accurate, players that should be worried are those who haven't broken in at 23-24, out of those you have Tyler Madden, Taylor Ward, Akil Thomas, and Lias Andersson up front and Jacob Moverare, Frederic Allard, on the back end, if you assume no major moves and just aging/graduating etc,

Next year Edler is gone, Lemeiux is gone, year after that, Arvidsson, Koptar, Roy, Walker....so in two years, you will theoretically have 6 spots for guys like.....Turcotte, Pinelli, Chromiak, Fagemo, Dudas, Madden, Bjornfoot, Clarke, Grans, Spence, etc....

Not all of them should or will make it, but none of them are in a career threatening play me or I'm done position....

Durzi has been fine all year, he's had some MAJOR WTF moments, no doubt, but show me a young D, that hasn't.....

The problem is, it's a highlight reel world, no one here remembers the great plays he's made in games 2-40, it's all about how he f***ed up in game 1, and 36 etc.....

Shit Walker made a game saving play last night, you would think that, and coming back from injury would buy him something....and people want to waive him...because...oh look new shiny thing

 

[Fishhead]

I get your sentiment but I don't know if that's accurate, players that should be worried are those who haven't broken in at 23-24, out of those you have Tyler Madden, Taylor Ward, Akil Thomas, and Lias Andersson up front and Jacob Moverare, Frederic Allard, on the back end, if you assume no major moves and just aging/graduating etc,

Next year Edler is gone, Lemeiux is gone, year after that, Arvidsson, Koptar, Roy, Walker....so in two years, you will theoretically have 6 spots for guys like.....Turcotte, Pinelli, Chromiak, Fagemo, Dudas, Madden, Bjornfoot, Clarke, Grans, Spence, etc....

Not all of them should or will make it, but none of them are in a career threatening play me or I'm done position....

Durzi has been fine all year, he's had some MAJOR WTF moments, no doubt, but show me a young D, that hasn't.....

The problem is, it's a highlight reel world, no one here remembers the great plays he's made in games 2-40, it's all about how he f***ed up in game 1, and 36 etc.....

Shit Walker made a game saving play last night, you would think that, and coming back from injury would buy him something....and people want to waive him...because...oh look new shiny thing

I disagree that Durzi has been fine all year. The only regular defense giving up more dangerous chances against per 60 is Walker. His ratio of danger for/against is 3rd worst, only ahead of Roy and Walker. His possession numbers are worst among regulars, he's our only defenseman with negative Corsi. He's not leaking possession but it hasn't been good this year. A positive is he has solid GF numbers (3rd best).

The only number that has improved this year over last is his GF%, his danger and possession numbers were both substantially better last year. That's due to his struggles, particularly early in the year. It really has nothing to do with his brain farts here and there, it's his sustained play. Right now I think he's absolutely one of our better defensemen, but both the eye test and metrics tell me it wasn't that way for most of the year.

And I don't think we should waive Walker, but I can see why people want that. He's at or near the bottom of every single metric and he was atrocious a lot of the time until very recently. The main reason for that is he's coming back from an injury, but the reality is by the time he gets back to full speed his contract is going to be up and we aren't going to retain him anyway. It's beneficial to use that spot for an equivalent player with a higher ceiling (i.e. Spence) that's going to be around past next season.

 

[redcard]

Now that the players have figured out how to effectively execute it, I'm a big fan of the 1-3-1. Seems to almost always lead to regaining possession.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I disagree that Durzi has been fine all year. The only regular defense giving up more dangerous chances against per 60 is Walker. His ratio of danger for/against is 3rd worst, only ahead of Roy and Walker. His possession numbers are worst among regulars, he's our only defenseman with negative Corsi. He's not leaking possession but it hasn't been good this year. A positive is he has solid GF numbers (3rd best).

The only number that has improved this year over last is his GF%, his danger and possession numbers were both substantially better last year. That's due to his struggles, particularly early in the year. It really has nothing to do with his brain farts here and there, it's his sustained play. Right now I think he's absolutely one of our better defensemen, but both the eye test and metrics tell me it wasn't that way for most of the year.

