Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[DAkings20]

now that’s a spicy meatball

 

[Moses Doughty]

I've seen a few things about this with Vilardi, but I haven't seen any actual confirmation of talks

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I've seen a few things about this with Vilardi, but I haven't seen any actual confirmation of talks

It'll be interesting to see what he winds up getting from Winnipeg. Still rooting for him to have a successful career.

 

[Moses Doughty]

It'll be interesting to see what he winds up getting from Winnipeg. Still rooting for him to have a successful career.

Yea same. If it really is a big money deal, then some sense starts to be made (just some)

 

[SettlementRichie10]

It'll be interesting to see what he winds up getting from Winnipeg. Still rooting for him to have a successful career.

Same. Vilardi really won me over last year. Kid got f***ing hyped every time he potted a goal, and always gave 100% every shift. He played like a player who knew his career was on the line, and he was doing everything he could to deliver.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Fiala-PLD-Kayilev
Grunstrom-Lizotte-McEwen/JAD/Fagemo

The good news here is if the Kings deal Arvidsson or he walks they can slot Fagemo in his spot.

Same with Lizotte - Helenius will be ready in the next 1-2 years, so he can take Lizotte's spot.

When Kopitar retires, which could be none or 1-2 years then PLD moves up to 1C and Byfield or Turcotte takes the 3C.

Blake learned of the "boxes" from Lombardi. You look at the roster and then look at who can take over the next box.

 

[Schrute farms]

I can’t imagine paying 7.5M and 8.5M a year for two guys in their prime to be playing on line 3. Then again…TM

 

[funky]

I can’t imagine paying 7.5M and 8.5M a year for two guys in their prime to be playing on line 3. Then again…TM

Right now, our weak links are goaltending, bottom, six physical left, shot, defenseman, and possibly adding some physicality to the bottom line.

Even if we are all this, it doesn’t matter if the coach cannot deploy the players in the proper formations, at the proper times, or run the proper system.

 

[FeartheFur]

I don’t know is the Danault line the 3rd line now? If so that’s the best 3rd line in hockey.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I can’t imagine paying 7.5M and 8.5M a year for two guys in their prime to be playing on line 3. Then again…TM

Todd could go nuts and put Fiala and Dubois on the top line with Kempe on RW, and Kaliyev on RW with Byfield and Kopitar. But then I come to the realization that this is Todd McLellan we're talking about...

 

[Live in the Now]

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Fiala-PLD-Kayilev
Grunstrom-Lizotte-McEwen/JAD/Fagemo

The good news here is if the Kings deal Arvidsson or he walks they can slot Fagemo in his spot.

Same with Lizotte - Helenius will be ready in the next 1-2 years, so he can take Lizotte's spot.

When Kopitar retires, which could be none or 1-2 years then PLD moves up to 1C and Byfield or Turcotte takes the 3C.

Blake learned of the "boxes" from Lombardi. You look at the roster and then look at who can take over the next box.

They have to pick one of Moore/Arvidsson. They cannot keep both and put together a team.

 

[FeartheFur]

Goalie got to be number one priority. Why is Bjortfot not considered for that 3rd LD? He played good two years ago. Is still very young. I know he doesn’t wow you at anything for he is steady. Like Roy without the. Cap hit.

 

[Seattle King]

All these moves make me think Todd's seat just got a little warmer.
Todd probably thinks its because he farted.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I have preaching Nick Seeler all summer for 900K to play with either Clarke or Spence.

Or Nathan Beaulieu - he will sign cheap - LHD.

I hope Blake doesn't like PLD can do all the fighting now. He shipped out Lemieux and Durzi, the Kings fight leaders, so he better fill that void or Kempe and PLD will end up fighting and that's not good.

Also, remember next summer the Cap goes up and the Kings have 15 million in Kopitar and Arvidsson coming off the books. Even if they sign Kopitar to a 1-2 year deal it will not be 10 million. Arvidsson will of course look for more money, but Kings can slot Fagemo in that spot.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Same. Vilardi really won me over last year. Kid got f***ing hyped every time he potted a goal, and always gave 100% every shift. He played like a player who knew his career was on the line, and he was doing everything he could to deliver.

I’m a little bit in mourning, I decided he was my favourite King in probably a decade. Win or die, I wanted him to be on the team going forward.

Also, remember next summer the Cap goes up and the Kings have 15 million in Kopitar and Arvidsson coming off the books. Even if they sign Kopitar to a 1-2 year deal it will not be 10 million. Arvidsson will of course look for more money, but Kings can slot Fagemo in that spot.

I’m glad the cap goes up next summer.

But the thing is, our balls are in a vice NOW.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

I have preaching Nick Seeler all summer for 900K to play with either Clarke or Spence.

Or Nathan Beaulieu - he will sign cheap - LHD.

I hope Blake doesn't like PLD can do all the fighting now. He shipped out Lemieux and Durzi, the Kings fight leaders, so he better fill that void or Kempe and PLD will end up fighting and that's not good.

Also, remember next summer the Cap goes up and the Kings have 15 million in Kopitar and Arvidsson coming off the books. Even if they sign Kopitar to a 1-2 year deal it will not be 10 million. Arvidsson will of course look for more money, but Kings can slot Fagemo in that spot.

