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

[AbsentMojo]

Iaffalo is redundant but they love him so much. I'd like to see Kaliyev get a shot with Fiala and move Gabe up with Kopi and Kempe.

Iafallo is the price you pay for Cals implosion. He is good player that can play on any line.. but his value over a replacement is negligible. The cap space is needed for patching holes on LD and/or G.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Well, we're trading Byfield, Vilardi & Kaliyev for Chychrun this week so the logjam will be clear.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Don't know where to post this but anyone going to the Kings event tomorrow, be aware there's a Lakers home game at 7 pm also.

 

[AbsentMojo]

"Hit a snag" Cal's 10 team NTC?

How bad is that contract to give an unproven goalie 3x5m AND an m-NTC.

We really need Nashville to drop off fast, but they had a good January. Johansson is overpaid, but would be a good 3C, King's have overpaid contracts they can send back. Ekholm would be another target. Also they have Saros, Askarov is coming soon & their current backup Lankinen has good numbers & is a UFA. Wouldn't mind nabbing him on a 2-3M contract to run with Pheonix. Would prefer Saros if available, but.

Nashville does have some interesting assets. Its going to be right up against the deadline whether they are going to go fire sale. Eckholm is a bit old and expensive though... they'd have to take Cal off our hands to make the $$ work... otherwise who else?

 

[Nasti]

Especially now that it's a clear LHD market with him, Gavrikov, and like 8-10 others. Chychrun is clearly the best, but as I've been harping, the talent gap between him and others isn't nearly as large as the reported value gap. AZ gonna get left holding the bag unless one of the window-open teams gets more desperate.

I'll admit I'm hard on Blake but I get the feeling he knows the pressure is firmly on AZ now especially now that they've SAT him and has made his final offer. If I'm Rob I'm saying go ahead and shop him around, we'll be here waiting.

However I'm far LESS confident that Blake isn't ALSO in win-now mode and is actually willing to give up some serious pieces to try to suggest we're winning in the next 3 years or bust

If there‘s one thing Blake knows a lot about, it’s take it or leave it offers.

 

[FSL KINGS]

How bad is that contract to give an unproven goalie 3x5m AND an m-NTC.


Nashville does have some interesting assets. Its going to be right up against the deadline whether they are going to go fire sale. Eckholm is a bit old and expensive though... they'd have to take Cal off our hands to make the $$ work... otherwise who else?

C targets for 3C Johansson, maybe Granlund or Sissons. Don't know how much center they are playing. Looking for a center that can keep Lizotte in the 4C & make a pass to Fiala & occasionally finish one of his passes.

Jeannot is an interesting one, only 14 points so far this year after a 41 point season last year. Plays the rough & tumble style.

McDonagh, they just acquired him. Seems like a long shot though. Maybe he wants back in the playoffs.

Duchene doesn't play a lot of center, so that's not going to help.

Goalie they have 3 that are going to need NHL ice soon & their backup is a UFA. Just lost to AZ last night though.

David Pollie doesn't seem to to the blow up rebuild & just ices the best team he can most years. Has been known to make some big trades. Weber for PK, S. Jones for Johansson. Wonder if thoughts of retirement might change the way he operates. Some useful pieces there & if we are talking about crazy Chychrun packages, make a big offer for some of the Preds or other teams pieces.

 

[unicornpig]

Where does Vilardi slot, when he comes back? (hopefully Friday)

You would surely think this must move Lizotte down the 4C. Somehow, Todd will find a way to put Vilardi on line 4, I fear. It honestly seems insane, that the Kings have drafted 4 centers in round 1 since 2017, yet none are playing center on the Kings...above line 4

2017 Vilardi 11 OA, 2018 Kupari 20 OA, 2019 Turcotte 5 OA, Byfield 2020 2 OA.
Yet, none are playing above 4C on the Kings.

Hopefully iafallo is moved (my dream).

 

[AbsentMojo]

C targets for 3C Johansson, maybe Granlund or Sissons. Don't know how much center they are playing. Looking for a center that can keep Lizotte in the 4C & make a pass to Fiala & occasionally finish one of his passes.