And I don't think we should waive Walker, but I can see why people want that. He's at or near the bottom of every single metric and he was atrocious a lot of the time until very recently. The main reason for that is he's coming back from an injury, but the reality is by the time he gets back to full speed his contract is going to be up and we aren't going to retain him anyway. It's beneficial to use that spot for an equivalent player with a higher ceiling (i.e. Spence) that's going to be around past next season.

When I say fine all year, I mean relative.....to A. his peers, and B. his perception on here.....

Again, when you react EVERYTIME to EVERY SITUATION as the sky is falling.....when you call something or someone out, you tend to get ignored (not you personally, this board as a whole)

I would love to know how they define giving up dangerous chances against, is it a dangerous chance against because Walker/Durzi/whomever done f***ed up, or is it a dangerous chance against because the back checking forward lost his man and got lazy? That's why you can't put much stock in any kind of advanced...stat....

How many stats out there calculate the right decision, or the right position, anything like that? (Hint, zero) so when you try and use those stats to judge a player, doesn't make much sense.

 

[Perratrooper]

If the Avs decide to do a bit of a retool, what would be your level of interest in D. Toews? Top pair LHD, currently 28, with one more year at $4.1m. Colorado has a high chance of losing him in a year and a half and could re-coup the most value for him at the deadline now.

 

[Fishhead]

When I say fine all year, I mean relative.....to A. his peers, and B. his perception on here.....

Again, when you react EVERYTIME to EVERY SITUATION as the sky is falling.....when you call something or someone out, you tend to get ignored (not you personally, this board as a whole)

I would love to know how they define giving up dangerous chances against, is it a dangerous chance against because Walker/Durzi/whomever done f***ed up, or is it a dangerous chance against because the back checking forward lost his man and got lazy? That's why you can't put much stock in any kind of advanced...stat....

How many stats out there calculate the right decision, or the right position, anything like that? (Hint, zero) so when you try and use those stats to judge a player, doesn't make much sense.

Dangerous chances are determined by 3 things: Shot location - basically how far you are from the highest chance scoring areas in the slot and out between the dots. Shot distance - how far you are from the goal. Shot type - like open slapshots and wristers vs. contested backhands.

Like all stats, it does NOT have any reasoning behind it, determining fault or anything like that. But over time it is a great indicator of player effectiveness on both ends. Players with higher point totals almost always have a higher DFF% because they drive play into high scoring areas. Players with high point totals who still have a low DFF% means the other team is getting an above average amount of high quality scoring opportunities while they are on the ice.

You can't measure decision making, but over time if you have a negative DFF% you are allowing more opportunities for the opponent than you are creating. It means little over a handful of games, but over half a season it tells you something. When you think about how effective Durzi is at creating offensive chances, when he's out there the opposition is creating even more. Mikey Anderson has the best DFF% by a good margin, not because he's a great creator, but because the other team rarely gets good chances when he's on the ice.

It's one of the best predictive metrics for defensemen, when taken in context.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Dangerous chances are determined by 3 things: Shot location - basically how far you are from the highest chance scoring areas in the slot and out between the dots. Shot distance - how far you are from the goal. Shot type - like open slapshots and wristers vs. contested backhands.

Like all stats, it does NOT have any reasoning behind it, determining fault or anything like that. But over time it is a great indicator of player effectiveness on both ends. Players with higher point totals almost always have a higher DFF% because they drive play into high scoring areas. Players with high point totals who still have a low DFF% means the other team is getting an above average amount of high quality scoring opportunities while they are on the ice.

You can't measure decision making, but over time if you have a negative DFF% you are allowing more opportunities for the opponent than you are creating. It means little over a handful of games, but over half a season it tells you something. When you think about how effective Durzi is at creating offensive chances, when he's out there the opposition is creating even more. Mikey Anderson has the best DFF% by a good margin, not because he's a great creator, but because the other team rarely gets good chances when he's on the ice.

