Speculation: LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread part VII

[Schmooley]

Hi Schmooley,

As much as I was a critic of Kopitar this year and how he looked to be laboring, he had 67 points. Next closest guy is Kempe at 54 points. Kopitar is 100% our #1C next year. Listening to everyone's interviews, Kempe commented on how he liked more consistently w/ linemates (Kopitar) and Kopitar was effusing praise on Juice for his 35 goals. I think if Blake can find a good power forward type guy (Bertuzzi, etc..) to stick on that line next year, it will pay dividends.

The guys in the bottom 6 are younger but they are a bit insulated not playing in 1st/2nd line positions and not having to cover the other team's top talent or expected to be the primary scoring threat. Can mix and match a veteran player for a little more line stability, but those lines showed some good potential this year imho.

Lizotte impressed me the most in the bottom 6. He seems more like a veteran player even though he's only 23. He was also the 5th best +/- on the team at +15. He's a perfect fit for that 3rd/4th line center position.

Kopitar played the most minutes and was out there almost 2 minutes every power play the entire season. He should have the most points. He was not playing at a 1c pace at all last season. In the playoffs was even worse. 1 goal and a minus 5 in 7 games.
The young players need to start playing in the top six against other teams top talent. So they dont get there in the playoffs with their tail between their legs and the coach plays them for 5 minutes total because hes scared of matchups.
Kempe-Byfield-Kaliyev looked good together in the few minutes they have been caught out together. Why not run that as a 2nd line and let the Danault line be the first line because they really are anyway. Iafallo-Kopitar-Grundstrom could be a good third line.

 

[Herby]

Been banging the Kadri drum for awhile. Tough to play against for sure if you can run Kadri-Danault-Kopitar down the middle.

If the Kings sign Kadri it just means they have no faith in Byfield at all, which would be depressing. But Blake showed he was not afraid to do the same thing with Danault, kind of signaling the end of other center prospects chances of being centers.

The issue with Kadri is, can he be a #1 center for the Kings? He has other intangible values but the Kings need offense, and it's just tough to imagine Kadri being a big offensive producer on the Kings.

I assume in your scenario Byfield plays wing? Boy, wouldn't that be something else, if all four of the 1st round centers ended up as wingers.

If the Kings were to be over Byfield, I think I'd rather package him in a trade to get a center better than Kadri for my 1C. The Kings have traded their two previous Top 5 pick centers after their D+2 seasons. Olli Jokinen went in the package for Ziggy Palffy and Brayden Schenn went in the Mike Richards trade.

 

[KingLB]

Problem with Kadri is you are going to pay for Avs production and end up with Kings production. So right off the top you are going to over pay. I’d be surprised if he could hit 60 pts playing on the Kings. Especially since he likely won’t be on PP1. Basic Danualt production at 7-8 mil? No thanks.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I don't think you see a MAJOR free agent signing like a Kadri, Forsberg etc, I think you see a minor 3rd pairing LD signed......and you see a healthy consolidation trade, ie Walker, Roy, JAD and Vilardi and a 1st for XXXXX top 6 scoring wing etc.....

They don't have the room to add a winger, without subtracting someone from the roster, Brown is gone, I think Gundstrom is a great replacement from what he showed in the playoffs, AA should be gone....and I think you see Kaliyev slide up there with Kopitar, Kempe.....or a trade to bring in a top six scoring wing, and you put Kaliyev in with Byfield and Grundstrom/Fagemo/Turcotte/ pick a guy for the 3rd line.

 

[kenito7]

Are you sure that is the third line?

Your right off of this years performance that would be the 4th line

 

[bmr]

Kopitar played the most minutes and was out there almost 2 minutes every power play the entire season. He should have the most points. He was not playing at a 1c pace at all last season. In the playoffs was even worse. 1 goal and a minus 5 in 7 games.
The young players need to start playing in the top six against other teams top talent. So they dont get there in the playoffs with their tail between their legs and the coach plays them for 5 minutes total because hes scared of matchups.
Kempe-Byfield-Kaliyev looked good together in the few minutes they have been caught out together. Why not run that as a 2nd line and let the Danault line be the first line because they really are anyway. Iafallo-Kopitar-Grundstrom could be a good third line.

