Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[johnjm22]

I feel like the 'failure' of the Fiala - Kopitar - Kempe line experiment is/was greatly overexaggerated. They played pretty well together tbh.

Even more so... I also think Vilardi - Kopitar - Kempe worked a lot better than we give it credit for and I wouldn't be opposed at all to see them together again next year.

When Gabe was playing with Kopi and Kempe, both of those guys were seriously snakebitten/cold. Gabe was pretty much the only one scoring during that time. And I remember him setting them up quite a bit for chances that just didn't convert.

The title explains the reactionary opinions of most fans.

I remember when the big narrative around here was Brown and Kopitar can't play together.

 

[Surf Nutz]

The title explains the reactionary opinions of most fans.

I remember when the big narrative around here was Brown and Kopitar can't play together.

Regardless of conjecture , L1 has not had numbers like they did with Byfield since going back to that era and maybe further since I didn't look.
Kopi had a resurgence and Kempe hit an ATH.
That line needs to stay together, while Byfield learns from two of the best players he could ever learn from

 

[johnjm22]

Regardless of conjecture , L1 has not had numbers like they did with Byfield since going back to that era and maybe further since I didn't look.
Kopi had a resurgence and Kempe hit an ATH.
That line needs to stay together, while Byfield learns from two of the best players he could ever learn from

Correlation does not equal causality.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Correlation does not equal causality.

 

[deaderhead28]

In my opinion if Kings will trade Vilardi, Durzi, Iafallo and Moore for PLD it will work great money wise for them.

I think Vilardi has better hands, better shooting and better hockey IQ, but PLD is better skater and more physical and still has good hands/hockey IQ/shooting.

Winnipeg has problem retaining players and will be interested receiving Vilardi, Durzi, Iafallo and Moore in the trade.

After this trade Kings will have enough money to solve their goaltending and physicality’s issues.

P.S. I love Vilardi, but his old back issues still scare me.

And Blake would be a total idiot if he did and should be fired the second he suggested it. You be trading away the depth on this team and way over paying in asset management. I wouldn't trade Vilardi or Moore at this time. Byfield, Durzi, JAD, AI and the 2024 1st would be on the table as tradable assets.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

What side does Hanifen play?

 

[kinghock]

And Blake would be a total idiot if he did and should be fired the second he suggested it. You be trading away the depth on this team and way over paying in asset management. I wouldn't trade Vilardi or Moore at this time. Byfield, Durzi, JAD, AI and the 2024 1st would be on the table as tradable assets.

Your opinion just show that you have no idea about how horrible salary cap situation Kings are in now.

Trading Byfield, Durzi, JAD, AI and the 2024 1st will not fix it.

Kings need money to fix their goaltending and physicality’s issues.

How the Kings Could Make a Trade for Dubois or Hellebuyck Work

mayorsmanor.com

 

[LAKings88]

Is Ryan Reeves a free agent?

 

[Johnny Utah]

Reaves is a UFA.

 

[JKG33]

These big centers aren't available very often. It's too bad that this PLD opportunity weren't happening a year from now- I'd probably like to see 1 more year with Byfield.

Not looking for a major breakthrough, just looking for signs. Like Vilardi immediately scoring on this very first NHL shift, Kempe scoring that hat trick in Montreal during his first full season- signs like that. Signs showing that these guys have got something special. Honestly haven't seen the individually big wows yet from Byfield and if they are going to keep him at LW, I'm not sure that we will.

PLD had 27G - 34A - 61 points when HE was 19. There's just no comparison between the 2

Overall, it's echoes of Bryan Boyle here from #55. An NHLer? yep. A long career ahed? yep. Worth a 2nd overall pick? Also, didn't they try to move Boyle away from his "natural" C to D? Like moving Byfield from C to LW, there might be other signs being shown here I'm afraid.

The money and cap are the real issues. Kings need guys on ELC's in a couple key roles contributing. Can they make the money work?

and Lindholm is worth checking in on- he is signed for another year at a good rate. He could also distract some teams away from PLD.

I'm keeping an open mind on what to do with the Byfield asset. OTH, Vilardi is hands off a no go.

It's funny, I'm pretty sure I used the Brian Boyle comparison for Byfield at the draft time. Now here we are.

