Next Years Team

[KingsHockey24]

Frolov-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Penner-Backes-Brown
Clifford-Lewis-Nolan
*Kovalchuk

Muzzin-Doughty
Martinez-Demers
Yandle-Schenn
*McNabb

Quick
Ersberg

 

[Kingspiracy]

Pearson- Kopitar- Carter
King- Stamkos- Gaborik
Clifford- Shore/ufa- Brown
Andreoff- Dowd- Nolan

Muzzin- Doughty
Mcnabb/Martinez- Larsson(TT trade)
Forbort/Gravel- Greene/Martinez

Quick
Budaj/ufa

Pretty unrealistic, and very reluctant to move TT, but gives the option of dropping one of the three big centers down a line to spark offense or load up a line.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Wishful lineup...

Pearson--Kopitar--Toffoli (young talent for Kopitar)
Gaborik--Little--Yakupov (speed and skill)
Brown--Shore--Versteeg (grinding line)
Clifford--Dowd--Nolan (energy line)

Yandle--Doughty
Muzzin--Trouba
McNabb--Gravel

Sign Yandle 5 years 5.5m
Sign Versteeg 2 years 3m
Trade Greene for future considerations or LTIR him (if still hurt)
Trade Carter+Martinez+Forbort+2017 1st for Trouba+Little
Trade King+Ebert+2017 3rd for Yakupov

 

[KingsFan7824]

They can go over by 10% during the summer.

Yeah, but they need to be under the cap when the season starts. The $3m or so they get from Greene on LTIR and Scuderi in Ontario would only go so far. That's assuming Greene is even put on LTIR. If you know he's going to be too hurt to play, that's one thing. Can't just go over, and see if Greene gets hurt though. You set yourself up for other GM's to squeeze you, knowing you have to make a move if he's healthy.

 

[kings11]

Yeah, but they need to be under the cap when the season starts. The $3m or so they get from Greene on LTIR and Scuderi in Ontario would only go so far. That's assuming Greene is even put on LTIR. If you know he's going to be too hurt to play, that's one thing. Can't just go over, and see if Greene gets hurt though. You set yourself up for other GM's to squeeze you, knowing you have to make a move if he's healthy.

The KINGS are exactly $3,302,273 million under the cap at the moment, if by a miracle DL decides and is able to move both King and Clifford for much needed picks thats an extra $3,550,000 million... so moves will be done regardless but they must be precise since we have little wiggle room... also keep in mind Vinny's cap hit is still on the roster at $2,250,000 million unless the paperwork is filed, although i wouldn't mind him back...

 

[kilowatt]

Brown and Gaborik are essentially unmovable. With Lucic, we have five wingers for four spots in the top six: Toffoli, Pearson, Gaborik, Lucic, Brown. With Brown's contract, he has to be in the top six to be valuable. Losing Lucic would be awful asset management. So that leaves Toffoli and Pearson. Can we trade either of them for a top-four RHD?

If we traded Toffoli for, say, Justin Faulk or Zach Bogosian, our team would look a hell of a lot better.

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik
Pearson - Carter - Brown
King - Shore - Lewis
Clifford - Dowd - Mersch

Muzzin - Doughty
Martinez - Faulk
McNabb - Greene
Gravel

Quick
Budaj

If trading Toffoli is too scary, then possibly turning Pearson for someone like Severson or Sustr would be a good idea as well. The bottom line is that if we can't trade Brown, then for the money he's making, he has to be receiving top six minutes. The other fact is that with the loss of Voynov, we absolutely need a top-four RHD.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Brown and Gaborik are essentially unmovable. With Lucic, we have five wingers for four spots in the top six: Toffoli, Pearson, Gaborik, Lucic, Brown. With Brown's contract, he has to be in the top six to be valuable. Losing Lucic would be awful asset management. So that leaves Toffoli and Pearson. Can we trade either of them for a top-four RHD?

If we traded Toffoli for, say, Justin Faulk or Zach Bogosian, our team would look a hell of a lot better.

