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Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

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Blake will barely have any cap room after he signs his RFA's (including Vilardi) and signs a UFA goalie.

Vegas proved that you just need a solid top 9 forwards, a big 4th line who can skate and hit, a mobile and BIG top 4 D, and you can have any goalie playing back there. They rotated 5 goalies - Quick, Thompson, Hill, Brossoit, and Patera.

Blake needs to address the bottom pair on D and also the 4th line.

There is no way we are going into the year with a mix or Durzi, Bjornfot, Spence, and Clarke on the bottom pair D. You think that four will get thru big and nasty Edmonton and Vegas teams. One player who is horrible defensively, one skinny 20 year old, one is a small puck mover and the other is potential 1st round bust who doesn't do anything extremely well. LOL.

And a 4th line of Grundstrom-Lizotte-Kupari/JAD ain't cutting it either. Actually, with the Kings current depth and healthy - Iafallo is on the 4th line.

He needs to figure the items above before he adds a bratty forward.
 
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Sol said:
I think you’re a bit hard stuck on Vilardi and Kempes draft position when you consider where Forbort and Teubert were drafted.

The issue with 2nd overall is that on no planet is it ever a good look for a player picked that high to be a slow burn. If you’re even going to pretend that it’s fine then you have zero clue how big of a difference historically it is past the top 3 and outside of the top 10. Players drafted top 3 players are the ones who are expected to be quick impactful players. If they aren’t showing signs of being impactful yet then there’s a big problem. Slow burn is a really kind way of overlooking 5 goals last season and quite frankly delusional of the fact that there’s some massive concerns regarding byfield. Again the Kings are considering PLD for the sole reason that byfield might bust.
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I’m not hard stuck on anything. Anything is possible with Byfield. That’s been my position. But you and Herby have been panicking about him for months (you’ve already called him a bust) when it’s still too early to do so. And as I said, your concern should be with the Kings slow burn approach more than with Byfield the player since it seems to be the norm with all their picks. Even the ones who eventually panned out. Kempe absolutely did not look like a 40 goal scorer just a few years ago. Does it matter now that he was taken 29th overall as opposed to 120th? No.

And as I’ve said before, you guys keep ignoring the fact that he was much better this year than last and I find that puzzling. Start panicking when he stops improving.
 
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Nasti said:
I’m not hard stuck on anything. Anything is possible with Byfield. That’s been my position. But you and Herby have been panicking about him for months (you’ve already called him a bust) when it’s still too early to do so. And as I said, your concern should be with the Kings slow burn approach more than with Byfield the player since it seems to be the norm with all their picks. Even the ones who eventually panned out. Kempe absolutely did not look like a 40 goal scorer just a few years ago. Does it matter now that he was taken 29th overall as opposed to 120th? No.

And as I’ve said before, you guys keep ignoring the fact that he was much better this year than last and I find that puzzling. Start panicking when he stops improving.
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Do you realize what a stupid point you're making? Why even bother drafting that high if you're going to use Kempe as an example. A player who was the last pick of the first round who took 6 years to blossom into a goal scorer randomly. That is a normal trajectory for you? Do you realize the implications of what you're saying? Why dont the Kings trade down then? Get some more assets? Shit Kempe worked out as 1st round and 2nd round tweener. Lets trade down and get something for it because Kempe. Since apparently you're keen on making excuses for poor production for high drafted players, just trade down since you're more interested in hoping that random players suddenly become goal scorers like Kempe vs the likely sure shot top 6 players you find right off the bat in the Top 3. Great example.

If you're going to use Kempe as an example then it's obvious you just aren't being realistic. Kempe's random transition into a goal scorer is extremely uncommon. Toffoli, came into the NHL known as a goal scorer, and what did he do? Kaliyev? Same thing.

No it's not too early for Byfield to have the bust aura around him at this point. He's been one of the least productive forwards in his draft position as well as he's taken MINIMAL strides forward for a player who got drafted where he did. Byfield can be a bust for sure, he can still end up being an NHL player sure. But he's looking like a third liner which for his draft position is a pretty big let down to say the least.

Again, you can bet your ass the Kings wouldn't be in the PLD discussions if Byfield had shown an inspiring progression. You can say he was "better" this year, sure. He was pretty damn bad the year before, and this year he made progress as a 5 goal scorer. Do you think a player like that who's shown minimal progression while being given all the help he can get with Kopitar and Kempe?

5 goals? That doesn't concern you? second overall player. 5 goals, second season. Very lackluster production. And the Kings are interested in PLD now.

Also. herby and I are pretty sure about what Byfield will be. But you obviously have been missing from the kings board if you think we're the only ones disappointed with Byfield. The optimists are the few I assure you that.

Look around you because your blind and baseless optimism is just that. I’m going to HOPE that byfield becomes a very good player but I’m not going to pretend like theres not red flags all around him.
 
