Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[kinghock]

I am definitely for making some trades, but I don't know if there is anyone I really want from the Leafs. All of their forwards have very high cap hits unless you were to deal Kopitar or something. I mean if you were that interested, I think you could just wait for Kopitar's deal to expire and sign Matthews in the offseason without losing assets. But overall, I don't think there is anyone on that roster we particularly need or would come close to working financially, not to mention be willing to throw significant assets at.

It might be a good deal to dump players for futures though if they are interested in Iafallo or if Blake wants to move away from Kopitar or Doughty though... I doubt it comes to that, at least for Kopitar or Doughty, but they are a team that would likely pull the trigger.

These are quotes from members of Toronto board regarding Matthews:

Matthews isn't bringing this team anywhere.
Matthews hasn't proven anything, he's a no-show in the playoffs.
He's also going to demand massive amounts of money he hasn't earned come playoff time on his next contract.

P.S.I do not think is good idea for Kings to trade for Matthews.

 

[Telos]

These are quotes from members of Toronto board regarding Matthews:

Matthews isn't bringing this team anywhere.
Matthews hasn't proven anything, he's a no-show in the playoffs.
He's also going to demand massive amounts of money he hasn't earned come playoff time on his next contract.

P.S.I do not think is good idea for Kings to trade for Matthews.

I pretty much agree with all of those. I think he is a very good player, but I am also wary of all the $10M+ players now. There aren't many players that make that much not named McDavid that wouldn't be better replaced with two solid $5M players in my opinion. The Kings may not have a choice if they cannot develop a first-line center with all of their picks and prospects though. I honestly think the over-dependence on trying to stack those types of players is what hurts most teams' chances. I think the more balanced rosters around the league are kind of showing that. It is okay to have one or two top-dollar guys, but the rest of the roster really needs to be spread out and those one or two guys need to have a consistently large impact.

I just think the coaching pool is too much of an aristocracy.. need more fresh blood more often instead of these retreads with same old systems. Not sure how to make that happen, but to me its a problem w the league.

I've felt this way for decades now. It is the same merry-go-round of the same coaches that just play musical chairs with all the teams every year. Unless there is a top 5 or so coach available (which itself is a very subjective list), I would much rather go off the board and find a fresh face.

 

[johnjm22]

When does Ryan Johnson become a UFA?

Kings seem like a pretty obvious landing spot for a few reasons.

 

[Herby]

When does Ryan Johnson become a UFA?

Kings seem like a pretty obvious landing spot for a few reasons.

August.

But he’s really not that good. Another guy who probably peaked earlier than most of his peers (a common cause for busts and disappointments). There is a reason he was never traded, nobody was offering anything more than the last pick in the 2nd round, and that is what Buffalo will get as compensation.

If he were eligible in this years draft he’d probably be a mid round pick.

 

[King'sPawn]

Grant had some hot takes about Bedard last offseason he mysteriously never revisited, so always interesting to see him called out

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I just think the coaching pool is too much of an aristocracy.. need more fresh blood more often instead of these retreads with same old systems. Not sure how to make that happen, but to me its a problem w the league.

Curious as to what you think a NEW system is?

 

[Mattias]

Curious as to what you think a NEW system is?

The "ass gas no brakes" system.

0-0-5.

 

[Bandit]

I would keep an eye on the Maple Leafs. If they get bounced in 4, we may want to see what they are willing to part ways with.

Why would you want any of those f***in chokers?

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

I saw this movie where 2 peoples personas transferred. It was from the 80’s. You guys think we can get Tom Wilson transferred into Byfields body in a less rapey way?

 

[AbsentMojo]

Curious as to what you think a NEW system is?

Looking for something other than a 3rd man high system.. maybe I should rephrase: something more modern than a 90s defensive structure. There has to be talented coaches outside the NHL that can bring new ideas into the league... e.g. personally I would build a team 4D and 14F and activate 4 of 5 guys on every o-zone possession. Create a tornado of movement in the o-zone like you see in roller hockey.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Looking for something other than a 3rd man high system.. maybe I should rephrase: something more modern than a 90s defensive structure. There has to be talented coaches outside the NHL that can bring new ideas into the league... e.g. personally I would build a team 4D and 14F and activate 4 of 5 guys on every o-zone possession. Create a tornado of movement in the o-zone like you see in roller hockey.

