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

[cyclones22]

You make him sound like AA 2.0.

LMAO, quite a reach of a conclusion considering I've praised the trade for Fiala. Fiala is not known for defense and for taking risky plays. That's not controversial. But we have seen TMc punish players for those qualities. I don't think even TMc is that stupid to do it considering the investment, but he's surprised me in the past. I don't think Fiala is a fit at all for Kopi and would be a mistake to put him on the line with him. But people equate that salary with must play with Kopi. The franchise needs to stop building around Kopi.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

LMAO, quite a reach of a conclusion considering I've praised the trade for Fiala. Fiala is not known for defense and for taking risky plays. That's not controversial. But we have seen TMc punish players for those qualities. I don't think even TMc is that stupid to do it considering the investment, but he's surprised me in the past. I don't think Fiala is a fit at all for Kopi and would be a mistake to put him on the line with him. But people equate that salary with must play with Kopi. The franchise needs to stop building around Kopi.

It's not that hard to figure out. Our 2nd line last year was our best, so chances are you kinda don't want to break that up if you don't have to. With that said, you aren't going to pay a dude 8-mil dollars to be on the 3rd or 4th line. What are you left with?

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Honest question, weren't Byfield and Vilardi up on the NHL team for the deadline to be eligible for AHL playoffs? Both teams were out in the 1st round right? So they were up with the big team while the AHL team was playing, but would they have been eligible to play for them? I don't know the rules for that, hence the questions.

No, they were flipped back to AHL and then “brought back“ up to the Kings, so they were eligible fir Reign playoffs. I never understood why the didn’t suit up in the A. Could have been a timing thing as G7 was in EDM and they would have needed to jump on a plane to get to Colorado.

 

[Maynard]

But shitting on kids isn't my cup of tea.

It’s also illegal.

 

[King'sPawn]

No, they were flipped back to AHL and then “brought back“ up to the Kings, so they were eligible fir Reign playoffs. I never understood why the didn’t suit up in the A. Could have been a timing thing as G7 was in EDM and they would have needed to jump on a plane to get to Colorado.

Part of the issue is there's a certain number of call-ups a team can make after the trade deadline. Because they were sent down then "called back up", they wouldn't have been able to call them back up if they were sent down. They used all their call-ups to bring them back up to the NHL after the deadline.

But that comes back to the point: if you don't want them to be eligible to play in the AHL where you would use them if you need them, don't waste a call-up to send them back down. If you ARE going to use a precious call-up to make a player eligible for the NHL, then make sure you use it.

 

[Rick Knickleback]

I'm sure we'll be force-fed Kempe-Kopitar-Fiala but I think Kopitar is the worst possible center stylistically that Fiala could play with here. I could be wrong, but I don't think two rush-reliant wingers are a good fit with plodding Kopitar. One (Kempe) worked last year but I'm not sure two will. Fiala is essentially a better version of Moore, and I think Fiala-Danault-Arvidsson would be highly effective.

I think Fiala seems like a natural fit for Byfield's style of play. If QB is going to take the next step that honestly the franchise needs him to take, centering speedy wingers like Kempe and Fiala would help facilitate it.

Fiala--QB--Kempe
Iafallo--Kopi--Kaliyev (or even Grundstrom)

All six of those players (and Grundstrom) would be playing with linemates that complement their respective styles.

 

[King'sPawn]

It’s also illegal.

An important but unfortunate fact considering that usually the little bastards probably deserve it.

 

[Reaper45]

It’s a strange time we’re living in bros. This roster could potentially be at its best if Kopitar was the 3rd line center.

Maybe it’s the bottle of port talking but imagine if we had

Kempe-Stutzle-Fiala
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Kaliyev-Kopitar-Iafallo
Lemieux-Lizotte-Grundstrom
Vilardi/JAD

Maybe Moore and Kaliyev switch so that the speedy wingers can drag the corpse of Anze Kopitar up the ice. Could be DYNAMIC.

I still like the idea of Stutzle as the known quantity over the potential of QB at the moment.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

So what is Durzi expected to sign for?

Will it be more of a bridge deal probably?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I still like the idea of Stutzle as the known quantity over the potential of QB at the moment.

We’re you expecting for that to suddenly change before the start of the season? Let me guess, you’d of taken Zegras over Turcotte as well…

I wonder if the NYR regret taking the CLEAR CUT #1 consensus pick. Hmm…

 

[kingsfan28]

It’s a strange time we’re living in bros. This roster could potentially be at its best if Kopitar was the 3rd line center.

Maybe it’s the bottle of port talking but imagine if we had

Kempe-Stutzle-Fiala
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Kaliyev-Kopitar-Iafallo
Lemieux-Lizotte-Grundstrom
Vilardi/JAD

Maybe Moore and Kaliyev switch so that the speedy wingers can drag the corpse of Anze Kopitar up the ice. Could be DYNAMIC.

I still like the idea of Stutzle as the known quantity over the potential of QB at the moment.

At this moment I would barely have Stutzle as third line center, but on the top line, GTFO. The guy needs so much work, especially on the dots. 39 pct ain't going to cut it no matter how many points you put up . 3 years from now, with much overall improvement, sure it's possible [had they drafted him] , but the same can be said right now for QB.

 

[unicornpig]

training camp around the corner and no word on andersen and durzi. andersen needs to get done, durzi should know he has no leverage with walker and spence available.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

No, they were flipped back to AHL and then “brought back“ up to the Kings, so they were eligible fir Reign playoffs. I never understood why the didn’t suit up in the A. Could have been a timing thing as G7 was in EDM and they would have needed to jump on a plane to get to Colorado.

