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

[Raccoon Jesus]

It's more of the.....patience.....of each person.....all of them are chips....even Clarke..... but when people come right out and say, listen, we can move XXXXX (NHL player) because XXXXX (AHL/Prospect) will replace him....makes me think that, they don't know the game as well as they think they do, there is absolutely ZERO guarantee that Spence's game will translate to the NHL....it should...and it could.....but when absolutes are stated...it's kind of silly.... to me.

I absolutely get it but with SO many RHD behind Durzi, if it's not Spence, it's someone. If you can't bank on Clarke to replace Durzi at the very least there's a bigger issue. Regardless I'm with you that it's not time to move Durzi, it's just the idea that he's somehow already an untouchable that doesn't sit right. Personally I love his game not because he's deficiency-free but because he overcomes with heart and grit and I think we need that. But if someone comes knocking for Durzi specifically in a trade that makes sense I'm not gonna say no.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

You seriously have to piss off with this bullshit.

It's nice you have a fan club of 2 people that love to join you in insulting people instead of putting together grown-up sentences but there's a reason over 30 posters have you on ignore and you're skirting the infraction line constantly with this arrogant "I know better than everyone" tripe.

You can be better than this.

You say that like A. I care about who ignores me or not and B. I care who joins me or not,

Simple fact is, believe that a player who has not played a single NHL game, is better than a player who has proved he can play in the NHL, is video game bullshit.....

You can't move Durzi until Spence has shown he can handle the NHL....only in video game land is that possible.

 

[unicornpig]

some people are just insufferable

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I absolutely get it but with SO many RHD behind Durzi, if it's not Spence, it's someone. If you can't bank on Clarke to replace Durzi at the very least there's a bigger issue. Regardless I'm with you that it's not time to move Durzi, it's just the idea that he's somehow already an untouchable that doesn't sit right. Personally I love his game not because he's deficiency-free but because he overcomes with heart and grit and I think we need that. But if someone comes knocking for Durzi specifically in a trade that makes sense I'm not gonna say no.

100% agree, I don't think Durzi though is the defenseman Clarke will be replacing, it will be Doughty....eventually....but again, until it's actually proven, hell Clarke has only played against boys so far, so who knows, he can be the next Griffin Reinhart....

People count their chickens here WAY WAY WAY too freaking early.....for professional sports.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Assuming no trades are made, Spence, Grans, and Faber will still be in the AHL for the foreseeable future. Clarke takes over for Maatta, JAD and Vilardi take over for Brown and Athanasiou.

Kempe - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafalli - Byfield - Vilardi
Lemieux - Lizotte - JAD

Anderson - Doughty
Durzi - Roy
Bjornfot - Clarke

Quick
Petersen

Not sure what we do with Walker or Edler though.

If those are going to be your 6 D, why would you bother keeping Spence, Grans, and Faber? Those guys will do nothing but waste time in the AHL for years with that NHL lineup. They will get older, and lose value.

Somebody has to go. Vet, prospect, doesn't matter. It's not fair to the prospects, and not fair to the NHL guys. If you can help the NHL team today, by trading one of the 8 exess defensive prospects you have, do it.

Spence has a lot higher upside, and is a fair bit more polished in his own end. Durzi thrives on compete level & sheer will power, whereas Spence makes smart reads to be in good position

Both are going to be good NHL players, but I trade Durzi before Spence pretty handily, imo.

What if you can get the better player today for Spence? Because this roster is trying to win now. Not all in, and there's still an eye toward the future, but a lot of the main players are near or over 30.

 

[kilowatt]

If those are going to be your 6 D, why would you bother keeping Spence, Grans, and Faber? Those guys will do nothing but waste time in the AHL for years with that NHL lineup. They will get older, and lose value.

Because they’re still young prospects and who knows if those other guys will decline or be traded or whatever. What’s the alternative?

Somebody has to go. Vet, prospect, doesn't matter. It's not fair to the prospects, and not fair to the NHL guys. If you can help the NHL team today, by trading one of the 8 exess defensive prospects you have, do it.

What if you can get the better player today for Spence? Because this roster is trying to win now. Not all in, and there's still an eye toward the future, but a lot of the main players are near or over 30.

I’ve been very vocal about trading for JT Miller. If Walker, Grans, and a 1st gets it done we should do it.

My post even started with “assuming no trades”.

 

[johnjm22]

I think Durzi can be a 50 point defenseman in this league.

I don't know what to do about the log jam of Dmen on the right side, but I hate the idea of trading SD when his best years are still well in front of him. You'd be trading him when his value is low and some other team would enjoy his upside.

Spence looks ridiculously promising though. As does Clarke.

You can't trade Roy IMO.

 

[Trash Panda]

I think Durzi can be a 50 point defenseman in this league.

I don't know what to do about the log jam of Dmen on the right side, but I hate the idea of trading SD when his best years are still well in front of him. You'd be trading him when his value is low and some other team would enjoy his upside.

Spence looks ridiculously promising though. As does Clarke.

You can't trade Roy IMO.

Yeah, I don’t think that there is any iteration of the D corps that should be without Matt Roy. What a late round find he has turned out to be. Reminds me of Scuderi just with a little bit more jam to his game.

