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

[kinghock]

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

Spence for Rathbone from Vancouver

 

[Choralone]

I don't want to move Spence until I see him in the NHL with my own eyes.

 

[bland]

I wouldn't trade Durzi until Spence actually outplays him. They're in similar age groups where there is a competition - that's the whole point of depth.

Gonna have to move somebody by next year. Walker is a NHL regular as well, and while out of sight out of mind might be cool for some, there is a longterm issue to be sorted out on that right side and its the greatest position of strength on the roster.

Its pretty much a given that any significant deal the Kings make will be including a RHD. I am not letting a couple of months of VERY encouraging play make a guy like Durzi look more untouchable than the guys who are clearly higher rated in Clarke, Faber and Spence. If Durzi or Spence is the option for a big deal, you don't give too much weight to the fact that Durzi hit the pros first. Spence is doing things now at a younger age than Durzi could.

I like both players very much, but it ultimately makes very little difference than Durzi got here first. Durzi broke camp at best 5th on their RHD chart, even behind Strand. He is doing what you want out of every prospect, he took his chance and didn't let it go. There is numbers game here, and if you have to move Durzi because that's the demand, you can safely do so because there is cover coming in right behind him.

 

[TruKingFan]

Walker is already a goner IMO. I know it sucks to lose a roster spot to injury but such is life as a pro athlete.

 

[lumbergh]

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...

I might be in the minority here, but I don't see Clarke playing substantial games on the Kings until 2024. Given what was said at the State of the Franchise address, it's clear that the Kings prefer prospects get development time in the AHL. Being that Clarke can't play in the AHL next season, we're looking at his professional debut in 2023-24, unless he absolutely blows the competition out of the water at camp. A season in the AHL puts him on the Kings, if all goes well, in 2024.

The Kings can afford to take their time with him given the riches they have on that side. Same with Faber likely taking a season in the AHL, if he leaves college.

Walker, unfortunately, is done as a King, in my opinion. I'm bummed about that not because I like him as a player, but because he sustained a couple of major injuries as a King. Tough way to get bumped off the team, if it happens, but there are better, younger players coming. The Kings and Blake helped develop an undrafted player into an NHL defenseman, but it's time to move him to another team that could use him during the offseason.

That means you have Durzi, Spence and Grans competing for the third position at RHD. That's healthy, in my opinion. Durzi is a competitor, and having Spence breathing down his back is only going to make him work that much harder. I'm personally very excited to see Spence myself, and Grans is just a giant wild card. Gonna be an interesting camp in September.

 

[King'sPawn]

Gonna have to move somebody by next year. Walker is a NHL regular as well, and while out of sight out of mind might be cool for some, there is a longterm issue to be sorted out on that right side and its the greatest position of strength on the roster.

Its pretty much a given that any significant deal the Kings make will be including a RHD. I am not letting a couple of months of VERY encouraging play make a guy like Durzi look more untouchable than the guys who are clearly higher rated in Clarke, Faber and Spence. If Durzi or Spence is the option for a big deal, you don't give too much weight to the fact that Durzi hit the pros first. Spence is doing things now at a younger age than Durzi could.

I like both players very much, but it ultimately makes very little difference than Durzi got here first. Durzi broke camp at best 5th on their RHD chart, even behind Strand. He is doing what you want out of every prospect, he took his chance and didn't let it go. There is numbers game here, and if you have to move Durzi because that's the demand, you can safely do so because there is cover coming in right behind him.

Well, sure, but Spence is finishing year one of his contract. He's waiver exempt for the next two seasons. So it's not a battle between Spence and Durzi. It's between Durzi and Walker next year.

And I think Durzi has shown, for the expected role, he has been more adept than Walker.

 

[BigKing]

Durzi brings swagger to a team that we've been saying for years doesn't have an identity and is just cool with letting other teams do whatever they want.

