GDT: Offseason GDT II

[WHOneedsSOX]

I did some numbers crunching today and assembled a roster that opens up about $16 million, which will be needed to sign a left wing to play on the first line with Kopitar, a third line center, and a top 4 defenseman.

The following lineup costs $58,973,729:

[Left Wing]-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Versteeg (assuming signed for $3 million)-[3C]-Andreoff
Mersch-Dowd-Brown-Nolan

McNabb[other Top 4] - Doughty
Martinez-Muzzin
Gravel-Fobert

Quick
Budaj

This assumes we can trade Greene, Clifford, Shore, and King for just picks, and send Scuderi to minors. This also accounts for Richards' penalty of $1,570,000.

If we resign Lucic at $6 million, we can sign Yandle at $6 million, which will leave us $4 million for a third line center. Also, these calculations are based on us not being able to move Brown. If we move his salary, with $2 million retained, we have close to another $4 million in cap space.

Think your number is a bit off. I came up with $61,584,394. Did you forget Richards? Either way, $12-13 million in cap space to fill two defense, one LW, and one center spot isn't bad. Just add in Shore cause he's cheap and you're at $62,184,394.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Don't forget shedding the dead weight that is Scuderi, who will hopefully get traded or buried in Ontario. Still not a fan of re-signing Lucic, when that money could be used to fill some big holes in the top 4 D and 3C spots.

I think we would have difficulty scoring once again if Lucic is not re-signed. I saw so many goals scored this year with him parked infront of the net . He is a great fit for this team and is the player management hoped Brown would become . King , Greene, Clifford, Scuderi are all replaceable within so if se shed all that dead weight and have as much cap space as AlphaBravo mentioned then we are in much better shape than i expected. We can resign Lucic bring a solid defenseman to make a difference and sign a legit 3C.


Pearson-Kopitar-Gaborik
Lucic-Carter-Toffoli
Mersch-UFA-Brown
Andreoff-Dowd-Shore
Nolan

Gravel-Doughty
Muzzin-UFA
Mcnabb-Martinez
Forbort

Quick
Budaj

 

[Omni Owl]

I think we would have difficulty scoring once again if Lucic is not re-signed. I saw so many goals scored this year with him parked infront of the net . He is a great fit for this team and is the player management hoped Brown would become . King , Greene, Clifford, Scuderi are all replaceable within so if se shed all that dead weight and have as much cap space as AlphaBravo mentioned then we are in much better shape than i expected. We can resign Lucic bring a solid defenseman to make a difference and sign a legit 3C.


Pearson-Kopitar-Gaborik
Lucic-Carter-Toffoli
Mersch-UFA-Brown
Andreoff-Dowd-Shore
Nolan

Gravel-Doughty
Muzzin-UFA
Mcnabb-Martinez
Forbort

Quick
Budaj

There won't be enough money to do all 3 of these things, that's why I think its more important to be stronger at D and C rather than at the wings, because those are important core positions.

 

[Trolfoli]

There won't be enough money to do all 3 of these things, that's why I think its more important to be stronger at D and C rather than at the wings, because those are important core positions.

While this is true, going back to Brown in the top6 full time doesn't help.

-Make sacrifices to the Hockey Gods until Brown's contract disappears. Then there'll be money for all 3 spots.
Problem: Brown's contract isn't going away, and I'm not willing to sacrifice my playoff beard from the cup to try and make this happen.
(or send on a "fishing" trip with Richards/Stoll)

-Sign Lucic & D, run Dowd/Shore as 3C, if things are looking good spend assets on a 3C at the deadline.
Problem:
-This would leave UFA or Martinez unprotected if there's an expansion. Although losing a top 4D after signing a UFA for free wouldn't be as bad.
-More assets spent on rentals.

