Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season Part 2

[The Tikkanen]

Two of the oddest jerseys I've seen worn by fans: #29 Steven Finn and #2 Doug Zmolek, and they definitely weren't sweatshop knockoffs. There is no greater sign of dedication than a fan who spends money on a Zmolek or Finn Kings' sweater.

Wearing a Chinese knockoff Doug Zmolek jersey should get you banned from every NHL arena. Finn I'd be OK with.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Maple Leafs, Kings pursuing Hutton — The Fourth Period

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings are two of several teams interested in pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Ben Hutton, TFP has learned.

Hutton, 26, became eligible for unrestricted free agent status after the Vancouver Canucks failed to extend him a qualifying offer.

The Canucks, however, are still in the mix and have expressed their desire to re-sign Hutton, who made $2.8 million this season.

While Hutton is a left-handed defenceman, and the Maple Leafs are primarily in the market for a right-shooting blueliner, Leafs defenceman Travis Dermott is out six months after undergoing shoulder surgery and may not be back in the lineup until November. Dermott also plays the right side, despite being a left-handed shot.

The Kings are lacking on the left side, with Derek Forbort being the only left-handed blueliner they currently have with NHL experience.

A number of other teams in the market for a left-handed defenceman, including the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings, though it’s unclear if these particular teams have reached out to Hutton’s agent.

In 69 games with the Canucks this season, Hutton registered five goals and 15 assists for 20 points.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Did that dumbass writer forget about Alec Martinez?

 

[Basilisk]

Anyone think Pavelski would want to sign here 'cuz of our coach? Has this been brought up before? Thanks!!!

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Anyone think Pavelski would want to sign here 'cuz of our coach? Has this been brought up before? Thanks!!!

Pavelski is going to want to win a cup...I'm sure he'll have much better options than the Kings.

 

[BringTheReign]

Anyone think Pavelski would want to sign here 'cuz of our coach? Has this been brought up before? Thanks!!!

Zero chance. Pavelski wants to contend. I'm one of the few who doesn't believe we are as bad as last year ended up, but we're definitely not contenders. If he was a free agent last summer and we hadn't signed Kovalchuk yet but still had McLellan, I could maybe see it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The only thing Pavs is coming to the Kings for is leverage. See Jumbo.

 

[YP44]

Maple Leafs, Kings pursuing Hutton — The Fourth Period

Wait can I right for the 4th period?

 

[Primakov!]

Wait can I right for the 4th period?

Uh, well... I guess? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[YP44]

Uh, well... I guess? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

hahah it's on par with some of the other stuff

 

[KingsFan7824]

The only thing Pavs is coming to the Kings for is leverage. See Jumbo.

Worked out for Kovalchuk though. Probably got himself an extra $6m for calling the Kings bluff.

But yeah, there really hasn't been one word about the Kings in any of these free agent rumors. Likely for good reason. The grades were too bad to get to go to prom this year.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Anyone think Pavelski would want to sign here 'cuz of our coach? Has this been brought up before? Thanks!!!

No, because the Kings are not looking to sign aging players, they are looking to insert youth into the lineup. Signing Pavelski, or any UFA forward, takes away a spot for a young player. They already have too many forwards as is.

 

[The Tikkanen]

This is Pavelski's last big money deal-he will absolutely cash out on some NHL team.

 

[AzKing]

The Kings are going to be a pretty bad team next year as well. They aren't getting any high level talent at this point and are just going to save their money. It will be just some warm bodies to hold spots until the kids are ready. I expect them to be in the bottom 5 again at least in overall record.

 

[Reaper45]

Worked out for Kovalchuk though. Probably got himself an extra $6m for calling the Kings bluff.

But yeah, there really hasn't been one word about the Kings in any of these free agent rumors. Likely for good reason. The grades were too bad to get to go to prom this year.

Supposedly they kicked the tires on Hutton and Brandon Tanev. Placeholders and nothing more.

 

[BigKing]

Think Pavelski will sign here? Hahahahaha.

 

[kovacro]

This is Pavelski's last big money deal-he will absolutely cash out on some NHL team.

I'm gonna go with Dallas. They will likely lose Zucc and could use help balancing out their top 6.

 

[DoktorJeep]

With the tv contract up with nbcsn in a couple years, it didn’t surprise me that NY/NJ won the draft lottery. Chicago getting the third pick was just over compensation. The Rangers are the usual team to push forward all there chips, but I think that NJ is going for it.

My money is on Panarin signing with the Devils. Subban, the Bread Man, Hall, Hischier and Hughes is completely realistic and deadly. Best top 5 in the metro by a mile. The weakness is keeping goals out of the net, specifically at goalie and left D.

That’s where Rob Blake steps in. Showcase one: Jon Quick. Multiple Cup winner, Conn Smythe, Vezina snub, American hero, heir to Mike Richter and New England born. Cory Schneider and Ty Smyth to LA, done.

Showcase two: Derek Forbort. Cup winner. Stalwart at D, has a left hand and has registered a shot on goal at all levels. Carried Drew Doughty to a Norris. History of being able to keep up with ringers, late first round project and able to find both Dakotas on a map. 2nd and 5th rounders straight up, done!

 

[crassbonanza]

Derek Forbort. Cup winner.

Not sure how much they'd value being a Calder Cup winner as an intangible, but I'm not a GM

 

[BigKing]

With the tv contract up with nbcsn in a couple years, it didn’t surprise me that NY/NJ won the draft lottery. Chicago getting the third pick was just over compensation. The Rangers are the usual team to push forward all there chips, but I think that NJ is going for it.

My money is on Panarin signing with the Devils. Subban, the Bread Man, Hall, Hischier and Hughes is completely realistic and deadly. Best top 5 in the metro by a mile. The weakness is keeping goals out of the net, specifically at goalie and left D.

That’s where Rob Blake steps in. Showcase one: Jon Quick. Multiple Cup winner, Conn Smythe, Vezina snub, American hero, heir to Mike Richter and New England born. Cory Schneider and Ty Smyth to LA, done.

Showcase two: Derek Forbort. Cup winner. Stalwart at D, has a left hand and has registered a shot on goal at all levels. Carried Drew Doughty to a Norris. History of being able to keep up with ringers, late first round project and able to find both Dakotas on a map. 2nd and 5th rounders straight up, done!

Calder Cup winner.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Calder Cup winner.

Good call, make that a third and a fifth, write the press release!

 

[Martyros]

Did that dumbass writer forget about Alec Martinez?

Maybe he got traded and isn't official yet?

 

[Cook24]

Colin Miller might be heading to Buffalo according to reports. With them already having Bogosian, Montour, and Ristolainen on the right side on defense, looks like the Ristolainen being traded rumors might be true. Would like to see the Kings get him, not sure what Buffalo would want...it’d probably be too expensive for the Kings taste...

 

[Reaper45]

Colin Miller might be heading to Buffalo according to reports. With them already having Bogosian, Montoya, and Ristolainen on the right side on defense, looks like the Ristolainen being traded rumors might be true. Would like to see the Kings get him, not sure what Buffalo would want...it’d probably be too expensive for the Kings taste...

They can finally have Toffoli.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

People describe Ristolainen as Jack Johnson 2.0, albeit prime JJ. Would we really want that?