Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[bland]

I'll be shocked if the LA Kings give Gavrikov more money than they gave Mikey Anderson to play lower down the lineup than Mikey Anderson.

Not to say it can't happen... it would just be very surprising to me.

I am a big Anderson fan as well, but I don't think he has ever played better hockey than what we saw from Gavrikov in his time here. Anderson has plenty of time to catch up and maybe pass Gavrikov, but I can't say that he deserves more money at the moment.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

So, my overall thoughts on everything since the Rosen released that article are as follows:

1. I think the article definitely paints a disconnect between scouting and management. I also found the timing slightly interesting. I would not assume that when information like this gets leaked, it is leaked with purpose. However, it does come at time when people might be thinking, "Dayum. What's up with that kid drafted in 2019. We just lost in 6 and that kid wasn't even here, dude." So the timing is interesting.

2. There is too much doom and gloom guys.

QB is gonna be a solid player. I really think Sean Couturier is a less talked about example of what a talented kid can become when an organization just never stops reinforcing that they believe this kid is capable of being elite. Sure, it could not work out. But, why not go glass half full and hope? Turcotte... well idk man. Crazier stuff has happened.

3. Do they handle prospects right?

Probably not, but I personally am basing that off one, maybe two kids, who got thrown in the deep end and it worked out really well. So I will admit, I have no clue.

4.Did they end the rebuild too soon? Also, should they have ditched Kopitar & Doughty?

Yeahhhh.... probably. It is hard for me to admit because I am pretty partial to treating guys that win cups like legends, but well it has not put the team in the best situation. Had they traded them when they had expensive contracts, but enough time of great production left, it could have netted a great return and opened up the roster for young guys to take over. In hindsight, when you go rebuild, It is probably best to go full rebuild and sell every star highish. People knew we had 2 supposedly generational prospects in the 23 class, what like 3 year ago? 2 maybe? Whenever Michkov and Bedard stunted at the u18 worlds as under ages. Chicago ditched patty Kane to chase Bedard and he won em 3. So, the answer has to be "yeah, probably". I hate saying that, but it is what it is.

4. Now that the rebuild has been accelerated, what next?

Great question. You can't cross your fingers and hope. I say ditch half the role players you have and play the young talent. Also, I heard Matthews dad lives or lived in the LA area. Maybe... idk...pitch it to em or something? He is American, He may want to go home...ish(Arizona is kind of a dumpster fire right now if we are being honest) I could see Matthews in a Kings Uni(or the Ducks I guess, if he likes zegras or something)

5. Snoop Dogg is competing with Ryan Reynolds to buy the Sens?

Whaaaaat?

 

[Piston]

In his exit interview, Doughty mentioned that Gavrikov's decision will come down to taxes. If that is correct, we can kiss Vlad goodbye. Like the California middle class, myself included, it's just not worth staying in the state if you have to pay the punitive taxes. Look at it this way, to match a $5mm a year offer from Nashville (no state income tax), the Kings would have to ante up $5.8mm. Yes, this isn't completely accurate given that state taxes a prorated based on what percentage of the games are played where, but it does drive home the point. A dollar earned here is worth far less than a dollar earned in Florida or Texas. If you don't believe me, look how many players put the Canadian teams on their no-trade lists. Thanks Gavin, we love you /sarcasm off.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Gavrikov had 8 goals and 25 assists last year, 33 points and Mikey will probably never reach that.
Gavrikov can get back to 30 pt level.
Not taking anything away from Mikey, he improves every year in every area,.
When Gavrikov activates, he's more dangerous close in than QB and Kupari. (unfortunately)

How many goals was he on the ice for, ES? It was an isanely low number. Not sure
what he finished the series at...but going into game 6, was +5. Amazing.
He's worth 6 million. If the Kings can sign 1 of Gavrikov, or Korpisalo, it's Gavrikov
for certain. Kings need a second pairing LHD with size....Korpisalo was mostly great,
but there are many a goalie out there, similar calibre.

Re: contracts - I am hoping Vilardi would consider a 1 yr, 2.5 mil contract, with promise of a long term deal, negotiated mid season. (to be able to get Gavrikov deal and possibly another signing / acquisitioin in) Like Mikey 'bet on himself' and took that 1 million underpaid 1 yr deal.