It's one of the best predictive metrics for defensemen, when taken in context.

It's Friday morning so forgive me...when you say.....you....as in "Shot location - basically how far you are from the highest chance scoring areas in the slot and out between the dots. Shot distance - how far you are from the goal. Shot type - like open slapshots and wristers vs. contested backhands." Is that collective you the offensive shooter.......in relation to area, distance etc, or is that the defensive defender from those areas etc?

 

[YP44]

It's almost criminal how underrated Durzi is on this board...., his play of late has been absolutely stellar.....he's still young as hell, still learning the position at the NHL level, and half of you would rather trade him than develop him, how in the world does that make any sense?

EVERY opposing broadcast, nothing but praise....and that's not to say they watch him all the time, but man......it's insane.

Bjornfoot will be Edler's replacement, simple as that.

Andersson - Doughty
Durzi - Roy
Bjornfoot - Clarke
Walker

Next year's D...unless a major move is made, but if one is, I don't see Durzi being the one traded....

But where does that leave Spence?

Durzi has been impressing me more and more lately defensively and normally I would be all about him. However it really comes down to asset management for me. Like you said he gets praise from opposing broadcasts which means he gets praise around the league. I think his value is high because of what you have said, and because LA is so deep on the Right side I would like to use Durzi to help the left side or solve our goaltending. If we did not have Clarke and Spence here I would not be so keen.
Now that Clarke is in the CHL it can wait till the offseason though, unless there is a good value deal out there.

If the Avs decide to do a bit of a retool, what would be your level of interest in D. Toews? Top pair LHD, currently 28, with one more year at $4.1m. Colorado has a high chance of losing him in a year and a half and could re-coup the most value for him at the deadline now.

I like him

 

[BringTheReign]

I know folks here rightfully disdain Dom's past habit of blending personal dislike of a player and their actual analysis, but I think since being at The Athletic the past few years he's matured in his writing. This blurb on Doughty's excellent play this year is a solid example of it from his 16 Stats series (highly recommend the series too).

10. While there’s been a lot of deserved fanfare for the return of Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty deserves some love too. Both were annual stalwarts on the “worst contracts in hockey” list every summer, but both are delivering the goods this year and earning their lofty paychecks.

Doughty’s offense isn’t what it used to be in his prime, but defensively he’s playing like he did in his prime. This year, Doughty is playing at a three-win pace, which ranks 19th among defenders and is entirely due to his defensive impact, which ranks seventh in the league. He’s back to being elite and it’s a major reason the Kings find themselves so high in the standings this year.

16 Stats: Tanking for Bedard, Juuse Saros' surge, Seattle's shooting luck

 

[Statto]

Dangerous chances are determined by 3 things: Shot location - basically how far you are from the highest chance scoring areas in the slot and out between the dots. Shot distance - how far you are from the goal. Shot type - like open slapshots and wristers vs. contested backhands.

Like all stats, it does NOT have any reasoning behind it, determining fault or anything like that. But over time it is a great indicator of player effectiveness on both ends. Players with higher point totals almost always have a higher DFF% because they drive play into high scoring areas. Players with high point totals who still have a low DFF% means the other team is getting an above average amount of high quality scoring opportunities while they are on the ice.

You can't measure decision making, but over time if you have a negative DFF% you are allowing more opportunities for the opponent than you are creating. It means little over a handful of games, but over half a season it tells you something. When you think about how effective Durzi is at creating offensive chances, when he's out there the opposition is creating even more. Mikey Anderson has the best DFF% by a good margin, not because he's a great creator, but because the other team rarely gets good chances when he's on the ice.

It's one of the best predictive metrics for defensemen, when taken in context.