Jeannot is an interesting one, only 14 points so far this year after a 41 point season last year. Plays the rough & tumble style.

McDonagh, they just acquired him. Seems like a long shot though. Maybe he wants back in the playoffs.

Duchene doesn't play a lot of center, so that's not going to help.

Goalie they have 3 that are going to need NHL ice soon & their backup is a UFA. Just lost to AZ last night though.

We definitely could use a 3C - that is a frequently overlooked need since 2LD and G are so obvious. But, if we want to compete this season, I would rather work on a 2LD as the priority.. but sometimes you have to take whats available and for sure we need an upgrade to 3C if the coaches have clearly evaluated that Vilardi doesnt have the wheels to cover down low as a center.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

We definitely could use a 3C - that is a frequently overlooked need since 2LD and G are so obvious. But, if we want to compete this season, I would rather work on a 2LD as the priority.. but sometimes you have to take whats available and for sure we need an upgrade to 3C if the coaches have clearly evaluated that Vilardi doesnt have the wheels to cover down low as a center.

I think it's a simple fix actually......move Kupari there.....Fiala, Kupari, and Vilardi when he's back....that's a good 3rd line.....as much as I like Lizotte, he hasn't played well lately...

 

[AbsentMojo]

I think it's a simple fix actually......move Kupari there.....Fiala, Kupari, and Vilardi when he's back....that's a good 3rd line.....as much as I like Lizotte, he hasn't played well lately...

Kupari is fast, has good one and one sense, and is proving to be a stellar PK specialist. He doesnt have a shot, his cycling work is suspect, and his general ability to create chances with his line-mates seems limited. If you look at his entire history, he's never scored more than 12 goals. I could see him as a stop gap 3C but i more see him more as a 4th line C or wing if you have a contender level roster: Rasmus Kupari at eliteprospects.com

 

[Surf Nutz]

I agree with this, and it's weird how he doesn't mesh with Kopitar. I'm surprised he was never really tried with Danault.

I was too but TMac obviously is worried about KeFi's defensive play.

Iaffalo is redundant but they love him so much. I'd like to see Kaliyev get a shot with Fiala and move Gabe up with Kopi and Kempe.

Until you have consecutive losses or worse you don;t really change much especially the Kopi line with QB breaking out, Kempe on fire and even Kopi scoring and racking up assists.
Maybe try Jad at C with Fialla and Kalii. Bump Lizzo to C4 with Vilardi, shaking the rust of with him and Iaf.

 

[johnjm22]

Kupari is fast, has good one and one sense, and is proving to be a stellar PK specialist. He doesnt have a shot, his cycling work is suspect, and his general ability to create chances with his line-mates seems limited. If you look at his entire history, he's never scored more than 12 goals. I could see him as a stop gap 3C but i more see him more as a 4th line C or wing if you have a contender level roster: Rasmus Kupari at eliteprospects.com

But he's only 22.

There's a lot of development road left in front of him. He can improve in a lot of areas. Surround him with good wingers and let it rip. I like @GoldenBearHockey's line.

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Fiala-Kupari-Vilardi
Iafallo-Lizotte-Kaliyev
Lemieux, JAD, Grundstrom

That's a deep forward group with talent on every line.

The emergence of JAD makes Iafallo expendable if cap space is needed.

 

[AbsentMojo]

But he's only 22.

There's a lot of development road left in front of him. He can improve in a lot of areas. Surround him with good wingers and let it rip. I like @GoldenBearHockey's line.

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Fiala-Kupari-Vilardi
Iafallo-Lizotte-Kaliyev
Lemieux, JAD, Grundstrom

That's a deep forward group with talent on every line.

The emergence of JAD makes Iafallo expendable if cap space is needed.

I like the line too as a temporary fix. I also agree he still has time to evolve into something like a Kempe lite - ie a wing and not a center... But ive watched him for a couple of years now, and there is something missing with his offensive IQ... if he develops a shot, his speed will create chances like Kempe gets.

 

[FSL KINGS]

I just remembered! We have Nate Thompson skating for the Reign! 3C solved.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I just remembered! We have Nate Thompson skating for the Reign! 3C solved.

What kind of contract did he sign? he played w Flyers last year.. unsigned this year 0 - and decided he still wants to play making like 80K?

