Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[Herby]

Just listened to an interview with Ryan Reaves - wish the Kings had someone like him. Sounds like the Wild have a bit of swagger because of him and he takes the young kids under his wings.

You think Nurse, Kane, Koistin, Dillon, Cogliano and every other player who bullied the Kings this past year would dare do that with Reaves in the line-up.

Byfield and Clarke could do whatever they wanted out there...

The Wild got just as far as the Kings.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Yeah, the Wild is a perennial first round and out blackhole.

So basically exactly what the Kings will be considered in a few more years.

 

[Bandit]

Reaves… yeah. Might as well change your username to OutOfTouch at this point.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I have a problem with that statement, certainly from Blake’s perspective. I’ve always felt Blake’s brief was to try to get another run before he was given the green light to rebuild. Truth is that neither of us know.

I’m not saying that to defend Blake as I’ve been fairly critical in recent times, but I’ve never brought your view, that others share. It’s nothing but assumption and supposition as to what his brief was. The way he pivoted from trading Muzzin and started the rebuild definitely seemed to be a plan he had in place and was more comfortable with. I still think the rebuild would have been his preference despite some of the recent pains. Luc on the other hand…

This is pure revisionist history.

Go back and actually watch Blake’s first press conference. He says outright that the team is a contender, and their intention is to compete for a Cup.

That was his publicly stated goal the second he got on the job. Same with Luc.

 

[David Lunch]

This is pure revisionist history.

Go back and actually watch Blake’s first press conference. He says outright that the team is a contender, and their intention is to compete for a Cup.

That was his publicly stated goal the second he got on the job. Same with Luc.

Yes, but that’s assuming he was completely transparent and that his full public utterances were the absolute extent of his private conversations with Uncle Phil. If you’ve watched any Blake media availability, you can see that he’s as transparent as a glass of mud.

I’m not coming down on either side of the argument regarding what his full thought process when taking over the team, I’m just arguing that his early media availability is some evidence of what he was thinking but would be unreasonable to assume that’s the full extent of his thinking, given how vague, mealy-mouthed and boilerplate his media availabilities are.

 

[David Lunch]

This happens when you don't rebuild a rebuild.
Any other team plays the youngsters they have and sacrifice short term success while collecting more draft picks, this is what rebuilds do.

We took all the parts for a rebuild and parked them in the garage, still using the parts that have proven to not get the job done anymore, to have a fantasy playoff run to please god know who.

Pair this with trading away draft picks for players that don't break us out of this situation will lead to a black hole of nothingness.
I don't even blame Blake entirely for that, to this season he did great being patient, not trading away futures for fantasy.
This request of success comes from the ownership level, i don't have another explanation why players like Iafallo or Moore get 4 mill per year

The right approach would have been to end the oldie chapter and rebuild a true rebuild.
We would already look great with Byfield, Kupari and Kaliev playing top minutes without fear of punishment.

I don’t know why you would say the bolded line so confidently, or even assume it. You think uncle Phil is demanding that Blake sign Moore to a 5 year, 4.2m deal? Genuinely curious, not trying to be snarky.

I agree with the premise from the rest of the post though.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Yes, but that’s assuming he was completely transparent and that his full public utterances were the absolute extent of his private conversations with Uncle Phil. If you’ve watched any Blake media availability, you can see that he’s as transparent as a glass of mud.

I’m not coming down on either side of the argument regarding what his full thought process when taking over the team, I’m just arguing that his early media availability is some evidence of what he was thinking but would be unreasonable to assume that’s the full extent of his thinking, given how vague, mealy-mouthed and boilerplate his media availabilities are.

I hear what you’re saying, but we can’t start just randomly theorizing about what Blake *really* meant when he did or said X and Y.

We know what he said, and we know what he did. Because he said it and did it.

 

[Basilisk]

LoL, why is Todd still our coach?


1) Wasn't Todd the Sharks coach in 2014 when we came back from being down 0-3 to win the series?!

2) Wasn't Todd our coach last year when we were up 3 games to 2 versus Edmonton, yet lost the series?!

3) Wasn't Todd our coach just a month or so ago with we were up 2 games to 1 versus Edmonton and had a VERY good chance of being up 3 games to 1, getting a 3 goals to 1 lead in game #4........ and yet, once again, we LOST the series?!


