Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[DryIslandBartender]

Bluc took over a cup contender (their words).

Zero playoff series wins in 6 years.

Management for years touted their prospects being some of the best in the league, keeping them parked in the AHL. Two of their top 5 picks look like busts.

They’ve sold a lot of BS over the years. Most teams would do an overhaul with these kinds of results. The culture that was built ten years ago has been destroyed, it’s back to being a laid back surfing beach org/country club.

I haven’t spent a dime on the Kings since they fired DL/Sutter. AEG doesn’t care about the product or results, they just want money. Could care less about the team itself.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

You should be in the Kings marketing department. This is a great slogan to bring all the suckers in to buy season tickets next season.

Do you even LIKE the Kings???? I mean seriously

You don't think this team has any chance to win with Kopitar/Doughty. You think people who buy season tickets are 'suckers'. You (seemingly) don't believe in any of the team's prospects/young players. And you're on these message boards harassing people that try to be positive about the team's future.

Just seems weird ngl

 

[AbsentMojo]

St Louis Blues are probably the only cup team without the major core being home grown. Pietrangelo Tarasenko and Binnington were big parts but Schenn and OReilly seemed to be the leaders at that moment.
It also didnt last more than a season. Heck it was only even half a season they caught lightning in a bottle. They were in last a large portion of the year.

That was one of the weirdest and most unlikely turnarounds in league history... its like the patient coded, the doctor came in and pronounced time of death, the sheet pulled over and a call made to get the body in the fridge... then the patient gets up puts on his clothes and runs a marathon.

 

[SmytheKing]

Sunglasses because the future's so bright?? Thanks man, these will come in handy.

I know you're being sarcastic but I don't get why?? Is it fun to sit around 'predicting' your favorite team is totally screwed just so you can claim you were right on the off chance they actually are??

Like, at the end of the day as fans all we can really do is cheer on our team and hope for the best right??

If you disagree with something or have doubts about coaches, players, trades, management, etc - Why not hope your concerns are proven wrong and hope for the best for your favorite team??

Hope prospects pan out and have great off-seasons, hope management makes the right decisions (knowing that mistakes are bound to happen with any sports franchise), and try to be optimistic about the future?? Y'all are (some of the posters on here at least) so doom and gloom and again... it's WEIRD to me.

So many people on these boards have this "I'm gonna be super pessimistic because if I'm expecting the worst, I'll never be disappointed" vibe. It's super corny and weird.

Like what a SAD/weird statement from a Kings fan???? Your reaction to the best Kings player of all time (Kopitar) being signed to a 8-year deal was "AH MAN THEY'LL NEVER WIN AGAIN NOW".... I mean... what???

I can understand thinking "ahhhh that contract probably won't age well" or something along those lines but what a absolutely awful and werid attitude to have.

Don't get me wrong, I have some concerns too.. And this off-season is going to be super interesting/crucial. But you can express those concerns and disagree with certain moves without being an ass about it.

Like here you're just childishly attacking me because what??? Because I was optimistic about the Kings future? You may have been watching hockey for the last 20-30 years but it seems pretty clear you have some growing up to do.

Got a quote where I said anything about the Kopitar contract? Odd suggestion to make since I've always been one of the biggest Kopitar guys around here.

I HOPE Clarke becomes the player I think he can be. Beyond him, there's really nothing BESIDES hope that you can cheer for. They have a roster where most of the best players are on the other side of 30, approaching 30, or are pending free agents. They have very little cap room. They can't win a playoff series.

You talk about how well positioned they are, but what are you basing that off of? Draft picks that three years ago were thought to be something magical that have either been bungled or terribly evaluated (depending on who you ask)? Their lack of developing any goalie over the past several years? Having no top end prospects other than a defenseman they seem determined not to play?

But I get the feeling that you're one of those "If you hate the Kings so much, why don't you go cheer for the Ducks?!?!?" type of fellas so I'll just mind my own with you.

 

[Bandit]

I guess we’ve found axl’s 3rd account.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I guess we’ve found axl’s 3rd account.

Lol.. we have a replacement. There is a place for that perspective. Axl never bothered me - then i again i dont mind hearing chop sticks played on the piano over and over again.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Got a quote where I said anything about the Kopitar contract? Odd suggestion to make since I've always been one of the biggest Kopitar guys around here.

I HOPE Clarke becomes the player I think he can be. Beyond him, there's really nothing BESIDES hope that you can cheer for. They have a roster where most of the best players are on the other side of 30, approaching 30, or are pending free agents. They have very little cap room. They can't win a playoff series.

You talk about how well positioned they are, but what are you basing that off of? Draft picks that three years ago were thought to be something magical that have either been bungled or terribly evaluated (depending on who you ask)? Their lack of developing any goalie over the past several years? Having no top end prospects other than a defenseman they seem determined not to play?

But I get the feeling that you're one of those "If you hate the Kings so much, why don't you go cheer for the Ducks?!?!?" type of fellas so I'll just mind my own with you.

Oh my bad, there should be quotes in the message you're quoting. The quote about the Kopitar contract was from another poster 'KINGS17' so that wasn't directed towards you.

