Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[Sol]

Riverbed player as we used to call them … runs his own course. Which is fine in a poor team, as you say. If they fit perfectly then great, if not it’s a disaster.

Yeah I don’t know how someone can say there is “no such thing as a bad contract”. He’s old, injury prone, mediocre defense, had one good season in the last couple years when sharks fans were hoping to offload him with how bad he was.

There’s only one player you can say any number to in the NHL and that’s McDavid. To say that Karlsson has that kind of authority is woefully ignorant.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Pens only have 4 forwards and 3 D in their 20s.

Luckily, both goalies are also in there 20s.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

The Pens are going all in, to try and be an 8 seed.

 

[BaileyFan]

People will criticize SJ for the return they got, but Karlsson has a full NMC and there's almost no team that could take on his contract. He had very little value despite coming off such a prolific season.

Grier did well under the circumstances. Blame the owner for not wanting to retain 50% and really get a king's ransom when the team is going to horrible anyway for the next half decade.

Although maybe Grier is gonna pull a Blake and use the saved cap space to buy vets because they need to give Couture and Vlasic another shot at the Cup lol.

 

[KingsFan7824]

The Pens are going all in, to try and be an 8 seed.

With the way the East looks right now, it really is just get in. Of course the Pens couldn't even manage to do that last year, in embarrassing fashion.

 

[johnjm22]

I like how you're thinking, and I agree they need to find some flexibility in times of restrictive cap, like now.

I don't like the idea of annual or even scheduled-at-regular-intervals CBOs because I think GMs will expect them as a tool rather than as unexpected relief

The cap works fine during times of economic expansion because it somewhat alleviates itself yearly...in years like 2019 thru now, bad things happen to all teams and it affects everyone to the degree you're saying. I wish they would have had a solution of some sort, but I don't think they should implement it in years with rising cap (like the upcoming).

@SettlementRichie10

IMO, one simple option is to shorten contract lengths of older players.

My idea:
If the expiry status of a player's previous contract is UFA, his next contract can be a max of 5 years.
If the expiry status of a player's previous contract is RFA, his next contract can sill be a max of 8 years.

Teams mostly get into trouble by signing older players to long contracts. Shortening the max length for those contracts would lessen the need for buyouts in the first place.

Players would also be easier to trade this way, because it's easier for teams to retain on contracts that are shorter.

For example, with these rules, Karlsson would be in the last year of his deal right now. So San Jose would have probably been willing to retain much more (possibly 50%). Thus making him much more tradable.

Another example is the recent Kadri and Huberdeau contracts. Everyone knows those are bad deals for the long term. Shortening the contracts would have limited the damage. You have to save GM's from themselves.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

@SettlementRichie10

IMO, one simple option is to shorten contract lengths of older players.

My idea:
If the expiry status of a player's previous contract is UFA, his next contract can be a max of 5 years.
If the expiry status of a player's previous contract is RFA, his next contract can sill be a max of 8 years.

Teams mostly get into trouble by signing older players to long contracts. Shortening the max length for those contracts would lessen the need for buyouts in the first place.

Players would also be easier to trade this way, because it's easier for teams to retain on contracts that are shorter.

For example, with these rules, Karlsson would be in the last year of his deal right now. So San Jose would have probably been willing to retain much more (possibly 50%). Thus making him much more tradable.

Another example is the recent Kadri and Huberdeau contracts. Everyone knows those are bad deals for the long term. Shortening the contracts would have limited the damage. You have to save GM's from themselves.

I have directly advocated for shortening contract lengths in the past, so I like this a lot.

It also may prevent some LTIRetirement shenanigans in which an older player is signed for a full eight years knowing full well they won’t fulfill the full contract.

 

[Bandit]

Why would the players agree to any of these suggestions? Do they need to do what they can to keep more money in the owner’s pockets for some inexplicable reason?

