Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't think i'ts the 1-3-1 in and of itself that is the problem. I like the idea of sinking back into it if your forecheck evaporates. But as a full-time passive system? Gross.

The Kings had great success all year with an aggressive forecheck that would 1-3-1 after an opponent regained controlled possession (ex. during a change) and that's fine, but when you're down 3 goals is just complete chickenshit and emblematic of why TM gets canned repeatedly and underachieves with good rosters, the dude seriously turns into an absolute vegetable once the game starts.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Not saying it's a good idea, but do the King's have enough odds & ends to get hawks to take Cal? They traded off most their team so some combo of Walker, Durzi, JAD or anyone else banished to 8 mins on the bottom line. Maybe just dump Turcotte there & never mention it again like that D Lombardi traded for Penner.

 

[DoktorJeep]

The 1-3-1 is the perfect structure for this elite floor, scrub ceiling roster. All these guys individually thrive in this setup, to the point they never get blamed for the overall mediocrity:

Doughty
Kopitar
Danault
Roy
Arvidsson
Anderson
Moore
Iafallo
Lizotte

The only real reasons to watch on any given night are Fiala, Kempe and Vilardi.

 

[Herby]

Not saying it's a good idea, but do the King's have enough odds & ends to get hawks to take Cal? They traded off most their team so some combo of Walker, Durzi, JAD or anyone else banished to 8 mins on the bottom line. Maybe just dump Turcotte there & never mention it again like that D Lombardi traded for Penner.

The return for anyone taking Cal P is likely to be a 1st round pick. Everyone knows what the Kings are trying to do in a limited window before Kopitar retires, and Cal P is a huge problem for the Kings. Teams aren't going to do them any favors. I really doubt something like Cal P and Turcotte for a 7th would move the needle for Chicago.

The Kings either have to bite the bullet and trade another 1st, find an equally bad contract of a player they think could have some use in LA or just basically play with a $5m backup or $4m AHL goalie.

 

[johnjm22]

Flyers reportedly looking to move the contract of Ryan Ellis

With Ryan Ellis likely to to not play another game in the NHL, the Flyers are reportedly looking into moving out his contract.

broadstreetbuzz.com

On the CapFriendly boards, a Flyers fan suggested a trade centering around Petersen for Ryan Ellis.

Ellis is unlikely to play another game, so he'll be on LTIR. His 6.5M wouldn't count against LA's cap.

Ellis is owed 24M in real world money. Petersen is owed 11M.

Flyers ownership saves 13M in real world money. Kings get rid of Petersen's cap hit.

From the sound of that article, Philly would like a serviceable roster player also. Cal would also have to waive the NTC.

 

[psych3man]

The return for anyone taking Cal P is likely to be a 1st round pick. Everyone knows what the Kings are trying to do in a limited window before Kopitar retires, and Cal P is a huge problem for the Kings. Teams aren't going to do them any favors. I really doubt something like Cal P and Turcotte for a 7th would move the needle for Chicago.

The Kings either have to bite the bullet and trade another 1st, find an equally bad contract of a player they think could have some use in LA or just basically play with a $5m backup or $4m AHL goalie.

Let's just do what the Hawks and Knights do whenever they're in the same position.
Peterson suffers a very significant injury during training camp, has some major surgery and goes on LTIR the entire year.
Presto! 5m off the books. Sign Korpisalo and Gavrikov (with some minor tinkering) and Voila! Peterson is ready to back up Korpisalo in the playoffs when his salary is irrelevant.

 

[bland]

Bite the bullet. Either sign Gavrikov and trade Roy, or let Gavrikov walk. Let Korpisalo leave. Buyout Walker. Let JAD and MacEwen go.

Play Clarke and Bjornfot. Let the kids decide next season's fate then make your moves next summer.

 

[Statto]

Bite the bullet. Either sign Gavrikov and trade Roy, or let Gavrikov walk. Let Korpisalo leave. Buyout Walker. Let JAD and MacEwen go.

Play Clarke and Bjornfot. Let the kids decide next season's fate then make your moves next summer.