How many teams in the league do you know that are using their $10 mill guy on the 3rd line? I don't see this changing unless he really falls off next year.

 

[Schmooley]

How many teams in the league do you know that are using their $10 mill guy on the 3rd line? I don't see this changing unless he really falls off next year.

He fell off this year. The money is for winning cups and how he played in the past not for how hes performing right now. With Brown retiring maybe they are ready to let go of the past now and get on with it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Problem with Kadri is you are going to pay for Avs production and end up with Kings production. So right off the top you are going to over pay. I’d be surprised if he could hit 60 pts playing on the Kings. Especially since he likely won’t be on PP1. Basic Danualt production at 7-8 mil? No thanks.

Yeah always have to consider the Kings' offense tax but even more so this year with the inflated production league-wide.

Forsberg picked basically the best possible year to be UFA. Hope Blake doesn't fall for it. Yet--in the grand scheme of things--1/2 million ISNT what breaks the roster when given to a star, its only when given to a Kempe.

But makes you wonder, Kings are keeping their powder dry getting ready to push their chips in...

I don't think you see a MAJOR free agent signing like a Kadri, Forsberg etc, I think you see a minor 3rd pairing LD signed......and you see a healthy consolidation trade, ie Walker, Roy, JAD and Vilardi and a 1st for XXXXX top 6 scoring wing etc.....

They don't have the room to add a winger, without subtracting someone from the roster, Brown is gone, I think Gundstrom is a great replacement from what he showed in the playoffs, AA should be gone....and I think you see Kaliyev slide up there with Kopitar, Kempe.....or a trade to bring in a top six scoring wing, and you put Kaliyev in with Byfield and Grundstrom/Fagemo/Turcotte/ pick a guy for the 3rd line.

I think the other thing is Blake's MO seems to be a little moneyball-ish. I'm looking heavily at the guys who are similar to Arvidsson or Danault, even Moore undervalued by their teams needing larger roles. Guys that seem to fit into this are:

Marchment
Backlund
Donskoi (I hate him personally)
Neiderreiter
Debrusk (also not a fan)
Mikheyev (not a fan)
Danton Heinen


The question is are those kinds of guys worth the relative risk vs. the 'sure thing' of a Forsberg.

 

[Schrute farms]

The idea of Bertuzzi is perfect and would make me a very happy boy. But the big problem is only having him for one year. Signed immediately to a 2-3 year extension would be great, but i doubt that's happening.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Yeah always have to consider the Kings' offense tax but even more so this year with the inflated production league-wide.

Forsberg picked basically the best possible year to be UFA. Hope Blake doesn't fall for it. Yet--in the grand scheme of things--1/2 million ISNT what breaks the roster when given to a star, its only when given to a Kempe.

But makes you wonder, Kings are keeping their powder dry getting ready to push their chips in...




I think the other thing is Blake's MO seems to be a little moneyball-ish. I'm looking heavily at the guys who are similar to Arvidsson or Danault, even Moore undervalued by their teams needing larger roles. Guys that seem to fit into this are:

Marchment
Backlund
Donskoi (I hate him personally)
Neiderreiter
Debrusk (also not a fan)
Mikheyev (not a fan)
Danton Heinen


The question is are those kinds of guys worth the relative risk vs. the 'sure thing' of a Forsberg.

Man, that's a tough list of middle sixer's, I love Mikheyev, but I don't know who you sit to play him, and if that's the case, you stand pat.

About Blake's Money ball MO, I think it's too soon to say and not enough information to fully judge, we don't know who he knocked on doors about, and what the cost might have been

 

[KINGS17]

Your right off of this years performance that would be the 4th line

That is one of the problems. If you are not willing to take a chance and play the kids you took a chance with by using a 1st round pick on them over an aging Kopitar, it seems you are admitting you failed in either the scouting or development department.

Better to know sooner, rather than later, if some of these kids will measure up. What purpose does Kopitar scoring a little over 20 goals, and racking up 60 points next year, then either not making the playoffs (absolutely could happen) serve?

 

[johnjm22]

The biggest problem with the Kings roster is that it lacks a #1 center.

With a true top line center the Kings would have beat the Oilers handily.

