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

[kingsboy11]

This is from Friedman's thoughts.

10. Los Angeles, looking for scoring, checked in with Vancouver. In a previous interview, Kings GM Rob Blake indicated he preferred to pay a lower price than for #33 Viktor Arvidsson

Not sure there's anybody on Vancouver that would be cheaper than Arvidsson other than Pearson, but I doubt they want to revisit the well. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/viktor-arvidsson/831465

 

[tbrown33]

 

[King'sPawn]

This is from Friedman's thoughts.



Not sure there's anybody on Vancouver that would be cheaper than Arvidsson other than Pearson, but I doubt they want to revisit the well.

Chiasson?

 

[TruKingFan]

Chiasson?

He did score 22 goals once with one of the 6 teams he’s played with so far in his career but I don’t see the point in trading for this 31-year old journeyman even if it’ll only cost 2 draft picks.

 

[King'sPawn]

He did score 22 goals once with one of the 6 teams he’s played with so far in his career but I don’t see the point in trading for this 31-year old journeyman even if it’ll only cost 2 draft picks.

I don't either - but he's a UFA after this season and would undoubtedly cost less than Arvidsson. He's the only forward who fits the parameters of who Blake may be looking at.

 

[unicornpig]

cheaper price then arvidsson lol, just stand pat and promote from the reign....

 

[Herby]

cheaper price then arvidsson lol, just stand pat and promote from the reign....

I don't know how he doesn't make a bigger move if at the deadline the team is pretty locked into a spot, which I think is certainly a possibility with their schedule. Just seems weird to do what they did this summer and then be presented with this great opportunity with how bad the division is and try and sacrifice bunt.

 

[kingsfan]

Anyone holding onto the pipe dream Brown would be dealt before the deadline, you can let go of it now it would seem:

Countdown to TradeCentre: Kraken explore deal for Giordano - TSN.ca

"Blake told LeBrun in The Athletic that he has no intention of moving the team's pending unrestricted free agents ahead of the March 21 deadline. That list is headlined by former team captain Dustin Brown, who carries a $5.875 million in the final season of a eight-year contract.
“He’s been so important to this organization,” Blake said of Brown. “I’d love to see him take this team back to the playoffs. That’s important. Whatever happens after in the summer, we’ll address our UFAs then.
“Right now, I feel we need these players.”
Forward Andreas Athanasiou and defenceman Olli Maatta are also playing on expiring deals, but LeBrun doesn't expect Blake to move those players either."

Blake also doesn't appear to be interested in adding pure rentals at the deadline"

“Anything we look at has to have both parts: has to improve the team now and later,” Blake said.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

cheaper price then arvidsson lol, just stand pat and promote from the reign....

I don't know how he doesn't make a bigger move if at the deadline the team is pretty locked into a spot, which I think is certainly a possibility with their schedule. Just seems weird to do what they did this summer and then be presented with this great opportunity with how bad the division is and try and sacrifice bunt.

I laughed at sac bunt

But the way I read that was Blake counterpointing all the ridiculous "1st and a prospect" asks about EVERY rumored trade target with his own ridiculousness. I can't imagine he expects to pay a 3rd or 4th or parts for someone that can help "now and in the future."

I'm sure there's a Freddy Modin out there somewhere but I'm hard pressed to find one.

 

[Docgonzo]

The not trading ufa to be comment is odd. If Blake trades for a Dman or a forward Maatta or AA have to go right? If Edler comes back that’s too many D and if they acquire a forward that’s too many forwards.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I laughed at sac bunt

But the way I read that was Blake counterpointing all the ridiculous "1st and a prospect" asks about EVERY rumored trade target with his own ridiculousness. I can't imagine he expects to pay a 3rd or 4th or parts for someone that can help "now and in the future."

I'm sure there's a Freddy Modin out there somewhere but I'm hard pressed to find one.

I think this years Modin would actually be Dustin Brown. So we can’t go get that guy lol.

 

[Fishhead]

They can always be scratched. If someone got hurt, we could do worse than those two. At least we know what they bring and they know the system

 

[Schrute farms]

cheaper price then arvidsson lol, just stand pat and promote from the reign....

100% -- double "like" on this one.
I could see maybe a cheaper Arvy price acquisition for a LHD if Edler isn't coming back. But a forward? nope. Unless it's a bigger version of Lemieux (but that's more of a regular season move). Likely it's Blake putting word out there to the league that you won't be getting a huge haul from us in a deadline trade.

 

[redcard]

The not trading ufa to be comment is odd. If Blake trades for a Dman or a forward Maatta or AA have to go right? If Edler comes back that’s too many D and if they acquire a forward that’s too many forwards.

I don't take it to mean he won't trade those players, I take it to mean he's not selling UFAs to recoup value (which is a bit unnecessary as they have no value anyway). Certainly if he needs to open up a roster spot for an acquisition I don't believe he'd hesitate to include them, especially for cap purposes.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Is this LA's version of Eklund? Seems like the guy just throws crap out there that is unsubstantiated and just piggybacking off of legit reporters.