That’s my take. Roy gets a decent asset or 2 back after a good play-off. He won’t be as good without Gavrikov anyway (not a criticism but they complimented each other) and any extension will be Gavrikov money as the cap increases. They will end up with similar AAV and Gavrikov is the better player, so we couldn’t keep him and re-sign Roy regardless. Then move RV so you can sign Vilardi. After that look to acquire a tough winger to add some physicality. If you do that, including making space for Clarke and Spence the skill level is higher and the balance is better.

Better to make some aggressive moves and fall short than be passive and whimper out.

 

[Sol]

I don't think i'ts the 1-3-1 in and of itself that is the problem. I like the idea of sinking back into it if your forecheck evaporates. But as a full-time passive system? Gross.

The Kings had great success all year with an aggressive forecheck that would 1-3-1 after an opponent regained controlled possession (ex. during a change) and that's fine, but when you're down 3 goals is just complete chickenshit and emblematic of why TM gets canned repeatedly and underachieves with good rosters, the dude seriously turns into an absolute vegetable once the game starts.

It actually is a problem. Kings don’t have the players needed to play that system.

The oilers had zero issue beating the Kings formation, and beating the Kings to the puck. The formation is about stopping neutral zone speed but the Kings couldn’t do any of that.

The formation is flawed because the Kings were giving them the puck the whole time, and weren’t able to slow down the oilers at all because they have idiots on defense. So yes the formation is ass and the defense is too.

I have a major problem with letting extremely skilled players come into the neutral zone with speed.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It actually is a problem. Kings don’t have the players needed to play that system.

The oilers had zero issue beating the Kings formation, and beating the Kings to the puck. The formation is about stopping neutral zone speed but the Kings couldn’t do any of that.

The formation is flawed because the Kings were giving them the puck the whole time, and weren’t able to slow down the oilers at all because they have idiots on defense. So yes the formation is ass and the defense is too.

I have a major problem with letting extremely skilled players come into the neutral zone with speed.

You're agreeing with me.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings can’t trade Roy. He was arguably the best D man last year.

If they let MacEwen go - they better sign some other toughness.

 

[Lt Dan]

Kings can’t trade Roy. He was arguably the best D man last year.

If they let MacEwen go - they better sign some other toughness.

Agreed on the 1st point, disagree with the second

MacEwen is a waste of salary and roster space. Even dressing MacEwen is worse than putting Durzi out there for a 5 on 3 PK
We are better dressing JAD as an enforcer. The "role"/team toughness clearly needs to be upgraded on F as well as D.

 

[johnjm22]

I hate the idea of trading Roy.

But I concede it may have to happen at some point.

I would rather extend him depending on what the ask is.

 

[johnjm22]

Arvidsson should go before Roy.

I love Arvy, but he's older, his cap hit is bigger, and he's less likely to get re-signed.

Arvidsson + Durzi + Walker = 8.6M

 

[Lt Dan]

Arvidsson should go before Roy.

I love Arvy, but he's older, his cap hit is bigger, and he's less likely to get re-signed.

Arvidsson + Durzi + Walker = 8.6M

Arvy's speed is a game changer , we really don't have another player like that.

I am all for trading Durzi and Walker and giving Clarke and Spence a chance

 

[johnjm22]

Arvy's speed is a game changer , we really don't have another player like that.

I am all for trading Durzi and Walker and giving Clarke and Spence a chance

You have to trade somebody.

I don't really think Arvidsson is particularly speedy these days. I do think he's very shifty and creative. Clever. He's got those wily old veteran vibes.

I think his skillset helps the Kings greatly. But he's 30 and gone after this coming season anyways.

 

[Lt Dan]

You have to trade somebody.

I don't really think Arvidsson is particularly speedy these days. I do think he's very shifty and creative. Clever. He's got those wily old veteran vibes.

I think his skillset helps the Kings greatly. But he's 30 and gone after this coming season anyways.

Agreed. I am (overly) hopeful that RB can trade some of our extra players to a team like Buffalo and Chicago as assets and get rid of Petersen. That 5 mil could go a long way

 

[BringTheReign]

Arvy's speed is a game changer , we really don't have another player like that.

