GDT: Offseason game thread

[kingskring]

when are exit interviews?

 

[KingPuckChoo]

XXX - Kopitar - XXX
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli
Brown - XXX - Gaborik
King - Andreoff - Clifford
Mersch
Nolan
Shore
Dowd


given that the following are gone:
Lucic
Versteeg
LeCavalier
Lewis


Doughty - Muzzin
Martinez - XXX
Gravel - McNabb
Greene
Scuderi
Forbort

given that the following are gone:
Schenn
McBain
Schultz

Quick
XXX

given that Enroth is gone


out of all these UFAs

Lucic
Versteeg
LeCavalier
Lewis
Schenn
McBain
Schultz
Enroth

i'd retain Schenn (if we trade somehow manage to trade away McNabb/Scuderi/Greene)

and i'd retain Enroth

but with the way Quick has been playing the past 3 years, I wouldn't mind going the ANA, DAL, DET, OTT, PHI, SJ, STL route of having two #1A goalies that can have on/off moments during the year rather than a clear cut #1 and a clear cut backup goalie

Regardless, if DL doesn't give us a top 6 forward and a top 4 D, it'll be another incredibly disappointing campaign

 

[SFKingshomer]

We didn't get anyone better than Scuderi because Lombardi traded his assests for Lucic and Sekera. Imagine the uproar had he traded Kempe for Hamhuis...

 

[KingPuckChoo]

i personally really really hate McNabb

like I really hate him

he replaced Greene as my #1 ****** player on the Kings

in a perfect world

McNabb
Greene
McBain
Schultz

will never ever sniff even a tiny spec of LA air... EVER! not even as an opposition

i wouldn't wish these players on my worst enemy

i can tolerate one idiot but 4 or 5 is overkill

and the one i'd keep would be Luke Schenn

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

McNabb is the type of player who should not be in a regular rotation. I feel like he handcuffs Doughty because every mistake he makes has to be covered up, and he is not a good fit with anyone else.

All he's good for is his physical game, but what good is that given how he can't pass, can't shoot, can't skate, can't stay out of the box.

Sadly he will probably be back and be a regular in the lineup next season.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Best news of the season?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The expansion draft makes things tough; how upset will people be if DL lands a great d-man and we have to lose one of him, Muzzin, Doughty, Martinez? Almost a given.

I would think Martinez--as much as we love him--would be on his way out to land a Trouba/Shattenkirk type.

when are exit interviews?

Monday.

 

[Mattias]

Best news of the season?

How much do the Kings save?

The expansion draft makes things tough; how upset will people be if DL lands a great d-man and we have to lose one of him, Muzzin, Doughty, Martinez? Almost a given.

I would think Martinez--as much as we love him--would be on his way out to land a Trouba/Shattenkirk type.

The other thought is Kings signing Yandle during FA. Even if he is scooped up in an expansion draft (I am sure we would leave him unprotected), wouldn't that be fair? We would get one great year of Yandle and that leaves our barren defensive prospects to develop a little. Could rock:

Doughty - Muzzin
Marinez - Yandle
Mcnabb (minimum $) - Greene/Schenn.

Send Scuderi down to the AHL. Past-past prime and would be a good year mentor to the kids. Year after if the expansion hits and we possibly lose Yandle, bring up Gravel.

 

[KopitarFAN]

XXX - Kopitar - XXX
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli
Brown - XXX - Gaborik
King - Andreoff - Clifford
Mersch
Nolan
Shore
Dowd


given that the following are gone:
Lucic
Versteeg
LeCavalier
Lewis


Doughty - Muzzin
Martinez - XXX
Gravel - McNabb
Greene
Scuderi
Forbort

given that the following are gone:
Schenn
McBain
Schultz

Quick
XXX

given that Enroth is gone


out of all these UFAs

Lucic
Versteeg
LeCavalier
Lewis
Schenn
McBain
Schultz
Enroth

i'd retain Schenn (if we trade somehow manage to trade away McNabb/Scuderi/Greene)

and i'd retain Enroth

but with the way Quick has been playing the past 3 years, I wouldn't mind going the ANA, DAL, DET, OTT, PHI, SJ, STL route of having two #1A goalies that can have on/off moments during the year rather than a clear cut #1 and a clear cut backup goalie

Regardless, if DL doesn't give us a top 6 forward and a top 4 D, it'll be another incredibly disappointing campaign

Vinny not a UFA, his deal will only come off if he keeps his word and retires. FWIW, Budaj signed that one-year two-way extension, so he could be in line as the backup.

