Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[Sol]

I think Byfield could stand to work on his physicality. He could be a feared hitter with that kind of size and speed. The momentum he generates could be devastating if he chose to use it. He doesn’t have to be Dustin Brown, but if he puts fear in the head of a defenseman that he is chasing down, that defenseman is going to make a mental mistake.

He should also get a good scrapper like a Sean O’Donnell or a Jordan Nolan to teach him how to handle himself. I’m not saying he should be an enforcer and go looking for a fight, but be ready for it.

I’d be happy if he fed Hedman some bombs.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Why would you sign a 27 year old to a two year 2 million dollar deal?

When you pencil in Bjornfot with Spence or Clarke the Kings line up looks very soft.

Pairing one of those two smaller players with Bjornfot makes the Kings even smaller. It's one thing if the Kings break up Roy-Gavrikov and put each of them with one of the smaller players. If not, then that might be the softest line up in the entire league.

Kings were the 5th lowest in fighting majors and all the teams below them got tougher (Carolina, Buffalo and Detroit) by adding players like Lemieux, Greenway, and Kostin.

So he can pass through waivers and still not count against the cap. The second year at one million is to discourage teams from taking him off waivers.

 

[kinghock]

Blake signed Englund to a poison pill contract, it has the extra year and pays him a million to play in the AHL both years or move in between leagues. Makes it much less likely a team will take a shot at him on waivers with the extra season and extra $$$ for the AHL. It's time for Toby and step up and take the job full-time, although he doesn't seem to be a TMac favorite. Englund is neck and neck with Moverare on the depth chart.

NHL Draft War Room: Andreas Englund (thehockeywriters.com)

 

[Statto]

I do think Byfield could stand to work on his explosiveness.

Improved confidence and assertiveness will help that hugely.

 

[kilowatt]

Byfield and Kaliyev still play like kids. Both need to start playing like they’re in the NHL. Too timid at times, and especially in Kaliyev’s case, a tendency to take a shift off.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Byfield and Kaliyev still play like kids. Both need to start playing like they’re in the NHL. Too timid at times, and especially in Kaliyev’s case, a tendency to take a shift off.

To be fair kaliyev in particular is literally given 7-8 shifts off between his.

 

[FrozenKing18]

I’d be happy if he fed Hedman some bombs.

That was actually a good solid hit. Very smart of him to get in front also to avoid penalty. If he does that consistently, he's gonna be feared out there. The kid has all the talent in the world, I really hope he finally finds his footing this season.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

not even negotiating with Gabe makes it sound like they were ready to trade him all along.

Whatever you feel about the trade, its just another indictment of their drafting, developing, and onboarding processes that they hate everyone under 25 like Leo Dicaprio

oh this kid we drafted, nursed to health, and finally started breaking out DARES to ask for role/money? Ship his ass out, we dont' like his attitude that we knew he had all along because we interviewed and drafted him.

 

[kilowatt]

not even negotiating with Gabe makes it sound like they were ready to trade him all along.

Whatever you feel about the trade, its just another indictment of their drafting, developing, and onboarding processes that they hate everyone under 25 like Leo Dicaprio

oh this kid we drafted, nursed to health, and finally started breaking out DARES to ask for role/money? Ship his ass out, we dont' like his attitude that we knew he had all along because we interviewed and drafted him.

It’s a weird one. Lisa Dillman had speculated that the relationship had soured last offseason if not even earlier, and Rosen’s blurb about Turcotte not being “well liked” smells awfully familiar.

To be fair kaliyev in particular is literally given 7-8 shifts off between his.

Seems like even more of a reason for him to hustle

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It’s a weird one. Lisa Dillman had speculated that the relationship had soured last offseason if not even earlier, and Rosen’s blurb about Turcotte not being “well liked” smells awfully familiar.



Seems like even more of a reason for him to hustle

They complain A LOT about the kids asking for bigger chances, it's very telling.

And re: Kaliyev I have no problem with his heart or hustle, I'm saying a guy that needs to get in an offensive rhythm isn't going to walk onto the 2nd pp after being cold for 10 minutes and hammer one-ts top shelf, the offensive players need reps. If you need a checker, call up Nate Thompson. If you want a scorer, put him in the right role and let him actually touch the puck.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Mark my words - Englund will be on the opening night roster. Kings lost McEwen, Lemieux and Durzi.

They have no want to handle any kind of push back except Englund.

 

[Kudelski37]

not even negotiating with Gabe makes it sound like they were ready to trade him all along.

