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

[Jungle Boy]

Eberle could be a perfect match with Byfield.

 

[deaderhead28]

Why? Blake is sitting on 15 top assets (more than any other team) and while it seems more 'prudent' to wait until Summer, you cannot always have the timing you would want for a particular player (or players) that you may be targeting to try to acquire. The Kings have enough assets to acquire up to 3 more players easily and can begin now and Summer.

If the Kings were to get 1 or 2 players now, as in a top LHD and 1 more impact forward ANYTHING can happen in the playoffs...and yes, they have to make the playoffs. But they can have a better chance to get in, with 1 or 2 more imapct players.

Look at it this way. Look at the Stanley Cup fianalists, since 2017:
2017 Pittsburgh Nashville
2018 Washington Las Vegas
2019 St Louis Boston
2020 Tampa Bay Dallas
2021 Tampa Bay Montreal

Guess what? The Los Angeles Kings, with 1 or 2 more impact players added by March 10, CAN be as good as: 2017 Nashville, 2018 Vegas, 2019 St Louis, 2020 Dallas or 2021 Montreal.
That is debatable. But those 5 teams that made it the last 5 years, were not so great and they made it. You do not have to be an amazing team to make it....you need some luck, a hot goalie
and a team that is playing at their optimum. If the Kings were able to get Chychrun and a player like JT Miller (or 2 like caliber players) they could do it.

I want a GM that is trying to get better each and every day....and not having the posture, wait and see....we're not quite there yet...Summer is best to look at making moves.
F THAT. I will trust in Rob, that got Lemieux for a 4th, believed in Lizotte and signed him, got Arvidsson for a 2nd and a 3rd and signed Philip Danault...arguably the King's MVP or right there.
Edler was a good signing too.

Go for it, Rob.

Issue is cap

 

[Docgonzo]

It does have to be acknowledged though;

Gabbo completely grabbed another gear for that 2014 run. He completely removed all the flash that he previously relied on, and just became a grease monster around the net.

He willingly took more abuse in that single stretch in 2014, than the rest of his career combined. It was something to behold, seeing a guy completely change his identity in order to win.

It seemed like every goal he scored was within 2 feet of the goal and he was hit as he scored.



Also any complaints about Clague are futile. He’s Hickey 2.0, lots of people were upset that we lost Hickey for nothing back then too. Also Clague had a good first pass but I didn’t see anything in the offensive zone that made me think he was an improvement over anybody else.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Laine has definitely rebounded better than I thought, but $$$ vs. production it's a hard pass. Arvidsson is on pace for the same numbers.

Laine wouldn't sign what I'd offer (4x4).

 

[Statto]

It's a bummer he didn't get even one because you can visibly see his legacy hurting because of it.

I hope some day even the east coasters can revere Doughty's career, he deserves a whole lot more than the shit sandwich he's gotten for the last 6-7 years.

I had DD as my Conn Smythe winner and Gaborik was maybe 2G in the finals away from it IMO. Gaborik I’ll was running away with the Smythe after the first 2 series, he was absolute box office. Don’t get me wrong Williams winning it wasn’t an awful decision but I think it was as much about the Mr Game 7 narrative than him being the absolute best player. I had him 5th in my list but at the same time expected him to get it.

That said I loved Williams as a player and lauded his signing when plenty lamented the signing of an ‘injury prone guy past his peak’ (I was mostly on LGK back then). Great signing, great player and I can’t really begrudge him the recognition.

 

[Statto]

It seemed like every goal he scored was within 2 feet of the goal and he was hit as he scored.



Also any complaints about Clague are futile. He’s Hickey 2.0, lots of people were upset that we lost Hickey for nothing back then too. Also Clague had a good first pass but I didn’t see anything in the offensive zone that made me think he was an improvement over anybody else.

I tend to agree but Clague will do well to match Hickey’s career.

 

[Statto]

I think you resign Maata. He's come around the last few games and he's a big body on defense. LA needs the big bodies.

Moverare gives us size and has been solid on his call ups. He’s also going to be cheaper.

 

[TwzKing]

2014 Gabby half of his goals celebrations was him on his ass lol

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Walker + Grundy + Strand for Soucy and Jarnkrok

I like the Soucy idea although I suspect he’d cost more than that.

