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

[TruKingFan]

Trade him when?

<crickets>

 

[Herby]

..and people like Herby have written Byfield off as a bust after 40 games, lol.

Oh look, another person who has voices in their head.

I made a wager 2 weeks ago on his production in his age 20 season, yet I think he is a bust? Yeah that makes a lot of sense.

In the future please stop saying I said things that I never said. Have some class and decency and keep the convos truthful.

 

[bland]

Then we need to reach further back for even more and deeper truth; DL should've waited until the Kings actually won a playoff series before adding Richards. Certainly should not have traded future assets for Carter, who he added to a team on the fringes of a playoff spot in their "contender" year.

That's the heart of it. DL jumped the gun to win, with zero proof the team could win, and ultimately screwed the franchise. Then the additional bad choices post-Cup started with a 10 year contract for a goalie, and those choices never improved after that. The poor judgment wasn't just confined to 2014-2017. That's too easy of an answer.

What DL did was, put them closer to a Cup(eventually, because that 11-12 season was rocky), but further away from a true dynasty. One with actual dominance. Which is what he wanted to build. As evidenced by all the Red Wing and Yankee talk. Instead, he built the just get in Kings.

What?

Lombardi gave the young team enough time to prove what was missing and used the available capital to fill in the gaps - almost all of which were directly related to leadership and accountability. Lombardi absolutely nailed it with those acquisitions. The sin he committed was in not recognizing that those core players weren't going to learn those traits by osmosis and that when the REAL leadership group left, he was right back to where they were before - except without the capital to spend and maxed out deals all around him - on a nice team with popular, but limited players.

Those core players - Kopitar, Doughty, Brown and Quick - needed support in those areas to get into the second round. No shame in that, none of those guys are one man band types who can carry a team on their bavk. They needed the help. Once that support left, it was straight back to where they were from 09-11. Limited accountability, limited depth, but this time no maneuverability due to the Cup chase.

And it was worth it. The only issue is that nobody saw the end of the road because they were too complacent and misread the terrain. The window shut hard and fast. Blake spent his first few years looking thru that Cup-stained window and tried to earn off of that instead of doing what it takes to move on and try again.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

But again. When?

I don’t disagree that QB has the potential to be a 1C. But in AK’s age 33 season he rotted away in the AHL gaining nothing that made him ready to be a useful NHL player. Last year he was a replacement level player in AK’s age 34 season. What is the realistic hope this year, that he has a Jack Hughes 2nd year type season, like 35-45 points? I think that is reasonable, but this is AK’s age 35 season. So if the breakout comes next season (which again I think is reasonable) how good is AK at 36? Another reason why every other team in the NHL would have handled things differently with QB than the Kings did.

The Kings used very high picks on centers when AK was 30, 32 and 33. One of them should be a 2C or better by now.

Looking at this...isn't this perfect timeline? QB is able to take over in AKs 36 year old season....and AK rides into the sunset...and QB takes over? I don't think you can plan it better

 

[KingsFan7824]

What?

Lombardi gave the young team enough time to prove what was missing and used the available capital to fill in the gaps - almost all of which were directly related to leadership and accountability. Lombardi absolutely nailed it with those acquisitions. The sin he committed was in not recognizing that those core players weren't going to learn those traits by osmosis and that when the REAL leadership group left, he was right back to where they were before - except without the capital to spend and maxed out deals all around him - on a nice team with popular, but limited players.

Those core players - Kopitar, Doughty, Brown and Quick - needed support in those areas to get into the second round. No shame in that, none of those guys are one man band types who can carry a team on their bavk. They needed the help. Once that support left, it was straight back to where they were from 09-11. Limited accountability, limited depth, but this time no maneuverability due to the Cup chase.

And it was worth it. The only issue is that nobody saw the end of the road because they were too complacent and misread the terrain. The window shut hard and fast. Blake spent his first few years looking thru that Cup-stained window and tried to earn off of that instead of doing what it takes to move on and try again.

All they showed was that they weren't deep enough anywhere, in any way, to go all in on Richards when they did. So much so that they had to do another massive trade to save their season.

They got Richards too early, were this close to a train wreck in 11-12, and lucked into Carter not wanting to be in Columbus.

The first mistake was Penner. Maybe even Purcell.

Schenn, Simmonds, and two 1sts before ever winning a playoff series. Zero evidence that 11, 8, 23, and 32 were a true core. That's crazy.

 

[bland]

All they showed was that they weren't deep enough anywhere, in any way, to go all in on Richards when they did. So much so that they had to do another massive trade to save their season.

They got Richards too early, were this close to a train wreck in 11-12, and lucked into Carter not wanting to be in Columbus.

The first mistake was Penner. Maybe even Purcell.