Despite this, I don't expect the Kings to acquire a center in the offseason. Byfield will be handed a center spot. The Kings should focus on trying to surround him with good wingers.

I never understood TMac's decision to have an all rookie line. Each young player should be paired with a capable vet.

 

[KINGS17]

The biggest problem with the Kings roster is that it lacks a #1 center.

With a true top line center the Kings would have beat the Oilers handily.

Despite this, I don't expect the Kings to acquire a center in the offseason. Byfield will be handed a center spot. The Kings should focus on trying to surround him with good wingers.

I never understood TMac's decision to have an all rookie line. Each young player should be paired with a capable vet.

Yup, many will point out what a mistake it was for Dean to acquire Ryan Smith, but he went after Smith to play with Kopitar. Something similar should be done for Byfield.

Smith was not part of the long term plan, he was brought in to score some goals and help Kopitar pile up some points.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Man, that's a tough list of middle sixer's, I love Mikheyev, but I don't know who you sit to play him, and if that's the case, you stand pat.

About Blake's Money ball MO, I think it's too soon to say and not enough information to fully judge, we don't know who he knocked on doors about, and what the cost might have been

Yeah I don't mean it in a derogatory way--only that he's clearly looking at targets others aren't quite as enamored by, some that need a larger role, some that are lined up for a resurgence. But that could also have been the previous phase of development, ie if Arvidsson didn't work out, it didn't REALLY hurt us, whereas if he were to trade for Marchment and he was a total dud, that could prevent the next step. I'm just trying to guess where Blake might be looking other than strictly big fish--I'll take alook at some rosters over coffee this afternoon heh

 

[BigKing]

Legit #1C and #1D are probably the most important things you want out of high draft picks. Doughty is still a legit #1D but it was nice to be able to take a defenseman with the Top 10 pick last year as Doughty isn't getting any younger.

Kopitar is older and the Kings had a 2C when Blake took over in Carter that was a 2003 draftee so, again, old. Blake reels off four straight first round C selections in an effort to cover for Kopitar's eventual decline and--in the case of Byfield--fully replace Kopitar's production for hopefully the next 10 years or so.

Well, he grabbed Danault because nobody was ready to cover for Kopitar's decline this season and he wasn't sure that he even had a legit 2C outside of Byfield for the future.

This, again, is why Byfield must hit. You can miss on Vilardi and even Turcotte if Byfield develops into the star player he was touted as being. If he is a miss, the Kings will be toiling in mediocrity. Rag on Kopitar all you want but this run-down version of him still led this team in points and the refrain on here is that he can't be the #1C next season.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Yeah I don't mean it in a derogatory way--only that he's clearly looking at targets others aren't quite as enamored by, some that need a larger role, some that are lined up for a resurgence. But that could also have been the previous phase of development, ie if Arvidsson didn't work out, it didn't REALLY hurt us, whereas if he were to trade for Marchment and he was a total dud, that could prevent the next step. I'm just trying to guess where Blake might be looking other than strictly big fish--I'll take alook at some rosters over coffee this afternoon heh

Agreed...and you have time for coffee? WTF man lmao thought you were auditioning for Selling Sunset....just saying

 

[FSL KINGS]

Lizotte & Byfield (or turcotte, Vilardi) as the 2 bottom 6 C's is the biggest issue this team faces. Add a center so Lizotte doesn't end up the 3C when Byfield can't defend Mcdavid 20 games into his NHL career.

2nd biggest need is to replace Määttä with a D that can put the puck in the net. Maatta gets a large number of chances in the Ozone. A D that can capitalize on some of those would be huge.

3rd Toughness.

LD is thin pickings.
Chychrun put in a career low 47 game season.

Provorov is paid a lot, just under 7. Has some offense, has been struggling the last 2 years. Comes down to cost to acquire. Philly GM is all over the place paying to dump Ghostbeer & running the price up on Risto. Could help boost offense.

OEL, is still one of the better options. Thin market.

Klingberg play the left?

After that UFA's like Zadorov & Chiarot.

At some point moving Roy, Durzi, Clarke, Spence to the left becomes a better option than what is out there.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Lizotte & Byfield (or turcotte, Vilardi) as the 2 bottom 6 C's is the biggest issue this team faces. Add a center so Lizotte doesn't end up the 3C when Byfield can't defend Mcdavid 20 games into his NHL career.

