Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[KopitarGOAT420]

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.

Well yeah, sure. But also... Who isn't already at a cap impasse right now?? Lol, I mean the cap has been virtually stagnant for the last 5 years (a $4 million increase since 2018 is legitimately INSANE)

There's been years where it goes up that much in 1 year alone.

It is what it is, and it's definitely not ideal... But this scenario is more-so just a reality for the entire league right now.

And the Kings are lucky enough to be in a situation where they can navigate that unfortunate reality without it really significantly hurting their team... That's a win.

 

[johnjm22]

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.

Basically yes, this is the plan. But I'm still a bit skeptical they'll be able to re-sign Gavrikov. They'll obviously try though. And Arvidsson probably gets moved instead of Iafallo IMO.

Kings aren't going to win games with high end talent. They need depth. 4 forwards lines, and 3 D pairs that can all be trusted.

I agree that even though we have excess forwards (JAD, Kupari, Grundstrom Fagemo), they may still need to bring in someone to solidify the 4th line. I've mentioned Hathaway a few times.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Well yeah, sure. But also... Who isn't already at a cap impasse right now?? Lol, I mean the cap has been virtually stagnant for the last 5 years (a $4 million increase since 2018 is legitimately INSANE)

There's been years where it goes up that much in 1 year alone.

It is what it is, and it's definitely not ideal... But this scenario is more-so just a reality for the entire league right now.

And the Kings are lucky enough to be in a situation where they can navigate that unfortunate reality without it really significantly hurting their team... That's a win.

Most of the teams at a cap impasse are 'window firmly open' teams paying to win year after year; the others are teams on a threshold of a rebuild. Which are the Kings? And of the teams in rebuild mode, how many are repeatedly tossing 1st round picks?

The Kings are making moves as if they're like TBL and VGK but they actually have the playoff pedigree of Calgary.

To the boldfaced...I'm not sure that's true but I'd be thrilled to be wrong. The Kings were a strong regular season team because of their depth--that depth is about to take a whacking due to the cap. Who emerges?

I'm more optimistic about the kids than most but again the strategy appears to be to talk the talk before actually walking the walk, and hope is a pretty feeble strategy.

 

[bland]

"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.

Well, Kopitar had 4 points in Game 1 on 3 secondary assists and a clutch goal. One assist was just a lofted clearance from his zone that was later turned into a chance up ice and another was a gift off of a faceoff on a play in which he never actually touched the puck. The third was a run of the mill pass to Arvidsson who made an unbelievable bang-bang play to Iafallo for the winner.

Kopitar is a hell of a player, but a lot of the points he generates are off of just smart, regular hockey plays. That doesn't cheapen them at all - they all matter.

The point of concern is that while he collects the most points on the team he isn't really pushing the pace of the game offensively in the Kings favor like other top line centers. He was a non-factor in the last three games of the series. He doesn't force teams to scheme against him, he isn't a driving force on the power play, he isn't creating the same amount of chances that top teams first lines do so that the Kings can carry momentum. He is just one hell of a hockey player who does so many things well.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

"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.

You must be new here, welcome to the Twilight Zone.

 

[Kurrilino]

"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.

Kopitar is a 60+ point player who racks up a nice -3 and last playoff -6.
A #1 center needs to be in the + range to influence the outcome of a game.
Same with Doughty's -5 in 6 games.


If your top guys severely more goals against then they score, you are done with playoff.
This is what i am talking about.

Nobody give a dang about side kick trophies or locker room guys since the game played on the ice.
If we don't start to hold the people accountable who are paid to be accountable, we will be in a black hole of nothingness for a very long time.
I am sick and tired of the last 5 years and would like not to add another 5 years without any hope

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Kopitar is a 60+ point player who racks up a nice -3 and last playoff -6.
A #1 center needs to be in the + range to influence the outcome of a game.
Same with Doughty's -5 in 6 games.


If your top guys severely more goals against then they score, you are done with playoff.
This is what i am talking about.

Nobody give a dang about side kick trophies or locker room guys since the game played on the ice.
If we don't start to hold the people accountable who are paid to be accountable, we will be in a black hole of nothingness for a very long time.
I am sick and tired of the last 5 years and would like not to add another 5 years without any hope

Sorry to hear you were hibernating the last two seasons, they were pretty good!