 

[johnjm22]

I don't know how he doesn't make a bigger move if at the deadline the team is pretty locked into a spot, which I think is certainly a possibility with their schedule. Just seems weird to do what they did this summer and then be presented with this great opportunity with how bad the division is and try and sacrifice bunt.

What they did this summer was very conservative though. They didn't give up any significant assets or futures. Took very little risk relatively speaking.

I don't see why they would change their approach just because the team is going to eek into the playoffs.

 

[kingsfan]

What they did this summer was very conservative though. They didn't give up any significant assets or futures. Took very little risk relatively speaking.

I don't see why they would change their approach just because the team is going to eek into the playoffs.

Especially since they are also at that stage of the rebuild where making the playoffs was the standard bearer, not winning a round or two. If they make it, which looks favorable, then they have arguably achieved their goals for the year and anything else is gravy. Next year seems like a much more likely time to be pushing chips into the middle.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Especially since they are also at that stage of the rebuild where making the playoffs was the standard bearer, not winning a round or two. If they make it, which looks favorable, then they have arguably achieved their goals for the year and anything else is gravy. Next year seems like a much more likely time to be pushing chips into the middle.

Yeah, they could get absolutely throttled in the first round and it would still be considered a successful year. Playoffs are house money.

 

[Piston]

100% -- double "like" on this one.
I could see maybe a cheaper Arvy price acquisition for a LHD if Edler isn't coming back. But a forward? nope. Unless it's a bigger version of Lemieux (but that's more of a regular season move). Likely it's Blake putting word out there to the league that you won't be getting a huge haul from us in a deadline trade.

Blake is also telling the vets not to expect help, that if they want to play meaningful games in April, they are going to have to step up. I like this approach, why trade premier prospects in a year where we have no chance at the Cup.

 

[FSL KINGS]

The fix
19/JT Miller/9
12/24/33
48/46/34
11/55/23

Yes Kopi is slipping. Keller burning him on a routine play was frightening. Gets to play with Brown & they get as many minutes as they can handle.

Unfortunately no top six centers are available at a reasonable price.

Just get to enjoy 22/55/23 & might as well let Vilardi rack up XP in the AHL so he's cheaper to resign.

Sorry, no coffee yet today.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

This is from Friedman's thoughts.



Not sure there's anybody on Vancouver that would be cheaper than Arvidsson other than Pearson, but I doubt they want to revisit the well.

I think this was because last Summer, Blake stated he was going to improve the team....and had a long way to go and was trying to get the most quality for the least cost
in dollars and assets.

Things have now changed, as the team can make the payoffs and he knows the next addition(s) will probably cost a prospect(s) and 1st rounder. I think there are no
cheap options and because the next add can put the team in the playoffs and will also be for the future; but he will be willing to pay the going rate in assets for the next add. Last Summer, there were many holes. Adding Danault, Arvidsson and
Edler payed off big, and the emergence of better play from: Quick, Kempe, Moore, Lizotte and Durzi coming on, has propelled this team to where they are sitting.

 

[King'sPawn]

The not trading ufa to be comment is odd. If Blake trades for a Dman or a forward Maatta or AA have to go right? If Edler comes back that’s too many D and if they acquire a forward that’s too many forwards.

Not really. They can assign players to the AHL until the playoffs. Once the playoffs start, the cap hit and 23-man roster limit is lifted. Then you have depth.

 

[johnjm22]

Especially since they are also at that stage of the rebuild where making the playoffs was the standard bearer, not winning a round or two. If they make it, which looks favorable, then they have arguably achieved their goals for the year and anything else is gravy. Next year seems like a much more likely time to be pushing chips into the middle.

I don't know what to expect next year. The Kings are in a weird spot.

They could be worse next season because the vets should continue to decline, and our highly regarded prospects don't look like they're ready to be difference makers.

Regardless I don't think Blake should make a big move unless it helps the team now and long into the future. Every year names pop up on the trade market that people weren't expecting. This year it was Chychrun and Eichel. Who will it be next year? Kings should have their powder dry to potentially take advantage of a great opportunity. Patience.

 

[BringTheReign]

How funny would it be if we brought back Kubalik? Hagel is an interesting player as well, but I think he'll be snatched up by a legitimate Cup contender as he reminds me of the Goodrow/Coleman acquisitions.

 

[kingsfan]

I don't know what to expect next year. The Kings are in a weird spot.

They could be worse next season because the vets should continue to decline, and our highly regarded prospects don't look like they're ready to be difference makers.

Regardless I don't think Blake should make a big move unless it helps the team now and long into the future. Every year names pop up on the trade market that people weren't expecting. This year it was Chychrun and Eichel. Who will it be next year? Kings should have their powder dry to potentially take advantage of a great opportunity. Patience.

Agreed, I'm just saying if we follow the progression Blake laid out, the next step after making the playoffs is to then do something in them. I expect an off-season move of some significance, like Arvidsson or maybe bigger. To many of our prospects that are in the middle between NHL and AHL are also at or nearing waiver eligibility, I'd assume Blake would like to move a few to get some value back and give the team some added skill to kick off next season.