Ontario Reign 22-23 thread. Nothin' lasts forever, even cold November Reign

[Surf Nutz]

Still using the ELC year, only thing it does is maybe keep his numbers down for a potential second contract.

And thats how he squeezes guys in.
Good thing with all the guys we need to give raises to and resign.
GV, JooK, Gavri+ more.

 

[All The Kings Men]

I think Todd said recently that Byfield is still going to be a center in the future. Would be nice to try a Fiala-Byfield-Kempe line next year in camp and see what happens.

He said it like... yesterday.

The way they've treated him is criminal.

You may be overreacting just a weensy bit there.

 

[Statto]

My right side next year would be Doughty - Spence Clarke

The defensive guys play the right side and it’s then balanced. Yep Spence and Clarke lack experience but they have a tonne of talent and will develop quickly. Trusting these guys will give us longevity at the backend because they’re the future for us. Bjornfot needs to play on the left Anderson - Gavrikov - Bjornfot. That gives us a better 6 than now IMO.

I don’t expect it to happen though.

 

[psych3man]

My right side next year would be Doughty - Spence Clarke

The defensive guys play the right side and it’s then balanced. Yep Spence and Clarke lack experience but they have a tonne of talent and will develop quickly. Trusting these guys will give us longevity at the backend because they’re the future for us. Bjornfot needs to play on the left Anderson - Gavrikov - Bjornfot. That gives us a better 6 than now IMO.

I don’t expect it to happen though.

I agree about the need to give Spence and Clarke NHL experience, but Roy has turned out to be a helluva good RH defenseman.

 

[Statto]

I agree about the need to give Spence and Clarke NHL experience, but Roy has turned out to be a helluva good RH defenseman.

It’s about building a complete rounded roster. Clarke is the future so it’s either Roy or Spence on the full time roster next year… although putting Clarke in the AHL is a possibility that seems absurd to me.

Ultimately it’s going to be a choice Roy or Spence at some point unless Clarke goes LD.

 

[Herby]

It’s about building a complete rounded roster. Clarke is the future so it’s either Roy or Spence on the full time roster next year… although putting Clarke in the AHL is a possibility that seems absurd to me.

Ultimately it’s going to be a choice Roy or Spence at some point unless Clarke goes LD.

It’s absurd to most people, but again, go back to the Murray quote about “only the McDavid’s of the world can jump right in without AHL time” , this is organizational philosophy, no matter how dominant he has played this season in the OHL he is fighting an uphill battle.

They put Byfield and Turcotte there when few other teams would have. And in the case of Byfield there was a clear opening at 2C on a bad team. With Clarke there are as of now, 4 veteran RHD’s under contract ahead of him for next season on a team that will be looking to contend, and that doesn’t even factor in Spence, who doesn’t have anything left to prove at the AHL level but is also blocked from the NHL.

 

[kings11]

It’s about building a complete rounded roster. Clarke is the future so it’s either Roy or Spence on the full time roster next year… although putting Clarke in the AHL is a possibility that seems absurd to me.

Ultimately it’s going to be a choice Roy or Spence at some point unless Clarke goes LD.

Clarke might actually go LD and if/when he does, Matt Roy will be his partner

 

[Surf Nutz]

My right side next year would be Doughty - Spence Clarke

The defensive guys play the right side and it’s then balanced. Yep Spence and Clarke lack experience but they have a tonne of talent and will develop quickly. Trusting these guys will give us longevity at the backend because they’re the future for us. Bjornfot needs to play on the left Anderson - Gavrikov - Bjornfot. That gives us a better 6 than now IMO.

I don’t expect it to happen though.

Why are you sending Doughty down to the Reign?
Wait!
On the Kings lol.
What a soft small inexperienced t the NHL level group of defenders.
During what could be Kopi's last hurrah season?
We need Roy's size , toughness, experience and durability.
No way around it.
Out of all your suggestions, and there are so many I can't be sure, but this is one of the worst I have seen.
Even you don't expect it to happen.
Gavri is not signed next season and I hope Blake can squeeze him in, but Korpi is the priority resigning unless he suffers a loss of form.
Hopefully walker can be traded in the off season for a bit of savings on the cap.
Really he needs to be because Spence is likely to not be waiver exempt next season.

MA- DD
Gavri - Roy
Moverare _ Durzi
Bjo -Spence (with one out injured)

 

[All The Kings Men]

Really he needs to be because Spence is likely to not be waiver exempt next season.

My understanding is that Spence will require waivers for the 2024-25 season and NOT the 2023-24 season.

 

[Surf Nutz]

My understanding is that Spence will require waivers for the 2024-25 season and NOT the 2023-24 season.

Sweet! Thanks Bud!

would that be different if he played 10 games with the Kings this year?

Maybe Walker stays.
He has improved and been very good at times.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Sweet! Thanks Bud!

would that be different if he played 10 games with the Kings this year?