 

[Schmooley]

they were pretty good!

Thats why we are talking about making moves on here. They can be better than pretty good.

 

[KINGS17]

Well, Kopitar had 4 points in Game 1 on 3 secondary assists and a clutch goal. One assist was just a lofted clearance from his zone that was later turned into a chance up ice and another was a gift off of a faceoff on a play in which he never actually touched the puck. The third was a run of the mill pass to Arvidsson who made an unbelievable bang-bang play to Iafallo for the winner.

Kopitar is a hell of a player, but a lot of the points he generates are off of just smart, regular hockey plays. That doesn't cheapen them at all - they all matter.

The point of concern is that while he collects the most points on the team he isn't really pushing the pace of the game offensively in the Kings favor like other top line centers. He was a non-factor in the last three games of the series. He doesn't force teams to scheme against him, he isn't a driving force on the power play, he isn't creating the same amount of chances that top teams first lines do so that the Kings can carry momentum. He is just one hell of a hockey player who does so many things well.

Kopitar's ice time has a lot to do with this as well.

 

[lumbergh]

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.

You might have forgotten about the RFAs and ELCs of Bjornfot, Moverare, Clarke, and a 13th forward. That's assuming you don't even have a 14th forward and go with 22 players on the roster. Each one of them will cost $750-900K. That's about $3-3.5M you need to budget for.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Kopitar is a 60+ point player who racks up a nice -3 and last playoff -6.
A #1 center needs to be in the + range to influence the outcome of a game.
Same with Doughty's -5 in 6 games.


If your top guys severely more goals against then they score, you are done with playoff.
This is what i am talking about.

Nobody give a dang about side kick trophies or locker room guys since the game played on the ice.
If we don't start to hold the people accountable who are paid to be accountable, we will be in a black hole of nothingness for a very long time.
I am sick and tired of the last 5 years and would like not to add another 5 years without any hope

So McDavid didn't influence the outcome of a came this playoff?

 

[KINGS17]

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.

It's just you (and too many others), because this turkey should have been gutted years ago.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Thats why we are talking about making moves on here. They can be better than pretty good.

Right, but that’s not what Sol said. He implied that the last two years were comparable to the previous three years before that. What an ignorant statement, right?

 

[SettlementRichie10]

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.

I absolutely agree that an executive lying is within the realm of possibility. But none of Blake’s actions indicate he was lying.

He said he believed this team was a contender. Then they made the playoffs. Then he added a big AAV player in Kovalchuk, and continued adding veterans from there.

His actions directly supported his stated words. He didn’t start trading away players for futures until two years into his tenure as GM. And now he’s right back to his old ways, loading up on veteran talent to try and compete with Kopitar and Doughty.

Blake has never wanted to rebuild. He always wanted to win another Cup with Kopitar and co. All of his actions suggest this, in addition to his words. It can’t get any clearer.

 

[Kurrilino]

So McDavid didn't influence the outcome of a came this playoff?

What kind of question is that.
You can't possibly think Kopitar and McDavid are even in the same ballpark

 

[Johnny Utah]

Do the Kings have a Tkachuk, Bennett, Gudas, Cousins, type player? NO.

Do the Kings have a Carrier, Koelesar, Hague, McNabb type player? NO.

THE KINGS ARE SOFT AS SHIT.

 

[Kurrilino]

Sorry to hear you were hibernating the last two seasons, they were pretty good!

I somehow think we watch different games and teams.

I follow a team that was bottom of the league for 5 years and then floated up in their division because other 5 teams gave all of their players away for rebuilds.
The Kings didn't play any better, especially the core players. It's the other teams that got worse than us.

I would love to hear which Kings team you are talking about with all those amazing players, contending for any cup available. Where can i watch this team ?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

What kind of question is that.
You can't possibly think Kopitar and McDavid are even in the same ballpark

Well you said a wait..here it is you said "A #1 center needs to be in the + range to influence the outcome of a game."

McDavid was NOT IN THE + RANGE IN THE PLAYOFFS...so he didn't influence any outcome of a game....per your own words...