Schenn, Simmonds, and two 1sts before ever winning a playoff series. Zero evidence that 11, 8, 23, and 32 were a true core. That's crazy.

You want to know why you are wrong? Because it worked and worked perfectly.

The team that entered 11-12 was dead in the water, they had plateaued and stagnated under Murray. The core quit on him, and cannot be blamed for it. I am 100% positive that the only reason he wasn't replaced that summer was that Lombardi was certain Sutter was the right coach and decided to wait him out instead of going for a backup choice.

That team in 11-12 was nowhere near as bad in the regular season as you and others seem to remember. The majority of teams who make the playoffs don't clinch until late in the season.

 

[KingsFan7824]

You want to know why you are wrong? Because it worked and worked perfectly.

The team that entered 11-12 was dead in the water, they had plateaued and stagnated under Murray. The core quit on him, and cannot be blamed for it. I am 100% positive that the only reason he wasn't replaced that summer was that Lombardi was certain Sutter was the right coach and decided to wait him out instead of going for a backup choice.

That team in 11-12 was nowhere near as bad in the regular season as you and others seem to remember. The majority of teams who make the playoffs don't clinch until late in the season.

You're going to add Richards to a team that already quit on their coach, and the GM didn't fire him and hire the guy he wanted because he had to wait while he hung around on a Canadian farm? And count on an injury prone Gagne? And happen into Carter?

It's not about clinching late. The Kings were a borderline team at the deadline. In a contender year. We see that through Cup colored glasses though.

Yeah, it worked. But, zero playoff series wins before going all in. That's why things ended so abruptly. The Kings also didn't win with either Kopitar or Doughty on their ELC, unlike Chicago and Pittsburgh.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Looking at this...isn't this perfect timeline? QB is able to take over in AKs 36 year old season....and AK rides into the sunset...and QB takes over? I don't think you can plan it better

However you want to spin it, the reality is that if QB doesn’t breakout during his D+3 season he’s statistically unlikely to ever become an elite center in this league.

 

[lumbergh]

I understand that, but it really only matter to AEG bean-counters.

We as fans are discussing the cap situation, not the actual dollars. I don't remember, but were people being critical of Kopitar the years he was making $13 or $12m or whatever it was?

Wasn't Richards making like $3-4m at the end of his deal, but for the Kings cap it was still $5.5

The cap situation is created by accounting for his expected decline as he ages. If someone is upset about his cap hit, they were better off complaining about 2017 because he is worth the $8M he got paid last season and almost certainly will be worth the $7M he is paid this season.

 

[Kurrilino]

You mean the same MacKinnon that just signed for 12.6 million?

The same JT Miller that is making 8 million?
The same Kadri that is making 7 million after ONE good year?
Same Pavelski that is making 7 million?

Get your shit together

I am talking about the moment they scored their PPG seasons.
I don't care what they make this upcoming season since i don't have a crystal ball that tells me their scoring.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I am talking about the moment they scored their PPG seasons.
I don't care what they make this upcoming season since i don't have a crystal ball that tells me their scoring.

Well that's blissfully f***ing stupid....par for the course then I guess....

 

[VILARGOD]

Recently I think it’s easy to forget how special of a player Byfield is. Elite Prospects did a breakdown on him recently and I think it’s a great reminder.

 

[cyclones22]

Recently I think it’s easy to forget how special of a player Byfield is. Elite Prospects did a breakdown on him recently and I think it’s a great reminder.

If what TMc said on Hoven's podcast is even close to accurate, that he expects to play QB between 15 and 18 minutes a game, then this is going to be the breakout season. Especially if he gets legit PP time. The kid just needs consistent ice time with NOT the worst forwards on the team like last season.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I noticed that your Kings called James Stefan to your camp.
He is super under the radar flying A - level prospect

Son of Patrik Stefan (obviously)

He was the most improved player in the WHL last season
followed (via highlights and other stuff) his last seas season
pretty closely.

I think his games fits perfectly to the NHL.

Finished 5th in the entire CHL last season in shots on goal (296),
led his team Winterhawks in goals (36) and second in points (79),
play-offs : 3 goals, 4 assists in 11 games. - as an 18 year old

Was never drafted to he CHL, also went undrafted this year in the NHL

 

[FSL KINGS]

Alternatively, The King's in 12, 14 we're at or near Jennings level play. The year they won it, didn't Jones & Scrivens play quite a few games due to injury. Point is, to compete you need a solid defense if you aren't going to out skill AVS or TB.

What do the King's need?
Goalie: We have some time to find a Quick replacement. Most important part is playing a structured enough game to help out the goalie.

Defense, RD & puck movers are fine. Kings have plenty of options on the right. A modern day Mitchell type is needed on the left. This shouldn't be overly expensive or difficult to fill.