TODD IS A LOSER!!!!

PS: NOBODY on this board "loves" Cal Peterson!!!!!!

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

LoL, why is Todd still our coach?


1) Wasn't Todd the Sharks coach in 2014 when we can back from being down 0-3 to win the series?!

2) Wasn't Todd our coach last year when we were up 3 games to 2 versus Edmonton, yet lost the series?!

3) Wasn't Todd our coach just a month or so ago with we were up 2 games to 1 versus Edmonton and had a VERY good chance of being up 3 games to 1, getting a 3 goals to 1 lead in game #4........ and yet, once again, we LOST the series?!


TODD IS A LOSER!!!!

PS: NOBODY on this board "loves" Cal Peterson!!!!!!

Great post, Sol.

 

[Kingspiracy]

Great post, Sol.

Nice reply mrs McLennan

 

[David Lunch]

I hear what you’re saying, but we can’t start just randomly theorizing about what Blake *really* meant when he did or said X and Y.

We know what he said, and we know what he did. Because he said it and did it.

Fair enough!

 

[Statto]

This is pure revisionist history.

Go back and actually watch Blake’s first press conference. He says outright that the team is a contender, and their intention is to compete for a Cup.

That was his publicly stated goal the second he got on the job. Same with Luc.

Not from my perspective, I’ve said it since he first became GM. What he said is the party line. If his mandate is to get the most from the bones of the cup team he’s hardly likely to say ‘we need a rebuild’. I’ve said my view on this for years, you may not agree but I’m revising nothing.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Not from my perspective, I’ve said it since he first became GM. What he said is the party line. If his mandate is to get the most from the bones of the cup team he’s hardly likely to say ‘we need a rebuild’. I’ve said my view on this for years, you may not agree but I’m revising nothing.

Doesn't work that way here bud, if you don't completely agree that Blake is a f***ing moron.....everything you say is revisionist, or you are toeing the party line etc.

 

[Lt Dan]

Grit and skill wins championships. The closest we have is Kempe. Everyone else is Charmin soft

The Kings NEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to resign Gavrikov and bring in a skilled forward with some snarl and we still need a proper enforcer

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Not from my perspective, I’ve said it since he first became GM. What he said is the party line. If his mandate is to get the most from the bones of the cup team he’s hardly likely to say ‘we need a rebuild’. I’ve said my view on this for years, you may not agree but I’m revising nothing.

It’s not about agreeing or not agreeing. It’s about truth and fiction. You’ve invented a fantasy for yourself in which what Blake actually said wasn’t true, and what he really meant was something else.

You have zero evidence of this. It’s just your own arbitrary hunch. It’s absurd and not even worth debating.

Lombardi came in and was immediately forthright about his intention to rebuild the team from the net out, etc etc. He meant what he said. Just like Blake meant what he said in 2017.

 

[Statto]

It’s not about agreeing or not agreeing. It’s about truth and fiction. You’ve invented a fantasy for yourself in which what Blake actually said wasn’t true, and what he really meant was something else.

You have zero evidence of this. It’s just your own arbitrary hunch. It’s absurd and not even worth debating.

Lombardi came in and was immediately forthright about his intention to rebuild the team from the net out, etc etc. He meant what he said. Just like Blake meant what he said in 2017.

Yet the narrative is constantly that BLuc lie to us.

You are correct, it’s effectively a hunch but my belief remains just that. By the way I agree with plenty of the other issues that have occurred, just not this one. He’s also said he thinks Petersen is an NHL goalie but does anyone seriously believe that he thinks that currently. Sometimes as leaders you say things you don’t buy into to get the best out of the troops and make the best of a situation.

I have sat there as a Director supporting company policy I don’t agree with, when talking to my staff, many times. Why? Because it was my job to do so. It will happen in the NHL frequently and my hunch has always been that, in this case, is what happened. I believed it very soon after he started in the role and nothing that has occurred has changed my view. I understand and accept I may be wrong.

 

[Kurrilino]

I don’t know why you would say the bolded line so confidently, or even assume it. You think uncle Phil is demanding that Blake sign Moore to a 5 year, 4.2m deal? Genuinely curious, not trying to be snarky.