Catching up on this thread, I'm seeing a lot of posts defending Byfield comparing him to Vilardi and Kempe. The thing is, under no circumstances should a 2nd overall picks situation be compared to an 11th overall or 29th overall. At least not without first admitting you failed massively in the use of that 2nd overall pick in the first place.

Vilardi was a top 5 overall talent that fell due to injury concerns. I've got time for a player like that if they're picked around 11th. That player is clearly a project that you invest time into. At 11th overall if you don't like anyone else that makes sense.

Kempe was the 29th overall pick. Players picked that late, youre thrilled if they can have an NHL career as a middle 6 forward like Kempe has been. His 40g breakout is just the cherry on top. I've also got time for a player picked that late.

A 2nd overall pick should be stepping in and if not becoming an instant difference maker, at least be on track to do so. Neither of those describe Byfield. You don't draft a project at 2nd overall. The fact that the best player from the draft, who the Kings should've picked even without the benefit of hindsight, is tearing up the league right now makes the Byfield pick even worse.

Look at Mitchkov this year. He's a Bedard level talent that should be competing for 1st overall. But because he won't be an NHL player for at least 3 years, he's likely going to slip to 5th overall at best. And that's a player who clearly has elite talent. Byfield, who was nowhere near a Mitchkov level prospect, should've never gone that high in the draft when it was clear as day he was a project.

Now regarding trading Byfield... we've just seen Eichel go for a fairly underwhelming return and win a cup 1.5 years later. Byfield 100% should've been traded for him, and I said it at the time too. Even if you viewed Eichel's surgery as a risk (clearly it wasn't), the likelihood of him regaining form as an elite player was far higher than Byfield becoming an elite player.

Here we are. Byfield's value is sinking faster than the titanic. We have the opportunity to trade him for PLD. A player who at this point is now probably the ceiling for what you could reasonably hope Byfield becomes, and that's me being generous. You take that deal and run. Figure out the cap later. Vegas did it, it's really not that difficult. The obsession with prospects needs to end, proven NHL players are what matter. Both Vegas and Florida have shown you can sign and trade for a finals caliber roster. Blake has shown he can't draft for one.

 

[chris kontos]

What side does Hanifen play?

L
because i dont follow this guy, L
is what one site said was his handedness. However, i have a 50% chance of being correct OR beaten to a pulp(in writing) by some of the keyboard warriors on this site for being wrong. actually in the dim past of hockey hanifan has probably been tried on both sides in an attempt to create an ambidextrous guy who could play both points etc.
THEN
all of us would be correct. or at least as correct as our esteemed bench coach, m
r. todd macclellan who is convinced that he has morphed dick durzi into an ambidexterous defenseman. its my opinion that the greatest shape shifting morphological change created would be for macclllen to turn durzi into a defenseman.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

L
because i dont follow this guy, L
is what one site said was his handedness. However, i have a 50% chance of being correct OR beaten to a pulp(in writing) by some of the keyboard warriors on this site for being wrong. actually in the dim past of hockey hanifan has probably been tried on both sides in an attempt to create an ambidextrous guy who could play both points etc.
THEN
all of us would be correct. or at least as correct as our esteemed bench coach, m
r. todd macclellan who is convinced that he has morphed dick durzi into an ambidexterous defenseman. its my opinion that the greatest shape shifting morphological change created would be for macclllen to turn durzi into a defenseman.

I saw that he’s a LH shot but that hardly ever means that they play L. It’s like when stats track LH and RH hitting

 

[chris kontos]

Ah, stats. The tyranny of numbers. To quote beavis: "heh im mad at numbershehheh theres so many of em"

 

[kings11]

Forgot to mention this when I saw it but Dubas is looking for bottom 6 guys on short term dealsfor who can help the Pens win..
Iafallo and Durzi could sure help them…

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Just for noting the pattern of the last 5 King players dealt...all 5 fit a pattern.
All 5 were deemed to have NO FUTURE playing for the Kings.

1. Lemieux. We may never know why he left the team, just before the trade to Philadelphia.
Maybe he had words with TMAC, or someone in the organization about not playing?'
Speculating of course, but the fact he was removed from the team, he was never going to
play again for LA. They were not going to get any value for him and they did not
2. Austin Wagner to Chicago for future consids....what are those future considerations?
3. Cal Petersen. Despite Blake saying 'we believe Cal's an NHL goalie and we have to get him back to playing in the NHL" Dealt to get cap to sign Gavrikov and Gabe? / Goalie?
4. Sean Walker. Get cap room and Walker must go to give room for Clarke / Spence
5. Helge Grans. Not progressing in year 2 as a pro and behind: DD, Roy, Durzi, Clarke, Spence.