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik
Pearson - Carter - Brown
King - Shore - Lewis
Clifford - Dowd - Mersch

Muzzin - Doughty
Martinez - Faulk
McNabb - Greene
Gravel

Quick
Budaj

If trading Toffoli is too scary, then possibly turning Pearson for someone like Severson or Sustr would be a good idea as well. The bottom line is that if we can't trade Brown, then for the money he's making, he has to be receiving top six minutes. The other fact is that with the loss of Voynov, we absolutely need a top-four RHD.

Toffoli for Bogosian would be an absolutely terrible trade. If the Kings went after Bogosian the main player going back would be a Dwight King or even a Michael Mersch level player, not Toffoli.

 

[KingsHockey24]

On a serious note..

-Let Lucic, Lewis, Versteeg, and Enroth go
-Resign Schenn
-Sign Yandle, Demers, Helm/Legwand, and Reimer

King-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Mersch-Helm/Legwand-Brown
Clifford-Dowd-Nolan
*Shore/Andreoff

Muzzin-Doughty
Yandle-Demers
Martinez-Schenn
*Gravel

Quick
Reimer



Defense fixed, backup goalie replaced, 3rd line C filled.

Although I think Helm is gonna be an expensive target, could possibly go after someone cheaper like Legwand.

 

[kilowatt]

Toffoli for Bogosian would be an absolutely terrible trade. If the Kings went after Bogosian the main player going back would be a Dwight King or even a Michael Mersch level player, not Toffoli.

I think that's a bit of a stretch, but Toffoli is definitely better than Bogosian. Fine, let's say Ristolainen. In fact, the player doesn't even really matter as much as the concept.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

I think that's a bit of a stretch, but Toffoli is definitely better than Bogosian. Fine, let's say Ristolainen. In fact, the player doesn't even really matter as much as the concept.

I agree with concept. But Bogosian is very meh i would start with King/Mersch if thats the guy they were targetting. And buffalo hangs up if kings mention risto for toffoli. In your scenario i dont mind faulk though.

Not sure if kings can afford to give up toffoli though. Theyd be really depending on mersch/kempe breakout AND Brown bouncing back, imo. Pretty risky.

 

[kilowatt]

I agree with concept. But Bogosian is very meh i would start with King/Mersch if thats the guy they were targetting. And buffalo hangs up if kings mention risto for toffoli. In your scenario i dont mind faulk though.

Not sure if kings can afford to give up toffoli though. Theyd be really depending on mersch/kempe breakout AND Brown bouncing back, imo. Pretty risky.

Sure, but the Kings have dealt with subpar offense before and thrived. Defense is so much more important than offense for this team, as frustrating as it may be to watch. The Kings were 29th in goals scored and 2nd in goals against in 2012, and 25th in goals scored and 1st in goals against in 2014.

Now obviously this past season the Kings were 3rd in goals against, and it really was a great regular season for the Kings, but the coaching staff was relying on Doughty and Muzzin way too much, and it showed in the playoffs. The Kings need to keep Lucic and acquire a defenseman for this team to thrive next season.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Brown and Gaborik are essentially unmovable. With Lucic, we have five wingers for four spots in the top six: Toffoli, Pearson, Gaborik, Lucic, Brown. With Brown's contract, he has to be in the top six to be valuable. Losing Lucic would be awful asset management. So that leaves Toffoli and Pearson. Can we trade either of them for a top-four RHD?

If we traded Toffoli for, say, Justin Faulk or Zach Bogosian, our team would look a hell of a lot better.

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik
Pearson - Carter - Brown
King - Shore - Lewis
Clifford - Dowd - Mersch

Muzzin - Doughty
Martinez - Faulk
McNabb - Greene
Gravel

Quick
Budaj

If trading Toffoli is too scary, then possibly turning Pearson for someone like Severson or Sustr would be a good idea as well. The bottom line is that if we can't trade Brown, then for the money he's making, he has to be receiving top six minutes. The other fact is that with the loss of Voynov, we absolutely need a top-four RHD.

When I think of trading players, the last type of player I want to part with, is a player that is still on the upside and still getting better.
(and underpaid) The chances of getting a good deal - a superior return - is slim. Other teams want these players and do not expect to overpay in the deal for them.