I agree with the premise from the rest of the post though.

I added, i don't have another explanation for this because this is the only thing that makes sense.
So yes, it's speculation.

But Blake's mentioned directly that this team is contending and i would say this is why McT was hired who is knows to neglect youngsters and overplays vets.

For me it looks like they gambled themself into a corner very well knowing that this team can't win anything.
All of the trades pointed on everything else but rebuild, it was win now with minimal effort.
Sadly this was supported by a division where 5 out of 8 teams are rebuilding

 

[Kurrilino]

Grit and skill wins championships. The closest we have is Kempe. Everyone else is Charmin soft

View attachment 712573

The Kings NEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to resign Gavrikov and bring in a skilled forward with some snarl and we still need a proper enforcer

I would be more happy with having a #1 defender who is able to keep opponents top players in check and to trim the fat of all the 4mill player who contribute absolutely nothing worth of 4 mill.

If we can't do that anything else is pointless

 

[KingsFan7824]

Blake gave it a year to see what the roster had. The usual 4 had good years. He invested in them. The whole team proceeded to suck ass from day 1 of training camp in 2018. He gave them a chance to wake up with Pearson. They didn't, so it cost them their friend in Muzzin. Then a non-scortched earth rebuild, as Kopitar and Doughty weren't ever going anywhere, no matter who the GM was, who the Presudent was, or anything anyone was. And what the Kings are now is what they would've been this entire time post-2014, as the faces of the franchise were never going anywhere if they wanted to be here.

DL got Lucic for 2016. He brought in Iginla to try and spark the team in 2017. There's no reason to think he would've done anything but kept trying. Would there be more criminals on his roster? Yes, but that didn't get them anywhere between 2015 and 2017 either.

I'd say, expect the Kings to try and be competitive for the next 4 years. At that point, you see what's left, if anything. If it's nothing, then a ground up rebuild should take place. If Byfield is an actual player, keep trying to win with him.

Plan your finances and expectations accordingly.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Is it just me, or should the offseason plan actually be pretty straightforward and simple??

Things are a little tight cap-wise... So..
Trade Durzi (save $1.7 million)
Trade Walker (save $2.65 million)
Trade Iafallo (save $4 million)
- Iafallo is the only one that really hurts here, but you can live with this especially seeing as it opens up a spot for Vilardi/Kaliyev to move up the lineup
- Also, all 3 of these players do have value, so you likely add a couple picks/prospects in the process of freeing up the money

After trading the 3 players above, the Kings would have a total cap space of roughly $15.85 million.

This would allow them to:
- Re-sign Vilardi to a bridge deal (Lets say 3 years, $5 million per year)
- Re-sign Gavrikov (or sign another LHD) - For Gavrikov lets just say they sign him to a $5 million, 5 year contract
- Re-sign Korpisalo or sign another goalie in free agency (could budget a 2 year, $2.5 million contract for that) - Actually, Varlamov would be my choice if you can get him on a decent contract
- Use the leftover ~$2 million or so to sign a tough/gritty 4th line forward or bottom pair d-man

I think if you can sign Varlamov to a 2 year deal for $2.5-$3 million a year, that gives you a tandem of Varlamov/Copley next season and Varlamov/Portillo the following season. Which seems pretty damn solid.

Which would give them a roster that would look something like...
Arvidsson - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Kaliyev
Fiala - Byfield - Vilardi
Grundstrom - Lizotte - Tough/Gritty player

Anderson - Doughty
Gavrikov/Signed LHD - Roy
Bjornfot/Moverare - Clarke

Varlamov/Korpisalo or another signed Goalie
Copley

That's a REALLY good roster and especially if a few young players take even modest steps forward, could easily be a top team in the west. Kings should run that to start the year, address any glaring needs at the trade deadline, then go for a run in the playoffs. Can make significant roster changes next offseason if that team fails to at least go on a deep playoff run.

 

[Kurrilino]

Is it just me, or should the offseason plan actually be pretty straightforward and simple??

