Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season Part 2

[Bandit]

The Kings are just a legit#2 dman, 2 legit stay at home dmen, a legit #2 and #3 center and a 3rd and 4th line away from being contenders. So they're right there.

You forgot a legit #1LW and #1RW

 

[Choralone]

Yeah, if anything we're set on 3rd and 4th lines. We've got two of each!

 

[KingsFan7824]

This is why it doesn't matter what the Kings would've said all this time. The only thing that would be enough is trading anyone over 25. That would've been the smart thing to do, but Carter was still 32 years old in 2017. He's still not easy to trade then either. He's still 32, with 5 years left on a contract. No matter how productive he was in 16-17, it's still not smart for another GM to give up any assets for that player. If someone had traded anything good for Carter that summer, they probably wouldn't have a job today. Lombardi was a risk taker, and even he was't so dumb as to trade for old guys.

If they say they had a plan for post-2020, assuming that's even real and not just a CYA desperation quote in the moment of a terrible year, why sign Kovalchuk for 3 years? Because the 3rd year doesn't matter, and they wanted any sort of talent today. If the general plan was squeeze 2 years in, even if all they do is win a round, and Kovalchuk is here for 20-21, or if he retires, or whatever, who cares? The only thing they had to sell to Kovalchuk was the money, so they did the same thing Lombardi did with Mitchell in 2010; give him the extra year, to entice him. It was the Caps and Sharks also after his services, but they weren't willing to go that extra year due to the concussions, right? Yes, the Kings were in a better position to try and take a risk on a older player in 2010, but it's basically the same idea. Lombardi did it with a team that hadn't won anything yet. Blake did it with a team that was long past winning anything. Either way, thankfully both cases only involved money.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

There’s a huge difference between Mitchell and Kovalchuk signings. Mitchell was intended to provide depth for a young up and coming core. Kovalchuk was intended to come in as a critical desperation piece on our TOP LINE.

The expectations for both of these acquisitions were vastly different, as were the teams they joined.

I am am not and will never be impressed with the Blake regime as long as the number one bullet point on his resume reads, “Didn’t Trade Picks, 2017-2020.”

 

[jfont]

The Kings are just a legit#2 dman, 2 legit stay at home dmen, a legit #2 and #3 center and a 3rd and 4th line away from being contenders. So they're right there.

I know, right? We're not that far off!

 

[BigKing]

There’s a huge difference between Mitchell and Kovalchuk signings. Mitchell was intended to provide depth for a young up and coming core. Kovalchuk was intended to come in as a critical desperation piece on our TOP LINE.

The expectations for both of these acquisitions were vastly different, as were the teams they joined.

I am am not and will never be impressed with the Blake regime as long as the number one bullet point on his resume reads, “Didn’t Trade Picks, 2017-2020.”

Yep. That's been my refrain for his entire tenure: especially when he was being slobbered over during the 2018 season like he actually did anything tangible outside of Iafallo, something I give him credit for closing but LA scouting was on top of him all season. DL's team, coach and scouting staff but Blake is somehow amazing because of the 2018 season. Pretty funny.

Lombardi didn't exactly crush it at the beginning either. I like the Muzzin trade and apparently waking up from the hallucination that this team was a contender. Lots of picks in this draft and I do think that the plan is to tank but AEG isn't going to come right out and say it, although there have been enough hints to believe this is the play. Blake was allowed to give a guy a five year contract which I feel speaks to Blake's job security as well. He's at the helm of this rebuild so let's hope that DL's scouting staff can stop sucking at drafting high-end offense but can regain their later round magic at the same time. At the end of the day, it is going to take major contributions from the prospects with at least one of them being an all-star caliber player: this #5OA is their best chance so far to nab that player.

 

[The Tikkanen]

You forgot a legit #1LW and #1RW

Kovalchuk is gonna bounce back with a competent NHL head coach and Brown is gonna start bull dozing opponents again! And Kopitar is gonna quit smoking and train during the summer. All is well.