 

[SmytheKing]

In his exit interview, Doughty mentioned that Gavrikov's decision will come down to taxes. If that is correct, we can kiss Vlad goodbye. Like the California middle class, myself included, it's just not worth staying in the state if you have to pay the punitive taxes. Look at it this way, to match a $5mm a year offer from Nashville (no state income tax), the Kings would have to ante up $5.8mm. Yes, this isn't completely accurate given that state taxes a prorated based on what percentage of the games are played where, but it does drive home the point. A dollar earned here is worth far less than a dollar earned in Florida or Texas. If you don't believe me, look how many players put the Canadian teams on their no-trade lists. Thanks Gavin, we love you /sarcasm off.

It's weird how the Dodgers and Lakers don't have any issues getting FA's to come play for them. It does explain why the top FA's in the NHL regularly sign with the Stars and the Panthers every year while teams like the Rangers are frequently left out in the cold though.

 

[Piston]

I don't mean to suggest taxes are the only factor, but clearly Gavrikov must have said something to Doughty who wants Gav back badly. The person who just set the all time points record in that other league is already a billionaire and came here to be near all the private equity firms.

 

[deaderhead28]

May i ask then who will be the future face of the franchise?


Blake let Brown retire and traded Quick.
I don't see any way that Blake resigns Kopitar and Doughty.

Blake has already put this to bed, Kopitar will get another contact per Blake.

 

[King'sPawn]

I think it is a huge benefit to have multiple voices with different temperaments striving for the same goal.

There is very little to choose from between Brown and Kopitar, but having the counterpoint of Richards, Williams and Mitchell gave the Kings a variety of tones to their leadership. Can't discount just how many team-first killers the Kings had in that brief run.

Ideally you would want fire and ice, different situations call for different responses. But if its only one of the two, you take fire over ice all day every day. Kopitar is a glacier. Firey leadership gives you a better chance of overacheiving, the "alright, settle down" stuff just doesn't get you as far.

Honestly, how many players that have entered the organization post-2014 can really be called overacheivers? Lizotte? Maybe, but he is really just a 4th line center. Roy perhaps? I can't think of any others that hit a level higher than projected and stayed there.

So if you agree that different voices temperments are more beneficial, why are we talking about getting rid of one temperment instead of bringing in more of the voices necessary?

 

[deaderhead28]

I don't mean to suggest taxes are the only factor, but clearly Gavrikov must have said something to Doughty who wants Gav back badly. The person who just set the all time points record in that other league is already a billionaire and came here to be near all the private equity firms.

Listening to Blake recent conference i think the cap will probably make it difficult to resign Gav.

 

[SmytheKing]

I don't mean to suggest taxes are the only factor, but clearly Gavrikov must have said something to Doughty who wants Gav back badly. The person who just set the all time points record in that other league is already a billionaire and came here to be near all the private equity firms.

I have no doubt that it's playing SOME role, but I don't think it's a significant one. If it was, he would have taken the contract CLB offered him since their tax rate is like 3% on income. Would it be the difference between two teams that are on equal footing? Maybe. Sure. But then you start looking at the teams and their cap space. Dallas and Florida certainly don't have the room to sign him. I'm not sure about other teams but I'm pretty sure there aren't going to be a bunch of teams with room and success.

Also, if he is ONLY chasing his paycheck, more power to him, but that's not the sorta guy you want to give a bunch of money to.

 

[Master Yoda]

It's weird how the Dodgers and Lakers don't have any issues getting FA's to come play for them. It does explain why the top FA's in the NHL regularly sign with the Stars and the Panthers every year while teams like the Rangers are frequently left out in the cold though.

Dodgers and Lakers are considered to be one of the most desirable organizations to play for in terms of name value, prestige, history, etc.
NY Rangers have that similar desirability in the NHL and that's why you don't see them having this problem and neither does Toronto/Vancouver.
The problem with the Kings is that they are competing with second tier teams, in terms of desirability, like Dallas, Florida/Tampa, Nashville, Vegas, etc. which all have lower taxes and lower cost of living than LA metro.