Funny you use the word tornado, late 90's, early 2000's maybe, there was a European style/movement, that used that, didn't have your traditional positions, used P1 through P5 etc....

It started out well, teams won......until....teams figured it out, there's a reason it never held...

At it's base....hockey is a very very simple game.....skate, hit, pass, shoot....those 4 things.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

These are quotes from members of Toronto board regarding Matthews:

Matthews isn't bringing this team anywhere.
Matthews hasn't proven anything, he's a no-show in the playoffs.
He's also going to demand massive amounts of money he hasn't earned come playoff time on his next contract.

P.S.I do not think is good idea for Kings to trade for Matthews.

Matthews has been their best player in the playoffs and is over a PPG. They are just being bitter

 

[DoktorJeep]

Rob Blake: I’ll give you a 2nd and Cal for Tyler Johnson.
Kyle Davidson: Pass, we just signed Gavrikov for $5.897M x 7y.

 

[johnjm22]

Playoffs:

The top 3 are not like the bottom 3.

It's really not hard to see what the problem is there.

Getting rid of Durzi, Edler and Walker is addition by subtraction. Instantly makes the team better.

^In addition to those analytics I previously posted, here's an interesting new metric.

Further proof Edler was atrocious. Durzi obviously up there as well.

It's hard to imagine what legitimate excuse there could be for keeping Spence or Bjornfot out of the lineup in favor of these guys.

 

[johnjm22]

Here's another one.

All defensemen who played in the 1st round (at least 20min TOI). Sorted by lowest On-Ice xG%

3 of the top 5 are Kings.

That's out of 106 total Dmen.

Said it before, but just getting rid of these 3 guys makes the Kings better.

 

[Schmooley]

Here's another one.

All defensemen who played in the 1st round (at least 20min TOI). Sorted by lowest On-Ice xG%

3 of the top 5 are Kings.

That's out of 106 total Dmen.

Said it before, but just getting rid of these 3 guys makes the Kings better.

You just know Walker and Durzi will be on the opening night lineup while Clarke and Spence are in the minors.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Here's another one.

All defensemen who played in the 1st round (at least 20min TOI). Sorted by lowest On-Ice xG%

3 of the top 5 are Kings.

That's out of 106 total Dmen.

Said it before, but just getting rid of these 3 guys makes the Kings better.

This is where I believe Blake deserves the most criticism.

It’s not like this team has a shortage of NHL ready defenseman. Clarke was better than all three of Durzi, Walker, and Edler in his short stint. Same with Spence.

Just an abject failure of roster management.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Im sure the presence of the 3 pylons is Blake trying to save face after eating that 15mil contract on the goalie... doesnt want to waive Walker and eat more contract - and Durzi - im sure he wants to get something for him. I cant imagine they think Durzi has a future here w Clarke and Spence - but maybe they do. Edler over Bjornfot is more of the head scratching vet feet licking that we've come to expect from this crew. They are never going to win a thing w Blake and his buddies from SJ TM and Sturm. Im 100% certain of that after this season.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Funny you use the word tornado, late 90's, early 2000's maybe, there was a European style/movement, that used that, didn't have your traditional positions, used P1 through P5 etc....

It started out well, teams won......until....teams figured it out, there's a reason it never held...

At it's base....hockey is a very very simple game.....skate, hit, pass, shoot....those 4 things.

The trap came from the Czech's and caught on and created the dead puck era.. so some ideas stick... that's one I wish hadnt.. and of course TM seems to be the one guy that wants to bring it back. Fans hate it.

 

[johnjm22]

If the Kings can't acquire a LHD or re-sign Gavrikov, my fear is that Durzi will be our opening night 2LHD.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It’s quite sad that a number of us posters knew the team was doomed against Edmonton with Durzi and Edler on the ice, and it played out exactly like that. And to top it off, a historically bad penalty killing unit, and you have the perfect combination for failure. I guess people who get paid well and do this as a profession are either too dumb to realize this, or they’re just full of their own bullshit.