2nd biggest need is to replace Määttä with a D that can put the puck in the net. Maatta gets a large number of chances in the Ozone. A D that can capitalize on some of those would be huge.

3rd Toughness.

LD is thin pickings.
Chychrun put in a career low 47 game season.

Provorov is paid a lot, just under 7. Has some offense, has been struggling the last 2 years. Comes down to cost to acquire. Philly GM is all over the place paying to dump Ghostbeer & running the price up on Risto. Could help boost offense.

OEL, is still one of the better options. Thin market.

Klingberg play the left?

After that UFA's like Zadorov & Chiarot.

At some point moving Roy, Durzi, Clarke, Spence to the left becomes a better option than what is out there.

Sorry, did we watch this same team this year? You want to replace Lizotte? What in the world for?

 

[FSL KINGS]

Forwards, team needs a Center. Having said that if Forsberg wants to come to the King's Blake might have to find a way to make that work.

Centers.
PLD, RFA, doubt WPG moves him

Kadri UFA, solid C. Points probably drop from Avs. Maybe get in the 7's throwing a 7 year contract he won't finish at him.

JT Miller, Bo Horvat, expect Van to move one. Van wants a RD & Blake has a track record working with JR. Also home to OEL. Teams needs line up despite helping division rivals competing for the playoffs next year.

Trocheck, UFA, price will be inflated. Still a large increase over Lizotte.

Nic Roy, not a lot of scoring. Get the offersheets our on VGK!

Larkin, has anyone won a trade with Yserman?

Scheifele, Danault may have a beef with him over that playoff suspension

Strome (NYR),

Barzal, wouldn't surprise me if he wants out of NYI

Could go bottom feeding with W. Karlsson or Dvorak.

Could go with old man Malkin for a couple years & get to Kopi & Mathews contract end & take a run at Mathews.

 

[fivehole32]

I think a good shooting winger would be Anthony Beauvilllier. I know he had a down year, but the whole team did because of Covid and their Arena opening. Trotz was playing him all over the line up trying to get him going last year, so they may want to shake up the roster a bit.

I would also be a big proponent of Bertuzzi if he was available.

 

[johnjm22]

There's a reason why Yzerman is looking to trade Bertuzzi.

He knows he won't be worth the contract he wants.

 

[kenito7]

That is one of the problems. If you are not willing to take a chance and play the kids you took a chance with by using a 1st round pick on them over an aging Kopitar, it seems you are admitting you failed in either the scouting or development department.

Better to know sooner, rather than later, if some of these kids will measure up. What purpose does Kopitar scoring a little over 20 goals, and racking up 60 points next year, then either not making the playoffs (absolutely could happen) serve?

Are they better off being put in a role they are not ready for? I thought last year and still do that signing Danault and trading for Arvidsson was a mistake because the rebuild was not anywhere near complete. A rebuild without a 1c and 1d is a waste of time and as of now we don't have a 1c and unsure about the 1d. For the record I would have traded Kopitar and Doughty for futures at the start of the rebuild and saved 21 million a year.

 

[mysterman2]

Iafallo, Lizotte, Anderson

If Tmac was playing Iafallo with a separated shoulder- he should be fired. Iafallo was the worst player on the ice many nights in the waning games of the season when healthy and apart from game 1 was horrible- so he played a struggling player with a shoulder injury above one of the kids in critical games? Really?

 

[Schmooley]

If Tmac was playing Iafallo with a separarted shoulder- he should be fired. Iafallo was the worst player on the ice many nights in the waning games of the season and apart from game 1 horrible- he played a struggling player with a shoulder injury above one of the kids? Really?

I thought the same thing.

 

[Noonan61]

I really like the idea of getting either Fiala or Bertuzzi to play along the wing of Byfield, to help him out. 3 strong scoring lines really goes a long way in distribution of minutes and keeping workload at a more manageable number.

But, I don't know how much Fiala will ask for and Bertuzzi's next contract does kind of scare me.

Kopi when asked about Kaliyev playing with him next year said there is as growth element involved. I wonder if he thinks he is ready.

Gonna be an interesting offseason that is for sure. Most likely the most important to put this rebuild on the correct path.