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

[FSL KINGS]

When the Rangers were down 3-1, 3-2 to Pittsburgh, reading their board, they were digging into Zibanejad pretty good, who only had 3 assists at the time. Overpaid, how can we get rid of him, never going to win a guy like that as your 1C, etc, etc, etc. Normal fan stuff. Then you wait 5 minutes, and here are the Rangers up 2-0 on TB in the 3rd rd with Zibanejad leading the way.

Was more looking at the Lizotte vs Goodrow. NYR has more invested into their 4C. How much of a difference would Goodrow make against Mcdavid? Still probably get burned.

Now that would be a nice replacement for Anze Kopitar.

Kopi & I believe Ardvidsson's contracts are up that year. Mathews may want to come back to the Southwest. AZ is an embarrassment & hopefully the Ducks will still be spinning their wheels.

 

[Schmooley]

When the Rangers were down 3-1, 3-2 to Pittsburgh, reading their board, they were digging into Zibanejad pretty good, who only had 3 assists at the time. Overpaid, how can we get rid of him, never going to win a guy like that as your 1C, etc, etc, etc. Normal fan stuff. Then you wait 5 minutes, and here are the Rangers up 2-0 on TB in the 3rd rd with Zibanejad leading the way.

He wasnt playing very well. Crosby and Guentzel were shutting him down and becoming a handful to contain.
When Crosby got hurt Zibanejad and Kreider started playing better.

 

[kingsfan28]

Now that would be a nice replacement for Anze Kopitar.

Funny how they brought up Mcdavid in the end. The Oilers have not built him a good team, where Mathews has a much better team around him and better chance at winning. Mcdavid would cost an arm, leg, first born and free Netflix for life. But if you can make a deal to get either one, with gutting your franchise, you do it [or at least look into it].

 

[All The Kings Men]

From what I can gather from the ‘Insiders‘ they seem to think the expectation is that Clarke makes the roster, at the very least for his 9 games. That’s how I’m reading it anyway. This is why I expect someone significant to get moved because even if someone slides over to the left there still aren’t enough spots.

Insiders can't see the future.

 

[KingsHockey24]

No one wants a small and soft d.

I like my D to be BIG and HARD.

That hammers you against the boards relentlessly; leaving you bruised and banged up the next day.

With that said I want Zadorov.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

I like my D to be BIG and HARD.

That hammers you against the boards relentlessly; leaving you bruised and banged up the next day.

With that said I want Zadorov.

To think Zadorov was playing with broken ribs, too. I am not sure when that happened, but was said he was playing with broken ribs. Give him a pass, if he was not stellar, vs Oil.

I'd be all for signing both Zadorov and Nichushkin. Size on D and Forward. I'd rather have a 27 year old, Zadorov, than a 37 year old Edler. I'd rather pay Nichushkin his going rate, than what Gaudreau or Forsberg will get. Could probably sign BOTH, for the $ Forsberg or Gaudreau will get and fill 2 holes.

Nichushkin is a big, talented dude. 7 pts in 12 playoff games....40 shots. He gets shots on net and is pretty physical and not easy to contain, when he's on his game. 6'4" 210.

I think one reason Russians have not fared well in LA, is they are usually the only Russian on the team.
I think it's been rare to have ever had more than 1 on the team. Sign 2 Russians.

 

[KingsFan7824]

To think Zadorov was playing with broken ribs, too. I am not sure when that happened, but was said he was playing with broken ribs. Give him a pass, if he was not stellar, vs Oil.

I'd be all for signing both Zadorov and Nichushkin. Size on D and Forward. I'd rather have a 27 year old, Zadorov, than a 37 year old Edler. I'd rather pay Nichushkin his going rate, than what Gaudreau or Forsberg will get. Could probably sign BOTH, for the $ Forsberg or Gaudreau will get and fill 2 holes.

Nichushkin is a big, talented dude. 7 pts in 12 playoff games....40 shots. He gets shots on net and is pretty physical and not easy to contain, when he's on his game. 6'4" 210.

I think one reason Russians have not fared well in LA, is they are usually the only Russian on the team.
I think it's been rare to have ever had more than 1 on the team. Sign 2 Russians.

Gotta be wary of those UFAs that have a career playoff performance on teams that go deep.