-Bring in young cheap impact guys on ELC's to fill those positions. Players like that are available, but cost a nice shiny asset or 2. There are 2-3 players the Kings have that would return someone like that. It may take a year or 2 before they're ready, but if the Kings have to wait for the next batch of youngsters from the AHL to get up to speed anyways, time isn't an issue.
Problem:
-May not help next year.
-Price may sting.
Positive
-Could be better in the long run to start training a young 3C to eventually move up into the top 6.
-Young players are immune to the expansion draft. A team like Carolina comes to mind with an abundance of highly rated young D.

Now if only a Brown for Jordan Staal swap could work. Brown is owed about 32.5M over the rest of his contract and Staal is owed 42M. So that's a substantial savings. The problem is they already need a center to replace E.Staal that was traded and Brown is older.

-Maybe we should just see if Brown can play center?

-Tanking next year could also help bring in a young impact player, but that would take some serious shenanigans to out tank Van/EDM/Cal. It's hard to compete with those teams innate tanking abilities.

I ran out of ideas at moving Brown to center.

Guess it comes down to, do what's best for next year, or do what's best for the future. If aiming at next year leave the 3C open and fill at the deadline. If aiming at the future keep 3D protected and move guys to acquire a young D that will pass through the expansion draft and bring in a high skilled young center.

 

[Trolfoli]

The question then becomes... does Lucic + UFA D + deadline rental 3C put this team over the top. The answer for me is no. The defense needs to be rebuilt. It needs to be a cohesive unit where you can roll 6 guys in set pairs. Guys that compliment each other. Scuderi/Doughty, Mitchell/Voynov, Martinez/Greene. Once the pieces are in place they will need time to gel.

One question is answered. There's no point in worrying about next year.

The next question becomes do the Kings have enough coming from the AHL to fill out theD? I don't believe this is the case. There are guys like Forbort/Gravel/LaDue, but remember the idea is to have a D that's over the top. So plan on plugging those guys into the bottom pair. If they end up higher then that, great! You have a top 4D playing on the bottom pair and your defense is stacked. If not bottom pair D are fairly easy to come by.

So really you just need to worry about the top 2 pairs.

 

[Fishhead]

The question then becomes... does Lucic + UFA D + deadline rental 3C put this team over the top. The answer for me is no. The defense needs to be rebuilt. It needs to be a cohesive unit where you can roll 6 guys in set pairs. Guys that compliment each other. Scuderi/Doughty, Mitchell/Voynov, Martinez/Greene. Once the pieces are in place they will need time to gel.

One question is answered. There's no point in worrying about next year.

The next question becomes do the Kings have enough coming from the AHL to fill out theD? I don't believe this is the case. There are guys like Forbort/Gravel/LaDue, but remember the idea is to have a D that's over the top. So plan on plugging those guys into the bottom pair. If they end up higher then that, great! You have a top 4D playing on the bottom pair and your defense is stacked. If not bottom pair D are fairly easy to come by.

So really you just need to worry about the top 2 pairs.

That defense is never going to happen again.

We don't have the assets to trade for a young, solid SAH like Greene was. Voynov was a nice great draft pick at 32, he was our 3rd selection that year. He's not going to be replaced. There were 2 solid vets in Scuderi and Mitchell (with injury concerns) that we were able to get for a good price and worked out wonderfully. There isn't anything close to resembling them on the market this year.

Rebuilding a defense to the level it was before just isn't feasible, that was kind of lightning in a bottle. Obviously it needs to be addressed, but not sure if not resigning Lucic will help if there aren't many options out there on D to begin with.

 

[YP44]

That defense is never going to happen again.

We don't have the assets to trade for a young, solid SAH like Greene was. Voynov was a nice great draft pick at 32, he was our 3rd selection that year. He's not going to be replaced. There were 2 solid vets in Scuderi and Mitchell (with injury concerns) that we were able to get for a good price and worked out wonderfully. There isn't anything close to resembling them on the market this year.