 

[All The Kings Men]

What kind of contract did he sign? he played w Flyers last year.. unsigned this year 0 - and decided he still wants to play making like 80K?

He's on a PTO with the Reign.

 

[AbsentMojo]

He's on a PTO with the Reign.

I didnt know PTO can last the entire season .. interesting

 

[All The Kings Men]

I didnt know PTO can last the entire season .. interesting

To the best of my knowledge you can't sign a PTO for the whole year.

A PTO lasts for 25 games. The player or team can terminate the PTO at any time.

Nate Thompson played 25 games before being removed from the lineup with an injury. He has been skating with the Reign in a red non-contact jersey recently.

My understanding is that the next time he appears in a game for Ontario it would be on a new PTO or playing with a standard AHL contract.

 

[mysterman2]

What kind of contract did he sign? he played w Flyers last year.. unsigned this year 0 - and decided he still wants to play making like 80K?

Kings probably have deal for coaching position upon his retirement.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings really need some grit. The Oilers (Kane, Kassian, and Nurse) ran over the Kings last year in the playoffs. I remember specifically....

1. Nurse cross checking Kopitar in the first shift.
2. Kassian and Nurse cross checking Durzi.
3. Kassian taking out Byfield with a hit.

The Kings can afford to dump JAD or Grundstrom and send Kupari down.

If they have no faith in Lemieux, then find another tough guy who can play like a Kassian, Comtois, etc OR sign and call up Thompson or Goldbourne.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Kings really need some grit. The Oilers (Kane, Kassian, and Nurse) ran over the Kings last year in the playoffs. I remember specifically....

1. Nurse cross checking Kopitar in the first shift.
2. Kassian and Nurse cross checking Durzi.
3. Kassian taking out Byfield with a hit.

The Kings can afford to dump JAD or Grundstrom and send Kupari down.

If they have no faith in Lemieux, then find another tough guy who can play like a Kassian, Comtois, etc OR sign and call up Thompson or Goldbourne.

The Nurse headbutt

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Kings really need some grit. The Oilers (Kane, Kassian, and Nurse) ran over the Kings last year in the playoffs. I remember specifically....

1. Nurse cross checking Kopitar in the first shift.
2. Kassian and Nurse cross checking Durzi.
3. Kassian taking out Byfield with a hit.

The Kings can afford to dump JAD or Grundstrom and send Kupari down.

If they have no faith in Lemieux, then find another tough guy who can play like a Kassian, Comtois, etc OR sign and call up Thompson or Goldbourne.

Yes, let's dump skilled players for a guy who will play 4 minutes a game.......makes sense.

 

[lumbergh]

Where does Vilardi slot, when he comes back? (hopefully Friday)

You would surely think this must move Lizotte down the 4C. Somehow, Todd will find a way to put Vilardi on line 4, I fear. It honestly seems insane, that the Kings have drafted 4 centers in round 1 since 2017, yet none are playing center on the Kings...above line 4

2017 Vilardi 11 OA, 2018 Kupari 20 OA, 2019 Turcotte 5 OA, Byfield 2020 2 OA.
Yet, none are playing above 4C on the Kings.

Time for Byfield to embrace his destiny as first line center.

Fiala-Byfield-Vilardi
Iafallo-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Kupari/JAD-Lizotte-Kaliyev

Damn I got a serious boner just looking at those sexy lines.

 

[johnjm22]

Time for Byfield to embrace his destiny as first line center.

Fiala-Byfield-Vilardi
Iafallo-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Kupari/JAD-Lizotte-Kaliyev

Damn I got a serious boner just looking at those sexy lines.

2023-24:

Fiala-Byfield-Vilardi
Iafallo-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Kupari/JAD-Lizotte-Kaliyev

Anderson-Doughty
Chychrun-Roy
Bjornfot-Clarke

xxxxx/Copely

If Byfield and Vilardi continue developing at their current rate, that might be a contending roster minus a goaltender.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

In 23-24 this team will have the #1 team in offense and defense and be relying on a goaltending pipeline of Villalta--Markkanen--bionic hips Ingham--Sol's mother--Ranford