 

[Fishhead]

The Kings wouldn't even think of moving Durzi or anyone else to open a spot for Spence right now. Spence's quickest path to the roster right now is a couple of injuries on the blue line. Otherwise, he's going to get a good set of games in the NHL over the next couple of seasons and if he shows he can continue his fantastic play at the NHL, then the team will address it by moving guys out to accommodate and fill other needs. Think Voynov's entry path.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

It's a GREAT problem to have,

Doughty
Roy
Durzi
Walker
Spence
Grans
Clarke

With the exception of Doughty, and Walker I think everyone is what 24 and under, 25 and under? Not sure on Roy either, but on that list of what....7....you have 3 spots, one is filled with a future HOF (albeit older) One is a rock defensively, two are good puck movers, you have 4 proven NHL players..out of that 3.....you have Clarke who is going to replace Doughty at one point, so your options really are, Doughty/Clarke, Roy, and then one of Durzi, Walker, Spence, Grans.....

What's the right answer, no one freaking knows......but opportunity cost plays a part, if you can get a missing puzzle piece for one of those 4, Durzi, Walker, Spence, Grans, I think you have to do it, no matter which of the 4 it is...

 

[Schmooley]

It's a GREAT problem to have,

Doughty
Roy
Durzi
Walker
Spence
Grans
Clarke

With the exception of Doughty, and Walker I think everyone is what 24 and under, 25 and under? Not sure on Roy either, but on that list of what....7....you have 3 spots, one is filled with a future HOF (albeit older) One is a rock defensively, two are good puck movers, you have 4 proven NHL players..out of that 3.....you have Clarke who is going to replace Doughty at one point, so your options really are, Doughty/Clarke, Roy, and then one of Durzi, Walker, Spence, Grans.....

What's the right answer, no one freaking knows......but opportunity cost plays a part, if you can get a missing puzzle piece for one of those 4, Durzi, Walker, Spence, Grans, I think you have to do it, no matter which of the 4 it is...

Faber in there also!

 

[BringTheReign]

Kempe - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafallo - Byfield - Vilardi
Lemieux - Lizotte - JAD

Anderson - Doughty
Durzi - Roy
Bjornfot - Clarke

Quick
Petersen

Best-case scenario roster barring a masterful trade by Blake. Please make this happen, hockey gods.

 

[funky]

You seriously have to piss off with this bullshit.

It's nice you have a fan club of 2 people that love to join you in insulting people instead of putting together grown-up sentences but there's a reason over 30 posters have you on ignore and you're skirting the infraction line constantly with this arrogant "I know better than everyone" tripe.

You can be better than this.

i might not agree with the style he comes at people with but I agree with what he is getting at. It was actually Durzi himself that brought me back to the reality that:

We don’t actually know what we have, until we see them play in the NHL for a bit of time.

I honestly had written off Durzi with his AHL play. A guy like Turcotte is starting to fall into that same mindset.

However I see a guy like Spence tearing things up and he looks really great on paper. I think he will be a great player in the future and right now I would give them a very high rating.

However I won’t get too excited until I see him play in the NHL to see how he handles the next step.

Just wish all us fans can get together and just cheer for the positives in life and with our awesome team, but I to find it easy to fall off the wagon and bitch and moan at the negatives.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Because they’re still young prospects and who knows if those other guys will decline or be traded or whatever. What’s the alternative?

Then you never move anyone.

Do you even want three higher end prospects playing on the right side at the same time in the AHL? There are only so many minutes.

Kopitar, 34. Danault, 29. Arvidsson, 28. Iafallo, 28. Kempe, 25. Moore, 26. Doughty, 32. Roy, 26. Quick, 36. Petersen, 27. That's half your roster. None of then are going anywhere for a while. If they play well, you're doing them a disservice if you don't cash out on some of the excess prospects that are in the system.

For good or bad, they listened to Doughty, and Danault and Arvidsson is when the organization turned the corner. It's now about the NHL team. Always with an eye toward the future, because they didn't tank for nothing, but they want to compete now.

My post even started with “assuming no trades".

And my point is that a couple of them have to be traded. If, if, if, the Kings are a year or two ahead of some schedule, ok. Try and take advantage of Kempe actually being an offensive threat. Of Kopitar and Doughty still playing well. Of giving a now 29 year old Danault is 6 year deal. What are we waiting for?

 

[AbsentMojo]

One thing that isnt discussed much is having too much talent around the same age - always best to be staggered so you dont end up blowing up your roster to fit the cap. In general, id like seeing some early rounders from every draft year in the system - and not go years without a 1st rounder like weve done in the past. Think if Clarke, Byfield, Kaliyev, Turcotte are all lights out, what trying to keep them signed long term will look like after their ELC expires. So Im all for moving some prospects for some different types of players/contracts or for draft picks in upcoming years to keep a solid mix.

 

[King'sPawn]

…which is exactly what I was implying with that post. I wholly think that soon as next training camp we will see it, making Durzi a valuable trade chip.