 

[kovacro]

Victor Oloffson (26) might be someone to consider. Tough to gauge him seeing as the Sabres are pretty poor. Can play both wing positions.

He will be an RFA at seasons end. His cap number is just a shade over $3 million for this season.

On the back end, Vladislav Gavrikov (26) would be a nice get for any team. Not sure the Jackets would move him. He's on a nice deal as well with one more year left at $2.8m.

 

[mysterman2]

I tend to agree but Clague will do well to match Hickey’s career.

Very fair for sure----Hickeys NHL Line shown below.

NHL Totals

456

22

95

117

190

[TFOOT] [/TFOOT]

 

[kingsfan]

I would really like to it to be the case.
But pep talking guys who have 0 combined Stanley Cup to be the different makers against the guys with several cups is a bold move

We had virtually no 'pep talkers' in 2012 and won the cup. We've had a pile of pep talkers since 2014 and have missed the playoffs more than made it and have one playoff win in eight seasons.

I get what you're saying, but motivation plays into it way more than having some rah rah type. LA played as a team and won because of that. That was their motivation.

Colorado's motivation in 2001 was Ray Bourque. Sakic handing him the cup first before even lifting it himself was and still is one of the most iconic cup moments ever. I bet they never win without Bourque being in that locker room and that was Bourque's first cup and the first time he'd even been to a cup final in a dozen years.

Walker + Grundy + Strand for Soucy and Jarnkrok

I don't see why Seattle would do that.

Wonder how much Eberle would cost. Another player I like on a lousy team.

If Eberle was a rental yep. He's getting $5.5 million for the next two seasons after this one.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

So besides the Sharks and Ducks.....what other teams are on the fanbase's shit list? Vegas maybe?

 

[BringTheReign]

So besides the Sharks and Ducks.....what other teams are on the fanbase's shit list? Vegas maybe?

Honestly, the Ducks aren’t bad at all. I’d say for me it’s just the other two you mentioned now that Vancouver is in the dumpster.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

Honestly, the Ducks aren’t bad at all. I’d say for me it’s just the other two you mentioned now that Vancouver is in the dumpster.

Coming from Chicago where there's only two teams in baseball, Cubs vs Sox is a thing and if you're a fan of one you automatically despise the other.
You guys have two teams in every sport, so I guess not as big of a deal there?

Hating Vancouver is easy..... I used to call the Sedins Diver Dan and Scuba Sedin. Softest players ever. Dove like Italian soccer players.....lol.

 

[kingsfan]

Issue is cap

View attachment 506024

You can trade for Laine and just not resign him. Treat him as if he's a UFA. The problem is CLB will expect a RFA level return for him, so the cost will go up.

That said, I'd be looking into it and finding out what Laine wants to resign long-term. If you can get him at around $6 million, I'd do it. He's responded much better to Larsen than Tortorella, so he probably needs a coach who isn't in your face as much. I bet TMac could get just as much out of him and when he's on his game he's a monster goalscorer. I'd offer up our first and a pair of solid prospects for him (Fagemo level) and see where that goes. Laine might have his issues for sure, but talents like that don't come open very often. If he flops, we take a loss and walk away but we have the prospect pool to absorb that type of hit. If he hits though, Byfield and Laine could be 2/3rds of our top line for a decade.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Madden+Strand+3rd for Soucy

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[kings11]

And that’s just the PP… lol

 

[FSL KINGS]

Issue is cap

View attachment 506024

Correct! Cap is tight next year due to raises & $10 spent on goaltending. If you traded for a Laine & sent money back, that would fix the cap problem next year.

 

[kingsfan]

I don't think the cap is as big of an issue next year as it's being made out to be. Between Brown, AA, Maatta, Edler and the dead cap hit we're carrying for Jeff Carter we'll have just over $18 million coming off the books. That will go up to $19 million in new space if the cap goes up by $1 million like the league is still forecasting it will. We'll have a $4.1 mill increase for Peterson and Kempe will likely get a $3 million-ish hike as well, but we still should have roughly $11-$12 million in cap space to work with and the remaining RFA's should not require much of a raise. Maatta and AA can be replaced from within on entry level deals and I assume we'll see Brown resigned but at around $2 million (whether we like it or not, it's a probable outcome).