This.... And I think this is something we are overlooking right now in the chaos of it all: Dubois could end up being amazing and fitting in great with the Kings system. Have you guys watched this guy play?? Dude is a BIG, skilled center with serious potential. The Kings now have Kopitar, Dubois, and Danault down the middle. Assuming Kopitar is still Kopitar especially. And let's be honest, Lizotte at 4C is very solid. That's got to be, what?? a top 5 center corp in the NHL now for the Kings?? You build down the middle... And the Kings (at least for next season) look absolutely amazing. Gotta find a way to get a goalie... And you hate that that might mean Arvidsson is gone, but even with Arvidsson gone, I think you can plug other players in and move other players up the lineup and get away with it.

Don't necessarily LOVE the deal today personally (or at least it still stings that we lost some players today) but one can at least acknowledge that possibility that.... This Kings team could end up being GOOD, next year.

That is, at least, if he ends up coming here and loving it and playing his *** off. Which remains to be seen, for sure. But again, one can hope.

Edit: Also, Danault is so good... To have that guy as your 3rd line center. Insane. Team should be fun to watch.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Goalie got to be number one priority. Why is Bjortfot not considered for that 3rd LD? He played good two years ago. Is still very young. I know he doesn’t wow you at anything for he is steady. Like Roy without the. Cap hit.

Bjornfot is terrible. He doesn't do one thing very well. Also, do you want him paired with Spence or Clarke going against teams that can run him like Edmonton, Vegas, etc?

Kings had Sean O'Donnell for Doughty's fight few years as his protector. The smart thing would be to sign a tough LHD to watch over Spence or Clarke.

 

[FeartheFur]

I get that but they get a goalie and a 3 LD?

 

[Jungle Boy]

Kings don't have much money but here are some players I go after...

F: Comtois, Lucic, Reaves, Kassian, Ritchie
D: Beaulieu, Seeler (via trade), Ian Cole
Goalies: Anderson, Raanta, Varlamov, Brossoit

Just watched Blake’s interview and two or three things got my attention.
- When asked about Clark, Blake also spoke of Bjornfot and Spence, so there you have #5, 6 and 7 without toughness. If we trade for Seeler (lets say we use Tyler Madden or Anderson) can his contract be retained (I think he earns league minimundo) and is Bjornfot still waiver exempt?
- Blake said how important Lizotte is for the team so he is our 4th line center. McEwan, JAD, Andersson, Fagemo, wich of those guys can sign the base salary? If Comtois want to stay in SoCal he could sign a one year deal with us and one of those guys plus Tonka could be traded to open up some cap space so we can have our #1 goalie.

I think Durzi is libanese, anyways mr Lizotte should watch out.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Blake also said during the Season Ticket Conference when I asked about toughness that Edler was tough to play against LOL.

They also talked about how important Vilardi, Iaffalo and Kupari were...so take him with a grain of salt.

Both Spence and Clarke aren't making the Kings. One will, the other will be in Ontario.

Kings will likely sign a LHD to play with one of them and Bjornfot will be the #7 D.

 

[Jungle Boy]

Is there a goalie in the mkt that would make sense to trade Bjornfot for (the other team retaining)?

 

[kovacro]

Is there a goalie in the mkt that would make sense to trade Bjornfot for (the other team retaining)?

I’d rather go the FA route than trade Bjornfot. There are ample options that will be available once free agency commences come July 1.

You could look at a potentially cheaper option like Broissoit or Reimer or go with someone that would presumably cost more like Varlamov or Andersen.

I think it’s a musical chairs game so you might be able to snag someone on a short term friendly deal.

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

 

[KingsofLA]

Blake also said during the Season Ticket Conference when I asked about toughness that Edler was tough to play against LOL.

They also talked about how important Vilardi, Iaffalo and Kupari were...so take him with a grain of salt.

Both Spence and Clarke aren't making the Kings. One will, the other will be in Ontario.

Kings will likely sign a LHD to play with one of them and Bjornfot will be the #7 D.

U should of replied , “enjoy your 1st round exits”

 

[Herby]

f*** you, Blake. Backed into a corner and you do this?

Mark my words, Vilardi will outscore PLD by the end of 2024-2025 season

I’ll take that action if anyone here wants it. Again, they are 25 and 24, you guys act like it’s a 32 year old we are getting for a 20 year old.

When discussing Lizotte going into the playoffs, I made the "he's too small" argument and that I would take a little less scoring for someone with some size in that position. Didn't have a player in mind.

GBH threw out Bjugstad. I said sure, sounds good.

Against LA in Round 1, he had 18 hits, two goals, crushed the face off circle and was a plus player.

Lizotte?

Only played three games because he got hurt because he's too f***ing small. No points. Four hits. SIX PERCENT FO%!!! One for sixteen!!! 45% the year before which still isn't great.

It's still a man's game in the playoffs and you've got to be a much better player than Lizotte to be that small and be effective. 14 minutes of ice in seven playoff games the year before...one point. BUT THE ENERGY!!! Eight hits in seven games.

This is a classic Toddy Mac regular season fun time team. When it is grind time, they don't have it. Full, and I mean FULL, kudos to Blake Lizotte for working his ass off and grabbing that bag. He is an NHL player and that is awesome for him. You're going to need better at even the 4C position in the playoffs if you want to make it through four rounds of hockey which, spoiler, he never will be able to do with the style of game he plays.

I agree with this.

I think the truly special talents like Hughes and Caufield got ridiculously underrated around these parts for their size. But for most guys it’s just tough to play the type of role Lizotte is asked to play as a 5’8 player.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

!!!!!!!!! (Logan Thompson??)