For the record, I really do love Durzi and what he brings to the roster, he is just such a raw competitor. It’s nice to see, but Spence is just so much more calming of a presence who has steadily gotten better at every level. It’s a good problem, having quality players in excess.

Sorry, I just think the confidence that Spence will be ready to supplant him next year, is too early. Vilardi had 7 in his first 10, then had to readjust.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings need a Ben Chiarot or JT Miller - these are gritty playoff players who have an edge.

Both have actually fought Tkachuk ironically.

I was the Kings-Ducks game Friday on the glass - it was close to a playoff game feeling but Getzlaf, Deslauries, and Carrick were running around and taking liberties especially when Lemieux wasn’t on the ice.

Kings are pretty soft - especially on D.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

100% agree, I don't think Durzi though is the defenseman Clarke will be replacing, it will be Doughty....eventually....but again, until it's actually proven, hell Clarke has only played against boys so far, so who knows, he can be the next Griffin Reinhart....

People count their chickens here WAY WAY WAY too freaking early.....for professional sports.

Guess you missed last year when Clarke played in the Slovak men's league.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

i might not agree with the style he comes at people with but I agree with what he is getting at. It was actually Durzi himself that brought me back to the reality that:

We don’t actually know what we have, until we see them play in the NHL for a bit of time.

I honestly had written off Durzi with his AHL play. A guy like Turcotte is starting to fall into that same mindset.

However I see a guy like Spence tearing things up and he looks really great on paper. I think he will be a great player in the future and right now I would give them a very high rating.

However I won’t get too excited until I see him play in the NHL to see how he handles the next step.

Just wish all us fans can get together and just cheer for the positives in life and with our awesome team, but I to find it easy to fall off the wagon and bitch and moan at the negatives.

If I had a heart....I'd be touched......

But yea, essentially, until guys get time in the NHL, you don't know if they are the next Doughty, or Reinhart....regardless of where they were drafted, or what they did in the minors.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Guess you missed last year when Clarke played in the Slovak men's league.

Yea, definitely missed that, would like to see more than 27 games though in a lowered tiered game, but you are right, he has played against men....

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Kings need a Ben Chiarot or JT Miller - these are gritty playoff players who have an edge.

Both have actually fought Tkachuk ironically.

I was the Kings-Ducks game Friday on the glass - it was close to a playoff game feeling but Getzlaf, Deslauries, and Carrick were running around and taking liberties especially when Lemieux wasn’t on the ice.

Kings are pretty soft - especially on D.

New NHL.....name a team that isn't soft....compared to 5-10 years ago

 

[AbsentMojo]

New NHL.....name a team that isn't soft....compared to 5-10 years ago

Thats true - and its a shame. Now the way it works is teams wont play the body, unless one team takes a liberty and then they both do for awhile then it backs off again. I think the only game that was body all game long was vs Nashville. Its like the mutually assured destruction concept applied to hitting. I prefer the pugilist approach of the past.

 

[kinghock]

It's a GREAT problem to have,

Doughty
Roy
Durzi
Walker
Spence
Grans
Clarke

With the exception of Doughty, and Walker I think everyone is what 24 and under, 25 and under? Not sure on Roy either, but on that list of what....7....you have 3 spots, one is filled with a future HOF (albeit older) One is a rock defensively, two are good puck movers, you have 4 proven NHL players..out of that 3.....you have Clarke who is going to replace Doughty at one point, so your options really are, Doughty/Clarke, Roy, and then one of Durzi, Walker, Spence, Grans.....

What's the right answer, no one freaking knows......but opportunity cost plays a part, if you can get a missing puzzle piece for one of those 4, Durzi, Walker, Spence, Grans, I think you have to do it, no matter which of the 4 it is...

Durzi is already playing LD sometimes

If LA can switch Faber and Grans to LD our defense will have no issues
RD:
Doughty
Clarke
Roy
Spence


LD:
Durzi
Faber
Bjornfot
Grans
Anderson

 

[BigKing]

I suppose it doesn't mean anything but I always find it interesting who the Kings use in marketing materials. The little mailer we received for playoff info and next year's season seats features these four players on the back:

Doughty/Iafallo/Bjornfot/Durzi

Kopitar is on the front and then Petersen/Byfield/Kempe are on the inside. No Quick. No Brown.

Inside the mailer, the Kings claim that they have the #1 prospect pipeline and that Byfield is the #1 prospect in the NHL. Also states--in this order--that Durzi, Iafallo, Lemieux, Lizotte, Moore and Petersen are all having breakout seasons. Pretty liberal with that breakout season definition.

Guess I was kind of most surprised by the Durzi love. I think he's one of these "culture" guys and it would have to be a real legit deal for the Kings to consider moving him.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Durzi is already playing LD sometimes

If LA can switch Faber and Grans to LD our defense will have no issues
RD:
Doughty
Clarke
Roy
Spence


LD:
Durzi
Faber
Bjornfot
Grans
Anderson

True enough, or....now hear me about....

We make a true hockey trade, and grab similar prospects at LHD, Spence for his LHD equivalent etc....

This RHD, LHD is a relatively new thing though, for what, 70 years before this, it was....go play D lol