 

[KopitarFAN]

The expansion draft makes things tough; how upset will people be if DL lands a great d-man and we have to lose one of him, Muzzin, Doughty, Martinez? Almost a given.

I would think Martinez--as much as we love him--would be on his way out to land a Trouba/Shattenkirk type.



Monday.

Wouldn't that be when they would protect 8 skaters + Quick instead of 7-3-1? Maybe Kopitar, Carter, Toffoli, Pearson, Dewey, Muzzin, Martinez and mystery D-Man.

EDIT: I see what you're saying, Martinez might be moved to add a player of that caliber.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

How much do the Kings save?



The other thought is Kings signing Yandle during FA. Even if he is scooped up in an expansion draft (I am sure we would leave him unprotected), wouldn't that be fair? We would get one great year of Yandle and that leaves our barren defensive prospects to develop a little. Could rock:

Doughty - Muzzin
Marinez - Yandle
Mcnabb (minimum $) - Greene/Schenn.

Send Scuderi down to the AHL. Past-past prime and would be a good year mentor to the kids. Year after if the expansion hits and we possibly lose Yandle, bring up Gravel.

Actually that's a really great point--also leaving Yandle unprotected would help us reach that minimum unprotected salary threshold

 

[Trolfoli]

Rebuilding is out, because Kopitar/Doughty/Quick aren't going anywhere. Retooling? I don't know what Lombardi would be retooling. A team with 1 playoff win in the last 2 years? If we go by Lombardi's 5 year plan idea, that sounds more like a resetting. Guys who can leave go. Guys that are here go out and play, but with lower team expectations. Don't trade picks anymore. Try to open up cap space. Then at some point in the next 5 years, you go for it one more time, and then you rebuild.

Exactly. Rebuild isn't an option with 11/8/32. Kings don't have high skilled young impact players coming up. (Kempe maybe, but that won't be enough) So where how do they get over the hump and become a contender again? Also they only have a couple more years to pull this off due to Carter/Kopitar's age. The Kings need to bring in multiple impact players. Don't have the cap to do so.

So stay put and be a fringe playoff team, don't have the cap to bring in a UFA. You could look at trading a player or 2.

Forwards
Kempe: might as well see what he's got.
Kopitar/Carter/Toffoli: not going anywhere.
Gaborik: Will probably retire before kings are ready to compete again, not a lot of value.
Pearson: Maybe? Could get good value, may be replaced by Kempe.
King: You're not getting an impact forward for King unless you find an idoit GM (Forsberg)
Brown: Lucky if the Kings don't have to pay to get rid of him

Defense
Doughty: Not going anywhere
Muzzin: Maybe. If you can land a replacement D and an impact forward that are ready in a year or 2 you do it.
Martinez: Maybe, it's handy to have a guy that can play right or left for injuries, see Gravel.
Not much else of value.

So UFA not an option (no cap space), staying put isn't an option, no savior in Ontario. The only option is to trade some players. Chicago did this after their first cup and made it back so it is possible. Then the question is what do the Kings have that they can trade that will bring value back? The next question is who's interested in those players. Out of the forward group you're looking at Pearson. Out of D, you're looking at Muzzin/Martinez. It is the only option other than mediocrity.

I'm sure most disagree with me. I'd like to hear suggestions as to how this team gets competitive again without taking a chance like this.

 

[Trolfoli]

Actually that's a really great point--also leaving Yandle unprotected would help us reach that minimum unprotected salary threshold

That won't be a problem with Brown.

Um... Martinez/Yandle pair isn't going to happen. Can't see 2 PMD paired together. Not very Kings like.

Trouba/Shatty for Martinez would be great. I'm not sure Martinez gets that done. Maybe the teams go for a cost controlled 4M contract?