Whatever you feel about the trade, its just another indictment of their drafting, developing, and onboarding processes that they hate everyone under 25 like Leo Dicaprio

oh this kid we drafted, nursed to health, and finally started breaking out DARES to ask for role/money? Ship his ass out, we dont' like his attitude that we knew he had all along because we interviewed and drafted him.

The Kings suck at evaluating their own players. That is the only explanation for the crap they put out on D last year and trading Vilardi.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Mark my words - Englund will be on the opening night roster. Kings lost McEwen, Lemieux and Durzi.

They have no want to handle any kind of push back except Englund.

You're assuming Rob Blake, at least in part, views roster construction through your eyes.

 

[Surf Nutz]

not even negotiating with Gabe makes it sound like they were ready to trade him all along.

Whatever you feel about the trade, its just another indictment of their drafting, developing, and onboarding processes that they hate everyone under 25 like Leo Dicaprio

oh this kid we drafted, nursed to health, and finally started breaking out DARES to ask for role/money? Ship his ass out, we dont' like his attitude that we knew he had all along because we interviewed and drafted him.

No need to negotiate during a busy summer when its going to arbitration or right up to it.
Blake laid it out at the locker room clean out saying Gabe needed to be healthy more.
Gabe was being looked at for potential 3c and after PLD became available Blake crafted him as the main course.
Vilardi didn;t even get a chance to ask for more money and Blake always lowballs RFA's anyway, and usually stifles their playing time unless they are deemed to have exceptional potential.
Vilardi signed for $3.4 x 2 with Winapig.
He was a liability with his injury history and Blake was smart to off load him.

Fiala - PLD - Kaliyev

Utah's argument for Englund 3 pair LHD is a solid take.
Skylark Clarke. Spence and the young forwards, most of the team really, gonna need some big brothers protecting them against cheap shot artists
However I think part of the equation on D last seaason, was building value for Walker and Durzi, Edler aged .

 

[kings11]

Byfield and Kaliyev still play like kids. Both need to start playing like they’re in the NHL. Too timid at times, and especially in Kaliyev’s case, a tendency to take a shift off.

Idk, Kaliyev was nails to start the season but he looked real timid after he came back from his injury.
I think playing on a line with PLD or Phil would do wonders for the Kid

 

[johnjm22]

Both of Fagemo's goals last season were very nice. He has 5 seasons of pro experience under his belt now.

He doesn't have the skating issues Kaliyev does. He's also a right shot, which we're clearly lacking.

If Kaliyev doesn't play well in camp and Fagemo does, AK's roster spot could be in trouble.

However, it seems like Fagemo prefers to play the left side. And we currently have an excess there.

 

[CarlSneep]

Fagemo isn’t very good, is the issue

 

[Telos]

The more I watch Clarke, the more I think he is going to be a star for us. His confidence and good vibes are infectious.

 

[Sol]

The more I watch Clarke, the more I think he is going to be a star for us. His confidence and good vibes are infectious.

This is why I doubt Byfield a lot. He doesn’t have that it factor and confidence that Clarke exudes. Byfield always comes across as extremely mentally fragile while Clarke reminds me of Doughty with his confidence.

 

[KingsHockey24]

I know many of us are penciling in Mikey Anderson to be Drews partner but doesn't-

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Clarke
Gavrikov - Roy

Make more sense? Reunite Toby and Drew since they had some really good chemistry a few years back.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I know many of us are penciling in Mikey Anderson to be Drews partner but doesn't-

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Clarke
Gavrikov - Roy

Make more sense? Reunite Toby and Drew since they had some really good chemistry a few years back.

A few of us have been championing this all summer.

 

[Johnny Utah]

The opening D will be:

Doughty-Anderson
Roy-Gavrikov
Clarke/Spence-Englund
Extra: Bjornfot

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Ducks fan coming in peace. What are the expectations/predictions for Byfield this season?

15+ goals
40+ points

Anything less than that and the bust talk starts getting pretty loud.

A few of us have been championing this all summer.

Amen. I’ve wanted that exact setup for a while.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Ducks fan coming in peace. What are the expectations/predictions for Byfield this season?

I expect him to continue reading Encyclopedia Brown and playing like a 14 year old boy who’s been punched in the nose by a bully.

Until I see him stop being a pansy, that’s what I expect.

 

[Herby]

I know many of us are penciling in Mikey Anderson to be Drews partner but doesn't-

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Clarke
Gavrikov - Roy

Make more sense? Reunite Toby and Drew since they had some really good chemistry a few years back.

The Kings don't seem like an organization that believes in TB enough to play him on the #1 pairing. That was probably the original plan a few years ago, but Anderson turned out way better than anyone could have imagined and TB kind of plateaued.