Things are a little tight cap-wise... So..
Trade Durzi (save $1.7 million)
Trade Walker (save $2.65 million)
Trade Iafallo (save $4 million)
- Iafallo is the only one that really hurts here, but you can live with this especially seeing as it opens up a spot for Vilardi/Kaliyev to move up the lineup
- Also, all 3 of these players do have value, so you likely add a couple picks/prospects in the process of freeing up the money

After trading the 3 players above, the Kings would have a total cap space of roughly $15.85 million.

This would allow them to:
- Re-sign Vilardi to a bridge deal (Lets say 3 years, $5 million per year)
- Re-sign Gavrikov (or sign another LHD) - For Gavrikov lets just say they sign him to a $5 million, 5 year contract
- Re-sign Korpisalo or sign another goalie in free agency (could budget a 2 year, $2.5 million contract for that) - Actually, Varlamov would be my choice if you can get him on a decent contract
- Use the leftover ~$2 million or so to sign a tough/gritty 4th line forward or bottom pair d-man

I think if you can sign Varlamov to a 2 year deal for $2.5-$3 million a year, that gives you a tandem of Varlamov/Copley next season and Varlamov/Portillo the following season. Which seems pretty damn solid.

Which would give them a roster that would look something like...
Arvidsson - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Kaliyev
Fiala - Byfield - Vilardi
Grundstrom - Lizotte - Tough/Gritty player

Anderson - Doughty
Gavrikov/Signed LHD - Roy
Bjornfot/Moverare - Clarke

Varlamov/Korpisalo or another signed Goalie
Copley

That's a REALLY good roster and especially if a few young players take even modest steps forward, could easily be a top team in the west. Kings should run that to start the year, address any glaring needs at the trade deadline, then go for a run in the playoffs. Then make significant roster changes next offseason if that team fails to at least go on a deep playoff run.

This is exactly the roster that has proven not to be able to perform when it matters.
If we keep the core pieces of this disaster in place, we can put the hot dog sales man of section 218 in goal and nothing would change.

Kopitar can't create offense against strong teams
Doughty can't keep opponent top players in check
Arvidson is shoot first winger without any shooting skills
Iafallo doesn't know what hockey is
Danauld is good in what he does, but what he does doesn't belong into the top 6
Lizotte can't center a line against strong opposition

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

This is exactly the roster that has proven not to be able to perform when it matters.
If we keep the core pieces of this disaster in place, we can put the hot dog sales man of section 218 in goal and nothing would change.

Kopitar can't create offense against strong teams
Doughty can't keep opponent top players in check
Arvidson is shoot first winger without any shooting skills
Iafallo doesn't know what hockey is
Danauld is good in what he does, but what he does doesn't belong into the top 6
Lizotte can't center a line against strong opposition

"Kopitar can't create offense against strong teams" Buddy WHAT???? He had 7 points in 6 games vs the Oil??
"Doughty can't keep opponent top players in check" Uhhhh are you SURE about that??? Because 5 on 5 against the Oilers their top players were VERY much contained and in large part kept off the scoresheet.

Arvidsson doesn't have any shooting skills???? Iafallo doesn't know what hockey is?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Danault isn't a top 6 forward?!?!?!?!??!!!!!!!!!!

My friend...... Respectfully..... WHAT..... Are you talking about?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

If the Kings had even a remotely decent Penalty Kill against the Oilers they 100% win that series.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think the point is we're already at a cap impasse where we have to trade someone that 'hurts' regardless of being not even a 2nd round team.

Sure you get to choose the guy and the degree of pain as well as ingoing/outgoing assets but a team that can't get past the 1st round shouldn't already be drained of 1st round picks and making moves that thin the depth.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

This is exactly the roster that has proven not to be able to perform when it matters.
If we keep the core pieces of this disaster in place, we can put the hot dog sales man of section 218 in goal and nothing would change.

Kopitar can't create offense against strong teams
Doughty can't keep opponent top players in check
Arvidson is shoot first winger without any shooting skills
Iafallo doesn't know what hockey is
Danauld is good in what he does, but what he does doesn't belong into the top 6
Lizotte can't center a line against strong opposition

f*** Sol.......didn't recognize you

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

f*** Sol.......didn't recognize you

'hot take' Solilino is at it again