Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[Telos]

Trading Arvi now hurts Kings depth since Iafallo gone. Korpisalo to be honest crap the bed in the playoffs and wants a big contract. Everyone needs to relax and see what happens on July 1st/ FA.

We have no other choice either way. I wouldn't want to lose Arvidsson but he is a rental now in my mind. There's no way we can re-sign him given our current cap situation. Goaltending is the #1 team need and I can't imagine their plan is to load up the center, play the kids on defense, and pray with two $1.5M goalies to hold the line.

I also sympathize with Korpisalo. He was facing one of the most ridiculously potent offenses and powerplay in NHL history and we had literal pylons standing there letting them walk into the slot and pick their corner. I don't fault him at all for that bullshit.

 

[head eyes]

There hasn't been any news around whether Quick is gonna try and play next season, right?

 

[Telos]

There hasn't been any news around whether Quick is gonna try and play next season, right?

None so far. I have a feeling we won't know until sometime between free agency and the season starting. I bet he is just going to wait and see what happens and make his determination during or after free agency. I have a feeling he hangs them up, at least that would be my guess. I think Quick knows the jig is up.

But who knows, maybe someone offers him something crazy to stick around or teach their goalie prospect something... I really wish he were still an option for us

 

[bland]

Can't be any weaker than the same team loses to the Oilers back to back seasons in the 1st round of the playoffs. Some of us saw the writing on the wall with the cap and 2 straight bounces in the first round vs the same team. Many in here were calling for playing the kids, here you go, you got your wish. Yes, it sucks that Iafallo and Vilardi had to go, it's a business unfortunately and many of us have seen hundreds of players go even Luc,Nichols Gretzky etc. It's going to be ok.

Yes, it absolutely can and likely will be weaker than the previous two seasons. Any improvements from Calgary and Vancouver could easily see this team slip out of the playoffs entirely.

If you do play Kaliyev or Fagemo in the top 6 and you have two of Clarke, Spence and Bjornfot in the lineup full time you have to be willing to let them feel their way into those spots regardless of the results. They can't play as afraid as before, and there is no reason to believe that McLellan is going to change that.

The forecheck is MUCH worse than past year without Iafallo and Vilardi. The boardwork will suffer as well, and Iafallo was the team's best defensive wingers.

There is a net loss of offense with this trade that will require either a breakthrough season for Dubois and at least one of the kids.

Less depth in all positions except for center. The goaltending is fluid but Blake is dealing from an extremely weak position to address it.

I have yet to see any argument that addresses those issues, everything else is the kind of blind optomism that follows every trade.

This team is worse than last years as of this moment. If there were any movable contracts that wouldn't severely hurt the goal of winning now, I would feel more optomistic about the potential for moves that could address the gaping holes, but you simply cannot improve by losing Arvidsson, Moore or Roy just to flesh out a roster.

 

[deaderhead28]

We have no other choice either way. I wouldn't want to lose Arvidsson but he is a rental now in my mind. There's no way we can re-sign him given our current cap situation. Goaltending is the #1 team need and I can't imagine their plan is to load up the center, play the kids on defense, and pray with two $1.5M goalies to hold the line.

I also sympathize with Korpisalo. He was facing one of the most ridiculously potent offenses and powerplay in NHL history and we had literal pylons standing there letting them walk into the slot and pick their corner. I don't fault him at all for that bullshit.

I think everything will be ok, this team needs to play the kids and continue to make the team better. Goaltending alone wasn't making this team a contender, and this team has more holes than just goaltending.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Arvidsson is a pending UFA at 30.

Fagemo is a similar player and you can tell the Kings are grooming him to take over VA's spot since they put him with Moore-Danault in the pre-season.

I think he can be moved.

Someone pointed out all the goals the Kings lose with moving out AI, Kupari and Byfield vs PLD. But, also factor in Byfield and Kayilev take a step forward, Fiala plays a full year, and Fagemo makes the team.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Welcome back Quick.