Pearson is one of the very few players, getting better. He may be at the top of that short list. Is Toffoli getting better? Sure, he's becoming a better all around player and may not have topped out in goals even...but Pearson is not yet where he will be. Could score 20 goals yet. Need his speed as well, since the Kings lack real speed.

When I think of trading players, trade players who are not getting better AND / OR overpaid. They are harder to deal, of course.

I would hold onto Pearson. After the 2-3 game benching, he was from then on one of the best players on the team the rest of the way. Scored some big OT goals too. (maybe some other players need to be benched 2 games!)

 

[KingsOfCali25]

On a serious note..

-Let Lucic, Lewis, Versteeg, and Enroth go
-Resign Schenn
-Sign Yandle, Demers, Helm/Legwand, and Reimer

King-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Mersch-Helm/Legwand-Brown
Clifford-Dowd-Nolan
*Shore/Andreoff

Muzzin-Doughty
Yandle-Demers
Martinez-Schenn
*Gravel

Quick
Reimer



Defense fixed, backup goalie replaced, 3rd line C filled.

Although I think Helm is gonna be an expensive target, could possibly go after someone cheaper like Legwand.

If the guy is on your top line...that team is going nowhere. He is a garbage 3rd line winger with no speed, skill, or anything else. They say he uses his body well to protect the puck but even watching him...he can't do that. The dude needs to be gone.

 

[KingsFan7824]

The Kings need to keep Lucic and acquire a defenseman for this team to thrive next season.

With Brown not going anywhere, and figuring Gaborik isn't going anywhere, it's either Lucic or a defenseman. It could be neither, but it won't be both.

 

[funky]

As of now a team that includes

Centers - Kopitar 10, Carter 5.275, Shore .6, Dowd .8 = 16.675
Right Wing - Gabby 4.875, Toffoli 3.25, Brown 5.875 Nolan .95 = 14.950
Left Wing - Lucic 6, Pearson 1.4, Mersch .7, Andreoff .588 = 8.688
Richards buyout 1.55

Forward total - 41.863

Defense

Doughty 7, Yandle 6.5. Muzzin 4, Martinez 4. Gravel .67 McNabb 1.7
Forbort .7, Scuderi AHL .175

Defense total - 24.05mil

Goalies

Quick 5.6, Budaj .6 = 6.2


Forwards 41.863
Defence 24.05
Goalies. 6.2

Total. 72.113

This allows King and Clifford to be traded for picks.
Greene is LTIR or traded


Lucic signed at 6 per year
Yandle signed at 6.5.

 

[Minor Boarding]

I would be both shocked and disappointed if the management didn't add a proper 2nd pairing defenseman to the roster.
Also, either Versteeg or a similar player that can put some offense needs to be in the bottom 6 forward group.

 

[Omni Owl]

I would be both shocked and disappointed if the management didn't add a proper 2nd pairing defenseman to the roster.
Also, either Versteeg or a similar player that can put some offense needs to be in the bottom 6 forward group.

Lombardi has to be looking at options for the defense, if not he's being foolish. AA had a strong finish to the season, he might emerge as a decent bottom sixer. This team is going to need all the help it can get from the role players, especially if Lewis and Versteeg walk.

 

[HookKing]

I would be both shocked and disappointed if the management didn't add a proper 2nd pairing defenseman to the roster.
Also, either Versteeg or a similar player that can put some offense needs to be in the bottom 6 forward group.

I thought the same thing --- last year.

 

[kilowatt]

I thought the same thing --- last year.

Christian Ehrhoff

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Christian Ehrhoff

exactly!

replacing:

Voynov, Regher, and Mitchell - was too much of a challenge.

getting Sekera at the end of 14-15 was decent, in trying to replace
Voynov, but we know what happened with that. Replacing Mitchell and Regher was not done - just try to work in McBain and got Ehrhoff.

