Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season Part 2

[BigKing]

Dion was getting rotated in and out so it doesn't matter if he's gone. They will use the same dudes from last year with Clague and maybe Brickley seeing time at some point.

The tank is on.

 

[Mats26]

You start that defense you'll be picking #1 overall. it will look more like Doughty-Hopefully a trade
Trade-Martinez
Trade-Walker
You cannot go into a season with a defense full of kids AND have Quick back there. You're wasting an asset. The defense is going to look vastly different next season at the expense of the forwards.

With our luck , it will be the fourth pick.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Anyone know the exact math of what the Kings owe Phaneuf for a buyout? It’s not 8 million because Ottawa is picking up a portion...

 

[King'sPawn]

Anyone know the exact math of what the Kings owe Phaneuf for a buyout? It’s not 8 million because Ottawa is picking up a portion...

Dion Phaneuf Contract Buyout Details - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

This site does it for you.

So the worst year is 20-21, where it's $5.4. I don't know if that gets split between the two teams or not.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Anyone know the exact math of what the Kings owe Phaneuf for a buyout? It’s not 8 million because Ottawa is picking up a portion...

$6M would be the cash owed by the Kings.

Here is the cap breakdown:

19-20: $2.187M
20-21: $4.062M
21-22: $1.062M
22-23: $1.062M

This being the Kings portion.

 

[Rusty Batch]

You start that defense you'll be picking #1 overall. it will look more like Doughty-Hopefully a trade
Trade-Martinez
Trade-Walker
You cannot go into a season with a defense full of kids AND have Quick back there. You're wasting an asset. The defense is going to look vastly different next season at the expense of the forwards.

Are you sure quick is an assett?And are you sure our defense is better with phaneuf then with a "kid" replacing him?

 

[Bandit]

What would the upside be to buying out Phaneuf? We don’t exactly have a ton of young defensemen knocking on the door and the Kings are going to be awful next year with or without his cap hit.

 

[Mats26]

What would the upside be to buying out Phaneuf? We don’t exactly have a ton of young defensemen knocking on the door and the Kings are going to be awful next year with or without his cap hit.

We'll have cap space to bring in a better D maybe? The short-term plan(1-2 years) should be to replace Dion-Martinez-Forbort with younger prospects, UFAs or trades that fit our rebuilding model.

 

[Johnny Utah]

$6M would be the cash owed by the Kings.

Here is the cap breakdown:

19-20: $2.187M
20-21: $4.062M
21-22: $1.062M
22-23: $1.062M

This being the Kings portion.

So the Kings pay half (6 million) to the 12 total owed to him. Hmmm...

 

[HeadInjury]

A buyout clears about $3 million off this year's cap which could be used toward taking on a bad (one year) contract in exchange for picks/prospects.

 

[kings11]

Anyone know the exact math of what the Kings owe Phaneuf for a buyout? It’s not 8 million because Ottawa is picking up a portion...

1) under $2
2) slightly over $4
3&4) under $2

I did an exact amount last time but i'm too lazy to do it again

 

[YP44]

I still am in the camp that does not think a buy out would be worth it.

Even if you think a quick turn around is unliklely for this club having his buyout hit for 4 years kills the remote potential of a quick turn to a competitive team.

 

[KingsFan7824]

You start that defense you'll be picking #1 overall. it will look more like Doughty-Hopefully a trade
Trade-Martinez
Trade-Walker
You cannot go into a season with a defense full of kids AND have Quick back there. You're wasting an asset. The defense is going to look vastly different next season at the expense of the forwards.

That shouldn't be the defense that starts. People are forcing Anderson and/or Clague in there because I think they're desperate for any reason to watch next year. Youth! Woohoo! Anderson just turned 20 last week. Clague will be 21 in a couple days, and just finished his 1st pro year. We're not talking about top 5 picks. Most guys need time.

Even if you get rid of Phaneuf, it's Doughty, Martinez, Forbort, and then LaDue/MacD/Walker/Roy/Brickley. You can easily throw any and all of those 5 out there, and who cares. They're all 24/25 years old. Well, LaDue is 27. They're most likely throw away players. They likely won't be around by the time the Kings have a competitive team again. They'll still be a bottom 5 team, but the guys with any actual potential, you leave them in Ontario. Outside of a call up.

They have 17 d-men under contract. Moverare I guess is staying in Sweden, and without Phaneuf, that's still 15. That's more than enough to fill out both the Kings and Reign. This vastly different look, I think might be going a bit too far. Significantly different from October 2018, sure. No Muzzin, no Phaneuf, no Fantenberg, that's a 43% turnover from what might be in October 2019. From the defense that ended April 2019? Might not be too different.

What would the upside be to buying out Phaneuf? We don’t exactly have a ton of young defensemen knocking on the door and the Kings are going to be awful next year with or without his cap hit.