 

[YP44]

After a couple days of thinking about this trade i am ok with it. Blake was having to trade one of Arvidsson or Iafallo due to cap space anyways. Blake risk losing 3 players to waviers and Kupari helped with that. Vilardi health was a concerned and needed a new contract. The 2nd round pick did suck but i like our center depth. I think Dubios was a need down the middle and Blake is constructing the team to compete in the playoffs and long term. Next year cap goes up and even more holes can be filled short and long term. Its a process that cant be done in two seasons. By the trade deadline Kings will have enough to trade for or bring up a 23rd player. The Kings last year were not a contender and barley a playoff caliber team, we all knew it. Yes they were a good regular season team. They lacked in many areas including down the middle, bottom 6 fwd and goaltending. This idea of rolling with 22 players instead of 23 isn't a huge deal with Ontario down the road.

really though LA is adding $4m to their cap next season with this move. That will be the hard part. Will be interesting to see how that is managed. Looks like it will definitely impact the level of goalie LA can get.

This is Blake trying to do pull off Mike Richards deal. Difference is the team was already set with Richards coming in. With PLD coming in there are holes with less space to fill em

There hasn't been any news around whether Quick is gonna try and play next season, right?

sounds like the rangers

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

really though LA is adding $4m to their cap next season with this move. That will be the hard part. Will be interesting to see how that is managed. Looks like it will definitely impact the level of goalie LA can get.

This is Blake trying to do pull off Mike Richards deal. Difference is the team was already set with Richards coming in. With PLD coming in there are holes with less space to fill em


sounds like the rangers

The only hole right now...is goaltender, and granted, it is a major hole, but if Adin freaking Hill can win, then we don't need a Patrick Roy in net....

And this next part is not you, just in general,

Before the trade, people are like OMG we have redundant wingers, we have to make a trade,

After the trade, omg, we have no depth, etc....

Just by sheer logic, only one of those can be true.....you can argue he didn't fill the right hole, and that's 100% valid, but after Kopitar is done, where are you getting a top 6 C ?

 

[Schrute farms]

Halak is 38.

i mean let's be honest, what goalie are we getting with $1 - 1.5M? This is where we are at.

 

[Schmooley]

If LA trusts some young players they can get a better goalie.
Plug Fagemo in for Arvidsson. Turcotte in for Lizotte. And Dolan in for Grundstrom.
Trading Arvidsson Lizotte and Grundstrom opens enough cap for a 5 million dollar goalie like Ullmark and a cheap but useful 4th line winger.

 

[deaderhead28]

Welcome back Quick.

He is possibly going to the Rangers.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

He is possibly going to the Rangers.

Very possible. He’s from that area of the country, and grew up a Rags (Mike Richter) fan.

 

[Bandit]

Halak is 38.

Perfect for our “youth movement”.

 

[bland]

Arvidsson is a pending UFA at 30.

Fagemo is a similar player and you can tell the Kings are grooming him to take over VA's spot since they put him with Moore-Danault in the pre-season.

I think he can be moved.

Someone pointed out all the goals the Kings lose with moving out AI, Kupari and Byfield vs PLD. But, also factor in Byfield and Kayilev take a step forward, Fiala plays a full year, and Fagemo makes the team.

So, hope is the plan.

Got it.

 

[deaderhead28]

The only hole right now...is goaltender, and granted, it is a major hole, but if Adin freaking Hill can win, then we don't need a Patrick Roy in net....

And this next part is not you, just in general,

Before the trade, people are like OMG we have redundant wingers, we have to make a trade,

After the trade, omg, we have no depth, etc....

Just by sheer logic, only one of those can be true.....you can argue he didn't fill the right hole, and that's 100% valid, but after Kopitar is done, where are you getting a top 6 C ?

You could make a argument that bottom 6 fwd with sandpaper and size who can chip 15 goals is needed as well.

 

[deaderhead28]

So, hope is the plan.

Got it.

It was always hope, last year's team was never going to be the roster staring next season. With 3 wavier players and cap issues it was going to be gutted. With the unsuccessful back to back 1st round exit in the playoffs and by the same team changes needed to be done. It's time for the kids to step up.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Max Comtois is the player I would targer if Kings don't want to play just an Enforcer.

