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

[Fishhead]

Looks like the oilers remaining schedule is against weak opponents. We are screwed.

Western Conference remaining strength of schedule (and overall rank)

12. San Jose 1.125

13. Nashville 1.123

16. Vegas 1.119

20. Winnipeg 1.089

21. Chicago 1.087

22. Los Angeles 1.080

24. St. Louis 1.077

25. Dallas 1.071

26. Anaheim 1.071

27. Arizona 1.067

28. Colorado 1.061

29. Edmonton 1.061

30. Vancouver 1.058

31. Calgary 1.052

32. Seattle 1.039


The Pacific obviously has it easiest, but a lot of that is due to having 3 teams with low point percentages in Vancouver, SJ, and Anaheim.

The Kings are quite a bit ahead of Edmonton, but note the gaps aren't all that big after the 'peg at 20. The difference between the Kings and Edmonton is .019, while the difference between the Kings and Vegas is twice that at .039, and Nashville is even more.

I don't have any idea what the hell those numbers mean exactly and how they are calculated, but putting the Pacific in bunches it would look like:

SJ, VGK with challenging schedules

LA, ANA, EDM, VAN, CAL with moderate schedules

SEA with an easy schedule

A lot of variables, of course, who is playing well and so on. The biggest difference between the Kings and EDM on the high end is the Kings have one remaining against NJ and CAR, while EDM has 2 remaining against BOS and TOR. So the differences are minor.

Vegas is leading the division but isn't in the best shape. They have only one game left against ANA and VAN, while the Kings have 5 left against them. They do have 2 against SJ, while the Kings have 1 against ARI. The bigger difference is on the high end, Vegas also have 2 remaining against CAR, NJ, TB, DAL, and SEA. If they aren't on their game they could easily slide to 4th, the division is really tightening up.

Not an exact science, but a decent snapshot..

 

[crassbonanza]

Grundstrom is replaced by a goddamned fire hydrant.....

Vilardi will resign, Turcotte I don't know, I think he bounces up and down in the AHL for a year....yea he looked good the other night....1 game....I think they use him a the 14th forward and recall him up and down.....

Even if you move from Grunny, that will leave you with 15 forwards to account for. If Turc is re-assigned to Ontario then you have 14, but I really think they want Turcotte to have some time in the NHL, He is going to be 22 soon and they really need to see what they have in him.

 

[Master Yoda]

Where u getting that status info? I looked around a bit, most thorough one was this 2022-23 Los Angeles Kings Injuries - NHL

Just from articles on LA Kings Insider. It's just strange that guys are going down with seemingly minor injuries and not coming back for weeks and weeks.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Just from articles on LA Kings Insider. It's just strange that guys are going down with seemingly minor injuries and not coming back for weeks and weeks.

ya - and I dont think any of them left early from a game... Kaliyev for sure was blocked shot.. and if u dont take of your skate you can play with a break like that

 

[Surf Nutz]

Yeah, he's so unexciting I don't even care to argue haha. I also don't imagine Blake giving up the 1st even if it's late, I remember the prices for things like McNabb and Regehr being 2 2nds. But hey with our org maybe the 2 2nds are better to have in hand...

I also don't think he's a really long-term solution, he's just a very vanilla patch. Personally by this point I'd have given Moverare a really good shot at holding down a spot. Gavrikov is obviously a much better skater but otherwise it's not worth giving up that much without seeing what we had internally first but here we are...

Either way you slice it Moverare is a risk to be claimed on waivers.
He also has not really earned a call up mostly because of a whopping 29 penalty minutes in Ontario, 1 goal and 8 assists, -1 in 27 games.
Therefore I think he is stuck in Ontario for the year, unless injuries on D.