Just wait to see. Are they going to use that extra cap space for next year for some reason? Are they planning on adding to the team in the name of not purposefully tanking from the first day of summer? Does it help bring in a bad contract? Is the lockout coming in 2020, meaning the main portion of Phaneuf's dead cap could be somewhat diminished?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That shouldn't be the defense that starts. People are forcing Anderson and/or Clague in there because I think they're desperate for any reason to watch next year. Youth! Woohoo! Anderson just turned 20 last week. Clague will be 21 in a couple days, and just finished his 1st pro year. We're not talking about top 5 picks. Most guys need time.

Even if you get rid of Phaneuf, it's Doughty, Martinez, Forbort, and then LaDue/MacD/Walker/Roy/Brickley. You can easily throw any and all of those 5 out there, and who cares. They're all 24/25 years old. Well, LaDue is 27. They're most likely throw away players. They likely won't be around by the time the Kings have a competitive team again. They'll still be a bottom 5 team, but the guys with any actual potential, you leave them in Ontario. Outside of a call up.

They have 17 d-men under contract. Moverare I guess is staying in Sweden, and without Phaneuf, that's still 15. That's more than enough to fill out both the Kings and Reign. This vastly different look, I think might be going a bit too far. Significantly different from October 2018, sure. No Muzzin, no Phaneuf, no Fantenberg, that's a 43% turnover from what might be in October 2019. From the defense that ended April 2019? Might not be too different.

Amen.

Would love to see Anderson and Clague get like 20 games apiece next year, but unless the blow the doors off, they're better off leading Ontario. I don't care about the further development of LaDue, MacD, Walker, Brickley, Roy at this point. Let them get ruined if they must, if you can even call it that in some cases, like Roy, who was a 7th-round longshot anyway. Sink or swim.

Of course, coach will still find a way to get LaDue alternating games and no rhythm, but I digress...

 

[KingsFan7824]

I still am in the camp that does not think a buy out would be worth it.

Even if you think a quick turn around is unliklely for this club having his buyout hit for 4 years kills the remote potential of a quick turn to a competitive team.

The last 2 years, assuming the cap goes up, would basically be nothing. Although combine it with Richards, and it does add up to something, but still not insane.

It all depends on what they would do as a result. What the people in charge are thinking. Yeah, this franchise should be as bad as they can be every year, but then on the other hand, they are paying real money to Kopitar and Doughty(and others). They might have to try to put on a show to boost a little revenue.

 

[BigKing]

What the guys above me said.

I'm down for pretty much all of the prospects people hope to pencil in to the Kings lineup next season actually playing in Ontario all year outside of call-ups. I'd rather these guys get big minutes playing pro hockey together as opposed to getting small minutes on a bad team. Let them build chemistry and bring it with them to the big club once they are truly ready.

A lot of people on here need to realize that next year doesn't mean shit as far as W/Ls go. Management just wants to see a better effort and buy-in to T-Mac's system along with some progression from the younger guys.

 

[KopitarFAN]

So the Kings pay half (6 million) to the 12 total owed to him. Hmmm...

Yea, he gets 2/3 ($8M) and Ottawa has to pay 25%, leaving $6M.

 

[KingsFan7824]

A lot of people on here need to realize that next year doesn't mean **** as far as W/Ls go. Management just wants to see a better effort and buy-in to T-Mac's system along with some progression from the younger guys.

We'll have a better idea in a month. By July 3rd, we'll probably know what the roster is going to look like. If any old guys are going to be gone, they'll be gone within 4 weeks. If they're going to try to not purposefully waste a year of Kopitar and Doughty at $21m on the cap, we'll know within 4 weeks. The long time players on the roster have lost any and all benefit of the doubt that they ever built up over the last 5 years. Maybe something was said during the exit meetings that will make management go full Lombardi, and for some reason believe in those same long time players again. We don't really know, but we'll likely know within the next 4 weeks.

I get tanking, and I get honestly trying your best but still failing. They weren't trying to be 30th this year. Despite needing real, youthful, top line potential, they'll probably not actively try to be 30th next year either. I don't know what that's going to mean in terms of the team they have to put on the ice come September though.

 

[AzKing]

There is an interesting story in the Athletic about Toronto and getting out from under Marleau and Zaitsev.

They referenced the Kings in Marleau and how they and San Jose make sense but SJ probably can’t fit him under the cap. As for the Kings, the said maybe taking back Kovy at a discount since they have a LW hole and need PP help.

AZ is mentioned as well but like the Kings, they would want a contract taken back.

I frankly think it’s stupid to demand a contract be taken back because it’s a one year cap dump rental for the Kings who are going nowhere. Ask for a a prospect and/or a pick and call it a day.