Center: After goal this is the hardest part. Need 3 strong centers. Danault is one. Kopitar is still good despite his game slipping a little. The most important part is getting Byfield to focus on & learn to be defense first. With Danault & Kopitar as role models this shouldn't be too difficult. Given Byfield's size & speed he should be able to pull off the defense side with the right amount of work.

Kings will need a good center as Kopi ages out. This is not a problem. Kings being a from LA, with Kopi's 10 spot coming off the books & a playoff team should be able to attract a good center without much issue. Mathews would be great. The future doesn't hing on him. Last time they added Carter & Richards out of the blue when some GM randomly decided to blow his team up.

Kings are in a good place now. The needs are not overly difficult to fill. Who knows the next time a Richards becomes available, but Kings are in a position to pounce.

 

[Lt Dan]

Seeing Wagner's name on the list triggered some PTSD of a red blur breaking our hearts over and over shooting the puck right in to the goalies logo.

I am going to refer to the preplayoff years in this Era of Kings hockey as the Wagner years.

 

[cyclones22]

I noticed that your Kings called James Stefan to your camp.
He is super under the radar flying A - level prospect

Son of Patrik Stefan (obviously)

He was the most improved player in the WHL last season
followed (via highlights and other stuff) his last seas season
pretty closely.

I think his games fits perfectly to the NHL.

Finished 5th in the entire CHL last season in shots on goal (296),
led his team Winterhawks in goals (36) and second in points (79),
play-offs : 3 goals, 4 assists in 11 games. - as an 18 year old

Was never drafted to he CHL, also went undrafted this year in the NHL

Scored a great goal splitting 2 defenders and outmuscling one to get a semi-breakaway then roofed a backhand. Other than that, he was pretty anonymous during the Rookie Faceoff though.

Seeing Wagner's name on the list triggered some PTSD of a red blur breaking our hearts over and over shooting the puck right in to the goalies logo.

I am going to refer to the preplayoff years in this Era of Kings hockey as the Wagner years.

Considering Blake signed him to a contract when he should have let him walk and is paying him NHL money to play in Ontario...probably not a shock to see him in camp.

 

[Martyros]

It might be better to just go with four 30+ goal scoring forwards, but you can look it up here:

NHL Records

records.nhl.com

yes, 4 forwards are doable. difficult, but doable. not wingers.

 

[King'sPawn]

yes, 4 forwards are doable. difficult, but doable. not wingers.

And even then, not a requisite for winning the cup or even being a competitive team.

 

[KINGS17]

yes, 4 forwards are doable. difficult, but doable. not wingers.

Yeah, I agree. If you have four 30-goal scorers on your team one, and possibly two of them will be centers. I posted the link to show that it does happen, sometimes for a handful of teams during a given season.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I noticed that your Kings called James Stefan to your camp.
He is super under the radar flying A - level prospect

Son of Patrik Stefan (obviously)

He was the most improved player in the WHL last season
followed (via highlights and other stuff) his last seas season
pretty closely.

I think his games fits perfectly to the NHL.

Finished 5th in the entire CHL last season in shots on goal (296),
led his team Winterhawks in goals (36) and second in points (79),
play-offs : 3 goals, 4 assists in 11 games. - as an 18 year old

Was never drafted to he CHL, also went undrafted this year in the NHL

Seems to have potential but is a bit of a project. he got pushed around like a little bitch at rookie camp and made a lot of soft plays that resulted in easy turnovers. Also didn't seem to know how to use his teammates. Not sure how much of that was unfamiliarity.

The skill was very apparent when he suddenly became the strongest player on the ice and beat one dude before stiff arming another and roofing a sick backhand.

Worth a flyer I suppose but he's a loooong way off.

 

[Kurrilino]

And even then, not a requisite for winning the cup or even being a competitive team.

I would think that four 30 goal scorer would make you competitive.
Of course this requires a balanced rest of the team

 

[Lt Dan]

I would think that four 30 goal scorer would make you competitive.
Of course this requires a balanced rest of the team

That costs about 30-40 million of years teams cap. And then remember that you need to add set up men.
You really want to be the Maple Leafs bro?


Hockey is a TEAM sport. Goaltending is most important , then a balanced team that works together

 

[King'sPawn]

I would think that four 30 goal scorer would make you competitive.
Of course this requires a balanced rest of the team

Notice I said not required.

A team of 20 HOFers would also make you competitive. Why don't we just go for that?

 

[Statto]

Considering Blake signed him to a contract when he should have let him walk and is paying him NHL money to play in Ontario...probably not a shock to see him in camp.

I agree. Wagner was a bigger mistake tham AA. However plenty of people on here thought he was well worth retaining.