 

[KINGS17]

Kovalchuk is gonna bounce back with a competent NHL head coach and Brown is gonna start bull dozing opponents again! And Kopitar is gonna quit smoking and train during the summer. All is well.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Kovalchuk is gonna bounce back with a competent NHL head coach and Brown is gonna start bull dozing opponents again! And Kopitar is gonna quit smoking and train during the summer. All is well.

Don't forget the career years that Phaneuf and Toffoli are set to have.

 

[jfont]

ziggy's going to blow his helmet when the kings make the playoffs next year

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

ziggy's going to blow his helmet when the kings make the playoffs next year

Or save money when they don't.

 

[KINGS17]

ziggy's going to blow his helmet when the kings make the playoffs next year

With a roster this old the objective shouldn't be to just make the playoffs. It's a pretty expensive group to pay for a Round 1 exit, and it doesn't help with the obvious rebuild which needs to take place. The Kings need as many top 10 picks as they can get over the next few seasons.

 

[BringTheReign]

Did we trade Kubalik because he wouldn't sign in LA, period? What was the reasoning?

I absolutely could see a future where he pots 20-20 with the Hawks next year and I just want to be able to at least say, "Well, that sucks, but he wasn't coming to LA regardless.

 

[kings11]

Did we trade Kubalik because he wouldn't sign in LA, period? What was the reasoning?

I absolutely could see a future where he pots 20-20 with the Hawks next year and I just want to be able to at least say, "Well, that sucks, but he wasn't coming to LA regardless.

From what i've read... They FO from Dean to Rob haev wanted him to come over and earn a spot but he wanted guarantees.. Just like with Proks.. I think the Kings and Kubalik soured on each other and they got what they could for him.. I still think we signed the better all around player in Prokhorkin so we'll see next season if im right..

 

[crassbonanza]

I am am not and will never be impressed with the Blake regime as long as the number one bullet point on his resume reads, “Didn’t Trade Picks, 2017-2020.”

Well, the number one bullet point on his resume reads "rebuilt the prospect pool in short order".
A big reason he was able to do that was not trading the picks. The fact that he didn't trade picks is also brought up because it shows that he did have a plan to rebuild the pipeline when he took over, otherwise he would have traded bigger pieces at the 2017 deadline.

Look at the pipeline in 2016: Kempe, Gravel, Amadio, Mersch, Forbort, LaDue, Brodz, Auger, Cernak, Clague.
Outside of Kempe, none of those players were expected to have much upside.

Look at the pipeline in 2019: Petersen, Kupari, Vilardi, Grundstrom, Durzi, JAD, Anderson, Clague, Thomas, Phillips.
That list includes 4 players in TSN's list of Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects(Kupari, Vilardi, Mikey, Thomas), it also will have the 5th, 22nd and 33rd overall added to it.

The reason that people are lauding Blake not trading off picks is that we saw Cernak, Zykov, Jones, Miller, McKeown and 2 1st round picks traded for a season of Lucic, 16 games of Sekera, 5 points from Versteeg and 2 wins from Bishop.

I understand those moves, because Deano was going all in and it makes sense at the time, but you can appreciate that Blake didn't fall into that trap as well. Especially because the team in 2018 was performing very well, Drew was in Norris form, Kopi almost won a Hart and Quick won a Jennings.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[kings11]

I dont think Kupari is ready to start in the NHL but he might at some point in the season...
The Ontario Reign should have a dramatic turn around this season with the influx of talent its about to receive, especially on the defensive end.. I would love for the kids on the farm to make a run in the playoffs and bond, compete and acclimated themselves to the pro game, our organization and a winning atmosphere

 

[KingsFan7824]

There’s a huge difference between Mitchell and Kovalchuk signings. Mitchell was intended to provide depth for a young up and coming core. Kovalchuk was intended to come in as a critical desperation piece on our TOP LINE.

The expectations for both of these acquisitions were vastly different, as were the teams they joined.

I am am not and will never be impressed with the Blake regime as long as the number one bullet point on his resume reads, “Didn’t Trade Picks, 2017-2020.”