 

[deaderhead28]

I have no doubt that it's playing SOME role, but I don't think it's a significant one. If it was, he would have taken the contract CLB offered him since their tax rate is like 3% on income. Would it be the difference between two teams that are on equal footing? Maybe. Sure. But then you start looking at the teams and their cap space. Dallas and Florida certainly don't have the room to sign him. I'm not sure about other teams but I'm pretty sure there aren't going to be a bunch of teams with room and success.

Also, if he is ONLY chasing his paycheck, more power to him, but that's not the sorta guy you want to give a bunch of money to.

Cost of living plays a role as well.

 

[bland]

So if you agree that different voices temperments are more beneficial, why are we talking about getting rid of one temperment instead of bringing in more of the voices necessary?

Because some occasions call for a complete break and change in philosophy. We KNOW this isn't working.

Nine years of ineptitude. The Cup years lasted three. Yet here we are, same #1c and same #1d - all still very good players but clearly in the lower half if not lower third of the top line players in their roles league wide.

Its a stagnant situation that calls for a complete overhaul.

 

[SmytheKing]

Dodgers and Lakers are considered to be one of the most desirable organizations to play for in terms of name value, prestige, history, etc.
NY Rangers have that similar desirability in the NHL and that's why you don't see them having this problem and neither does Toronto/Vancouver.
The problem with the Kings is that they are competing with second tier teams, in terms of desirability, like Dallas, Florida/Tampa, Nashville, Vegas, etc. which all have lower taxes and lower cost of living than LA metro.

But FA's don't go to Dallas, Florida, or Nashville either. Tampa I don't recall getting any FA's either, and Vegas is too new to really have a history there.

Your first couple of sentences are my point. Taxes play A role, but they're going to be far from the main thing. If Gavrikov decides he's rather play in Arizona because they're offering him $6 million a year and the Kings are only offering him $5.5...well later.

He just doesn't have a lot of options that fit the low taxes, lotta cap space, competitive box. It's the old analogy of only being able to pick two of three. Since one has to be cap space, you're left with competitive versus low taxes.

 

[Schmooley]

Dodgers and Lakers are considered to be one of the most desirable organizations to play for in terms of name value, prestige, history, etc.
NY Rangers have that similar desirability in the NHL and that's why you don't see them having this problem and neither does Toronto/Vancouver.
The problem with the Kings is that they are competing with second tier teams, in terms of desirability, like Dallas, Florida/Tampa, Nashville, Vegas, etc. which all have lower taxes and lower cost of living than LA metro.

For what its worth my family in Florida is complaining about how expensive it is to live right now (food etc.) and how things like property tax and insurance are going through the roof. A lot of these places end up evening out when all is said and done.

 

[King'sPawn]

Because some occasions call for a complete break and change in philosophy. We KNOW this isn't working.

Nine years of ineptitude. The Cup years lasted three. Yet here we are, same #1c and same #1d - all still very good players but clearly in the lower half if not lower third of the top line players in their roles league wide.

Its a stagnant situation that calls for a complete overhaul.

But wouldn't you want a subdued voice anyway?

Let's say you get rid of Kopitar and bring in, say, Tkachuk. More intense and vocal. Asshole. Mean.

Then you have a one-sided locker room again and need to bring in other voices to bring balance.

It sounds more like you want to make a change to make a change, despite it conflicting with your statement of different temperments necessary.

The Kings won with Brown and Kopitar as leaders before. I think it's absurd to argue that their removal is necessary in order for the team to be competitive.

 

[SmytheKing]

For what its worth my family in Florida is complaining about how expensive it is to live right now (food etc.) and how things like property tax and insurance are going through the roof. A lot of these places end up evening out when all is said and done.

That's also true. Though, for regular folks it hits harder. Millionaires won't notice it as much which, as I was trying to say, it a reason why it's an ancillary reason. Not the main one.

But wouldn't you want a subdued voice anyway?

Let's say you get rid of Kopitar and bring in, say, Tkachuk. More intense and vocal. Asshole. Mean.

Then you have a one-sided locker room again and need to bring in other voices to bring balance.

It sounds more like you want to make a change to make a change, despite it conflicting with your statement of different temperments necessary.

The Kings won with Brown and Kopitar as leaders before. I think it's absurd to argue that their removal is necessary in order for the team to be competitive.

I think the bigger issue is that they can't be the MAIN leaders anymore. They could/should maybe stick around, but other voices need to lead that room...and on the ice. That's where the issue/void is though.