I am all for trading Durzi and Walker and giving Clarke and Spence a chance

We have guys like Fagemo, Chromiak, Laferriere, and Turcotte who could grow into Arvidsson's spot for about a quarter of the cost against the cap next year. I think one of them could stick next to Moore - Danault if given a real opportunity.

 

[bland]

Kings can’t trade Roy. He was arguably the best D man last year.

If they let MacEwen go - they better sign some other toughness.

They can't re-sign him next summer with Doughty, Clarke, Spence and Durzi on the right side.

Ain't nobody here is a bigger fan of Matt Roy than me. I was the only one of you guys that ever had him inside the top 5 of our yearly prospect rankings, much less the top 10. But it makes zero business sense to commit to him at a larger deal next summer when Doughty will be sliding down the lineup - Doughty will be taking Roy's role here as Clarke and Spence move up.

Trade him now, recoup lost picks in the series of dumb and poorly timed trades.

This team has been handcuffed by a series of middling deals to retain or acquire middle of the lineup players while the top end has suffered and bottom end role players are non-existant due to kids being shoved into the lineup in roles that they don't fit into OR play well enough to support a playoff team.

At some point they have to stop over-paying pleasant surprises.

 

[johnjm22]

Whether or not Roy should be traded, depends on a couple other factors as well.

1) What would the actual return be?
2) What would he want in an extension?

I'm okay with having 4 high quality RHD (Doughty/Roy/Clarke/Spence). It would suck for Spence. But such is life.

And it's not like Roy can never be traded after he signs his extension.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Spence and Clarke do not play like Roy.

Does everyone want a team of small puck movers? Good luck with that.

Roy and Edler were the two most physical D. One is leaving as a UFA.

I would roll over in my grave if the Kings ice a D core of Doughty, Anderson, Spence, Durzi, Clarke and Bjornfot. That might be the softest D in the entire NHL.

I’m 5-11”, 175 lbs and I’ve stood next to a few of these players and they look like teenagers compared to me.

 

[Noonan61]

I wonder if Chicago is our best bet in getting rid of Petersen's contract. They have Mrazek signed for 1 more year and can easily buyout Petersen after next year for a small cap hit.

They are about to draft Bedard and need to put some solid peices around him to make the transition to the pro game easier. I think a good winger for him could be Alex Iaffalo. Does a ton of the small things and makes play a little easier for Bedard to do his thing. Maybe package them together for some B prospect or middling draft pick? Then the Kings get all the cap space they need for Gavrikov and Vilardi contracts.

 

[Statto]

Spence and Clarke do not play like Roy.

Does everyone want a team of small puck movers? Good luck with that.

Roy and Edler were the two most physical D. One is leaving as a UFA.

I would roll over in my grave if the Kings ice a D core of Doughty, Anderson, Spence, Durzi, Clarke and Bjornfot. That might be the softest D in the entire NHL.

I’m 5-11”, 175 lbs and I’ve stood next to a few of these players and they look like teenagers compared to me.

No, they don’t so you balance it with Gavrikov (not overly physical but strong) and someone with grit in the 3rd pair, trade Björnfot for a different type of guy for that 3rd left D slot. Spence and Clarke upgrade the skill set and transition game so should be in the lineup. It’d then give 3 balanced pairs.

Roy before the Gavrikov trade was not that good defensively at times and was a giveaway machine only overshadowed by Durzi. Gavrikov brought the best out of Roy, which is great but if it’s a choice you keep Gavrikov.

 

[Schrute farms]

Walker & Durzi should be no brainer out the door this summer.

Then you need two of AI, Roy, Arvi and Moore out as well. You are making these two trades for following years more so than this up coming season.

Cal cut after this next season.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

We have guys like Fagemo, Chromiak, Laferriere, and Turcotte who could grow into Arvidsson's spot for about a quarter of the cost against the cap next year. I think one of them could stick next to Moore - Danault if given a real opportunity.

Any of those players becoming as good as Arvidsson is a stretch at this point.