Do the Kings have a Tkachuk, Bennett, Gudas, Cousins, type player? NO.

Do the Kings have a Carrier, Koelesar, Hague, McNabb type player? NO.

THE KINGS ARE SOFT AS SHIT.

Do you really think the secret to VEGAS success is Kolesar, Hague and McNabb?????? Holy f*** I thought Sol was bad at takes....this tops that.....by a far margin

I somehow think we watch different games and teams.

I follow a team that was bottom of the league for 5 years and then floated up in their division because other 5 teams gave all of their players away for rebuilds.
The Kings didn't play any better, especially the core players. It's the other teams that got worse than us.

I would love to hear which Kings team you are talking about with all those amazing players, contending for any cup available. Where can i watch this team ?

Who rebuilt in the Pacific? Vegas? No, Edmonton? No, Seattle? No, Calgary? No, Vancouver? No, San Jose? just started at this years deadline, and Anaheim.....Anaheim is the only one you can say is rebuilding right now....

 

[Kurrilino]

Well you said a wait..here it is you said "A #1 center needs to be in the + range to influence the outcome of a game."

McDavid was NOT IN THE + RANGE IN THE PLAYOFFS...so he didn't influence any outcome of a game....per your own words...

Correct, Draisaitl was the one killing us.
Edmonton has the luxury of having two #1 centers while we have none.
Vegas showed them what happens when the other team can score too

 

[johnjm22]

I absolutely agree that an executive lying is within the realm of possibility. But none of Blake’s actions indicate he was lying.

He said he believed this team was a contender. Then they made the playoffs. Then he added a big AAV player in Kovalchuk, and continued adding veterans from there.

His actions directly supported his stated words. He didn’t start trading away players for futures until two years into his tenure as GM. And now he’s right back to his old ways, loading up on veteran talent to try and compete with Kopitar and Doughty.

Blake has never wanted to rebuild. He always wanted to win another Cup with Kopitar and co. All of his actions suggest this, in addition to his words. It can’t get any clearer.

You have to apply some sort of social intelligence to public comments.

His actions did not make it seem like the thought the team was a contender.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Correct, Draisaitl was the one killing us.
Edmonton has the luxury of having two #1 centers while we have none.
Vegas showed them what happens when the other team can score too

You mean Draisaitl who was also a negative player?

So neither Draisaitl or McDavid influenced a game....per your words

 

[Kurrilino]

Who rebuilt in the Pacific? Vegas? No, Edmonton? No, Seattle? No, Calgary? No, Vancouver? No, San Jose? just started at this years deadline, and Anaheim.....Anaheim is the only one you can say is rebuilding right now....

Seattle had a Cinderella run and is nowhere near to be a playoff team

Calgary lost all of their top guys and got garbage in return. They are rebuilding without admitting it yet

Vancouver wants to rebuild but nobody wanted their players, they are in the same boat as us, where the core is done but they can't unload. So they just gave half of the players away they actually should.

SanJose is rebuilding

Anaheim is rebuilding

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Seattle had a Cinderella run and is nowhere near to be a playoff team

Calgary lost all of their top guys and got garbage in return. They are rebuilding without admitting it yet

Vancouver wants to rebuild but nobody wanted their players, they are in the same boat as us, where the core is done but they can't unload. So they just gave half of the players away they actually should.

SanJose is rebuilding

Anaheim is rebuilding

San Jose is rebuilding, so they traded for Erik Karlsson......

But out of the 8 teams in the division, you just admitted...TWO are rebuilding....not 5

 

[SettlementRichie10]

You have to apply some soft of social intelligence to public comments.

His actions did not make it seem like the thought the team was a contender.

Rob Blake added veterans, including a costly free agent, for the first two years of his tenure.

He didn’t trade away players for futures until 2019.

His actions DIRECTLY support the claim that he meant what he said in 2017. Are you drunk?

 

[Kurrilino]

You mean Draisaitl who was also a negative player?

So neither Draisaitl or McDavid influenced a game....per your words

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Draisaitl was +4 in 6 games against us while Kopitar was -3
Do you see any difference here?

Trying to be a smart ass might help you delusion but hockey is played in reality