 

[Statto]

Curious as to what you think a NEW system is?

I think it’s about new approach rather than new systems… new to the Kings is the debate. In terms of personnel I don’t think 1-3-1 suits us well. Kopi and Danault excel in it but it doesn’t get the best out of a lot of guys, especially the younger players. I’d very much prefer an aggressive 2 man forecheck (especially if we have Clarke and Spence in the lineup to jump into the offence). It’ll utilise the skill in the lineup better. It’s assertive rather than more reactive, forces more errors and breakdowns.

The biggest issue I have with 1-3-1 is that it’s harder to switch gears from a reactive to an assertive system if you need to chase a game. Teams can never do it well. It’s also a bad mindset historically if you don’t have the right players for it (See the NJ NZ trap and the left wing lock Detroit sides as the perfect examples of the right system, for the right players). Of course the are game situations and sometimes opponents that you use it for, but not across a series where you are inviting offence to come onto you. Over a series a defensive set up gets figured out too quickly, which is why we started well both years and once they got going defeat looked inevitable. We needed to throw something different at them, to take the initiative. I have no issue with 1-3-1 situationally but not as the primary approach.

I say that as someone that loved the NZ trap era, I loved watching the hockey systems in action, watching teams mimic NJ and/or Detroit (and usually failing as they didn’t have the right players). So I have no issues with defensive systems because I don’t care if we win 1-0 or 10-0, but it’s just the wrong approach for this roster IMO.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Next season is a development year. The cap prevents filling the holes & improving enough to make anything else possible.

Needs
Starting goalie. Korpisalo can be a good backup if he signs cheap, but doesn't look like a starter. This is going to take time to fill. Likely not for next season. There is a slight possibility Cal can be moved for a starter after his 4M bonus is paid & he is only owed 1M for the rest of the season. Acquiring team can buyout last year.

D: needs both size & better transition. Re-sign Gavrikov or bring in another UFA. Get a large D for the 3rd pair & play Spence & Clarke.

1C: 3C needs to be improved, but Kopi at the 1C isn't going to work for much longer. Might as well start looking at ways of filling that. Probably not enough cap to deal with that this year.

131: Thought Blake was stocking up on all these fast players to run a high pressure forecheck & harass skill players all over the ice. If you're going to have a coach that runs a 131 get a bunch of cheap goons.

Add guys that can hit other teams top players, not Lemieux or McEwen.

For this Summer, sorting out the D, getting Clarke & Spence experience next year & thinning out the forward group is about the best case scenario.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Next season is a development year. The cap prevents filling the holes & improving enough to make anything else possible.

Needs
Starting goalie. Korpisalo can be a good backup if he signs cheap, but doesn't look like a starter. This is going to take time to fill. Likely not for next season. There is a slight possibility Cal can be moved for a starter after his 4M bonus is paid & he is only owed 1M for the rest of the season. Acquiring team can buyout last year.

D: needs both size & better transition. Re-sign Gavrikov or bring in another UFA. Get a large D for the 3rd pair & play Spence & Clarke.

1C: 3C needs to be improved, but Kopi at the 1C isn't going to work for much longer. Might as well start looking at ways of filling that. Probably not enough cap to deal with that this year.

131: Thought Blake was stocking up on all these fast players to run a high pressure forecheck & harass skill players all over the ice. If you're going to have a coach that runs a 131 get a bunch of cheap goons.

Add guys that can hit other teams top players, not Lemieux or McEwen.

For this Summer, sorting out the D, getting Clarke & Spence experience next year & thinning out the forward group is about the best case scenario.

The Blukks have already gone all in on a pair of 7’s. Do you think that they will start doing it right in the last year of Kopitar’s contract?

 

[Schmooley]

Kopi and Danault excel in it but it doesn’t get the best out of a lot of guys, especially the younger players.

Thats it right there. Kopitar excels in it and so does Doughty. Everything still revolves around these 2. When will they turn the page???
Danault can play that system well cause hes a heady player but he sure looks better when hes playing aggressive on the forecheck making things happen.