Rebuilding a defense to the level it was before just isn't feasible, that was kind of lightning in a bottle. Obviously it needs to be addressed, but not sure if not resigning Lucic will help if there aren't many options out there on D to begin with.

I agree that it will never happen again and was lightning in a bottle, however what I do not agree with is that getting another Voynov will not happen.

When LA drafted Voynov not sure many thought LA drafted such a stud D-man. It can happen again. However with Voynov it happened at the perfect time, and he developed right at the same time as LA added those other pieces.

 

[BigKing]

The UFA pool on defense is trash. Cap-strapped LA is not going to overpay for new trash when it has some issues with its own trash.

Again, the answer is on the roster/in the system. The Kings currently have players nominated for the Norris, Vezina and Selke along with a 30 goal sniper, a great 2C in Carter and two probable 20 goal guys in Gaborik and Lucic, assuming the latter returns.

These guys need to lead the way, along with 8-6-27. Granted, the weak links on the team didn't support the best players very well in terms of breakouts etc..., but these award nominees and battle-tested stars got their respective ***** handed to them by San Jose's star players. Bottom line.

The Kings should not be blowing this thing up. I understand putting together projected rosters with Lucic's money but I don't feel it makes them a better team at present to let him walk.

The organization has been developing guys for awhile now in the AHL under a system very similar to the big club's. Time for some of these kids to strengthen areas of weakness (speed, hopefully zone breakouts) while the stars hopefully play like the stars that they are.

Team doesn't need a savior or saviors: it just needs its best players to be great and some new blood to provide more jump from the Bottom 6/Bottom Pair.

I mean, this very board claimed that the Kings broke the Sharks and slammed their window shut. Before this season started, nobody on here was thinking they had a chance at the Cup. Hell, nobody here thought they had a chance in February probably. Now they are one game away from the Finals.

It's such a fine line between great and watching the playoffs at home in today's NHL. Team needs young, cheap talent that can help buttress the star players as opposed to Keith Yandle on a stupid contract or Forbort having to be as good as Voynov. I mean, I'll take the latter but it isn't necessary in order for this team to contend.

 

[YP44]

The UFA pool on defense is trash. Cap-strapped LA is not going to overpay for new trash when it has some issues with its own trash.

Again, the answer is on the roster/in the system. The Kings currently have players nominated for the Norris, Vezina and Selke along with a 30 goal sniper, a great 2C in Carter and two probable 20 goal guys in Gaborik and Lucic, assuming the latter returns.

These guys need to lead the way, along with 8-6-27. Granted, the weak links on the team didn't support the best players very well in terms of breakouts etc..., but these award nominees and battle-tested stars got their respective ***** handed to them by San Jose's star players. Bottom line.

The Kings should not be blowing this thing up. I understand putting together projected rosters with Lucic's money but I don't feel it makes them a better team at present to let him walk.

The organization has been developing guys for awhile now in the AHL under a system very similar to the big club's. Time for some of these kids to strengthen areas of weakness (speed, hopefully zone breakouts) while the stars hopefully play like the stars that they are.

Team doesn't need a savior or saviors: it just needs its best players to be great and some new blood to provide more jump from the Bottom 6/Bottom Pair.

I mean, this very board claimed that the Kings broke the Sharks and slammed their window shut. Before this season started, nobody on here was thinking they had a chance at the Cup. Hell, nobody here thought they had a chance in February probably. Now they are one game away from the Finals.

It's such a fine line between great and watching the playoffs at home in today's NHL. Team needs young, cheap talent that can help buttress the star players as opposed to Keith Yandle on a stupid contract or Forbort having to be as good as Voynov. I mean, I'll take the latter but it isn't necessary in order for this team to contend.

great post

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Budaj as our backup makes me cry

another 70-75 game season for Quick makes me cry

 

[YP44]

Budaj as our backup makes me cry

another 70-75 game season for Quick makes me cry

Budaj can handle 12-15, Quick can handle 65-70.