Ok...thanks, I didn't know.

 

[kilowatt]

training camp around the corner and no word on andersen and durzi. andersen needs to get done, durzi should know he has no leverage with walker and spence available.

I wonder if they’re waiting as long as possible for progress on Arvidsson?

 

[Maynard]

training camp around the corner and no word on andersen and durzi. andersen needs to get done, durzi should know he has no leverage with walker and spence available.

I wonder if Anderson’s agent looked at the other LD on the Kings and realized how valuable Mikey actually is. Might be playing hardball with Blake.

Toby
Edler
Moverare
Walker (maybe?)

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I think both Danault and Kempe will regress to the mean next year, Kempe moreso.

It’s all about the kids. If Kaliyev and QB combine for 35 next year none of this matters.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

It’s all about the kids. If Kaliyev and QB combine for 35 next year none of this matters.

Amen, I need Sol’s money.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Part of the issue is there's a certain number of call-ups a team can make after the trade deadline. Because they were sent down then "called back up", they wouldn't have been able to call them back up if they were sent down. They used all their call-ups to bring them back up to the NHL after the deadline.

But that comes back to the point: if you don't want them to be eligible to play in the AHL where you would use them if you need them, don't waste a call-up to send them back down. If you ARE going to use a precious call-up to make a player eligible for the NHL, then make sure you use it.

I was just referring to the fact that the Kings lost in EDM and then didn’t get them back to the Reign before their series was over. Maybe if ONT ended up beating Colorado, these four guys would have joined the team vs Stockton.

 

[King'sPawn]

I was just referring to the fact that the Kings lost in EDM and then didn’t get them back to the Reign before their series was over. Maybe if ONT ended up beating Colorado, these four guys would have joined the team vs Stockton.

Yes, I was trying to reinforce/back you up (unsuccessfully)

 

[Cianide]

It's not that hard to figure out. Our 2nd line last year was our best, so chances are you kinda don't want to break that up if you don't have to. With that said, you aren't going to pay a dude 8-mil dollars to be on the 3rd or 4th line. What are you left with?

I thought the whole consensus in this forum was that teams are now rolling 3-4 lines. And that's the norm. Is this really not the case. BTW, I don't believe rolling 3-4 lines is going to work, due to the cap for each team.

I'm convinced that one of Kempe/Fiala/Arvidsson should be on Byfield's wing this season.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Fiala is going to be interesting to watch. Not everyone fits with Kopitar and his possession slow down game. Arvidsson among others certainly didn't. Whereas basically everyone works with Danault. When Fiala misses a defensive assignment or losses the puck making a move in his own zone resulting in a chance against, let's see how long a leash TMc puts on him.

He's 26, 419 games under his belt, and just signed for $55m. He's one of the guys that has the leash itself. The last 3 years, he's averaged out to 32g and 75pts in 82 games. He's not sitting.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He's 26, 419 games under his belt, and just signed for $55m. He's one of the guys that has the leash itself. The last 3 years, he's averaged out to 32g and 75pts in 82 games. He's not sitting.

He's not wrong, though. Fiala is about as good on defense as Kovalchuk, or as someone else mentioned, AA.

The difference is his (inconsistent but explosive) offense, but will be interesting to see how TM tolerates it given Blake gave him the Brinks truck.

 

[Statto]

It's finally September and I am pumped about camp...and I think those who say that Kempe and /or Fiala 'may regress...that they were both playing for contracts" are in for a surprise. I say they BOTH continue to be on the rise and that better days for both are ahead of them. Soon, by January, will be the first time in more than a decade, that people will not identify the Kings with "Kopitar, Doughty and Quick"....but by Fiala, Kempe and dare I say Byfield? I wish, but more of say, 'Fiala, Kempe and Danault' Not that Kopitar is fading off that quickly; he's not. But it's passing of the torch time. I even think that Fiala and Kempe may have a good competition, to see who scores more goals and just amp it up.

Also, all are about to take notice of Arthur Kaliyev, who I feel will have a breakout year. Not even Todd will
be able to hold him back. (minute-wise) May Hiller create 2 dynamic power play units, that also compete to be unit 1 !

Let's get back to Kings present-future for this thread.

Good post. Like you I’m pumped.

The whole contract year thing is largely a myth. I’m sure there are occasional exceptions but if you look at the timing the development curve for these guys means you expect them to have just had career years. Both play with a great attitude so I’m not concerned at all in terms of their performance level, in terms of numbers there are other factors not least the performance of their C that will also dictate the results there.

I agree on AK because he should be given much better minutes given he’s shown he can be trusted. Byfield will be fine, once it clicks he will everything we hoped for.

 

[Statto]

He's not wrong, though. Fiala is about as good on defense as Kovalchuk, or as someone else mentioned, AA.

The difference is his (inconsistent but explosive) offense, but will be interesting to see how TM tolerates it given Blake gave him the Brinks truck.

I think that’s harsh, there’s certainly more effort on that side of things for a start. I’m not saying it’s his strength though. He was certainly putting in the effort in the two games I saw.

I’m far from convinced he will play with Kopitar and there is a sensible case for any of the top 3 centers. I personally would not start him with Byfield due to his defensive limitations, so QB can focus on his offensive game. Fiala with Danault has a lot of appeal and I’d start QB with Iaffalo and AK as of today. We can all come up with whatever we want in terms of lines but training camp will dictate everything as if he hits instant chemistry with someone they’d likely be his opening night C.

 

[Kudelski37]

I think Byfield needs a puck carrying winger like Kempe at this stage in his career.