Walker is a nice guy and all but if we wanted to say they were equals on the ice, I think Durzi's intangibles are at another level.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I might be in the minority here, but I don't see Clarke playing substantial games on the Kings until 2024. Given what was said at the State of the Franchise address, it's clear that the Kings prefer prospects get development time in the AHL. Being that Clarke can't play in the AHL next season, we're looking at his professional debut in 2023-24, unless he absolutely blows the competition out of the water at camp. A season in the AHL puts him on the Kings, if all goes well, in 2024.

The Kings can afford to take their time with him given the riches they have on that side. Same with Faber likely taking a season in the AHL, if he leaves college.

Walker, unfortunately, is done as a King, in my opinion. I'm bummed about that not because I like him as a player, but because he sustained a couple of major injuries as a King. Tough way to get bumped off the team, if it happens, but there are better, younger players coming. The Kings and Blake helped develop an undrafted player into an NHL defenseman, but it's time to move him to another team that could use him during the offseason.

That means you have Durzi, Spence and Grans competing for the third position at RHD. That's healthy, in my opinion. Durzi is a competitor, and having Spence breathing down his back is only going to make him work that much harder. I'm personally very excited to see Spence myself, and Grans is just a giant wild card. Gonna be an interesting camp in September.

Fair enough, I agree with you on Walker...but...again, it could be Walker vs Spence vs Grans....If LA gets a great offer that includes Durzi, again, it's a GREAT problem to have.....but still a problem.

 

[bmr]

Durzi brings swagger to a team that we've been saying for years doesn't have an identity and is just cool with letting other teams do whatever they want.

Walker is a nice guy and all but if we wanted to say they were equals on the ice, I think Durzi's intangibles are at another level.

Amen to this - I'm a big fan of the word 'swagger' and I want to have more of these character guys on the team. You want someone who cares and infuses that same level of caring into others. Danault is another guy who brings this.

 

[bmr]

There's still a lot to find out with Turcotte path to the NHL with this team, but I gotta wonder:

If you guys could go back and re-draft 2019, do you still take Zegras over Seider? That's a tough one for me right now.

 

[bland]

Well, sure, but Spence is finishing year one of his contract. He's waiver exempt for the next two seasons. So it's not a battle between Spence and Durzi. It's between Durzi and Walker next year.

And I think Durzi has shown, for the expected role, he has been more adept than Walker.

Its not really Durzi vs Spence or Durzi vs Walker, its which of the three helps you improve the areas of weakness in a potential deal for what is really just our 3rd pairing defender.

I would point to Durzi's ascendancy as one of the major factors in them going from a group of guys who win some games to an honest to goodness team. I LOVE those congealing players. But I also know that the Kings best chance for success is still two years away and any deal needs to keep that in mind. If Durzi vs Spence is a deal breaker, that's an area where the Kings can easily afford to give in a little.

 

[Sybil227]

Oooooh, we're #8!
Hurricanes No. 1; Canadiens make biggest surge in NHL Power Rankings

 

[bland]

I might be in the minority here, but I don't see Clarke playing substantial games on the Kings until 2024. Given what was said at the State of the Franchise address, it's clear that the Kings prefer prospects get development time in the AHL. Being that Clarke can't play in the AHL next season, we're looking at his professional debut in 2023-24, unless he absolutely blows the competition out of the water at camp. A season in the AHL puts him on the Kings, if all goes well, in 2024.

The Kings can afford to take their time with him given the riches they have on that side. Same with Faber likely taking a season in the AHL, if he leaves college.

Walker, unfortunately, is done as a King, in my opinion. I'm bummed about that not because I like him as a player, but because he sustained a couple of major injuries as a King. Tough way to get bumped off the team, if it happens, but there are better, younger players coming. The Kings and Blake helped develop an undrafted player into an NHL defenseman, but it's time to move him to another team that could use him during the offseason.

That means you have Durzi, Spence and Grans competing for the third position at RHD. That's healthy, in my opinion. Durzi is a competitor, and having Spence breathing down his back is only going to make him work that much harder. I'm personally very excited to see Spence myself, and Grans is just a giant wild card. Gonna be an interesting camp in September.

