Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season Part 2

[Ziggy Stardust]

So the plan is to throw kids who might not be ready to the wolves? Brilliant.

I don’t think the team is forcing anyone into the lineup who isn’t ready. A lot of the names being brought up are in their or approaching their mid 20s. These are players who need to start becoming regulars.

 

[kingsboy11]

I'm not going to lose any sleep over Leipsic. Rather play with some of our young guys. This is a building year and setting the foundation for the years to come. I'd rather get the young guys in ahead on schedule instead of a year too late. Leipsic isn't going to be in our future plans, imo I'd rather get a head start on this rather than waste a year on a mediocre player

 

[KINGS17]

I don't think so, Wagner played 62 NHL games last year, Luff played 33 (and has played 0ver 100 in the AHL), Grundstrom played 80 games in the top league in Sweden and represented himself well before coming over and playing 70 between the AHL/NHL last year, Prokhorkin is 25 (sink or swim), i'm of the opinion that they should all be in the lineup every night.

Now, Kupari and Anderson-Dolan, I would be more conservative with them and I think they intend to do so, because there are only so many open forward spots at the moment.

Yeah, Porky probably has about 20-30 games to prove he belongs in the NHL after making the Kings wait so long. It is definitely sink or swim for him. Let's hope he swims.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The bigger question might be, would Williams want to come all the way back to the west coast? Does Carolina not want to have Williams back?

I think the suggestion of a 3-year contract at a cap hit of $6M is patently absurd. Try two years at most for around a cap hit of $4.5M on for size.

If Williams does want to play another season or two, a team like Florida could definitely use the type of leadership Williams would provide.

Does Williams even want to play another season?

I thought Williams has said over and over again that he's staying east at this point. Most likely Carolina or nothing. Unless the Kings gave him stupidly stupid money, which they're not doing, and probably can't do, what reason would he have to come here? The Williams ship sailed a long time ago, in part because he also probably chose to leave, as much as the cap pressure the Kings had/were going to have back then.

I think that's an article that indicates how boring the next week will be for the Kings.

Most of the article even points to that, I think 3 of the 4 writers say "nope." It's most likely he stays put or retires. But it was an interesting question that had interesting thoughts from our local folks, most simply lauding Williams and pointing out that even if he were wanting to come back here it's not really the right time because the guys in place need to carry their own water without training wheels, which should sound familiar to anyone on this forum.

 

[Reaper45]

I liked Leipsic but if it came down to Leipsic or Luff I choose Luff everytime.

 

[DoktorJeep]

I think JDub signs with Philly and finishes his career where it started.

Leipsec could still return as someone signed over the summer or on a PTO. I like him, but he was a waivers claim, so it’s not like some key piece is going to walk. And the team spoke with his agent, so they know the terms. If the price is too high, then goodbye, and save yourself the distraction of an Arbitration case.

If some team wants to pay him on a multi year deal, or make it one way and over $900k, then good for Leipsec.

 

[YP44]

I think JDub signs with Philly and finishes his career where it started.

Leipsec could still return as someone signed over the summer or on a PTO. I like him, but he was a waivers claim, so it’s not like some key piece is going to walk. And the team spoke with his agent, so they know the terms. If the price is too high, then goodbye, and save yourself the distraction of an Arbitration case.

If some team wants to pay him on a multi year deal, or make it one way and over $900k, then good for Leipsec.

I would like to see him as a Flyer but think he stays in Carolina.

 

[Little Psycho]

I think JDub signs with Philly and finishes his career where it started.

Leipsec could still return as someone signed over the summer or on a PTO. I like him, but he was a waivers claim, so it’s not like some key piece is going to walk. And the team spoke with his agent, so they know the terms. If the price is too high, then goodbye, and save yourself the distraction of an Arbitration case.

If some team wants to pay him on a multi year deal, or make it one way and over $900k, then good for Leipsec.

Is he on a tour to play with all his ex teams? Lol

 

[The Tikkanen]

Do other fan bases clamor for ex players like King fans? Sign Williams! Sign Simmonds! Hell, there are even people who would be OK with signing Frolov.

 

[DoktorJeep]

On D, maybe the Kings will find an overseas guy to come in, like a Folin or Fantenberg.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Most of the article even points to that, I think 3 of the 4 writers say "nope." It's most likely he stays put or retires. But it was an interesting question that had interesting thoughts from our local folks, most simply lauding Williams and pointing out that even if he were wanting to come back here it's not really the right time because the guys in place need to carry their own water without training wheels, which should sound familiar to anyone on this forum.

See, don't comment on headlines when you're not at home so you can access a paid service. Or at least find the password so you can get it on the phone. Let that be a lesson to all the kids out there.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Do other fan bases clamor for ex players like King fans? Sign Williams! Sign Simmonds! Hell, there are even people who would be OK with signing Frolov.