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He can and will fix everything.

tom-wilson-2021-49.jpg
 
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Nasti said:
I’m not hard stuck on anything. Anything is possible with Byfield. That’s been my position. But you and Herby have been panicking about him for months (you’ve already called him a bust) when it’s still too early to do so. And as I said, your concern should be with the Kings slow burn approach more than with Byfield the player since it seems to be the norm with all their picks. Even the ones who eventually panned out. Kempe absolutely did not look like a 40 goal scorer just a few years ago. Does it matter now that he was taken 29th overall as opposed to 120th? No.

And as I’ve said before, you guys keep ignoring the fact that he was much better this year than last and I find that puzzling. Start panicking when he stops improving.
Click to expand...

Not sure why you are giving this guy credit for hockey knowledge....his player evaluations are so brutal, they defy logic.
 
Sol said:
Do you realize what a stupid point you're making? Why even bother drafting that high if you're going to use Kempe as an example. A player who was the last pick of the first round who took 6 years to blossom into a goal scorer randomly. That is a normal trajectory for you? Do you realize the implications of what you're saying? Why dont the Kings trade down then? Get some more assets? Shit Kempe worked out as 1st round and 2nd round tweener. Lets trade down and get something for it because Kempe. Since apparently you're keen on making excuses for poor production for high drafted players, just trade down since you're more interested in hoping that random players suddenly become goal scorers like Kempe vs the likely sure shot top 6 players you find right off the bat in the Top 3. Great example.

If you're going to use Kempe as an example then it's obvious you just aren't being realistic. Kempe's random transition into a goal scorer is extremely uncommon. Toffoli, came into the NHL known as a goal scorer, and what did he do? Kaliyev? Same thing.

No it's not too early for Byfield to have the bust aura around him at this point. He's been one of the least productive forwards in his draft position as well as he's taken MINIMAL strides forward for a player who got drafted where he did. Byfield can be a bust for sure, he can still end up being an NHL player sure. But he's looking like a third liner which for his draft position is a pretty big let down to say the least.

Again, you can bet your ass the Kings wouldn't be in the PLD discussions if Byfield had shown an inspiring progression. You can say he was "better" this year, sure. He was pretty damn bad the year before, and this year he made progress as a 5 goal scorer. Do you think a player like that who's shown minimal progression while being given all the help he can get with Kopitar and Kempe?

5 goals? That doesn't concern you? second overall player. 5 goals, second season. Very lackluster production. And the Kings are interested in PLD now.

Also. herby and I are pretty sure about what Byfield will be. But you obviously have been missing from the kings board if you think we're the only ones disappointed with Byfield. The optimists are the few I assure you that.

Look around you because your blind and baseless optimism is just that. I’m going to HOPE that byfield becomes a very good player but I’m not going to pretend like theres not red flags all around him.
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Give it a rest already. Half of what you wrote is making assumptions about how I feel about Byfield. I literally said in the post you replied to that I believe anything is possible with him. That means he could be a bust, he could be a great player. Yes, it’s too soon to declare either. Your constant hyperventilation about him doesn’t change that. Where are you getting that I’m so optimistic about his future? Not everyone is as sure as you about everything. You’re projecting big time. My example of Kempe is just to prove that players blossom at different times, especially when you have a management group that makes sure of it.

Did he not improve his game this past year? You’re blind if you say “barely” or “not by much”. Did he not have more overall points and actually improve the top line for a little while? Yes. Did he not have a respectable 4 points in 6 playoff games? Again, yes. So maybe relax for a minute and realize he’s not as shitty of a player as you’ve declared about a 1000 times.
 
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Moving the following contracts will give the Kings enough to afford Pierre-Luc Dubois: Durzi, Iafallo, and one of Lizotte or Grundstrom.

To get a 60-70 point producing center, the Kings are going to need to offer up on some young talent, and that's where I think they may have to move Kaliyev and another prospect like Chromiak to pull this off.

If they manage to do this without giving up a Byfield or Vilardi, we could be looking at this top nine in this scenario:

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Vilardi
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That is a stacked lineup.
 
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Ziggy Stardust said:
Moving the following contracts will give the Kings enough to afford Pierre-Luc Dubois: Durzi, Iafallo, and one of Lizotte or Grundstrom.

To get a 60-70 point producing center, the Kings are going to need to offer up on some young talent, and that's where I think they may have to move Kaliyev and another prospect like Chromiak to pull this off.

If they manage to do this without giving up a Byfield or Vilardi, we could be looking at this top nine in this scenario:

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Vilardi
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That is a stacked lineup.
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Why keep Arvy?
That’s my question, he’s loafer on a line that depends on Moore and PD. He makes mistakes at crucial times and it seems whenever we can clear the put out if the zone and we get scored on it’s because if him.. see that EDM goal during IT were he simple losses the puck without any pressure… I rather put AI back up there
 
Ziggy Stardust said:
Moving the following contracts will give the Kings enough to afford Pierre-Luc Dubois: Durzi, Iafallo, and one of Lizotte or Grundstrom.

