Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season Part 2

[Bandit]

Hey, find me an example of a guy who just withered away and died after back surgery early in his career and we're good. I'm sure an example exists somewhere, but no one could quote one. Yet we have Muzzin as an example of one, Olli Juolevi looks to still have a career, and Scott Barney played as well, just never met expectations. Those are just the few I came up with in a few minutes.

I know a lot of people here like to be pre-emptively miserable but history is not on their side.

Obviously don't go penning him onto this season's 1st line, but going CAREER OVER is probably even sillier.

He may well "have a career" but we didn't draft him where we did to carve our 400 games on the 3rd line. It's just not that likely to miss this much time at this age and reach his full potential. We need him to be a top 2c, not top out with career earnings of 4.6 million.

 

[bouncesonly]

Not saying Vilardi doesn't want to play, you must be new. There is a LONG list of players who have played for the Kings where fans could question their desire to play.

There's a long list of other 19 year old Kings players where they were not motivated to play hockey?

 

[Martyros]

I never said he wouldn't be an impact player, just pointed out what I thought was obvious, it just isn't a good sign. How many people have we heard of that got back injuries around the time of their draft year? Now, if he ends up playing and doesn't meet expectations, are we not going to use the back injury as a major cause?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He may well "have a career" but we didn't draft him where we did to carve our 400 games on the 3rd line. It's just not that likely to miss this much time at this age and reach his full potential. We need him to be a top 2c, not top out with career earnings of 4.6 million.

I never said he wouldn't be an impact player, just pointed out what I thought was obvious, it just isn't a good sign. How many people have we heard of that got back injuries around the time of their draft year? Now, if he ends up playing and doesn't meet expectations, are we not going to use the back injury as a major cause?

And I listed three examples of guys who went on to have full recoveries.

Can you come up with some who didn't?

I'm not saying it's a good thing and he may well be hampered especially in the way Bandit points out we didn't draft him "just" to play, I'm just saying writing him off already is even more foolhardy when there are at least several examples of the opposite.

They've managed his injury for some time now. Jake Muzzin was out of hockey for over a year and a half. And that was more than a decade ago, would imagine they're better at back stuff by now.

Edit: and keep in mind my response was to such ridiculous statements as "you've seen the last of Vilardi" and "we're more likely to draft #1 overall than ever see Vilardi." I know we're bound to pessimism/cynicism around here, but good grief, write an emo song. It's like when people are presented with facts they double down on emotion.

 

[KingsFan7824]

 

[KingPuckChoo]

it would be ok to sign both M. Johansson and B. Hutton to reasonable deals only to ease the workload on our forwards and Doughty

but anyway

 

[The Tikkanen]

And I listed three examples of guys who went on to have full recoveries.

Can you come up with some who didn't?

I'm not saying it's a good thing and he may well be hampered especially in the way Bandit points out we didn't draft him "just" to play, I'm just saying writing him off already is even more foolhardy when there are at least several examples of the opposite.

They've managed his injury for some time now. Jake Muzzin was out of hockey for over a year and a half. And that was more than a decade ago, would imagine they're better at back stuff by now.

Edit: and keep in mind my response was to such ridiculous statements as "you've seen the last of Vilardi" and "we're more likely to draft #1 overall than ever see Vilardi." I know we're bound to pessimism/cynicism around here, but good grief, write an emo song. It's like when people are presented with facts they double down on emotion.

Has Vilardi had back surgery?

 

[kings11]

Has Vilardi had back surgery?

yes, last offseason... what type of surgery?? no one knows for sure

 

[johnjm22]

I just get annoyed when people make conclusions about Vilardi.

The truth is we have no idea. No of us do. We don't even know what the issue is exactly.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I just get annoyed when people make conclusions about Vilardi.

The truth is we have no idea. No of us do. We don't even know what the issue is exactly.

All we know is that he hasn’t been on a sheet of ice in many months, is at home still rehabilitating from whatever is hampering him, and has missed three consecutive years of development camp because of his ailing back.

I could see why fans are down on his recovery; given the lack of updates, it’s understandable why fans are losing hope in him.

He has missed a lot of playing time for three consecutive seasons. That’s a concern. I don’t think the aforementioned players with back injuries stayed off the ice as long and consistently as Vilardi has.

 

[kingsholygrail]

The thing is, you can't factor him into future plans until he's out on the ice and actually playing again. Until we get better updates, he's a complete non-factor in this team's development and future.

 

[YP44]

I just get annoyed when people make conclusions about Vilardi.

The truth is we have no idea. No of us do. We don't even know what the issue is exactly.

I agree but I also think it is presumptuous to count on him being a top contributor.

 

[YP44]

it would be ok to sign both M. Johansson and B. Hutton to reasonable deals only to ease the workload on our forwards and Doughty

but anyway

I think we already have enough forwards trying to get ice time so no for me on Johansson, Hutton I could see.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Herby's favorite trade in Kings history.

 

[Butch 19]

I just get annoyed when people make conclusions about Vilardi.

The truth is we have no idea. No of us do. We don't even know what the issue is exactly.

yeah, but we can look at his box scores (and lack thereof) and draw some simple conclusions: He not PLAYING!! You can't pull any positive out of that simple fact.

 

[YP44]

Herby's favorite trade in Kings history.

I made a bet LA would make the playoffs that year with three different people for $50 each. I made that bet the night before this trade.