I guess I disagree that it's blind hope for some of these prospects.

I mean take Byfield for example... He showed some serious flashes this year and 4 points in 6 playoff games as a 20 year old is honestly very solid. Plenty of players (especially with more size) take a lot longer to show what Byfield's already shown us. He has the speed/skating. He has the playmaking ability. He has the tools in general to become an elite player.. Just needs to polish up his game a bit and improve on a few things.

I'm also a big Kaliyev guy and realistically still think he can be a 40G, 40A guy in his prime if he's deployed correctly. He's still only 21 and may not hit his prime until 23/24 but has also shown flashes this year. There were certain games where he looked like he was shot out of a cannon and was constantly ripping the puck on net and making good plays. Love to see that from a 21 year old forward with one of the hardest shots in the NHL.

I'm also a pretty big #Bjornfotbeliever despite the fact that he had a semi-rough year - Still has good potential IMO and could be very solid if he has a good off-season - Still only 22 years old (fairly young for a d-man).

Also think Vilardi has another level to his game. Plus love Spence too tbh.

And yeah man, idk... I just think with Kempe turning out to be the player he is, Kopitar still playing at a high level, Doughty coming off a solid 50+ point season and still very hungry to win, and other guys like Danault, Fiala, etc on the roster... This team looks good at least for the next year or two. After that, we'll see. Might be a little optimistic on my end but time will tell - Guess if I'm wrong you guys can quote me and tell me all about it lol, but I'm choosing to be optimistic.

 

[Sol]

"BLuc's BS"...... Lol??? What BS?? They assembled a REALLY good team that is positioned to be really good for years to come.

With the exception of goaltending being a pretty big question mark, this team/organization is in really good shape. The craziest part is it seems Kings fans are mostly the one's that don't seem to see that??? Around the league people are looking at the Kings as one of the best up and coming teams in the league and most were predicting them to go on a long playoff run if they could get past EDM. But for Kings fans its "fire everyone" for some reason???.. Super weird to me.

Byfield will get there. Kaliyev will get there. Reminder that both are still RIDICULOUSLY young (don't understand how people still aren't getting that) and will easily be better players next year. Vilardi is good as f**k and will also likely be even better next year. Kempe is an absolute beast now. Clarke is going to be an absolute beauty and is poised to compete for the Calder next year. We get to watch Fiala for many years to come.

And there are still PLENTY of prospects that absolutely still have a chance to shine over the next couple seasons.

Idk man..... Like I get being bummed that the Kings lost and also get being frustrated that some of the moves management has made haven't worked out but to me, there's WAY more cause for excitement than there is concern with this team.

​

This is crazy. Lol. The future is totally bleak because the future players look like fourth liners.

Sheesh Axl

 

[PettersonHughes]

What positional needs do you guys have to address this offseason, and what assets are available?

 

[Schmooley]

Byfield isn't living up to his draft position and isn't producing on the top line as he should. Making excuses for Byfield doesn't work when the player who was drafted after him Tim Stützle has had a more productive career so far.
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Career​

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Whats stutzle have to do with it? You said if anyone was on the top line besides byfield the series would have been different. I pointed out byfield had more points than anyone (tied with hughes) within his draft year and other drafts around that year in the playoffs. Arvidsson was on the top line in game 6 and they didnt do much.
You were laying blame of the series loss on a kid (who did struggle) and it its not even close to the main issue.

 

[chris kontos]

"BLuc's BS"...... Lol??? What BS?? They assembled a REALLY good team that is positioned to be really good for years to come.

With the exception of goaltending being a pretty big question mark, this team/organization is in really good shape. The craziest part is it seems Kings fans are mostly the one's that don't seem to see that??? Around the league people are looking at the Kings as one of the best up and coming teams in the league and most were predicting them to go on a long playoff run if they could get past EDM. But for Kings fans its "fire everyone" for some reason???.. Super weird to me.

Byfield will get there. Kaliyev will get there. Reminder that both are still RIDICULOUSLY young (don't understand how people still aren't getting that) and will easily be better players next year. Vilardi is good as f**k and will also likely be even better next year. Kempe is an absolute beast now. Clarke is going to be an absolute beauty and is poised to compete for the Calder next year. We get to watch Fiala for many years to come.

And there are still PLENTY of prospects that absolutely still have a chance to shine over the next couple seasons.

Idk man..... Like I get being bummed that the Kings lost and also get being frustrated that some of the moves management has made haven't worked out but to me, there's WAY more cause for excitement than there is concern with this team.

​

BE SURE to buy those season tickets
That way you'll be first in line for next years 1st round exit

 

[AbsentMojo]

What positional needs do you guys have to address this offseason, and what assets are available?

President, GM, coach, 1G, 2LD, 3LD, 3C, size

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

This is crazy. Lol. The future is totally bleak because the future players look like fourth liners.

Sheesh Axl

You're seriously thinking 20 year old Byfield looks like he's going to be a 4th liner???? Or 21 year old Kaliyev?? You really think he's destined to be a 4th line player??

Lol the pessimism is REAL with this fan base.

