Speculation: LA Kings Offseason Thread

[DAkings20]

Both Gabe and PLD they have their own issues, so for me it’s a wash in terms of risk.

Wonder how mad Iafallo is, goes from surfing in LA to being stuck in Winnipeg:

 

[Kudelski37]

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

The Kings need a bottom 6 center that can win faceoffs in the playoffs. That isn't PLD. That isn't Lizotte.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

The Kings need a bottom 6 center that can win faceoffs in the playoffs. That isn't PLD. That isn't Lizotte.

That would be Danault

 

[BringTheReign]

Blake's pro scouting has been spot on throughout his tenure here. Danault, Arvidsson, Moore, Gavrikov, and Fiala all came in and played above expectations (and continue to contribute at or above their cap hit by most counting or advanced stats).

I feel better about how his org acquires and evaluates NHL forwards than I do about how they draft and develop them. I hope he nails this one again; I just hope it's for $8M or less.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Blake has to move out 1-2 other forwards in this deal and hopefully land a player like Stanley or Dillon in return.

 

[kingsfan28]

Imagine clearing all that cap space and assets just to sign PLD. If Brissons his agent, Luc has his fingers all over this.

 

[Kurrilino]

Wonder how mad Iafallo is, goes from surfing in LA to being stuck in Winnipeg:

This happens when you ask for 4 mill but play like 1.8

 

[Moses Doughty]

Blake has to move out 1-2 other forwards in this deal and hopefully land a player like Stanley or Dillon in return.

The potential to bring in Stanley/Dillon (or a Seeler/Soucy type in a separate move or signing) makes me wonder if Tobi could be in play for this trade. Could always be the 7th dman with Spence/Clarke rotating in the NHL/AHL to maximize ice time for both, but does he want to stay if this all happens?

 

[King'sPawn]

Imagine clearing all that cap space and assets just to sign PLD. If Brissons his agent, Luc has his fingers all over this.

Imagine having a slow boil developmental approach and trading for players to "win now" because your prospects aren't developing fast or well enough.

 

[kingsfan28]

Imagine having a slow boil developmental approach and trading for players to "win now" because your prospects aren't developing fast or well enough.

or one that is finally showing his potential, only to be moved for an 8x8 head case. Can PLD play goal?

 

[JKG33]

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

Wouldn't that have been nice, even if half this fan base didn't want him

 

[FSL KINGS]

Best comment on there is the "must trade" clause.

It was going to be a boring summer without a 1st round pick.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Blake has to move out 1-2 other forwards in this deal and hopefully land a player like Stanley or Dillon in return.

Stanley is a horrendous player. He's not even close to an NHL calibre defenseman. He's worse defensively than Durzi. Only thing he has is an above average shot.

 

[JKG33]

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?

Moore and Arvidsson can go too. It would hurt, but they can be replaced by guys like Fagemo and Kailyev, and the team can always add a league minimum vet or two to fill out the forward depth.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Moore just signed that contract, is younger than AI and has a NTC that kicks in sometime...not sure when...

 

[johnjm22]

Logan Stanley sucks.

The only reason people want him is because he's 6'6".

Dillon is good, but about to be 33 and a pending UFA.

 

[YAYSAY]

Imagine telling us after we drafted Byfield that we'd soon be trying to sign PLD to be our #1 center. He's gonna be asking for like 9m supposedly. He's not good enough to be a #1 on a cup team and will just take us further into the black hole

 

[JKG33]

Harkins would be a nice depth forward to have from the bit I've seen of him here. Not having Korpisalo back is another plus

 

[funky]

I don’t g

Watch, just like at the deadline when everyone was fixated on potentially overpaying for Chychrun, Blake is gonna surprise us with a lower risk and worse trade. Think something like Vilardi + 2nd for Backlund + Vladar or something equally underwhelming.

I don’t get part of this response. The lower risk I absolutely agree with, but I’m worst trade. I absolutely disagree with. We would’ve had to give up another high-end asset or first to grab Chychrun.

I believe Blake made the better trade in acquiring a Defenceman that was actually healthy to play for the playoffs and a starting goalie that was cruising until game three of the playoffs.

Looking at how Gavrikov fit in, we couldn’t have asked for a better piece. He provided everything we wanted and more.

Blake provided the pieces we needed, it’s not his fault we didn’t have a coach that could adapt and see a change in goal was maybe needed

 

[Telos]

Tough call but Blake is clearly pushing the chips all in. Like RJ, the only thing that consoles me is that either this works or Blake is probably gone PLD would provide pretty clear talent to the top 6, and Vilardi's value is potentially pretty high right now. Blake is in the business of trading what *could* for what *is* right now and it is hard to argue that our offense would be potent with Fiala, PLD, Kopitar, Kempe, Arvidsson, Danault, Moore, Kaliyev, Byfield, etc. all in the fold.

Vilardi is still a question mark and pretty much didn't exist or really factor until this season. Trading him for PLD is a substantial upgrade despite how fond the fanbase is of him now and hopeful of his future. He still has injury issues and question marks about his ceiling and what he could be in his own right.

Fact is, we are getting almost precisely what many have wanted for a bit of time now and that is the liability defensemen are getting jettisoned off of the roster, the forwards are being upgraded and told to score in bunches, and assets are being spent to address the roster and goaltending. The team is about to be really exciting this year and hopefully, they can pull something off in Kopitar's contract year and while he still has some gas in the tank.

 

[bland]

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?

You simply wait a year. There is talent available every offseason. Blake has overpaid to clear cap NOW instead of waiting a year to use the space made available by the end of Kopitar, Arvidsson and what would have been the end of Walker's deal and an extremely affordable Peterson buyout.

Instead, these deals are costing the Kings additional assets, namely a 2nd, Grans, $2 million in space for Provorov and what will inevitably be a quality winger contract just to fit in Dubious right now.

Talent is available every year unexpectedly. Every stinking year. The Kings have way, way too many holes to contend this year, why OVERPAY now?

 

[JKG33]

Imagine telling us after we drafted Byfield that we'd soon be trying to sign PLD to be our #1 center. He's gonna be asking for like 9m supposedly. He's not good enough to be a #1 on a cup team and will just take us further into the black hole

Imagine drafting Byfield thinking he'd amount to anything close to a 1C.

Kopitar-Dubois-Danult down the middle isn't the sexiest group, but with Danault taking out the oppositions top line that'll leave the other two with some nice matchups.

 

[BigBrown]

Blake is sometimes criticized for not moving players when their value is high. Trading Vilardi now would definitely be selling high.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

If Vilardi moves out, then Kaliyev has to be his heir apparent in taking the RW spot alongside Fiala and Dubois.

There are either concerns about Vilardi's back sustaining more punishment, and/or his contract. Either way, it still sucks to see a player who just had his first successful season get moved out, but Dubois is more of a certainty in producing numbers.

Now what really is going to make a difference is the incoming contract extension.

 

[funky]

That would be Danault

And he would be one of the best third line centers in the league. Will take us back to our Stanley Cup run teams. Heavy at center. Just want Dillon back as part of the return.