I've seen Kings fans suggest bringing back this guy...

 

[KINGS17]

I've seen Kings fans suggest bringing back this guy...

I remember the pundits after the trade saying the Kings were going to destroy the NHL with a 1st line of

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I remember the pundits after the trade saying the Kings were going to destroy the NHL with a 1st line of

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik

And naturally, Gaborik got hurt and only appeared in 54 games. On the other hand, Toffoli had his best season that year with 31 goals and 58 points. Both career highs.

 

[YP44]

I remember the pundits after the trade saying the Kings were going to destroy the NHL with a 1st line of

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik

at the time it was a reasonable suggestion. Gaborik almost won the conne smyth the playoff before, Kopitar is kopitar, and lucic was supposed to create alot of space for both of them.

 

[YP44]

And naturally, Gaborik got hurt and only appeared in 54 games. On the other hand, Toffoli had his best season that year with 31 goals and 58 points. Both career highs.

See Edmonton should trade for Toffoli

 

[Vrankol]

Lucic actually wasn't that bad in his lone season in LA. He disappeared in the playoffs though.

It was one of DL's best decisions not to re-sign him. Or else we'd have another crippling contract on our books

 

[YP44]

Lucic actually wasn't that bad in his lone season in LA. He disappeared in the playoffs though.

It was one of DL's best decisions not to re-sign him. Or else we'd have another crippling contract on our books

DL neigh Sayers will point out he offered Lucic an 8 year deal however I believe it was at a much lower cap hit.

 

[BigKing]

I remember the pundits after the trade saying the Kings were going to destroy the NHL with a 1st line of

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik

Gaborik had just put up 27 goals the year before after crushing the 2014 playoffs.

They just had no depth on defense without Voynov. Regher retired. They chose Greene over Mitchell after 2014 and then he only plays three games in 2016.

Ehrhoff. McBain. Scuderi. Schenn. These guys all played significant games for the Kings that season: including the playoffs.

Once Martinez got hurt, they had no chance. Losing Gaborik also hurt as he seemed to be finding some chemistry with Lecavalier. The real killer was Martinez though. Then he comes back for the playoffs, isn't ready, and promptly is back out of the lineup with the injury.

Story of this team since losing Voynov/Mitchell. Simply not enough depth to overcome injuries to even a #4 defenseman. Real house of cards. Played out in the Vegas series as well with Muzzin out for two (and not close to 100% when he came back) and even Forbort. The last two Kings trips to the playoffs have featured defenses with players such as Washed Scuderi, Luke Schenn, Jamie McBain, Kevin Gravel, Paul Ladue, Christian Folin, Oscar Fantenberg and Dion Phaneuf.

Woof.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Do other fan bases clamor for ex players like King fans? Sign Williams! Sign Simmonds! Hell, there are even people who would be OK with signing Frolov.

Saw a story that Wayne might go to Anaheim. Barf.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Lucic actually wasn't that bad in his lone season in LA. He disappeared in the playoffs though.

It was one of DL's best decisions not to re-sign him. Or else we'd have another crippling contract on our books

Yeah, the biggest problem with LA that year was defensive depth, once we had injuries, we had Schenn on our 2nd pairing in the playoffs vs. a Cup finalist

That was actually Toffoli's best season and one of Lucic's as well, he did finish with 55 points.

 

[kovacro]

Saw a story that Wayne might go to Anaheim. Barf.

Fine by me. Let them overpay and take on a player on the decline.

Do it Sucks! Do it!!

 

[KingsHockey24]

Do other fan bases clamor for ex players like King fans? Sign Williams! Sign Simmonds! Hell, there are even people who would be OK with signing Frolov.

Frolov would be fun.

I miss seeing wrap arounds, plus he was like the league leader in goals last season in the Asia league.

 

[YP44]

Fine by me. Let them overpay and take on a player on the decline.

Do it Sucks! Do it!!

aaaannnd here's your silver lining.

 

[BigKing]

Yeah, the biggest problem with LA that year was defensive depth, once we had injuries, we had Schenn on our 2nd pairing in the playoffs vs. a Cup finalist

That was actually Toffoli's best season and one of Lucic's as well, he did finish with 55 points.

Season was going great until Martinez went down and the lack of depth was exposed. Hell, my avatar is from that season as I'm giving a Pens fan shit in what I believe was a December game that the Kings won. Pens were free falling and we were killing it. Fast forward to June and the Pens are winning the first of back-to-back Cups while we are blissfully unaware that Willie Desjardin will be our head coach in only two more seasons.

We were having fun that season. People liked Lucic. The players liked Lucic. We were having fun watching Vinny pull off great moves in the offensive zone. We were optimistic.

Since it ended as a disaster, Lucic is the figurehead for all the wrong decisions Lombardi made after the 2014 Cup. He played well for us. Sure, he sucked in the playoffs but so did the entire team basically.