When I won they got me a big happy Gilmore style cheque haha

 

[KingPuckChoo]

I agree but I also think it is presumptuous to count on him being a top contributor.

yes a ton of garbage

but truthfully, do we really have a LW that can pretend he belongs on the first line? Marcus can pretend

 

[henkkj]

The Reign is going to have a super interesting roster this season with all the young guns there. Made a little depth chart/line combos for both clubs and thought might as well post them here. Obviously lines could be completely different but this is just to give an idea who is playing where. Looking forward to reports from you guys who actually watch Reign games.

LA:

Iafallo - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Carter - Toffoli
Wagner - Prok - Kovy
Cliffy - Amadio - Lewis
Lizotte

Forbort - Doughty
Martinez - Roy
Ryan - Walker
McD, LaDue

Quick
Campbell

ONT:

Grund - JAD - Luff
Frk - Kupari - Rempal

Anderson - Durzi
Brickley - Clague
Phillips - Strand

Petersen
Kehler
Villalta (ECHL?)

I left out the bottom 6 for the Reign, because I really don't know much about guys like Imama, Eyssimont etc. Sucks that it seems like there is no room in the NHL for Grundström and Luff at the moment, but hopefully a few trades happen during the season so they get at least some games up with the big club. One thing is for certain, a lot of talent in Ontario to be excited about!

 

[YP44]

The Reign is going to have a super interesting roster this season with all the young guns there. Made a little depth chart/line combos for both clubs and thought might as well post them here. Obviously lines could be completely different but this is just to give an idea who is playing where. Looking forward to reports from you guys who actually watch Reign games.

LA:

Iafallo - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Carter - Toffoli
Wagner - Prok - Kovy
Cliffy - Amadio - Lewis
Lizotte

Forbort - Doughty
Martinez - Roy
Ryan - Walker
McD, LaDue

Quick
Campbell

ONT:

Grund - JAD - Luff
Frk - Kupari - Rempal

Anderson - Durzi
Brickley - Clague
Phillips - Strand

Petersen
Kehler
Villalta (ECHL?)

I left out the bottom 6 for the Reign, because I really don't know much about guys like Imama, Eyssimont etc. Sucks that it seems like there is no room in the NHL for Grundström and Luff at the moment, but hopefully a few trades happen during the season so they get at least some games up with the big club. One thing is for certain, a lot of talent in Ontario to be excited about!

Of the players you have in the AHL any that require waivers?

 

[kilowatt]

The Reign is going to have a super interesting roster this season with all the young guns there. Made a little depth chart/line combos for both clubs and thought might as well post them here. Obviously lines could be completely different but this is just to give an idea who is playing where. Looking forward to reports from you guys who actually watch Reign games.

LA:

Iafallo - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Carter - Toffoli
Wagner - Prok - Kovy
Cliffy - Amadio - Lewis
Lizotte

Forbort - Doughty
Martinez - Roy
Ryan - Walker
McD, LaDue

Quick
Campbell

ONT:

Grund - JAD - Luff
Frk - Kupari - Rempal

Anderson - Durzi
Brickley - Clague
Phillips - Strand

Petersen
Kehler
Villalta (ECHL?)

I left out the bottom 6 for the Reign, because I really don't know much about guys like Imama, Eyssimont etc. Sucks that it seems like there is no room in the NHL for Grundström and Luff at the moment, but hopefully a few trades happen during the season so they get at least some games up with the big club. One thing is for certain, a lot of talent in Ontario to be excited about!

Of the players you have in the AHL any that require waivers?

From the NHL roster listed, the following players are waiver exempt: Lizotte, Wagner, Walker, Roy
From the AHL roster listed, the following players are NOT waiver exempt: Frk

Source: Los Angeles Kings - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[YP44]

From the NHL roster listed, the following players are waiver exempt: Lizotte, Wagner, Walker, Roy
From the AHL roster listed, the following players are NOT waiver exempt: Frk

Source: Los Angeles Kings - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

thank you.
Any of the D listed that can play in the CHL still?

 

[henkkj]

From the NHL roster listed, the following players are waiver exempt: Lizotte, Wagner, Walker, Roy
From the AHL roster listed, the following players are NOT waiver exempt: Frk

Source: Los Angeles Kings - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Totally forgot about Lizotte being waiver exempt. Frk could also be the 13th forward and Lizotte sent down but I don't know if that matters that much since I doubt Frk would get claimed.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

All we know is that he hasn’t been on a sheet of ice in many months, is at home still rehabilitating from whatever is hampering him, and has missed three consecutive years of development camp because of his ailing back.

I could see why fans are down on his recovery; given the lack of updates, it’s understandable why fans are losing hope in him.

He has missed a lot of playing time for three consecutive seasons. That’s a concern. I don’t think the aforementioned players with back injuries stayed off the ice as long and consistently as Vilardi has.

Again, Muzzin missed a year and a half and some change (offseasons) on either side.

If Vilardi's not back by January/February, then he's at Muzzin's time out. And even then not really given he tried to play a few games this past season. This will all echo a bit eerily:

"Muzzin was the first pick, 11th overall, by Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection Draft from the Brantford 99'ers Minor Midgets. He did not play with the Greyhounds until late in 2006 after he required herniated disc surgery at age 16." Muzzin played 57 minor games in 04-05, then had surgery, then didn't play until 37 games remained in '07.

Though totally agree he's missed a lot of development time. My point, again, isn't that it's not worrying; my point is only that there's precedent and people keep sweeping right over it.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Herby's favorite trade in Kings history.

I forgot about Preissing, another fantastic free agent signing, 4 years, 11 million bucks. Scored 20 points as a King.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Herby's favorite trade in Kings history.

I do that trade 100 times. Quincey will only be 34 in August. That's weird. Feels like he should be older.