As for Zaitsev it’s more the contract and probably needing to include assets. They also mentioned taking an injured player back and putting him on IR. Zaitsev is young and needs to get out of the meat grinder that is TOR. They will take a dump on anyone at anytime as media. LA would be a pretty fresh start with a lot less heat on him. It’s a risk and I wouldn’t go in unless maybe it was a package. They are essentially giving away Zaitsev because he is overpriced right now and whoever is buying the stock is buying low. Even at his worst, he is better than Forbort.

Would you take on both Marleau and Zaitsev if they included Sandin and the #53 pick? I haven’t included anything going back on our end yet since this is basically getting them out from under the cap problem and what we send it return would be minimal.

Leafs fans would not be thrilled with the return but if it allows them to sign their horses then it’s a win.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

There is an interesting story in the Athletic about Toronto and getting out from under Marleau and Zaitsev.

They referenced the Kings in Marleau and how they and San Jose make sense but SJ probably can’t fit him under the cap. As for the Kings, the said maybe taking back Kovy at a discount since they have a LW hole and need PP help.

AZ is mentioned as well but like the Kings, they would want a contract taken back.

I frankly think it’s stupid to demand a contract be taken back because it’s a one year cap dump rental for the Kings who are going nowhere. Ask for a a prospect and/or a pick and call it a day.

As for Zaitsev it’s more the contract and probably needing to include assets. They also mentioned taking an injured player back and putting him on IR. Zaitsev is young and needs to get out of the meat grinder that is TOR. They will take a dump on anyone at anytime as media. LA would be a pretty fresh start with a lot less heat on him. It’s a risk and I wouldn’t go in unless maybe it was a package. They are essentially giving away Zaitsev because he is overpriced right now and whoever is buying the stock is buying low. Even at his worst, he is better than Forbort.

Would you take on both Marleau and Zaitsev if they included Sandin and the #53 pick? I haven’t included anything going back on our end yet since this is basically getting them out from under the cap problem and what we send it return would be minimal.

Leafs fans would not be thrilled with the return but if it allows them to sign their horses then it’s a win.

No any trade with the leafs would have to bring in a 2020 pick not this year draft Marleau has a bonus that has to be paid july 1st

 

[YP44]

There is an interesting story in the Athletic about Toronto and getting out from under Marleau and Zaitsev.

They referenced the Kings in Marleau and how they and San Jose make sense but SJ probably can’t fit him under the cap. As for the Kings, the said maybe taking back Kovy at a discount since they have a LW hole and need PP help.

AZ is mentioned as well but like the Kings, they would want a contract taken back.

I frankly think it’s stupid to demand a contract be taken back because it’s a one year cap dump rental for the Kings who are going nowhere. Ask for a a prospect and/or a pick and call it a day.

As for Zaitsev it’s more the contract and probably needing to include assets. They also mentioned taking an injured player back and putting him on IR. Zaitsev is young and needs to get out of the meat grinder that is TOR. They will take a dump on anyone at anytime as media. LA would be a pretty fresh start with a lot less heat on him. It’s a risk and I wouldn’t go in unless maybe it was a package. They are essentially giving away Zaitsev because he is overpriced right now and whoever is buying the stock is buying low. Even at his worst, he is better than Forbort.

Would you take on both Marleau and Zaitsev if they included Sandin and the #53 pick? I haven’t included anything going back on our end yet since this is basically getting them out from under the cap problem and what we send it return would be minimal.

Leafs fans would not be thrilled with the return but if it allows them to sign their horses then it’s a win.

If LA could fit that under the cap (they cannot currently) then yes from an LA POV. From a Toronto they should not and likely would not include Sandin

 

[BigKing]

We'll have a better idea in a month. By July 3rd, we'll probably know what the roster is going to look like. If any old guys are going to be gone, they'll be gone within 4 weeks. If they're going to try to not purposefully waste a year of Kopitar and Doughty at $21m on the cap, we'll know within 4 weeks. The long time players on the roster have lost any and all benefit of the doubt that they ever built up over the last 5 years. Maybe something was said during the exit meetings that will make management go full Lombardi, and for some reason believe in those same long time players again. We don't really know, but we'll likely know within the next 4 weeks.

I get tanking, and I get honestly trying your best but still failing. They weren't trying to be 30th this year. Despite needing real, youthful, top line potential, they'll probably not actively try to be 30th next year either. I don't know what that's going to mean in terms of the team they have to put on the ice come September though.

They are paying 11 and 8 for a lot more years than just next. They won't purposefully tank but they aren't going to go out and look for the missing piece like they thought they were doing last off-season.

Of course, most of us thought they wouldn't be that good in '18 and Kopitar went off. He is on/off and next year is when he should be back on going by his history.

I agree that we don't know anything for sure at this point, but Management is definitely setting low expectations. T-Mac saying that this is the start of a marathon and not a sprint sounds like someone pretty secure with his job no matter what the W/L record is this season. I'd expect vets to be moved for futures before any help being brought in but, of course, which vets actually have value.