 

[KingPuckChoo]

so who won this trade:

to LA

2nd rd pick (Alex Lintuniemi - D)
2nd rd pick (Erik Cernak - D)
Brayden McNabb - D
Jonathan Parker (UFA)

to BUF

Hudson Fasching (RW)
Nicolas Deslauriers (LW)

 

[Trolfoli]

so who won this trade:

to LA

2nd rd pick (Alex Lintuniemi - D)
2nd rd pick (Erik Cernak - D)
Brayden McNabb - D
Jonathan Parker (UFA)

to BUF

Hudson Fasching (RW)
Nicolas Deslauriers (LW)

I've always seen it as 2 2nds for Fasching and Deslauriers for McNabb. Never had a problem with it.

Also I thought those 2nds were used to acquire Gaborik. Which lead to a cup.

Edit: Now that you mention it, Connor/Fasching might be the 2 cheap impact forwards the Kings need right now to put them over the top.

 

[tigermask48]

Forbort will be waiver eligible

 

[KingPuckChoo]

I've always seen it as 2 2nds for Fasching and Deslauriers for McNabb. Never had a problem with it.

Also I thought those 2nds were used to acquire Gaborik. Which lead to a cup.

Edit: Now that you mention it, Connor/Fasching might be the 2 cheap impact forwards the Kings need right now to put them over the top.

no the Gaborik trade was as follows:

to LA

Marian Gaborik (F)

to CLB

2nd rd pick in 2015 (Travis Dermott - D) pick was traded to TO
3rd pick in 2014 (Dominic Turgeon - C) pick was traded to DET
Mat Frattin (F) (UFA)

 

[kings11]

So after last season with the rumors that the Kings players were fed up with Sutter, do you guys think a change is needed at the helm rater than bowing up this team???? One of my biggest gripes is Sutter overuse of DD and i think he wore out this season especially the playoffs.....
As for the defenseman we need what about Kris Russell rather than Keith Yandle????
If we let Lucic and Lewis walk and are able to move King, Nolan, ..thats about $5 million extra cap space
Toffoli-Kopitar-Gaborik
Mersch-Carter-Versteeg
Pearson-Shore-Brown
we need a new 4th line....

Doughty-Muzzin
Martinez-Russell
McNabb/Gravel-?????/Mitchell again lol
7th dman Scuderi

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That won't be a problem with Brown.

Um... Martinez/Yandle pair isn't going to happen. Can't see 2 PMD paired together. Not very Kings like.

Trouba/Shatty for Martinez would be great. I'm not sure Martinez gets that done. Maybe the teams go for a cost controlled 4M contract?

Martinez wouldn't go straight up obviously, I'm just saying he'll likely be part of a package if we're trying to get another top-4 guy back, especially a RHD.

so who won this trade:

to LA

2nd rd pick (Alex Lintuniemi - D)
2nd rd pick (Erik Cernak - D)
Brayden McNabb - D
Jonathan Parker (UFA)

to BUF

Hudson Fasching (RW)
Nicolas Deslauriers (LW)

Are we really going to do that thing where we over-criticize every DL move in hindsight? We have yet to see what half of those guys are going to be anyway...

...and McNabb is going to be good, imo. He's just miscast as a top guy. I think he's a good long-term 2nd pairing guy or a great 3rd pairing guy. I could see him getting scooped in the draft even if he were unprotected, his upside is great. He's an easy scapegoat for obvious reasons and I was hard on him all year too but why brutalize an inexperienced young d-man forced into a role over his head?

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Unless the Kings trade salary (Brown/Gaborik), the Kings have enough cap space for Lucic OR a defenseman. Not sure which I'd rather go after. Let Lucic walk and you're pretty much guaranteed to have King or Brown in the top 6 all season. Sign Lucic and you have the same gigantic hole on offense. I think Dean should give up on the "win with 4 defensemen" thing. Chicago did it but their top 3 were really, really, really good.