 

[Lt Dan]

Why would the players agree to any of these suggestions? Do they need to do what they can to keep more money in the owner’s pockets for some inexplicable reason?

Please leave logic and rationale out of all discussions here.

 

[Herby]

Most players fall off a lot faster than people realize. There are more decent players who end up being completely cooked at 30 than there are Kopitar or Bergeron types. That is why the players don’t want to shorten the contract length anymore than they already have.

Another reason (of many) why this supposed “intentional slowcook” that the liars in the organization tell to the fanbase makes zero sense. It’s why every other organization in the league tries to develop their high end prospects quickly and prefers to give them 8 year deals at 21-22 that take them through their entire prime and then they have options with the 30-31 year old. Maybe Clark will finally be one of those players for the Kings where he goes from ELC to 8 year deal through his entire prime. Would be nice for once.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Most players fall off a lot faster than people realize. There are more decent players who end up being completely cooked at 30 than there are Kopitar or Bergeron types. That is why the players don’t want to shorten the contract length anymore than they already have.

Another reason (of many) why this supposed “intentional slowcook” that the liars in the organization tell to the fanbase makes zero sense. It’s why every other organization in the league tries to develop their high end prospects quickly and prefers to give them 8 year deals at 21-22 that take them through their entire prime and then they have options with the 30-31 year old. Maybe Clark will finally be one of those players for the Kings where he goes from ELC to 8 year deal through his entire prime. Would be nice for once.

What changed your mind?

 

[KingsFan7824]

Developing high end prospects quickly is for teams that are rebuilding. The Kings had no intention of rebuilding. What they're doing now, and for the last few years, is what they wanted to do between 18-19 and 20-21. They just happened to be so bad between Oct and Dec 2018. Whatever youth they have is in the service of that. Here, or dealt for something else, they're trying to be competitive. They needed some assets, so they "rebuilt" for a couple years. Doesn't matter if they have a legit chance to win, they just want to make the playoffs, and maybe get hot.

 

[johnjm22]

Why would the players agree to any of these suggestions? Do they need to do what they can to keep more money in the owner’s pockets for some inexplicable reason?

Why would they agree to a salary cap?

Why would they agree to the current 7/8 year contract limits?

Answer: They don't agree to it. You force them into it during CBA negotiations.

 

[Bandit]

Why would they agree to a salary cap?

Why would they agree to the current 7/8 year contract limits?

Answer: They don't agree to it. You force them into it during CBA negotiations.

yay, another lockout.

 

[johnjm22]

Kovalchuk gets 17-year deal from Devils

Ilya Kovalchuk is staying with the New Jersey Devils.

www.espn.com

 

[Kurrilino]

yay, another lockout.

I would support a 3 year lockout

 

[King'sPawn]

Why would they agree to a salary cap?

Why would they agree to the current 7/8 year contract limits?

Answer: They don't agree to it. You force them into it during CBA negotiations.

They made concessions because money was being lost, and ultimately, the big money makers don't get screwed.

Trying to force a lockout that has been making the owners money will make them look even more greedy. They largely had fan support before. Not sure they'd get it this time.

 

[johnjm22]

They made concessions because money was being lost, and ultimately, the big money makers don't get screwed.

Trying to force a lockout that has been making the owners money will make them look even more greedy. They largely had fan support before. Not sure they'd get it this time.

Understood, but just for clarification, the conversation wasn't about what could realistically get approved originally. I wasn't even considering that when throwing out the idea. It was just spit balling ideas to fix/improve the current situation. Whether or not any of those ideas could be implemented is a different topic.

That said, the current CBA is up in 2026 I believe. I don't think the owners asking for contract limits on older players as part of the new deal is unreasonable at all.

Would the owners be willing to go into lockout over it? I don't know. Probably not if they're making money.

I speculate most fans would be in favor of contract limits on older players actually.

There's no reason a 30 year old should be allowed to be given an 8 year deal IMO.