I'm expecting something similar to DL's last off-season where nobody of consequence was signed or traded. Maybe they ship out Kovy and bring in a cap dump but I'm expecting it to be mostly a run-it-back season except guys like Grundstrom, Roy and even MacD will be on the roster from opening night forward.

 

[Rorschach]

I don't think the Kings can send a player the other way in a deal for Marleau, but if they get a top notch prospect coming our way with Marleau, I am all for it. I agree with @BigKing we should applaud Blake for taking this approach.

Agree.
I imagine something like this...Marleau with significant retention plus a young asset (like the Kings swapping their 2019 4th for TO’s 2020 2nd)...then the Kings promise to Marleau they will trade him to a contender...flip him again at the deadline with more retention for 3rd and a 4th.

This can maybe work due to this being the last year of his contract. 6+ mil Patty is too much but 1 mil (all the retention plus pro rated at the deadline) Patty could be a desirable deadline pickup for a contender with winger injuries.

Kings net a 2nd and 3rd, replace their 4th...TO saved over 3m cap this year.

 

[HeadInjury]

There is an interesting story in the Athletic about Toronto and getting out from under Marleau and Zaitsev.

They referenced the Kings in Marleau and how they and San Jose make sense but SJ probably can’t fit him under the cap. As for the Kings, the said maybe taking back Kovy at a discount since they have a LW hole and need PP help.

AZ is mentioned as well but like the Kings, they would want a contract taken back.

I frankly think it’s stupid to demand a contract be taken back because it’s a one year cap dump rental for the Kings who are going nowhere. Ask for a a prospect and/or a pick and call it a day.

As for Zaitsev it’s more the contract and probably needing to include assets. They also mentioned taking an injured player back and putting him on IR. Zaitsev is young and needs to get out of the meat grinder that is TOR. They will take a dump on anyone at anytime as media. LA would be a pretty fresh start with a lot less heat on him. It’s a risk and I wouldn’t go in unless maybe it was a package. They are essentially giving away Zaitsev because he is overpriced right now and whoever is buying the stock is buying low. Even at his worst, he is better than Forbort.

Would you take on both Marleau and Zaitsev if they included Sandin and the #53 pick? I haven’t included anything going back on our end yet since this is basically getting them out from under the cap problem and what we send it return would be minimal.

Leafs fans would not be thrilled with the return but if it allows them to sign their horses then it’s a win.

Arizona barely missed the playoffs. I don't see them as being in on a Marleau trade unless Toronto offers a lot. They are ready to try and compete.

While some think the Kings should be happy to get a draft pick for Marleau, Toronto is in a real bind. Marleau apparently wants to go West and there are not a lot of options. If the Kings agree to a trade that isn't really painful for Toronto, then Blake isn't doing his job. If Toronto finds another trading partner, fine with me.

I'd steer clear of Zaitsev.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Highlights:

Kempe started the World Championship playing center between Philadelphia’s Oskar Lindblom and Calgary’s Elias Lindholm. With this group, Kempe registered two assists, both coming in an 8-0 blowout win over Italy. Against a strong Czech team, Kempe didn’t register a point but performed well.

In his two games at center during the tournament, Kempe played with poise and confidence and consistently used his speed to put his talented wingers in scoring position. He appeared to have an elevated comfort level, some of which could be attributed to a bigger ice sheet, quality of linemates and, in the case of his performance against Italy, an inferior level of competition.

However, Kempe’s performance at center should be viewed as encouraging for the Kings staff as his continued development at the position is critical for both Kempe and the Kings’ future. Center is the most important position in hockey and the one with the highest price tag. The hope would be that Kempe continues the confidence he displayed and channels it into becoming the second-line center the organization needs him to be because of the decline of Jeff Carter.

Kempe would go on to register three goals and an assist during his final six games of the tournament at wing. His production was positive, but it was his overall play that was truly encouraging. Kempe appeared to be at top speed more often while playing on the wing compared to his time at center this past season.

Playing on the wing also appeared to free up his mind offensively. This idea of playing more freely as winger isn’t uncommon because as a winger there is less responsibility and movement on the defensive side compared to center. Kempe was a far more dangerous scoring threat on the wing because he used his speed to jump on loose pucks on the forecheck and jet to open ice in transition. He was also able to generate more shot attempts from the wing and create shots from areas where he likes to shoot.

While Kempe’s skating ability provides a lot to love from the center position, I wonder if a jump in his offensive production next season could be as simple as moving the young Swede to the wing full-time. Having drafted him as a center in 2014, the organization would love to see Kempe flourish in the middle, but imagine the speed and finishing ability he could bring to the Kings’ top line alongside Kopitar and Brown. He would provide the veteran duo with a speed element that it has never had before.