 

[Johnny Utah]

The Kings currently have 3 players trying to land the #3 center position and none of them have proven they can hold it so I think Lombardi will try to find that solution on the open market.

I don't see the Kings penciling in Dowd, who in his short NHL games played 4th line center and didn't put up any points. as the 3rd line center all of a sudden.

Shore hasn't shown in two seasons he can take that spot either and Andreoff is better suited for 4th line center or even better 4th line LW. I think the Kings will move some players in the bottom 6.

I posted this awhile back but if the Kings can get rid of guys like King, Clifford, Brown it can really change the look of the bottom 6 and bring on some youth and speed. Also, it would reunite guys in Manchester who had chemistry or know each other.

Players will also be slotted in the normal positions. Keeping King and Clifford around pretty much stops Andreoff and Mersch making the roster or playing every day and Brown is just expensive dead weight, who doesn't compliment a LW like Mersch.

Mersch-UFA/Shore-Lewis/(UFA)
Andreoff-Dowd-Nolan

 

[Quattro]

The UFA pool on defense is trash. Cap-strapped LA is not going to overpay for new trash when it has some issues with its own trash.

Again, the answer is on the roster/in the system. The Kings currently have players nominated for the Norris, Vezina and Selke along with a 30 goal sniper, a great 2C in Carter and two probable 20 goal guys in Gaborik and Lucic, assuming the latter returns.

These guys need to lead the way, along with 8-6-27. Granted, the weak links on the team didn't support the best players very well in terms of breakouts etc..., but these award nominees and battle-tested stars got their respective ***** handed to them by San Jose's star players. Bottom line.

The Kings should not be blowing this thing up. I understand putting together projected rosters with Lucic's money but I don't feel it makes them a better team at present to let him walk.

The organization has been developing guys for awhile now in the AHL under a system very similar to the big club's. Time for some of these kids to strengthen areas of weakness (speed, hopefully zone breakouts) while the stars hopefully play like the stars that they are.

Team doesn't need a savior or saviors: it just needs its best players to be great and some new blood to provide more jump from the Bottom 6/Bottom Pair.

I mean, this very board claimed that the Kings broke the Sharks and slammed their window shut. Before this season started, nobody on here was thinking they had a chance at the Cup. Hell, nobody here thought they had a chance in February probably. Now they are one game away from the Finals.

It's such a fine line between great and watching the playoffs at home in today's NHL. Team needs young, cheap talent that can help buttress the star players as opposed to Keith Yandle on a stupid contract or Forbort having to be as good as Voynov. I mean, I'll take the latter but it isn't necessary in order for this team to contend.

great post

2nd One of the best and most sensible posts I've read here in a long time

 

[Omni Owl]

Hamhuis might be available in the offseason. Sounds like the Canucks covet Russell instead, and they just traded for Gudbranson, so it seems that Hamhuis should be out of there. He could be our version of Paul Martin for the Sharks...

 

[scramble91]

Hamhuis might be available in the offseason. Sounds like the Canucks covet Russell instead, and they just traded for Gudbranson, so it seems that Hamhuis should be out of there. He could be our version of Paul Martin for the Sharks...

Another big risk. He will command more than 3-4 mill and play like a 7 dman.

He was a hot pile of doodoo when I watched him early last season. Then after recovering from his injury he seemed back to a solid player.

Tough call to sign him

 

[Omni Owl]

Right now I can't really think of anyone else decent available in the offseason that we woudn't have to give up assets for, maybe Yandle is the only other one. We've had success before with guys that had injury history (Williams, Mitchell and Regehr). But yeah, I'm not 100% sold on Hamhuis either. I'm wary of any player that has had hip problems in the past.