Can discuss the 'what happened', 'didn't get asset value' etc...but it's interesting the last 5 dealt
where 5 players with ZERO future to play for the Kings.

Given that pattern, is the next to be dealt fit that category? There may actually
be no players left, to fit that category: 'No future to ever play for the Kings'
The 5 least likely to ever play for the Kings, have been dealt. Walker was the only
one 'good enough' to still play for the Kings, but dealing him, shows they are giving
his spot to Clarke.

There may be the next tier 'good enough to play for the Kings, but being dealt to
upgrade an area'. That could be Durzi. If they are doing as they are rumored and
having Clarke be a King and not start with the Reign. That makes Durzi 4th RHD
or 3RD LHD. I see the Kings trading Durzi and getting a LHD that has size / toughness.
I suppose another that could fit 'good enough to play for the Kings, but being dealt to
upgrade an area'. Could be 1 of: Iafallo, Moore, Arvidsson.

The 3rd trade criteria is 'dealing young player in the system' So far, only 2 have been dealt from this category: Faber and Grans. Obviously, there's about 12 that can fit this category...from QB, Vilardi, Kaliyev, Kupari, JAD, Bjornfot, Turcotte, Thomas, Huselius, Chromiak, Pinelli, Laferriere, Hughes, etc etc. I think there's a chance we see 1 or more moved this offseason.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

One way to compete and have a shot...and especially against Vegas...(by taking from them)

Deal Iafallo anywhere for a #2 pick 4 million cap saved
Deal Durzi anywhere for a #2 or #3 pick 1.7 million cap saved
Deal Grundstrom anywhere for a 5th or 6th 1.3 million cap saved

That's 7 million. Have apx 6.5 million now?
That's 13.5 and have to sign Vilardi, Kupari, perhaps JAD.
Give Yannetti a few more swings in the 35 to 80 range in this deep draft.

Sign Vilardi 3 million per year bridge
Sign Barbashev to 5.75 million, 6 years 27 yrs old and plays C or W.
Sign Adin Hill to 5.75 million 6 years

May have to move 1 to 2 more contract(s) out.
Could even move Turcotte and / or Bjornfot...or even Lizotte.
1 other addition would be a tough 3rd LHD.

I didn't say this was ideal, pretty or advocated by me...and not the
kind of term one would want for Barbashev or Hill. But they will
both get it. Maybe they even get more than this.
I just stated this would make the Kings be able to contend.

Byfield Kopitar Kempe (it works and could be better, with QB taking another step)
Fiala Barbashev Vilardi (Fiala needs a better and more skilled fit. This is it)
Moore Danault Arvidsson (best 3rd line in NHL?)
JAD Lizotte Kaliyev (Arthur needs line 3, but will have to beat out Moore)

Anderson Doughty
Gavrikov Roy
some vet? Clarke

I'm sure most would prefer PLD, Lindholm, or ? to Barbashev, but
he's a helluva player and bet he would benefit Fiala and Vilardi.
PLD, Linholm, etc would cost the #1 2024 and possibly Gabe, Kaliyev, etc.
Are you overpaying Barbashev, Hill? ANY PATH FORWARD, gives up the
going rate or slightly higher for talent...or you lose young / future assets.
The luck path is just that, luck. Where you get 2 stars out of each draft,
your AHL players develop into studs, in which 1-2 move onto your NHL
team each year...this is rare. The AVS won, by adding a few key players:
Kadri, Nuchuskin, Burakovsky and Lehkonen to their core....but they
could not keep them. Vegas won by some shrewd trades and signings,
a goalie playing beyond expectations and a vet like Marshessault
playing the best hockey of his life...a great team effort.
The best teams on paper (Bruins) can lose in round 1.

The team above could beat Vegas, that loses Barbashev, Hill and Stone out for part of the rest of his career? Could beat Edm or Avs. or anyone. Keep the bluechip youth and #1 2024.
It's dep[endant and a little risky, that Hill maintains his high level of play.
That said, I'm fine with signing Korpisalo, 2-3 yrs. But, getting Barbashev.
I say Fiala reaches 100 pts with Barbashev.

