Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[johnjm22]

While I don't like the idea of trading Vilardi for PLD, I do see the logic behind the move.

Center was the biggest need for LA's forward group this season.

 

[glowrey26]

Let’s not forget he could’ve probably snagged Eichel last season.

That was 2 years ago. And the Kings were in a different spot then.

 

[SKingsfan88]

For those wanting to trade Byfield instead of Vilardi I still have hope for Byfield but understand where you’re coming from but then where is the money going to come from if we trade Byfield instead? How would we affor both PLD and Vilardi?

 

[Statto]

Have you been living under a rock for the past 3 years?

Do you remember the amount of injuries he had before being called up to the Kings?

It was a specific back issue. The closest fit we came up with, based on the little we know, was spondylolysis. It still fits today and if it was that then it shouldn’t reoccur as it’s related to growth and physical maturity, it just takes time to repair. It‘d likely need a regimented regime to manage any weakness/tightness focused around stretching but it most likely has little to do with his recent injuries.

 

[glowrey26]

you're not crazy. PLD has great potential.

But why would the Kings be the one to bring it out of him? I'm wary of giving a guy a long term contract who has pouted his way out of every stop since juniors and gives 100% about 10% of the time while taking selfish boarding penalties every time someone breathes on him wrong.

We have no shortage of guys who will give us 50+ points. I don't like the downgrade on heart and effort, and what happens when you give a guy like that 6-8 years?

It's a huge f***ing gamble.

Correct it’s a huge gamble. That’s why the cost reflects that. Eichel was a huge gamble and it worked out okay for Vegas. You have to remember Vilardi is a huge gamble also. He has good season after being demoted the year before.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

I'm not a fan of moving Vilardi, but I also don't know what he's asking for, and his injury concerns are legitimate. Won't overreact until it happens, we see the full details, and the numbers on the potential PLD extension

 

[JTeller97]

why couldn't it be Kaliyev + Moore instead of Vilardi?

 

[Kudelski37]

Call me crazy but I think PLD has Tkachuk potential.

Both were 60 point 100 PIM guys until Tkachuk found that next level. Something I think PLD could also reach.

You don't improve without effort which requires heart. PLD has no heart so he won't put in the effort needed to improve.

By the way, Tkachuk had 77 points in his 3rd season, the last full pre-covid season 2018-2019. Then had over 100 points over the ~125 games over the two COVID shortened seasons and then back to back 100 points season. He has been way better than PLD for several years.

 

[glowrey26]

why couldn't it be Kaliyev + Moore instead of Vilardi?

Money. The Kings don’t have the cap to afford to pay both Vilardi and PLD. That’s why the rumor is Lafallo is included with Vilardi to make the money work a little better

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Correct it’s a huge gamble. That’s why the cost reflects that. Eichel was a huge gamble and it worked out okay for Vegas. You have to remember Vilardi is a huge gamble also. He has good season after being demoted the year before.

Sure and one of those guys isn't costing us multiple valuable assets to go with the risk.

 

[johnjm22]

Posting it again, but this is likely where we'd be at financially after a PLD for Vilardi and Iafallo trade.

About 1.5M in cap space.

 

[tny760]

i still fail to see how shipping $4-5M in gabe + $4M in iafallo while taking on $8-9M in PLD really gets us anywhere with respect to the whole goalie situation

edit: john right on time above me lmao

 

[JTeller97]

Money. The Kings don’t have the cap to afford to pay both Vilardi and PLD. That’s why the rumor is Lafallo is included with Vilardi to make the money work a little better

I meant in addition to Iafallo. Just realized Moore has a 10 team no trade clause, how does Blake give a 3rd liner any trade protection lol.

 

[glowrey26]

You don't improve without effort which requires heart. PLD has no heart so he won't put in the effort needed to improve.

By the way, Tkachuk had 77 points in his 3rd season, the last full pre-covid season 2018-2019. Then had over 100 points over the ~125 games over the two COVID shortened seasons and then back to back 100 points season. He has been way better than PLD for several years.

Your right PLD has requested a trade in both places he has been. That is a huge red flag. But consider the places he has been. CLB is a dumpster fire and WPG something is clearly happening because both him and HELE want out. Again he is a huge risk but the price reflects that. How often does a player like him come available? Eichel keeps getting mentioned. He is way more valuable but he had his flags also. There was questions whether after his injuries whether he would be able to compete at a high level again.