I agree that Clarke shouldn't be pencilled into any lineups next year, but I can't say the same for Faber. There is a strong likliehood that he comes in next year and wins that 3rd RHD role outright.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

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.

I guess I could go back and look it up, but does anyone know where Durzi ranked in making the team before start of the season? I confess, I didn't even have this guy on my radar and was called up and remember being kind of disappointed that it was him over other D prospects. But yah, the dude has been great and I can see the 'culture' reference and what he could mean to this team in the very near future.

 

[BringTheReign]

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.

Miller would be great but honestly Chiarot is awful. He’s big and crosschecks people, that’s it. Weber carried him, and without him he’s a black hole who takes a ton of penalties and can’t move the puck. Our PK is struggling, we don’t need him cratering us in our attempt to make the playoffs.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Before the season I didn't give Durzi another thought. From all the reports in Ontario, Durzi was horrid on defense. Wouldn't have even ranked him in LA's top 15 prospects.
What a fantastic surprise he's been. Proving all the doubters wrong and I love it.

I still think Moverare is an NHL player. Bottom pair, but a player.

This offseason should be interesting. Too many players and not enough room to fit them all. Ontario will have an influx with Chromiak, Helenius, Faber and possibly Lee.
My guess is Tkachev, Gaunce, Phillips and Sodergran are not brought back. Strand may look for a different opportunity with a team lacking in RHD. Wagner still has term on his contract.
Looks of decisions to be made, both big and small.

 

[Pucknut50]

Spence for Rathbone from Vancouver

Being of Japanese ethnicity I would love to see Spence thrive as a King.

 

[Trash Panda]

Well, sure, but Spence is finishing year one of his contract. He's waiver exempt for the next two seasons. So it's not a battle between Spence and Durzi. It's between Durzi and Walker next year.

And I think Durzi has shown, for the expected role, he has been more adept than Walker.

I do think for that reason alone, Walker is more than likely the odd man out in that particular scenario.

Injuries suck.

 

[bouncesonly]

That scrub Kopitar has reached 50 pts in 3 less games than last year, 53 games. He's 2 points away from matching his career full season low.

 

[cyclones22]

@All The Kings Men reminded me in a post a week or so ago that Walker can play the left side and looked pretty good doing it. I would guess that he replaces Maatta if he's not traded as part of a package upgrade elsewhere. Either way, we're going to see what kind of decision-making prowess this FO has. Who to keep and who to trade. I just really hope that they don't try and sell out in an attempt to try and worst to first this rebuild.

 

[tny760]

Being of Japanese ethnicity I would love to see Spence thrive as a King.

huh, didn't actually know that. australian born, japan and PEI raised playing in LA.. quite a path. family must be in the maritime biz

 

[All The Kings Men]

Fair enough, I agree with you on Walker...but...again, it could be Walker vs Spence vs Grans....If LA gets a great offer that includes Durzi, again, it's a GREAT problem to have.....but still a problem.

It's not a problem it's an opportunity. It's a puzzle.

Fix your thinking.

 

[TwzKing]

Durzi brings swagger to a team that we've been saying for years doesn't have an identity and is just cool with letting other teams do whatever they want.

Walker is a nice guy and all but if we wanted to say they were equals on the ice, I think Durzi's intangibles are at another level.

I forget what game but he stuck up for Quick and got into a fight. Durzi does have an extra something.

huh, didn't actually know that. australian born, japan and PEI raised playing in LA.. quite a path. family must be in the maritime biz

Yea good story on him, there have been a few write-ups about his journey.

 

[kilowatt]

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.



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?

I'm not entirely sure what you're arguing with me about. I agree that some of our prospects will have to be traded. My roster was just what next year could look like if we don't make any trades, so as to avoid losing good prospects (Vilardi and JAD) to waivers. For starters, I think we should trade something like Walker, Kupari, and a first for JT Miller. Maybe even throw in a guy like Andersson or Grundstrom if we have to.

 

[Steve Zissou]