I used to track it back in the early 2000’s (I called it simply chances) and was essentially what you describe. It was ultimately my judgement within a framework of rules. I like the stat as it’s a good indication over time of how well the system is executed in both directions as a team, and defensively for individuals. It’s important to have the right expectations for a forward so not expect a defensive guy to have lots of chances for compared to his peers. However for defensemen its a very good indicator of defensive play, but again needs sample size. One game means F-all. It’s doesn’t matter if it’s giveaways, gap control etc, it’s about results. The coaching team figure out thee whys.

In short Fishead I agree completely and thats how we (coaching team and I) used it at European Elite Level.

 

[Perratrooper]

But where does that leave Spence?

Durzi has been impressing me more and more lately defensively and normally I would be all about him. However it really comes down to asset management for me. Like you said he gets praise from opposing broadcasts which means he gets praise around the league. I think his value is high because of what you have said, and because LA is so deep on the Right side I would like to use Durzi to help the left side or solve our goaltending. If we did not have Clarke and Spence here I would not be so keen.
Now that Clarke is in the CHL it can wait till the offseason though, unless there is a good value deal out there.


I like him

What sort of package would the Kings be willing to offer up for Toews and what players/prospects would be available in a potential trade? It would ideally a move that benefits the Avs long term while not hanging them out to dry in the short term.

 

[Statto]

It's Friday morning so forgive me...when you say.....you....as in "Shot location - basically how far you are from the highest chance scoring areas in the slot and out between the dots. Shot distance - how far you are from the goal. Shot type - like open slapshots and wristers vs. contested backhands." Is that collective you the offensive shooter.......in relation to area, distance etc, or is that the defensive defender from those areas etc?

It’s the shooters location.

 

[YP44]

I know folks here rightfully disdain Dom's past habit of blending personal dislike of a player and their actual analysis, but I think since being at The Athletic the past few years he's matured in his writing. This blurb on Doughty's excellent play this year is a solid example of it from his 16 Stats series (highly recommend the series too).

16 Stats: Tanking for Bedard, Juuse Saros' surge, Seattle's shooting luck

love or hate Dom he usually lets his "model" drive his talking. I think his model has been too harsh on Drew in the past. Not sure if he changed something so defensive play hold more weight, or if Drew is that much better. My eye says Drew has been the steady eddy, although last years points per game was nice.

What sort of package would the Kings be willing to offer up for Toews and what players/prospects would be available in a potential trade? It would ideally a move that benefits the Avs long term while not hanging them out to dry in the short term.

Short term how about the veteran presence of Edler to go for a cup this year. Than add on Fagemo/Madden level prospect and a pick? I don't know really what Colorado would be after.

 

[BringTheReign]

If the Avs decide to do a bit of a retool, what would be your level of interest in D. Toews? Top pair LHD, currently 28, with one more year at $4.1m. Colorado has a high chance of losing him in a year and a half and could re-coup the most value for him at the deadline now.

It depends what Toews' next contract looks like. If he wants to be extended 8 years after his age 29 season, no thanks. If he'll take 4 years, I think the Kings should absolutely be interested. He's an excellent player.

If we're trading for him, I'd have to guess it would be something like a 1st + Spence + a B level asset that the Avs like.

 

[Kurrilino]

What sort of package would the Kings be willing to offer up for Toews and what players/prospects would be available in a potential trade? It would ideally a move that benefits the Avs long term while not hanging them out to dry in the short term.

Not much, we are not contending for the cup.
Soon to be 29 is not the right age window since our future core is 19-23 years old.

In general i would only see real 1vs1 hockey trades working because of the cap.

Maybe Arvidson for Toews or something

 

[Trash Panda]

There is an almost zeros percent chance of the AV’s moving Toews this year.

That team has been decimated by injuries, and even with them having a down year, I can’t see Sakic folding his hand already.

If they are just as bad or worse this time next year when healthy? Sure, Toews could absolutely be moved, but it is gonna take a hell of a lot more than Arvidsson to get it done, especially for a team who is going to be needing cost controlled youth to ease their cap situation.