Maybe Walker stays.
He has improved and been very good at times.

I don't think that would change anything but I also really don't expect Spence to play any NHL games this season barring some sort of injury situation.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I don't think that would change anything but I also really don't expect Spence to play any NHL games this season barring some sort of injury situation.

Thanks again Jessie.
It is good management, development, evaluation, staircasing the roster with a plan to keep salaries functional.
A lot of forethought pre planning.
Sometimes you gotta look deeper to understand there is a plan and a backup plan and even a plan C.

 

[Maynard]

Thanks again Jessie.
It is good management, development, evaluation, staircasing the roster with a plan to keep salaries functional.
A lot of forethought pre planning.
Sometimes you gotta look deeper to understand there is a plan and a backup plan and even a plan C.

You’d be a great guest on his podcast.

 

[Surf Nutz]

It’s about building a complete rounded roster. Clarke is the future so it’s either Roy or Spence on the full time roster next year… although putting Clarke in the AHL is a possibility that seems absurd to me.

Ultimately it’s going to be a choice Roy or Spence at some point unless Clarke goes LD.

The only thing they have in common in RHD.
Roy is playing very well, top 4 solididfied, more likely to not be traded in the offsesaon, next season and may be resigned.
A one or the other scenario does not, therefore , make sense.
Walker although also different but has more similarities to Spence and is the one that would more likely to be traded and not resigned

You’d be a great guest on his podcast.

Just shut up McAynerd

 

[Statto]

Why are you sending Doughty down to the Reign?
Wait!
On the Kings lol.
What a soft small inexperienced t the NHL level group of defenders.
During what could be Kopi's last hurrah season?
We need Roy's size , toughness, experience and durability.
No way around it.
Out of all your suggestions, and there are so many I can't be sure, but this is one of the worst I have seen.
Even you don't expect it to happen.
Gavri is not signed next season and I hope Blake can squeeze him in, but Korpi is the priority resigning unless he suffers a loss of form.
Hopefully walker can be traded in the off season for a bit of savings on the cap.
Really he needs to be because Spence is likely to not be waiver exempt next season.

MA- DD
Gavri - Roy
Moverare _ Durzi
Bjo -Spence (with one out injured)

If we resign Gavrikov it’s an option. The underlying point becomes, how do you see the right side in 3 years time. If we want Spence and Clarke now is the time to transition to that, otherwise you move Spence. More AHL time next year will hurt his trade value.

In the modern game you need a balanced lineup. Doughty will need to transition to be a shutdown guy soon which effectively replaces Roy’s role on the right. He could play with Gabrikov and there’s the pair you use in that role. Clarke will quickly become the offensive lynch pin on the blue line and you probably end up with him with Anderson at some stage. Björnfot and Spence will be a nice balanced pair once trusted OR you trade Björnfot for another more physical, defensive guy if you feel you need that. Then you have the sill guys right, the shutdown guys left.

Being inexperienced isn’t always an issue and ult the only way to get that experience is games. Can’t judge Björnfot on the odd game here and there as D men, particularly young guys usually need a run on games to settle.

This summer feels like a good moment to start that transition so I expect a couple of moves that involve our blue line guys not named Walker and Durzi.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I really do feel that, in terms of raw ability, Blake has done a great job getting a good mix of dmen, offensive and defensive.

The real problem is most of those guys are below average size and as such it may mean moving a smaller guy with good ability for a bigger guy with 'lesser' ability.

Bjornfot and Spence cannot be an NHL pairing. They're both skilled enough but they would get absolutely ruined night after night. You can even see that when it's Bjornfot/Roy. You can't have an entire smallish 6ft and under blueline. And I don't even say that from just a raw physicality standpoint--speed and power are skills too.

At some point in the next couple of years, we have to kiss goodbye to one or several of Walker, Bjornfot, Spence, Durzi, Kim. N. Even Roy is borderline but if he's the smallest one or 2nd smallest, I think we're okay. Now obviously it's more nuanced than that but you get the point.

 

[kinghock]

I really do feel that, in terms of raw ability, Blake has done a great job getting a good mix of dmen, offensive and defensive.

The real problem is most of those guys are below average size and as such it may mean moving a smaller guy with good ability for a bigger guy with 'lesser' ability.

Bjornfot and Spence cannot be an NHL pairing. They're both skilled enough but they would get absolutely ruined night after night. You can even see that when it's Bjornfot/Roy. You can't have an entire smallish 6ft and under blueline. And I don't even say that from just a raw physicality standpoint--speed and power are skills too.

At some point in the next couple of years, we have to kiss goodbye to one or several of Walker, Bjornfot, Spence, Durzi, Kim. N. Even Roy is borderline but if he's the smallest one or 2nd smallest, I think we're okay. Now obviously it's more nuanced than that but you get the point.