 

[psych3man]

Heard interview with Ray Bourque on NHL radio this morning. One topic discussed was Kings trade of 1st round #8 pick to Boston for………goalie Ray Grahame. Grahame ended LA career 23-32-7.
No guarantee LA chooses Bourque at 8, but OUCH!
And all you young guys wonder why us old geezers have Kings PTSD…

 

[King'sPawn]

Understood, but just for clarification, the conversation wasn't about what could realistically get approved originally. I wasn't even considering that when throwing out the idea. It was just spit balling ideas to fix/improve the current situation. Whether or not any of those ideas could be implemented is a different topic.

That said, the current CBA is up in 2026 I believe. I don't think the owners asking for contract limits on older players as part of the new deal is unreasonable at all.

Would the owners be willing to go into lockout over it? I don't know. Probably not if they're making money.

I speculate most fans would be in favor of contract limits on older players actually.

There's no reason a 30 year old should be allowed to be given an 8 year deal IMO.

I don't completely disagree. I guess there needs to be a point where the league has to let a bad owner hang themselves with a bad contract. Is this that tipping point? I'm not saying it is. But even if we limit it, a bad manager/owner will have a bad contract that the league can't protect them from.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Heard interview with Ray Bourque on NHL radio this morning. One topic discussed was Kings trade of 1st round #8 pick to Boston for………goalie Ray Grahame. Grahame ended LA career 23-32-7.
No guarantee LA chooses Bourque at 8, but OUCH!
And all you young guys wonder why us old geezers have Kings PTSD…

COHEN’S KINGS CATASTROPHES – CHAPTER 5 | The Royal Half

On the 35th Anniversary of the trade, Jesse Cohen breaks down what could have been if the LA Kings had kept the draft pick that became Ray Bourque.

theroyalhalf.com

 

[Sol]

Heard interview with Ray Bourque on NHL radio this morning. One topic discussed was Kings trade of 1st round #8 pick to Boston for………goalie Ray Grahame. Grahame ended LA career 23-32-7.
No guarantee LA chooses Bourque at 8, but OUCH!
And all you young guys wonder why us old geezers have Kings PTSD…

You aren’t old bro. You’re a classic.

 

[FSL KINGS]

I see old people.


Here's one for ya old guys to liven up your bingo games.

There were fokkers above me, fokkers behind me & those fokkers were in Messerschmitts.

 

[YP44]

I think that’s indicative of a big problem with how the NHL implements its salary cap. There should be no such thing as a bad contract for a player who had a season like Karlsson just did.

I know this is a controversial opinion, but I think at the very least the NHL should go back to annual CBOs for every team, or renegotiating contract lengths, or something that facilitates more player movement and freedom. Big trades and roster shake ups always drive a ton of interest in a sport.

no thank you on the CBO's. Would only give the Toronto's and New York's too much power.

 

[Magicman]

COHEN’S KINGS CATASTROPHES – CHAPTER 5 | The Royal Half

On the 35th Anniversary of the trade, Jesse Cohen breaks down what could have been if the LA Kings had kept the draft pick that became Ray Bourque.

theroyalhalf.com

For God's sake, at least a little education.

When the Kings made that deal in 1978, 18 year old players like Ray Bourque were not eligible for the 1979 NHL draft.

Even if the Kings were scouting him, he wouldn't have been eligible until the 1980 draft. Which the Kings kept their pick and took Larry Murphy.

By 1981 it was all 18 year old's getting picked.

Though the NHL and WHA were still locked in a battle of should we or shouldn't we, no ground rules on how the 1979 draft was to be handled were available in the Winter of 1978. GM's at the time were told by the NHL to prepare under the current rules. Which is why only like 6 or 7 18 year old's were taken in the first 4 rounds.

It wasn't until the merger was announced that the NHL would allow the drafting of 18 year old's, months after that deal was made.

7 other teams passed on Bourque as well before Boston took him.