 

[member 88115]

damn, Vancouver just picked up Gudbranson for McCann with picks added from both sides. Come DL, that was your chance to pick up a solid young D

 

[SCARFACE909]

damn, Vancouver just picked up Gudbranson for McCann with picks added from both sides. Come DL, that was your chance to pick up a solid young D

You know it's a good deal for Florida and bad for VAN right? I hope you're not thinking VAN got a good deal.

 

[Omni Owl]

Benning might be the worst GM in the league, maybe DL can fleece him and get Tanev for a decent price.

 

[member 88115]

You know it's a good deal for Florida and bad for VAN right? I hope you're not thinking VAN got a good deal.

I know that was horrible deal for Florida. Trade Prices for D-Men are not cheap and traded an Decent Prospect who has an 2nd line Center upside in McCann who got over valued.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

damn, Vancouver just picked up Gudbranson for McCann with picks added from both sides. Come DL, that was your chance to pick up a solid young D

NOt at that price, it wasn't.

A recent stud high pick and a high 2nd and 4th was given up.

 

[BigKing]

Hamhuis might be available in the offseason. Sounds like the Canucks covet Russell instead, and they just traded for Gudbranson, so it seems that Hamhuis should be out of there. He could be our version of Paul Martin for the Sharks...

UFA just isn't Lombardi's cup of tea so I can't see it happening.

With the weak UFA crop, he'll get more of an over payment than usual. He'll also seek at least four years on a deal as this looks to be a retirement contract.

Guy is averaging ~65 games a season the last six years and has only played in 15 playoff games the last five seasons.

No thanks. Hamhuis is a "name" and was definitely desirable when he first left Nashville, but he is not the answer nor will the Kings have the money for him.

I'd rather DL keep his powder dry instead of reaching on defense. Much smarter to trust your development and "gamble" on that as opposed to locking yourself in to $4MM or whatever on a guy who is turning 34 in December.

Plus, the guy could have *supposedly* gone to a contender at the deadline but refused to waive it to go to an Eastern team. He could be on Pittsburgh right now instead of just riding out a horrible season in Vancouver. I know it is his right and all, but he is 33 and has never won a Cup. Could of delivered assets for the Canucks and sign back there in the off-season.

Don't want this current roster's big move to be adding a guy who is clearly thinking about family/life ahead of winning the Cup. This team needs guys who are hungry: Hamhuis appears to just want to stay in BC at all costs.

 

[BigKing]

NOt at that price, it wasn't.

A recent stud high pick and a high 2nd and 4th was given up.

I don't watch a ton of Panther hockey, but Gudbranson always seems so McNabb-ish to me. He's better, but he doesn't come off like some stud defenseman or anything.

As for DL not being in on it: he doesn't have the assets.

 

[Omni Owl]

Well, Lucic wasn't much of a factor in the post-season anyways, he actually hurt the team with his stupid penalties. He was a huge disappointment and he can't tame his temper. I'd much rather DL address the top 4 D, even if it is a gamble. Gravel/Forbort aren't going to just slide in that top 4 spot.

 

[BigKing]

Well, Lucic wasn't much of a factor in the post-season anyways, he actually hurt the team with his stupid penalties. He was a huge disappointment and he can't tame his temper. I'd much rather DL address the top 4 D, even if it is a gamble. Gravel/Forbort aren't going to just slide in that top 4 spot.

But Doughty wasn't good, Kopitar generally wasn't and Toffoli was a healthy scratch or at least I hope he was because I don't remember him making any plays.

If you don't sign Lucic and have money to play with, you still don't sign a soon-to-be 34 year old to what will probably be a $4MM contract unless it was for one season, which he won't sign unless Vancouver offered it.

It also opens a hole in the Top 6. Maybe Pearson can fill it but I think that, if this team is supposed to win now, they are better with Lucic than with Hamhuis.

Gravel and Forbort don't have to be Top 4 guys right away--if they ever are that good--because Doughty can mask a lot of faults. They just need to be better with the puck, faster and smarter than Schenn/Scuderi/McNabb/McBain.