There's also a huge difference between the Kings in 2007, 2010, 2017, and 2019. Also a difference between what was essentially a clean slate that Lombardi took over, and the mess Blake took over.

 

[Brodeur]

Did we trade Kubalik because he wouldn't sign in LA, period? What was the reasoning?

I absolutely could see a future where he pots 20-20 with the Hawks next year and I just want to be able to at least say, "Well, that sucks, but he wasn't coming to LA regardless.

Tough situation with enticing the European guys to sign. CBA requires them to sign a two way ELC; Kubalik's deal with Chicago is 925K if he's in the NHL, 70K if he's in the AHL. Kings would have likely offered him something similar. But Kubalik and his agent probably took a look at LA's current group and figured there'd be a decent chance he wouldn't make the roster immediately. Whereas Chicago has nine forwards under contract for next season, plus two of his Czech buddies (Kampf/Kahun) who he's grown up playing with.

I think we can understand the hesitation of signing and possibly playing in Ontario for 70K versus staying in Europe and getting paid a little better, or in this case, gently forcing a trade to a situation where you think you're more likely to make 925K.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

There's also a huge difference between the Kings in 2007, 2010, 2017, and 2019. Also a difference between what was essentially a clean slate that Lombardi took over, and the mess Blake took over.

Yah, poor Blake inherited such a mess which only happened to include a two-time cup winning core.

I just love reading about what horrible GM that Lombardi was...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yah, poor Blake inherited such a mess which only happened to include a two-time cup winning core.

I just love reading about what horrible GM that Lombardi was...

So how is that Cup winning core doing now? They're still mostly here, are they not? And what did that Cup winning core accomplish after 2014? I need a refresher.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

So how is that Cup winning core doing now? They're still mostly here, are they not? And what did that Cup winning core accomplish after 2014? I need a refresher.

My point was, I don’t remember Lombardi inheriting a roster even close to what Blake has...but yet, we blame Lombardi for a roster who had for the most part, underachieved the last year. But everything is Lombardi’s fault even though Blake has been here 2+ years now....it’s comical.

 

[The Tikkanen]

That's the Kings current identity-former Cup Champions. It's been so long only the Kings are holding onto it. Teams aren't scared to play them and really nobody cares. Most of the former Cup Champs are now anchoring the Kings down to the bottom of the standings with lackluster play on the ice and lackluster diet and training programs off of it. This is a fat and happy group that for the most part has accomplished everything they wanted to at the NHL level. What's driving them now?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

My point was, I don’t remember Lombardi inheriting a roster even close to what Blake has...but yet, we blame Lombardi for a roster who had for the most part, underachieved the last year. But everything is Lombardi’s fault even though Blake has been here 2+ years now....it’s comical.

What would you prefer to inherit, a 19-year-old Anze Kopitar, or a 30-year-old Kopitar? Or 22-year-old Dustin Brown, or 33-year-old Brown? Jonathan Quick at 21, or Quick at 33?

So who do we attribute the cap situation and the loss of assets on?

As Luc Robitaille just recently stated in The Athletic:
"When you go out and you’re down 3-0 (in the 2014 first round versus the San Jose Sharks) and you go on the most historic Stanley Cup run, you believe you’re going to turn it back on. A lot of these guys, their word was, ‘We’re going to turn it on.’ But, there comes a time after a few years you say, ‘OK, guys. It’s just not happening.’ And I think that’s probably what’s happened."

 

[kings11]

There’s a huge difference between Mitchell and Kovalchuk signings. Mitchell was intended to provide depth for a young up and coming core. Kovalchuk was intended to come in as a critical desperation piece on our TOP LINE.

The expectations for both of these acquisitions were vastly different, as were the teams they joined.

I am am not and will never be impressed with the Blake regime as long as the number one bullet point on his resume reads, “Didn’t Trade Picks, 2017-2020.”

Not disagreeing with the Kovy part but your'e dead wrong about Willie Mitchell..
Other than coming off a bad concussion, he was a damn good Dman that we got on the cheap.. He was not brought in as depth but rather to help create a formidable top 4.. and he did just that