At forward we have 4 forwards out, and we don't look as powerful.
This illustrates why Blake is smart to hold as many assets as possible and be cafeful with signings, plan A, and other acquisitions plan B.
Yeah some moves will have to be made, I would loathe to give up any toughness in Lemieux (and Roy) but he is North Americas most easily penalized player.
I would try to sign someone like MacDermid etc. instead in the off season.
Turcotte is likely in the AHL next year and QB can go if Blake needs to try to wheel and deal and make space early season.
Obviously doing that in the summer would be better.
Trades will depend on what you are getting back but my list of guys I want to trade in order are:
1. Lem or dont resign
2. Edler - same
3. Grundstrom
4. Lizzo
5.Fagemo
6. Kopitar if we are not going to playoffs and he wants to waive NMC(unlikely, I know)

The subject of the Goalies and pipeline has been beat to death recently, and for good reason.

People are always having a climate change panic like conniption, demanding unwise and unnecessary moves. Blake and whoever is his capoligist always find their way.
The only really bad signing being Cal and his spiral in form.
I blame Cal and the goaltender coaches not Blake.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Either way you slice it Moverare is a risk to be claimed on waivers.
He also has not really earned a call up mostly because of a whopping 29 penalty minutes in Ontario, 1 goal and 8 assists, -1 in 27 games.
Therefore I think he is stuck in Ontario for the year, unless injuries on D.

At forward we have 4 forwards out, and we don't look as powerful.
This illustrates why Blake is smart to hold as many assets as possible and be cafeful with signings, plan A, and other acquisitions plan B.
Yeah some moves will have to be made, I would loathe to give up any toughness in Lemieux (and Roy) but he is North Americas most easily penalized player.
I would try to sign someone like MacDermid etc. instead in the off season.
Turcotte is likely in the AHL next year and QB can go if Blake needs to try to wheel and deal and make space early season.
Obviously doing that in the summer would be better.
Trades will depend on what you are getting back but my list of guys I want to trade in order are:
1. Lem or dont resign
2. Edler - same
3. Grundstrom
4. Lizzo
5.Fagemo
6. Kopitar if we are not going to playoffs and he wants to waive NMC(unlikely, I know)

The subject of the Goalies and pipeline has been beat to death recently, and for good reason.

People are always having a climate change panic like conniption, demanding unwise and unnecessary moves. Blake and whoever is his capoligist always find their way.
The only really bad signing being Cal and his spiral in form.
I blame Cal and the goaltender coaches not Blake.

Careful on that, mob justice might be after ya now.......

 

[Little Psycho]

Just from articles on LA Kings Insider. It's just strange that guys are going down with seemingly minor injuries and not coming back for weeks and weeks.

I don’t think they are reporting their exact injuries which is weird. Like we aren’t in the playoffs, why are they keeping their lips sealed.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I don’t think they are reporting their exact injuries which is weird. Like we aren’t in the playoffs, why are they keeping their lips sealed.

Blake looked into his crystal ball and determined we can save a waiver year on a RHD prospect in 2043 by not reporting injuries. Don’t ask questions alright

 

[Surf Nutz]

Careful on that, mob justice might be after ya now.......

Just like you, I don't give a shlitz.
Get on my nerves and you can join the ignore list because I am not getting irked into being penalized.
I emptied my ignores with the new year but have since added one annoyed at me unknown soldier.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

People are always having a climate change panic like conniption, demanding unwise and unnecessary moves. Blake and whoever is his capoligist always find their way.
The only really bad signing being Cal and his spiral in form.
I blame Cal and the goaltender coaches not Blake.

I don't think this is fair.

Most of the moves we have been calling for, we have been calling for for some time--in fact, years. It wasn't hard to see the need for blue chip LHDs and Gs even two years ago. It's just hit the wall hard with the team's recent issues. Though even I will admit that I didn't expect it to be THIS bad--even I had the foresight to say this will be a problem soon. Didn't expect this soon and this hard but I'm also not paid millions with a staff of hockey lifers and nerds to help me out.

Blake looked into his crystal ball and determined we can save a waiver year on a RHD prospect in 2043 by not reporting injuries. Don’t ask questions alright

It really does all feel so 4-D chess-y, smartest man in the room syndrome.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Just like you, I don't give a shlitz.
Get on my nerves and you can join the ignore list because I am not getting irked into being penalized.
I emptied my ignores with the new year but have since added one annoyed at me unknown soldier.