 

[Statto]

Insiders can't see the future.

Of course not but I suspect there are people that have a genuine feel for the hope/expectations. If he comes to camp and struggles then of course he’s back to the OHL because until he’s on the Ice with NHL players nobody really knows. However, regardless of that if the right piece becomes available via trade to fill one of the holes, someone is getting moved.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Gotta be wary of those UFAs that have a career playoff performance on teams that go deep.

True...there have been many. I remember Chris Kontos' 9 playoff goals in 11 game.
I would not call Nichushkin one of those. He's been on a steady uprise, since coming back from Russia.
Many of the flash in the pan performers arose by determination, hard work and some luck.
They did not necessarily have a 200 ft game like Nichushkin and could play on any line...or help
shut down the other teams' top players. If I could sign any one RFA it would be him. He would instantly
be the #1 power forward on this team and legit top 6 winger and finally force AI to line 3 for good.

Zadorov, I could pass on, but the Kings need a top 4 LHD with some size and I don't think
Edler is that player. He was great before his ankle break and okay after, but he's going to be 37.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Funny how they brought up Mcdavid in the end. The Oilers have not built him a good team, where Mathews has a much better team around him and better chance at winning. Mcdavid would cost an arm, leg, first born and free Netflix for life. But if you can make a deal to get either one, with gutting your franchise, you do it [or at least look into it].

I have a feeling Dubas is going to feel like he has to break up his current core...he has been adding complimentary players the past few years and it has gotten him nowhere.

I expect him to do something bigger this off season...what? I don't know, but I don't think he will do fringe moves....Matthews does not have NTC until 23-24 and Tavares, Muzzin and Reily have NTC now...but Marner and Nylander do not. I would not be shocked to see Nylander moved...Marner, a little more shocked, Matthews even more...but I think Dubas will do something pretty significant. They need change.
Marner's 10.9 is too big to move, unless he retained a good chuck.

 

[KINGS17]

Was more looking at the Lizotte vs Goodrow. NYR has more invested into their 4C. How much of a difference would Goodrow make against Mcdavid? Still probably get burned.

Kopi & I believe Ardvidsson's contracts are up that year. Mathews may want to come back to the Southwest. AZ is an embarrassment & hopefully the Ducks will still be spinning their wheels.

I love how the guys that do all these podcasts are always about the players getting max contracts, but also build me a great team to play on while I collect my max contract. Tampa Bay has zero players on a max deal, and for the last three seasons, they have been the team to beat.

BTW, Corey Perry at age 37, must just love playing hockey. He is only making $1M this season, and is still a damn good power play specialist. I have to respect that.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Now don't get me wrong I really really like Nuke's game, he's a top-end dwight King type, but do we really need any more vanilla players? He's gonna be an expensive checker, as good as he is--he's not a line driving creative PP type.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings free up money with Brown, Maata, Edler and AA leaving BUT they have to give raises to RFA's Kempe, Anderson, Grunstrom, and Durzi. They have to make a decision on Moverare and Lemieux.

Hoven is startng the rumor that Kings are looking at Nic Deslauries, which would be awesome. If they add ND then they will likely let Lemieux walk and they don't need to look so hard at a tough D man.

If they don't land Deslauriers, then Zadarov would be an option and they keep Lemieux. That spreads out some size and grit.

Fiala is an option too. Lisa Dillman is throwing around his name on her Athletic article.

 

[lexlavender]

I love how the guys that do all these podcasts are always about the players getting max contracts, but also build me a great team to play on while I collect my max contract. Tampa Bay has zero players on a max deal, and for the last three seasons, they have been the team to beat.

BTW, Corey Perry at age 37, must just love playing hockey. He is only making $1M this season, and is still a damn good power play specialist. I have to respect that.

Tampa Bay also has an extremely favorable state tax that makes their players have a take home pay that's as high as any of their comparables in the league. I've been poo poo'ed on this board about bringing this up, but it's a huge advantage.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

^^^Allan Walsh debunked that a couple years ago. There’s always ways around taxes for those with money, and if you have the people advising you that you SHOULD have with that amount of money, it makes little difference where you play.