• In my opinion Kim. N. is not NHL level player.
• I would not be disappointed if Walker and Durzi will be traded tomorrow.
• Bjornfot can be traded for young really physical LD if possible.
• Spence need to readjust his current level of playing or he can be traded for upgrade as well.

 

[Kudelski37]

Considering the excellent skaters some divisional opponents have, I think we need to keep Bjornfot.

 

[Surf Nutz]

If we resign Gavrikov it’s an option. The underlying point becomes, how do you see the right side in 3 years time. If we want Spence and Clarke now is the time to transition to that, otherwise you move Spence. More AHL time next year will hurt his trade value.

In the modern game you need a balanced lineup. Doughty will need to transition to be a shutdown guy soon which effectively replaces Roy’s role on the right. He could play with Gabrikov and there’s the pair you use in that role. Clarke will quickly become the offensive lynch pin on the blue line and you probably end up with him with Anderson at some stage. Björnfot and Spence will be a nice balanced pair once trusted OR you trade Björnfot for another more physical, defensive guy if you feel you need that. Then you have the sill guys right, the shutdown guys left.

Being inexperienced isn’t always an issue and ult the only way to get that experience is games. Can’t judge Björnfot on the odd game here and there as D men, particularly young guys usually need a run on games to settle.

This summer feels like a good moment to start that transition so I expect a couple of moves that involve our blue line guys not named Walker and Durzi.

The Kings are going for it now although they have flexible future options.
Spence is still waiver exempt and may be in the AHL again next year or he could come up especially if Blake makes moves in the off season or during next season. And he could be moved but I doubt it. He is a player with a low salary and Kings need that. If he is kept down next season it is a win for the Kings. He can be re-signed cheaper then after further evaluation.
Clarke will be kept down at least til late next season.
I would let him deep fry down there and bring him up for the last 9 games next year if he looks ready, and see how he tastes and if he built up a defensive batter.
Bkornfot can be resigned at a very reasonable price after mostly being in the AHL this year.
Moverare is hiding in the kitchen, on slow broil in Ontario. Blake is not risking him on waivers were another team could run out of the restaurant without paying for him.
Rob firmly believes in testing his dishes in the KItchen (AHL) before putting them on the menu (Kings).
On top of TMac being the Maitre- D that only allows proven ingredients into the dining room.
I agree Walker is the one most likely to go any time between now and the next trade deadline.
Durzi will likely be head but if contimues to break the dishes, you never know.
Your ideas are valid but unrealistic under the current management of the Kings establishment.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If I'm Spence's agent, Im asking for a trade already.

You're artificially c***b***ck me behind Doughty, Roy, Clarke, but also Walker and Durzi, and it's affecting both my present and my future earnings.

As fun as it is to think guys are okay being six deep in the AHL until they're out of waivers, it's his career getting suppressed.

 

[Eagle Fang]

If I'm Spence's agent, Im asking for a trade already.

You're artificially c***b***ck me behind Doughty, Roy, Clarke, but also Walker and Durzi, and it's affecting both my present and my future earnings.

As fun as it is to think guys are okay being six deep in the AHL until they're out of waivers, it's his career getting suppressed.

He looked really good in his call up, Did struggle in the playoffs but that's understandable. I don't see how he's going to improve on that by playing in the AHL at this point.

If he doesn't get a chance next year, that's really messed up.

 

[King'sPawn]

• Spence need to readjust his current level of playing or he can be traded for upgrade as well.

Yikes. A stretch of game where he plays below his average and you're ready to ship him off? Dude just turned 22.

 

[kinghock]

Yikes. A stretch of game where he plays below his average and you're ready to ship him off? Dude just turned 22.

I clearly stated that if Spence does not readjust his current level of playing, he could be traded.

I hope he will readjust his current level of playing.

 

[Herby]

• In my opinion Kim. N. is not NHL level player.
• I would not be disappointed if Walker and Durzi will be traded tomorrow.
• Bjornfot can be traded for young really physical LD if possible.
• Spence need to readjust his current level of playing or he can be traded for upgrade as well.

Spence is what he is. He’s an extremely high IQ player with some shortcomings that a good organization should be able to work around by finding him the right partner where he can thrive.

Find him a bigger, defensive oriented LHD to play with and you will have a player who can move the puck well from defense to offense, be a big asset in the offensive zone and be a solid player on a 2nd PP unit.

 

[Statto]

Spence is what he is. He’s an extremely high IQ player with some shortcomings that a good organization should be able to work around by finding him the right partner where he can thrive.

Find him a bigger, defensive oriented LHD to play with and you will have a player who can move the puck well from defense to offense, be a big asset in the offensive zone and be a solid player on a 2nd PP unit.

That’s his floor I’d say, if handled properly. He should be a genuine second pairing guy.