To get a 60-70 point producing center, the Kings are going to need to offer up on some young talent, and that's where I think they may have to move Kaliyev and another prospect like Chromiak to pull this off.

If they manage to do this without giving up a Byfield or Vilardi, we could be looking at this top nine in this scenario:

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Vilardi
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That is a stacked lineup.
Click to expand...
Too soft. Needs more Reaves.
 
Nasti said:
Give it a rest already. Half of what you wrote is making assumptions about how I feel about Byfield. I literally said in the post you replied to that I believe anything is possible with him. That means he could be a bust, he could be a great player. Yes, it’s too soon to declare either. Your constant hyperventilation about him doesn’t change that. Where are you getting that I’m so optimistic about his future? Not everyone is as sure as you about everything. You’re projecting big time. My example of Kempe is just to prove that players blossom at different times, especially when you have a management group that makes sure of it.

Did he not improve his game this past year? You’re blind if you say “barely” or “not by much”. Did he not have more overall points and actually improve the top line for a little while? Yes. Did he not have a respectable 4 points in 6 playoff games? Again, yes. So maybe relax for a minute and realize he’s not as shitty of a player as you’ve declared about a 1000 times.
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That’s the Sol MO. He did the same with Vilardi and others. He’s bizarro Axle lol (Superman reference). If Clarke doesn’t come out swinging hard then Sol will be claiming he’s a bust. Granted, he’s right sometimes. It’s just a mindset - some are extreme homers, some extreme negative and very few reasonable fans. Sol, God bless him, is our resident expect immediate results guy. ;)
 
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Ziggy Stardust said:
Moving the following contracts will give the Kings enough to afford Pierre-Luc Dubois: Durzi, Iafallo, and one of Lizotte or Grundstrom.

To get a 60-70 point producing center, the Kings are going to need to offer up on some young talent, and that's where I think they may have to move Kaliyev and another prospect like Chromiak to pull this off.

If they manage to do this without giving up a Byfield or Vilardi, we could be looking at this top nine in this scenario:

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Vilardi
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That is a stacked lineup.
Click to expand...
Sorry bro I'm moving Byfield before Kaliyev
 
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Nasti said:
Did he not have a respectable 4 points in 6 playoff games? Again, yes.
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This is so real.

4 points in 6 playoff games is actually mad solid. Especially for a 20 year old.

For context, Alexander Barkov had 3 points in 5 games during the Panthers series against the Leafs. Now OBVIOUSLY I'm not arguing Quinton Byfield = Sasha Barkov and that's a very small sample size and there's a lot of factors and stuff...

But I'm saying there were reallllllllllllly good players that put up stat lines like Byfield in the playoffs, some even elite first line centers on teams that made it to the cup final.

And again...... he's 20 years old. He can be a little underwhelming out of the gate compared to other top 3 draft picks and also still have a ton of potential - Both of those things can be true.
 
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Ziggy Stardust said:
Moving the following contracts will give the Kings enough to afford Pierre-Luc Dubois: Durzi, Iafallo, and one of Lizotte or Grundstrom.

To get a 60-70 point producing center, the Kings are going to need to offer up on some young talent, and that's where I think they may have to move Kaliyev and another prospect like Chromiak to pull this off.

If they manage to do this without giving up a Byfield or Vilardi, we could be looking at this top nine in this scenario:

Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Dubois-Vilardi
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson

That is a stacked lineup.
Click to expand...
What's the 4th line? Because there is no grit in any of those top 9.

Did you watch the Florida vs Vegas series? I was there front row for two Vegas games. There was tons of battles, pushing, slashes, etc. And none of those players except maybe Kempe or Fiala (who can't back it up) will engage in any of that.
 
Johnny Utah said:
What's the 4th line? Because there is no grit in any of those top 9.

Did you watch the Florida vs Vegas series? I was there front row for two Vegas games. There was tons of battles, pushing, slashes, etc. And none of those players except maybe Kempe or Fiala (who can't back it up) will engage in any of that.
Click to expand...

The top line that Vegas iced:
Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault
Howden-Stephenson-Stone
Smith-Karlsson-Amadio

Their biggest and most physical players were all on the fourth line, averaging 10 minutes, which was composed of Carrier, Roy, and Kolesar.
 
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Ziggy Stardust said:
The top line that Vegas iced:
Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault
Howden-Stephenson-Stone
Smith-Karlsson-Amadio

Their biggest and most physical players were all on the fourth line, averaging 10 minutes, which was composed of Carrier, Roy, and Kolesar.
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Barbashev smoked Tkachuk and plays nasty. Marchessault has bite also.

Same with Stephenson and Stone.

The Kings do not have a Carrier-Roy-Kolesar line either. They had Lemieux who fought two of those three players on the 4th line and dealt him away with a player who doesn't want to do the job.
 
Lt Dan said:
I read another post saying something along the lines of "when the Kings are in rumors, they are rarely true"
He has nailed the last few Kings offseason moves. He posted that the Kings were gonna land Danault and none of us believed him and I am pretty sure that he was one of the first to mention Fiala
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