 

[KingsFan7824]

True...there have been many. I remember Chris Kontos' 9 playoff goals in 11 game.
I would not call Nichushkin one of those. He's been on a steady uprise, since coming back from Russia.
Many of the flash in the pan performers arose by determination, hard work and some luck.
They did not necessarily have a 200 ft game like Nichushkin and could play on any line...or help
shut down the other teams' top players. If I could sign any one RFA it would be him. He would instantly
be the #1 power forward on this team and legit top 6 winger and finally force AI to line 3 for good.

Zadorov, I could pass on, but the Kings need a top 4 LHD with some size and I don't think
Edler is that player. He was great before his ankle break and okay after, but he's going to be 37.

Before this year, since coming back from Russia, he had 23g and 58pts in 177 games. Short term deals his entire career. Been back to Russia, and bought out by Dallas. He has his one really good year in his big UFA year, on a stacked Avs team?

He's probably looking to get paid for the first time. Money and term. Not trusting him.

 

[2-4 Slashin]

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.

Absolutely like the idea of a Kopitar Iafallo Grundstrom line. But that’s a very expensive 3rd line

 

[Schmooley]

Absolutely like the idea of a Kopitar Iafallo Grundstrom line. But that’s a very expensive 3rd line

Yea its a bit of a waste of cap but if they love the intangibles of Kopitar and Iafallo then there is not much else to do about it. Guys like Mackinnon and McDavid are too much for Kopitar at this point in his career and they need to transition as a team to the next generation. Love Kopi and what hes done for the the Kings and it more to do with his pace and lack of offensive drive than just saying he sucks hes old.

 

[Telos]

I mean, sure, I would replace Kopitar with Matthews any day, but let's be real, that's almost certainly not happening

 

[FSL KINGS]

I mean, sure, I would replace Kopitar with Matthews any day, but let's be real, that's almost certainly not happening

Not for 2 more years.

So Bawston, have less than 3 in cap, one roster spot to fill & their best center signed for next year is Coyle. Pastrnak is one year from UFA. Doubt he takes a team friendly 6 AAV like other top6 players on the team. Boston in going to need to restructure things & doubt they're tanking after picking up Lindholm. They also have multiple players missing the start of the season with injuries. Seems motivated to make some moves.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Absolutely like the idea of a Kopitar Iafallo Grundstrom line. But that’s a very expensive 3rd line

If your 2nd line is that cheap, it doesn't matter.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Matthews would be the west coast example of what usually happens on the east coast, guys going 'home' to new england/ontario as ufas

would be a hilarious turn of the tables

Also I'd have to change my username to Pablo

 

[SmytheKing]

Tampa Bay also has an extremely favorable state tax that makes their players have a take home pay that's as high as any of their comparables in the league. I've been poo poo'ed on this board about bringing this up, but it's a huge advantage.

I always hear this but, can you provide me with a couple of folks who are comparables to Point or Kucherov who are getting paid significantly more than their $9.5 a year? I just looked at capfriendly and they compare Kucherov to Rantanen and their numbers are "similar" and Rantanen makes a little less. Point is a hard one to find a match for in terms of salary and when it was signed (a contract signed in 2016 doesn't seem a fair one to look at) but there didn't seem to be any crazy outliers.

I'm just not sure this "Tampa can pay you more by paying you the same" holds up under scrutiny. Granted I haven't gone through the entire roster to see...but I think them winning cups is more of a reason for guys taking a little less to be there than a ~5% difference because of state taxes.

 

[YP44]

^^^Allan Walsh debunked that a couple years ago. There’s always ways around taxes for those with money, and if you have the people advising you that you SHOULD have with that amount of money, it makes little difference where you play.

Yes there are ways around taxes if you are loaded, but in some areas those ways around are easier. And if a player has to pay a tax accountant to get around taxes they are still worse off than not having to pay the tax accountant.

Yea its a bit of a waste of cap but if they love the intangibles of Kopitar and Iafallo then there is not much else to do about it. Guys like Mackinnon and McDavid are too much for Kopitar at this point in his career and they need to transition as a team to the next generation. Love Kopi and what hes done for the the Kings and it more to do with his pace and lack of offensive drive than just saying he sucks hes old.

one thing against this is that Kopitar is constantly brought up by the players as being one of the toughest players to play against. Many oilers said it was eye opening in their series.