So, essentially - the Kings have lost: Voynov, Sekera, Mitchell and Regher and replaced them with:

Ehrohff, McBain, and later Scuderi. Abysmal. 4 excellent defensemen lost and not a single, decent replacement. ALL subpar. (apologies to Scuderi, loved you the first go round and thank you for your great contributions)

and as I mentioned earlier, the Kings brought in Voynov, Martinez and Muzzin through the system over 3 years and since then - when they REALLY needed someone from the AHL to come in - no one was ready or capable. Gravel is ready now. Not sure about Forbort. I think he would be ok, but not good to bring in 2 rookies same season.
Have high hopes for Ladue and Cernak...but not happening this year.

Need to let Schenn go, keep Scuderi off the team and let McBain go.
Need a legit top 4 and bring in Gravel. Greene? Either he can play or he can't. If it comes down to him or Gravel and Gravel is playing better, you got to sit Greene out. No Sutter favortisms of vets if they are incapable anymore, if that is the case.

 

[Omni Owl]

I think Greene is just going to be too slow now for today's game, I like the guy but I doubt we'll see much of him next year. Acquiring Scuderi (the 2nd time) still bothers me. Should've tried to poach Daley from Chicago instead.

 

[kings11]

I know its probably already been discussed but whats the deal with Nicolai Prokhorkin????
From everything i've read and keep reading the guys is an absolute stud that could step right in as the 3C and gives us everything we've been looking for....
I remember the story being he wanted to be guaranteed a starting spot or something of the sort but we sure could duse his talents now...is it too late ?????

 

[KingsFan7824]

replacing:

Voynov, Regher, and Mitchell - was too much of a challenge.

getting Sekera at the end of 14-15 was decent, in trying to replace
Voynov, but we know what happened with that. Replacing Mitchell and Regher was not done - just try to work in McBain and got Ehrhoff.

13-14:
Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Mitchell, Regehr, Greene

14-15:
Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Regehr, Greene, McNabb

15-16:
Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, Greene, McNabb, Ehrhoff, McBain

There's no replacing Voynov quickly. There's no young right handed defenseman on a good contract out there to get. That 15-16 defense was supposed to have Voynov there. McBain wouldn't have been around. Ehrhoff probably isn't around.

The biggest problem is that Muzzin and Martinez are making the money that Mitchell and Regehr used to make. That would've been fine, because Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, and Voynov were supposed to be a defensive unit locked up for years. They wouldn't have needed more young guys. It would've allowed McNabb to be eased into the lineup, instead of thrown in.

Then Voynov screwed everything up, and then McNabb didn't quite build on his 14-15 season this year. Now the Kings are desperate for another top 4 defenseman, but, they also need a forward because Brown can't be trusted to score anymore, and has the worst contract in the league.

I've said it before, Brown, Richards, and Voynov. There's your scoring winger, top 3 center, and top 4 defenseman, that the Kings figured they would have, and don't have today. Lombardi didn't sign Brown figuring he'd have 11 goals in a full season until he was at least deeper into his big contract. He didn't trade Simmonds and Schenn for 2, maybe 2.5 years of Richards. He had the right handed top 4 defenseman to help keep Doughty's minutes down.

The story of those 3, more than anyone else, are why the Kings have 1 playoff win in 2 years, and have so many cap issues. If Brown was still scoring, maybe Gaborik(and his contract) isn't needed. The Gaborik money could be spend somewhere else. If Richards were still a 2nd center, his $5m cap hit is fine, and Carter can be on the wing, or you can have a hell of a 3 headed monster down the middle.

 

[theMajor]

13-14:
Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Mitchell, Regehr, Greene

14-15:
Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Regehr, Greene, McNabb

15-16:
Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, Greene, McNabb, Ehrhoff, McBain

There's no replacing Voynov quickly. There's no young right handed defenseman on a good contract out there to get. That 15-16 defense was supposed to have Voynov there. McBain wouldn't have been around. Ehrhoff probably isn't around.

The biggest problem is that Muzzin and Martinez are making the money that Mitchell and Regehr used to make. That would've been fine, because Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, and Voynov were supposed to be a defensive unit locked up for years. They wouldn't have needed more young guys. It would've allowed McNabb to be eased into the lineup, instead of thrown in.