 

[deaderhead28]

Dodgers and Lakers are considered to be one of the most desirable organizations to play for in terms of name value, prestige, history, etc.
NY Rangers have that similar desirability in the NHL and that's why you don't see them having this problem and neither does Toronto/Vancouver.
The problem with the Kings is that they are competing with second tier teams, in terms of desirability, like Dallas, Florida/Tampa, Nashville, Vegas, etc. which all have lower taxes and lower cost of living than LA metro.

This is absolutely the fact. In many instances cali teams will overpay to make up the tax difference cost of living etc. I left Cali a long time ago cause of the cost of living and overpopulation in my area.

 

[Kurrilino]

I don't follow.

Iafallo geting 4 mill while Villardi got 0.8

Blake has already put this to bed, Kopitar will get another contact per Blake.

Not that i doubt you or anyone, but do you have a source for that?
This sounds insane to me

 

[deaderhead28]

Iafallo geting 4 mill while Villardi got 0.8



Not that i doubt you or anyone, but do you have a source for that?
This sounds insane to me

10:41 minute mark

 

[Rorschach]

My take is this: while we do have a lot of personnel decisions to make, lot of people here are making them from the “lost in the first round again” perspective. To me, we should have won that first round…only lost due to bad coaching (same ole choke job as San Jose). The main thing we need to see is Rob to get rid of Todd (which he might not be able to do at this time) or to see all three (Luc, Rob and Todd) get house-cleaned.

Secondly I wouldn’t dump our young players. It’s been shown repeatedly if the Kings hang on to them and keep playing them, despite it taking a season or two longer, players like Kempe and now Vilardi can blossom. Why get rid of this kind of low cap hit, low value asset?

While Gavrikov looked great in the late season and playoffs, he wants too much and we probably need a different kind of LHD anyway.

Korpisalo, if he signs for reasonable salary, we should keep him.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Can I get a list of who we consider 'good' captains in the league?

Seems like a pretty unrealistic list of demands.

 

[Piston]

I have no doubt that it's playing SOME role, but I don't think it's a significant one. If it was, he would have taken the contract CLB offered him since their tax rate is like 3% on income. Would it be the difference between two teams that are on equal footing? Maybe. Sure. But then you start looking at the teams and their cap space. Dallas and Florida certainly don't have the room to sign him. I'm not sure about other teams but I'm pretty sure there aren't going to be a bunch of teams with room and success.

Also, if he is ONLY chasing his paycheck, more power to him, but that's not the sorta guy you want to give a bunch of money to.

I think the choice of where to play is governed by the following for a UFA;

1) salary and term/movement clauses- these guys are competitive by nature and salary shows how they are ranked
1a) Chance to lift the Cup - this is why they developed the passion they needed to stand out
3) Strength of organization - GM, coaching, etc
4) Family considerations
5) Quality of life - cost of living including taxes
6) Fan base - no one wants to play in front of empty seats
7) Relationships with teammates
8) Organizational depth, particularly young talent coming through the system
9) Advice from agent/trusted mentors

I may have missed some, and taxes are clearly not at the top of the list. On the other hand, they do impact several other factors and should not be ignored. Players are getting smarter as they choose more savvy advisors. Gaudreau chose Columbus, no one wants to play in Canada. You only get one crack at being a premier, sought after UFA. It's a tough decision. Gavrikov will get at least $5.75mm x 7. I personally think he's worth it

 

[Master Yoda]

For what its worth my family in Florida is complaining about how expensive it is to live right now (food etc.) and how things like property tax and insurance are going through the roof. A lot of these places end up evening out when all is said and done.

I was trying to embed an article earlier about value of $100k in major cities but couldn't. I'll just post a link.

What $100,000 Is Actually Worth in the Largest U.S. Cities - 2023 Study - SmartAsset

NY is most expensive and LA is 5th most expensive. And Miami is about 20th. But even with high property taxes, it's still far more financially desirable to live in those other cities.

 

[King'sPawn]

I think the bigger issue is that they can't be the MAIN leaders anymore. They could/should maybe stick around, but other voices need to lead that room...and on the ice. That's where the issue/void is though.

I agree with this. Other people have needed to step up for years.