 

[AbsentMojo]

If LA trusts some young players they can get a better goalie.
Plug Fagemo in for Arvidsson. Turcotte in for Lizotte. And Dolan in for Grundstrom.
Trading Arvidsson Lizotte and Grundstrom opens enough cap for a 5 million dollar goalie like Ullmark and a cheap but useful 4th line winger.

I could live with that plan.. it will hurt to lose RV scoring but maybe Kaliyev given the optty can make up for some of it.. edit: and lizotte and esp grundstrom are totally expendable assets when up against the cap

 

[deaderhead28]

I rather Blake try to trade for a goalie with retention to help with the cap.

 

[YP44]

The only hole right now...is goaltender, and granted, it is a major hole, but if Adin freaking Hill can win, then we don't need a Patrick Roy in net....

And this next part is not you, just in general,

Before the trade, people are like OMG we have redundant wingers, we have to make a trade,

After the trade, omg, we have no depth, etc....

Just by sheer logic, only one of those can be true.....you can argue he didn't fill the right hole, and that's 100% valid, but after Kopitar is done, where are you getting a top 6 C ?

I was a person saying we have too many wingers, but was also saying they should be moved for Picks to be used to get a goalie (either due to cap space or moving the acquired picks,), or straight up for a goalie.

I knew one or two of Moore/Arvidson/Iafallo would need to be moved, but that would be my order for desire to move them. For me it sucks Iafallo was the one to go. Also Vilardi I am ok with moving, but this team is very low on right hand shot forwards. I saw that plague calgary for years too.

I get you point on Adin Hill, same could be said with Niemi with the Hawks. Every so often that happens, but having a top goalie is more tried and true.

Do I like the players who were moved out yes, but I am ok with them being moved. My issue is that it was used to bring in a forward who will take up more cap than the guys who were moved out.

Hayes at $3.5M + Vilardi + Iafallo + 2nd > PLD + 6th. Not sure if that deal was available to LA, but that is also part of my problem. Even if you are ok with everything else it feels like this was an overpay based on other deals happening around the league, and the fact the Jets should not have had any leverage.

I could end up eating big time crow (best case scenario really) and I do think PLD will end up being one of my favorite players to watch as a king (loved what he did in the bubble and think a motivated PLD is a great thing). Just seemed like too much for a position not needed, while now not allowing the organization to properly address their main weakness.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You could make a argument that bottom 6 fwd with sandpaper and size who can chip 15 goals is needed as well.

"blake's done a great job"

"also we need a sandpaper bottom six forward and a bottom pairing LHD and at least one more goalie AND we're going to play a roster 1 short most nights and we will probably lose another middle six forward for salary concerns as well PLUS all the important kids are suddenly waiver eligible and we'll lose a few that way instead of for picks we could have used in this draft...but blake TRIED to move up into round 1 and again later"

YEAR SIX EVERYONE CLAP CLAP CLAP

Edit referencing this



failed twelve times, but he's trying guys!

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

You could make a argument that bottom 6 fwd with sandpaper and size who can chip 15 goals is needed as well.

Bottom six with sandpaper and chip in 15 goals......only 8 players did that....Sprong, Frederic, Engvall, Colton, Amadio, Carrier, Berggen and Kapanen

Out of those, Frederic is the only one I would look at...and he's gonna be getting 4 to 5 million

 

[Bandit]

"blake's done a great job"

"also we need a sandpaper bottom six forward and a bottom pairing LHD and at least one more goalie AND we're going to play a roster 1 short most nights and we will probably lose another middle six forward for salary concerns as well PLUS all the important kids are suddenly waiver eligible and we'll lose a few that way instead of for picks we could have used in this draft...but blake TRIED to move up into round 1 and again later"

YEAR SIX EVERYONE CLAP CLAP CLAP

Edit referencing this



failed twelve times, but he's trying guys!

Wait, we’re planning to ice 17 skaters?? I read it as carrying a 22 man roster? Guess the former is much more Blake.

Doughty needs an equipment rash until April ASAP.

 

[robitaillefan]

If we can get a breakout season of 20+ goals out of QB , many here should forget about vilardi. Qb has the physical size that’s still filling out to be a dominant player. If he gets his sh!t together this year , it totally changes the dynamic of this team