You just forgot one thing......sarcasm never really transcends on message boards.....

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don’t think they are reporting their exact injuries which is weird. Like we aren’t in the playoffs, why are they keeping their lips sealed.

Because there is no one to hold them accountable

They could stand in front of the media and say "Vilardi ate too many Pez, blew out an intestine" and "Kaliyev broke his foot when I nailed his ass with a sweet beach volleyball spike, what a little bitch for a 29 year old" and no one would even blink.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I don’t think they are reporting their exact injuries which is weird. Like we aren’t in the playoffs, why are they keeping their lips sealed.

Tight standings ,sinking standings, loss in firepower, gonna be a tough slog to make playoffs.
Create any potential advantage you can.

 

[Surf Nutz]

You just forgot one thing......sarcasm never really transcends on message boards.....

You just forgot one thing......sarcasm never really transcends on message boards.....

I watched your replies for a while.
It does more than you realize.
You just have a special way of reading other peoples post and going into jockey at Santa Anita mode with a horse named The Monday Morning Quarterback.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I don't think this is fair.

Most of the moves we have been calling for, we have been calling for for some time--in fact, years. It wasn't hard to see the need for blue chip LHDs and Gs even two years ago. It's just hit the wall hard with the team's recent issues. Though even I will admit that I didn't expect it to be THIS bad--even I had the foresight to say this will be a problem soon. Didn't expect this soon and this hard but I'm also not paid millions with a staff of hockey lifers and nerds to help me out.




It really does all feel so 4-D chess-y, smartest man in the room syndrome.

Dean at times came off as a little too 4D chess-y to me.

Blake/Luc just feels like inmates running the asylum at this point.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I don't think this is fair.

Most of the moves we have been calling for, we have been calling for for some time--in fact, years. It wasn't hard to see the need for blue chip LHDs and Gs even two years ago. It's just hit the wall hard with the team's recent issues. Though even I will admit that I didn't expect it to be THIS bad--even I had the foresight to say this will be a problem soon. Didn't expect this soon and this hard but I'm also not paid millions with a staff of hockey lifers and nerds to help me out.




It really does all feel so 4-D chess-y, smartest man in the room syndrome.

Props to you for being in an originator but I read it all too much by those that followed you.
I loved the way Blake handled the signing this year, demanding reasonable salaries, with a show me first or sit out kick in the pants to their agents.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I watched your replies for a while.
It does more than you realize.
You just have a special way of reading other peoples post and going into jockey at Santa Anita mode with a horse named The Monday Morning Quarterback.

Careful you might make me blush...

 

[Surf Nutz]

Careful you might make me blush...

Pardon me, mam!

 

[KingsOfCali25]

The youth movement is ready but management is not. Plus the coach doesn't want it. So sad for the prospects (JAD, Kupari, Fagemo, Spence, Bjornfot) as they are getting screwed over and over again. The Kings will lose good prospects to waivers and bad trades due to the low end veteran presence (Arvidsson, Iafallo, Moore).

 

[Fishhead]

The youth movement is ready but management is not. Plus the coach doesn't want it. So sad for the prospects (JAD, Kupari, Fagemo, Spence, Bjornfot) as they are getting screwed over and over again. The Kings will lose good prospects to waivers and bad trades due to the low end veteran presence (Arvidsson, Iafallo, Moore).

This fallacy just won't die.

Less than optimal deployments and questionable ice time sure. Screw jobs, not even close. Spence is really the only one that's gotten a bit of a raw deal.

I hate the low-end veteran presence too. RV, tied for 94th in scoring among all NHL forwards. That's first line production. Or Iafallo, who got a nasty injury but is still scoring right under first-line production. Trevor Moore is off his pace a bit this year but he's still top-6 production.

I highly doubt JAD, Kupari, or Fagemo ever bring what those three do, I don't see how they are being blocked by them.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

This fallacy just won't die.