The one nice thing about our cap situation now that wasn't there for several years thanks to DL's retirement contracts is we have cap space coming open every year. After 2022-2023 we'll free up another $8.7 million between Moore, Quick and Phaneuf's buy out. Moore will be an interesting resign given we don't know if we're getting the Moore that started the season or the one that is currently on a heater and will Peterson actually be a number one by then or not, but we could have some free cap space coming open then as well with Bjornfot the only RFA of significance. The following year we'll have some big resignings like Kaliyev and Byfield, but Kopitar, Arvidsson, Roy and Walker are all UFA's and that will free up $20 million too.

 

[Schrute farms]

So besides the Sharks and Ducks.....what other teams are on the fanbase's shit list? Vegas maybe?

Abso-fing-lutely Vegas is on the sh!t list. For me, it's 1a/1b with Vegas and Ducks.
Vegas/Ducks
Sharks
Toronto
Vanc
Edm/Calgary
Mtl

 

[kings11]

I don't think the cap is as big of an issue next year as it's being made out to be. Between Brown, AA, Maatta, Edler and the dead cap hit we're carrying for Jeff Carter we'll have just over $18 million coming off the books. That will go up to $19 million in new space if the cap goes up by $1 million like the league is still forecasting it will. We'll have a $4.1 mill increase for Peterson and Kempe will likely get a $3 million-ish hike as well, but we still should have roughly $11-$12 million in cap space to work with and the remaining RFA's should not require much of a raise. Maatta and AA can be replaced from within on entry level deals and I assume we'll see Brown resigned but at around $2 million (whether we like it or not, it's a probable outcome).

The one nice thing about our cap situation now that wasn't there for several years thanks to DL's retirement contracts is we have cap space coming open every year. After 2022-2023 we'll free up another $8.7 million between Moore, Quick and Phaneuf's buy out. Moore will be an interesting resign given we don't know if we're getting the Moore that started the season or the one that is currently on a heater and will Peterson actually be a number one by then or not, but we could have some free cap space coming open then as well with Bjornfot the only RFA of significance. The following year we'll have some big resignings like Kaliyev and Byfield, but Kopitar, Arvidsson, Roy and Walker are all UFA's and that will free up $20 million too.

I’m not sure Cap isn’t an issue even with some guys moving out, the RFAs are going to cost us a pretty penny…
Like you mentioned
Petersen $4.1 increase
Kempe $2.5-$3.5
Lizotte double his salary, maybe $1.2mil?
Lemieux $200k to $1.8-$2mil per
Anderson is looking at a near $2 mil salary, think Roy
Durzi is getting a bridge deal at maybe $1.5-ish

Edit: that doesn’t include Vilardi, JAD, Moverare, Strand, Tonka

 

[Fishhead]

I’m not sure Cap isn’t an issue even with some guys moving out, the RFAs are going to cost us a pretty penny…
Like you mentioned
Petersen $4.1 increase
Kempe $2.5-$3.5
Lizotte double his salary, maybe $1.2mil?
Lemieux $200k to $1.8-$2mil per
Anderson is looking at a near $2 mil salary, think Roy
Durzi is getting a bridge deal at maybe $1.5-ish

Edit: that doesn’t include Vilardi, JAD, Moverare, Strand, Tonka

We have what, around $18M off the books? That seems like it covers it with a good chunk to spare. We gain another million next year once Dion comes off, a pittance but could help if we are near the cap. The 2 D are easily replaced from within by efficient contracts. One of Brown/AA would need to be replaced by a cheap player. If Brown stays he'd also need to be around 1-1.5M.

 

[kings11]

We have what, around $18M off the books? That seems like it covers it with a good chunk to spare. We gain another million next year once Dion comes off, a pittance but could help if we are near the cap. The 2 D are easily replaced from within by efficient contracts. One of Brown/AA would need to be replaced by a cheap player. If Brown stays he'd also need to be around 1-1.5M.

I lowballed some players but gave Kempe $4.75 per, Mikey $2 and Durzi $1.5 on a bridge.. Lemieux and Lizotte $1.8 each and Vilardi $1mill as I expect him to be called up and produce.. everyone else got no more than a $100k increase in Capfriendly and I came away with around $8mill… that’s Hampus Lindholm or Forsberg/Gaudreau/Pavelski and change