 

[KingsHockey24]

You don't improve without effort which requires heart. PLD has no heart so he won't put in the effort needed to improve.

By the way, Tkachuk had 77 points in his 3rd season, the last full pre-covid season 2018-2019. Then had over 100 points over the ~125 games over the two COVID shortened seasons and then back to back 100 points season. He has been way better than PLD for several years.

He's also played on significantly better teams / teammates.

 

[glowrey26]

i still fail to see how shipping $4-5M in gabe + $4M in iafallo while taking on $8-9M in PLD really gets us anywhere with respect to the whole goalie situation

edit: john right on time above me lmao

I think that’s the only valid point. But it makes you wonder whether Blake has something else up his sleeve if this trade goes through. If not then the Kings will have a major issue. Outside of hoping it turns into a Vegas situation where a 5th string goalie leads us into the Stanley cup.

 

[Master Yoda]

Wtf they're really going to trade Vilardi? The one forward they've successfully drafted and developed?

Say it ain't so Joe

 

[glowrey26]

Sure and one of those guys isn't costing us multiple valuable assets to go with the risk.

Eichel didn’t cost assets? Or are you trying to say Vilardi? If it’s Vilardi then yes you are correct. But if the cost of PLD is Vilardi, Lafallo and say the 2nd. I think it would be worth it. Wingers are a lot easier to find then Centers. But if the cost is a lot more then that then we can agree he is not worth it.

 

[Herby]

This is not surprising, your two best players are teeing off on 18 and on the fairway at 17, the Kings have to get better players around them asap. Not only is Kopitar older and could begin to slow at any time, his contract is up after this season.

I think the Kings know that they aren't really contenders until they can get another C better than Danault, you aren't winning a cup with Danault as your 2C. I think they internally had hoped that it would be QB by now. I know I know the used car salesman made the tour of the Kings podcast circuit and said otherwise, but I don't know why we believe what someone says on a podcast when on literally the same podcast they continually told lie after lie that could be fact-checked in abut 5 minutes on eliteprospects (and ofcourse unchallenged or questioned on any of the lies, as always). Two years ago the Kings passed on Eichel for a variety of reasons, one being that they expected QB to be the 2C shortly. I think two years later there is much less certainty internally in that belief, so now you are painted into a corner and likely about to make a worse trade for a worse player.

The Kings have lost two years in a row to Edmonton, and with divisional playoff it's very likely the Kings will have to get through Edmonton any year they hope to make a run. If you add PLD at C with Kopitar you can deploy Danault against McD and not worry about whether he scores or not, because you have two guys in front of him coming off 70 point seasons. The last two years you needed Danault to not only contain McDavid but also generate offense against him, and if he didn't you were left with Lizotte, Byfield, Kupari and hoping they can produce.

It also feels like PLD is getting the Eichel treatment a bit, I mean come on guys, he is 25 years old (1 year older than Vilardi) and has been a 2nd line/fringe 1st line center in the NHL since he was 19.

 

[johnjm22]

Since Arvidsson and Dillon are both pending UFA's in their 30's, you could potentially swap them as part of the deal. Add a pick to get WPG to retain on Dillon.

But we'd be very thin on RW. You'd have to put Kaliyev/Fagemo/Kupari in scoring roles on the right side and hope for the best. Address it at the TDL if it doesn't work out.

 

[Nasti]

Don't worry. It will be mentioned in a media scrum, Blake will go all season not addressing this, then next offseason when we bring this up, sycophants will say NOBODY could have foreseen this was an issue, he'll overpay to address it, then he'll get a big pat on the back.

I don't know why you're worried about it.

Bookmark this shit. Like clockwork.

 

[kingskring]

 

[unicornpig]

only way I hate this trade is if vilardi stays helathy throughout his career

 

[Kudelski37]

Blakey,
It is your old teammate Bob. Don't trade for PLD. Vilardi will be better and cheaper than him this coming season.

PS: When do I get a job with the team?

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

I'm very apprehensive about this potential trade, but also feel PLD is really being undervalued around here