Less than optimal deployments and questionable ice time sure. Screw jobs, not even close. Spence is really the only one that's gotten a bit of a raw deal.

I hate the low-end veteran presence too. RV, tied for 94th in scoring among all NHL forwards. That's first line production. Or Iafallo, who got a nasty injury but is still scoring right under first-line production. Trevor Moore is off his pace a bit this year but he's still top-6 production.

I highly doubt JAD, Kupari, or Fagemo ever bring what those three do, I don't see how they are being blocked by them.

Because they are not apart of the teams long-term future. Morre will be with that stupid contract they gave him but these kids need the ice time. Both Spence and Fagemo outplayed guys in their respective positions this offseason but were sent down because they were waiver eligible. This team is better off letting the youth learn than going for a cup they won't get. You ride Kopitar and Doughty's contract out while the kids learn and go after the cup in 3 years. Arvidsson and Iafallo shouldn't be here in that time.

 

[Fishhead]

Because they are not apart of the teams long-term future. Morre will be with that stupid contract they gave him but these kids need the ice time. Both Spence and Fagemo outplayed guys in their respective positions this offseason but were sent down because they were waiver eligible. This team is better off letting the youth learn than going for a cup they won't get. You ride Kopitar and Doughty's contract out while the kids learn and go after the cup in 3 years. Arvidsson and Iafallo shouldn't be here in that time.

Spence, sure. But c'mon, Fagemo outplayed no one. He's in a perfect spot right now, cutting his teeth on the bottom line and facing easy competition. The youth are learning. Byfield and Vilardi are perfect examples of what young players can do when they are put in spots without a ton of responsibility. It's no surprise Byfield took off when he didn't have the pressure of having to try and carry his own line. Kopitar does all the heavy lifting and QB can do his thing. Same thing with Gabe, as soon as he's taken out of the middle and stops having to try and think about everything he becomes a goal machine.

Throwing a bunch of young guys into the fire to get them ice time is a sure way to go nowhere. If you have a bunch of blue-chip lottery picks, maybe. The Kings don't have the horses in their system to pull that off. I can guarantee you if the Kupari/JAD/Fagemo line were facing tough competition they would just be learning how to get scored on and lose confidence.

 

[Statto]

Spence, sure. But c'mon, Fagemo outplayed no one. He's in a perfect spot right now, cutting his teeth on the bottom line and facing easy competition. The youth are learning. Byfield and Vilardi are perfect examples of what young players can do when they are put in spots without a ton of responsibility. It's no surprise Byfield took off when he didn't have the pressure of having to try and carry his own line. Kopitar does all the heavy lifting and QB can do his thing. Same thing with Gabe, as soon as he's taken out of the middle and stops having to try and think about everything he becomes a goal machine.

Throwing a bunch of young guys into the fire to get them ice time is a sure way to go nowhere. If you have a bunch of blue-chip lottery picks, maybe. The Kings don't have the horses in their system to pull that off. I can guarantee you if the Kupari/JAD/Fagemo line were facing tough competition they would just be learning how to get scored on and lose confidence.

I agree with Fagemo but will counter Björnfot. Clarke, I do not think they got right primarily because he was too inactive although I do understand what they tried to do. It’s going great with QB and it was a very good move to put him at LW. I’m not certain they get too much credit because he would have certainly benefited playing with a top vet or two much sooner. He also looked great with Iafallo. We will never know so I’ll just enjoy the moment.

 

[Statto]

This interview tells me a lot. His comments about being more involved and ‘allowing himself’ to be more offensive. Interesting stuff.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

This interview tells me a lot. His comments about being more involved and ‘allowing himself’ to be more offensive. Interesting stuff.

Are you sure this is the right Byfield talking about the same coach Tmac, saying if he makes a mistake he knows he's going right back out there? I mean f***....all we've been told is how Tmac benches kids for making mistakes.......yet.....someone who actually knows something about the situation is saying otherwise....hmmmmmmmm