You guys may be right... But for this team's sake I hope you aren't. <3

 

[DryIslandBartender]

BE SURE to buy those season tickets
That way you'll be first in line for next years 1st round exit

AEG knows King fans are suckers.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

President, GM, coach, 1G, 2LD, 3LD, 3C, size

Don't forget, 1RW, 2RW, 3RW, 4RW, 2LW, 3LW 4LW etc

 

[DryIslandBartender]

What positional needs do you guys have to address this offseason, and what assets are available?

Ownership.

 

[Cook24]

Fiala-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Iafallo-Vilardi-Tom Wilson
Grundstrom-Lizotte-Kassian
Kupari

Anderson-Doughty
Gavrikov-Clarke
UFA toughness-Roy

Saros or Hellebuyck

Byfield for saros or hellebuyck

Turcotte and picks for Tom Wilson. Cap dump Peterson and prospect for kassian

Flame away muahahah

Don’t do drugs

 

[AbsentMojo]

Don't forget, 1RW, 2RW, 3RW, 4RW, 2LW, 3LW 4LW etc

yes.. and PxP1 forgot that one too

 

[SettlementRichie10]

The Sekera trade was made for a team that has just won the Cup and needed to replace Voynov while knowing that they would most likely not be able to re-sign Sekera (still believe DL thought Voynov would be able to play again). Some pundits were picking the Kings to win the whole thing that year even with their bad record at the TDL...that seven game win streak and the team's resume from the last three years earned them that.

This trade was done for a team that went to Game 7 of the 1st round the year before after being one of the worst teams in the league the few years prior. This is more of a Dustin Penner type trade except Penner was still under contract whereas both of the CBJ guys are total UFAs. Gavrikov goes on to play like a total stud and probably ups his value as a UFA while the Kings are still out in less games than the year before.

After the emotion of Quick being shitcanned subsided, it was pretty clear that this was most likely going to be a waste of a 1st round pick. Is it a good trade if they re-sign Gavrikov? Debatable. If you get him at a nice discount because he enjoyed his time here then maybe but it is pretty rough when you think you can trade futures because your prospect pool is so awesome when it turns out it might not be that awesome. Seems like what Lombardi was crucified for at the end but at least he was trying to "win now" for 11 and 8 when they were eight years younger than today.

I can’t believe it needs to be spelled out like this for people.

Lombardi’s madness came in the dying years of a legitimately historic run that was only unraveled by off ice scandal.

Look, obviously now knowing that the Kings came up short and got bounced in the first round - The trade doesn't look amazing.

It was a risky move - But addressed 2 major needs and gave the Kings a MUCH better chance to go on a long playoff run. Unfortunately it didn't pan out that way, but it was worth a shot.

And let's be honest - Virtually all Kings fans (probably you included) were essentially begging GMRB to make a move to improve the team's goaltending/left defense at the deadline. He did, and it didn't work out. That doesn't make him a terrible GM or a 'dope'.

This team can still be in an AMAZING position moving into next season with the right moves this offseason. GKfreakinG boys

It’s not hindsight when multiple people weren’t happy with the trade at the time.

And Rob Blake is a terrible GM for a lot of reasons, not just this trade.

You would be aware of that if you could see past your pom poms.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

yes.. and PxP1 forgot that one too

Stick boy need a better one

I can’t believe it needs to be spelled out like this for people.

Lombardi’s madness came in the dying years of a legitimately historic run that was only unraveled by off ice scandal.

Why do


It’s not hindsight when multiple people weren’t happy with the trade at the time.

And Rob Blake is a terrible GM for a lot of reasons, not just this trade.

You would be aware of that if you could see past your pom poms.

Yet everyone involved in the NHL says otherwise....imagine that

 

[AbsentMojo]

Stick boy need a better one



Yet everyone involved in the NHL says otherwise....imagine that

Def need a new PK coach, there's that

 

[Schmooley]

Fiala-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Iafallo-Vilardi-Tom Wilson
Grundstrom-Lizotte-Kassian
Kupari

Anderson-Doughty
Gavrikov-Clarke
UFA toughness-Roy

Saros or Hellebuyck

Byfield for saros or hellebuyck

Turcotte and picks for Tom Wilson. Cap dump Peterson and prospect for kassian

Flame away muahahah

Don’t do drugs

I have been thinking that the Kings make a move for Tom Wilson also. He would probably look good playing with Kopitar and Kempe too. Fiala didnt mesh with Kopitar.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I guess we’ve found axl’s 3rd account.

I was just thinking the same thing.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Def need a new PK coach, there's that

Yea there is that, though....the next one could do the 4 across route

 

[SettlementRichie10]

You're seriously thinking 20 year old Byfield looks like he's going to be a 4th liner???? Or 21 year old Kaliyev?? You really think he's destined to be a 4th line player??

Lol the pessimism is REAL with this fan base.

You guys may be right... But for this team's sake I hope you aren't. <3

Byfield is quite literally the least productive top two pick in a decade.

Do you not understand that?

Like, sure, he can suddenly flip a switch and become Tage Thompson. And then maybe the Ducks/Hawks will trade us Bedard for Cal Peterson. Anything can happen, right?