 

[KingsHockey24]

My sources are telling me Durzi is being moved to somewhere hot..

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Hanifin is LHD and plays L since the Flames have 4 NHL caliber RHD (Well Stone is probably retiring soon).

 

[johnjm22]

One way to compete and have a shot...and especially against Vegas...(by taking from them)

Deal Iafallo anywhere for a #2 pick 4 million cap saved
Deal Durzi anywhere for a #2 or #3 pick 1.7 million cap saved
Deal Grundstrom anywhere for a 5th or 6th 1.3 million cap saved

That's 7 million. Have apx 6.5 million now?
That's 13.5 and have to sign Vilardi, Kupari, perhaps JAD.
Give Yannetti a few more swings in the 35 to 80 range in this deep draft.

Sign Vilardi 3 million per year bridge
Sign Barbashev to 5.75 million, 6 years 27 yrs old and plays C or W.
Sign Adin Hill to 5.75 million 6 years

May have to move 1 to 2 more contract(s) out.
Could even move Turcotte and / or Bjornfot...or even Lizotte.
1 other addition would be a tough 3rd LHD.

I didn't say this was ideal, pretty or advocated by me...and not the
kind of term one would want for Barbashev or Hill. But they will
both get it. Maybe they even get more than this.
I just stated this would make the Kings be able to contend.

Byfield Kopitar Kempe (it works and could be better, with QB taking another step)
Fiala Barbashev Vilardi (Fiala needs a better and more skilled fit. This is it)
Moore Danault Arvidsson (best 3rd line in NHL?)
JAD Lizotte Kaliyev (Arthur needs line 3, but will have to beat out Moore)

Anderson Doughty
Gavrikov Roy
some vet? Clarke

I'm sure most would prefer PLD, Lindholm, or ? to Barbashev, but
he's a helluva player and bet he would benefit Fiala and Vilardi.
PLD, Linholm, etc would cost the #1 2024 and possibly Gabe, Kaliyev, etc.
Are you overpaying Barbashev, Hill? ANY PATH FORWARD, gives up the
going rate or slightly higher for talent...or you lose young / future assets.
The luck path is just that, luck. Where you get 2 stars out of each draft,
your AHL players develop into studs, in which 1-2 move onto your NHL
team each year...this is rare. The AVS won, by adding a few key players:
Kadri, Nuchuskin, Burakovsky and Lehkonen to their core....but they
could not keep them. Vegas won by some shrewd trades and signings,
a goalie playing beyond expectations and a vet like Marshessault
playing the best hockey of his life...a great team effort.
The best teams on paper (Bruins) can lose in round 1.

The team above could beat Vegas, that loses Barbashev, Hill and Stone out for part of the rest of his career? Could beat Edm or Avs. or anyone. Keep the bluechip youth and #1 2024.
It's dep[endant and a little risky, that Hill maintains his high level of play.
That said, I'm fine with signing Korpisalo, 2-3 yrs. But, getting Barbashev.
I say Fiala reaches 100 pts with Barbashev.

This doesn't fit under the salary cap.

Also, if you sign Vilardi to a 3 year deal, he's a UFA afterwards. Probably not a good idea.

 

[GameNight]

Coyotes! Yay good bye!

 

[kings11]

Dennis is out there posting that the Kings are in talks to land a huge fish and that multiple wingers are involved??? God I hope Blake doesn’t shit the bed here

 

[Johnny Utah]

I don't care what Blake does, just add some toughness and make some room at forward.

And for those fans who are craving PLD - the Jets will want Vilardi.

 

[RocketKing]

Dennis is out there posting that the Kings are in talks to land a huge fish and that multiple wingers are involved??? God I hope Blake doesn’t shit the bed here

Any 2 from Arvy, Moore, AI, or Kaliyev would be good with adds. But they’re going to come hard for Gabe & QB. QB, I would part with but not Gabe.

 

[Sol]

Any 2 from Arvy, Moore, AI, or Kaliyev would be good with adds. But they’re going to come hard for Gabe & QB. QB, I would part with but not Gabe.

I’d hold onto Kaliyev and Gabe. They’re the ones with the most to prove IMO so their value is not accurate right now.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

God damn do i ever hate the constant linking to PLD. I am nervous as shit that Blake is going to blow his wad on this toolbag.