 

[KingsFan7824]

so who won this trade:

to LA

2nd rd pick (Alex Lintuniemi - D)
2nd rd pick (Erik Cernak - D)
Brayden McNabb - D
Jonathan Parker (UFA)

to BUF

Hudson Fasching (RW)
Nicolas Deslauriers (LW)

You have to look at it at the time of the deal. I think Lombardi had a decent idea that he wasn't going to be able to bring Mitchell back, with both Muzzin and Martinez needing new deals. Mitchell then ends up with more than what the Kings could've given him over 2 years. Plus Fasching wasn't going to help over the last 2 years, which was when the window to win was still open.

Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Regehr, Greene, and McNabb was the plan for the start of the 14-15 season. Voynov does what he does, then McBain was a free agent in November for a reason, then Sekera was traded for because McBain didn't/couldn't replace Voynov. Not that anyone realistically expected McBain to do so.

Then Sekera leaves, Regehr retires, and on top of that Greene is out for basically the entire year. McNabb has been used more than I think the Kings were anticipating at this point. They knew Regehr was retiring after last season, but both Voynov and Greene not being part of things over the last 1 to 2 years caught the Kings in a trap.

Like people have said, Voynov messed everything up. Can't lose a young top 4 right handed defenseman on a good contract for nothing. That's damn near impossible to find. They've been scrambling to piece together a defense since.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

You have to look at it at the time of the deal. I think Lombardi had a decent idea that he wasn't going to be able to bring Mitchell back, with both Muzzin and Martinez needing new deals. Mitchell then ends up with more than what the Kings could've given him over 2 years. Plus Fasching wasn't going to help over the last 2 years, which was when the window to win was still open.

Doughty, Muzzin, Voynov, Martinez, Regehr, Greene, and McNabb was the plan for the start of the 14-15 season. Voynov does what he does, then McBain was a free agent in November for a reason, then Sekera was traded for because McBain didn't/couldn't replace Voynov. Not that anyone realistically expected McBain to do so.

Then Sekera leaves, Regehr retires, and on top of that Greene is out for basically the entire year. McNabb has been used more than I think the Kings were anticipating at this point. They knew Regehr was retiring after last season, but both Voynov and Greene not being part of things over the last 1 to 2 years caught the Kings in a trap.

Like people have said, Voynov messed everything up. Can't lose a young top 4 right handed defenseman on a good contract for nothing. That's damn near impossible to find. They've been scrambling to piece together a defense since.

And now they're going to have to give up great pieces (Pearson +) to acquire a replacement. Not to mention like you said losing the first and prospect for what they thought was a replacement in Sekera.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Unless the Kings trade salary (Brown/Gaborik), the Kings have enough cap space for Lucic OR a defenseman. Not sure which I'd rather go after. Let Lucic walk and you're pretty much guaranteed to have King or Brown in the top 6 all season. Sign Lucic and you have the same gigantic hole on offense. I think Dean should give up on the "win with 4 defensemen" thing. Chicago did it but their top 3 were really, really, really good.

Lombardi is working from a position of weakness all around. This may be the disappointment talking, but right now, if I was Lombardi, I sit tight. Let the UFA's go. I think if Lucic wants to come back, he gets -$500k from his current $6 million contract for each of the 5 playoff games he "played" in. If he wants to come back, come back for $3.5 million, because he didn't even play that well, let alone for $6 million.

Brown and Gaborik aren't wanted by anyone. Especially for the other team to simply help the Kings clear cap space.

The Kings have their 1st round pick in 2017. This team has earned lowered expectations after the last 2 years. Let the free agents walk, bring up some young guys, play Brown on the 1st line all year next season if you want, and if you miss the playoffs again, at least you're in the lottery.

 

[HookKing]

The expansion draft makes things tough; how upset will people be if DL lands a great d-man and we have to lose one of him, Muzzin, Doughty, Martinez? Almost a given.

I would think Martinez--as much as we love him--would be on his way out to land a Trouba/Shattenkirk type.



Monday.

To land a 2D and perhaps lose Martinez a year later is nothing worth worrying about. AMart is probably overrated by kings' fans -- career bottom sixer/ marginal 2nd pairing guy.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Hey guys, I advise you all to watch the Penguins and see how they have brought in a number of call ups who have had a big impact on their success.

This is what the Kings should look at doing.