Then Voynov screwed everything up, and then McNabb didn't quite build on his 14-15 season this year. Now the Kings are desperate for another top 4 defenseman, but, they also need a forward because Brown can't be trusted to score anymore, and has the worst contract in the league.

I've said it before, Brown, Richards, and Voynov. There's your scoring winger, top 3 center, and top 4 defenseman, that the Kings figured they would have, and don't have today. Lombardi didn't sign Brown figuring he'd have 11 goals in a full season until he was at least deeper into his big contract. He didn't trade Simmonds and Schenn for 2, maybe 2.5 years of Richards. He had the right handed top 4 defenseman to help keep Doughty's minutes down.

The story of those 3, more than anyone else, are why the Kings have 1 playoff win in 2 years, and have so many cap issues. If Brown was still scoring, maybe Gaborik(and his contract) isn't needed. The Gaborik money could be spend somewhere else. If Richards were still a 2nd center, his $5m cap hit is fine, and Carter can be on the wing, or you can have a hell of a 3 headed monster down the middle.

they also played enormous roles in the two cup wins, all three of them. its not like Dean went for broke and then things went south and he has nothing to show for it. he put together a solid team that won two cups . now he is dealing with the aftermath;one player is regressing in a painfully fast fashion, one player made promises he couldnt keep (which is partly Dean's fault for being too loyal) and had to be bought out, and the other was a wild card domestic violence situation that was met with the most severe punishment the NHL has ever seen. all things considered, Dean got incredibly unlucky at the worst possible time. he is an intelligent GM and is still learning what comes next after having incredible success, Im confident he can turn this team around but it might take some time. if Dean and the management group can figure out the defense situation, Im confident the Kings will be right back in the small group of cup contenders

 

[Peter James Bond II]

13-14:
Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Mitchell, Regehr, Greene

14-15:
Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Regehr, Greene, McNabb

15-16:
Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, Greene, McNabb, Ehrhoff, McBain

There's no replacing Voynov quickly. There's no young right handed defenseman on a good contract out there to get. That 15-16 defense was supposed to have Voynov there. McBain wouldn't have been around. Ehrhoff probably isn't around.

The biggest problem is that Muzzin and Martinez are making the money that Mitchell and Regehr used to make. That would've been fine, because Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, and Voynov were supposed to be a defensive unit locked up for years. They wouldn't have needed more young guys. It would've allowed McNabb to be eased into the lineup, instead of thrown in.

Then Voynov screwed everything up, and then McNabb didn't quite build on his 14-15 season this year. Now the Kings are desperate for another top 4 defenseman, but, they also need a forward because Brown can't be trusted to score anymore, and has the worst contract in the league.

I've said it before, Brown, Richards, and Voynov. There's your scoring winger, top 3 center, and top 4 defenseman, that the Kings figured they would have, and don't have today. Lombardi didn't sign Brown figuring he'd have 11 goals in a full season until he was at least deeper into his big contract. He didn't trade Simmonds and Schenn for 2, maybe 2.5 years of Richards. He had the right handed top 4 defenseman to help keep Doughty's minutes down.

The story of those 3, more than anyone else, are why the Kings have 1 playoff win in 2 years, and have so many cap issues. If Brown was still scoring, maybe Gaborik(and his contract) isn't needed. The Gaborik money could be spend somewhere else. If Richards were still a 2nd center, his $5m cap hit is fine, and Carter can be on the wing, or you can have a hell of a 3 headed monster down the middle.

Good analysis and points. Brown (falling too soon in his career) Voynov and Richards situations - gone have hurt the most.
I still believe losing 3 quality D and the one decent that replaced 1 of those (Sekera)...not a single replacement has been a quality defenseman.

As far as Gaborik? Arguably, he did lead the NHL in playoff goals for the 2014 Cup. Then gets the contract - deservedly. Jjust would have been better with a shorter term. I think many would have been pissed if they didn't sign him, after his performance and helping win that Cup.
He was playing better and was scoring when he got injured. I have a feeling he will come back and have a good year. I don't expect him to be great 2-3 years from now, of course. Not like he's a durable Jagr or Iginla, that goes till 40 yrs old. But no one else does.