Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season

[riznat]

Looks like Jagr, 47 years young , still has it...pretty goal He could teach the kids a thing or two...he could teach the vets a thing or two

So awesome, you can't be a hockey fan and not love that.

 

[redcard]

Looks like Jagr, 47 years young , still has it...pretty goal He could teach the kids a thing or two...he could teach the vets a thing or two

My favorite part is when he steals the puck from his own teammate.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Why do you think a player like Iafallo has another 10 years left in his career? Odds are it's more like 4-5 years.

Iafallo isn't the next coming of Justin Williams, or any other player like Williams who has had a long career playing in the NHL. You don't think there will be another college free agent come along, or a kid drafted last year who will be taking his job in a few years? Younger and better, that is the mantra you want to follow.

Look at it from another angle. In 2012 when the Kings won their first cup Lewis was 25, Fraser was 27, Richardson was 26. Iafallo is 25 today. I get that Richardson is still playing, and Iafallo might scratch out a longer career than I am estimating, but don't you think Richardson at 32 years of age is done being a useful component on a contending team? These are valid comparisons in my view, and I don't see Iafallo playing in the NHL more than another 4-5 seasons.

Trevor Lewis' best season was the same result as Iafallo's rookie year and he's still going strong at 32. Fraser never broke 20 points and was on his way out when he landed here. Brad Richardson's career year is 31 points and that's still behind Iafallo this year, but he had a career goal scoring year this year at age 34. If those were actually the comparables, it would help explain why you and this board are so down on Iafallo. Alex's rookie year is better than 98% of any season any one of those guys put up. Plus if your argument is that Iafallo won't have a long career, these guys who have put up less points than him are in spitting distance of the milestone we set, so why can't Alex?

Within 3 points of Iafallo this awful Kings year: Ryan Strome, Nick Bonino, Nick Foligno, Vesey, Stepan, Conor Sheary, Kotkaniemi, Robert Thomas, Jesper Bratt. Hell of a lot of really good fourth liners there, eh?

And this is all assuming Iafallo has peaked, which I don't believe he has.

Again, 2nd highest even strength goals on the team next to Kopitar. He's not likely to be a prolific scorer, and that's fine, but this board has a terrible problem evaluating what players at various lineup spots actually do...painting our bottom six like they can't produce when they were and always are league average or better, now painting a good middle sixer like he's an expendable fourth liner. Colin Fraser? Seriously?

If someone comes along and takes his job sure, he's gone, no one would be miffed about that--but that's years off. He's a good kid for this team. Actively trying to trade him for no real reason is road apples. I'm not even his biggest fanboy, I save that affection for Leipsic, but this board is making me feel like I'm taking crazy pills with this off-the-dartboard evaluation of Iafallo...it's as if because he didn't put up 50 points he must have put up 15.

Edit: now if you want to say "trade him as he approaches 30 if the team isn't in a better spot" I can buy that because then there's a reason. But right now he's just established himself in the NHL as a late bloomer in college and trading him would simply be a lateral move at best for a mystery box you hope to be as good as Iafallo one day.

 

[KINGS17]

Trevor Lewis' best season was the same result as Iafallo's rookie year and he's still going strong at 32. Fraser never broke 20 points and was on his way out when he landed here. Brad Richardson's career year is 31 points and that's still behind Iafallo this year, but he had a career goal scoring year this year at age 34. If those were actually the comparables, it would help explain why you and this board are so down on Iafallo. Alex's rookie year is better than 98% of any season any one of those guys put up. Plus if your argument is that Iafallo won't have a long career, these guys who have put up less points than him are in spitting distance of the milestone we set, so why can't Alex?

Within 3 points of Iafallo this awful Kings year: Ryan Strome, Nick Bonino, Nick Foligno, Vesey, Stepan, Conor Sheary, Kotkaniemi, Robert Thomas, Jesper Bratt. Hell of a lot of really good fourth liners there, eh?

And this is all assuming Iafallo has peaked, which I don't believe he has.

Again, 2nd highest even strength goals on the team next to Kopitar. He's not likely to be a prolific scorer, and that's fine, but this board has a terrible problem evaluating what players at various lineup spots actually do...painting our bottom six like they can't produce when they were and always are league average or better, now painting a good middle sixer like he's an expendable fourth liner. Colin Fraser? Seriously?

If someone comes along and takes his job sure, he's gone, no one would be miffed about that--but that's years off. He's a good kid for this team. Actively trying to trade him for no real reason is road apples. I'm not even his biggest fanboy, I save that affection for Leipsic, but this board is making me feel like I'm taking crazy pills with this off-the-dartboard evaluation of Iafallo...it's as if because he didn't put up 50 points he must have put up 15.

Edit: now if you want to say "trade him as he approaches 30 if the team isn't in a better spot" I can buy that because then there's a reason. But right now he's just established himself in the NHL as a late bloomer in college and trading him would simply be a lateral move at best for a mystery box you hope to be as good as Iafallo one day.

I am not down on Iafallo. Why is it always assumed that when someone advocates the possibility of trading a player, they are down on said player?

The point is the "mystery box" is actually an asset which may be of some use when the Kings become relevant again.

BTW, Iafallo is no Trevor Lewis. Also, Lewis never played on a first line with players having career years.

 

[kilowatt]

would anyone do toffoli to new jersey for mcleod and a 2nd

 

[Steve Zissou]

The bigger problem is that we are obsessing over the Pearson trade... suddenly passionate about jettisoning Iafallo for peanuts... or not wanting to re-sign Leipsic to a league minimum contract...

Although it takes two to tango, we should be figuring out how to dump the aging vets that are talking up all of the salary cap while not providing a winning culture for our youth.

 

[kilowatt]

The bigger problem is that we are obsessing over the Pearson trade... suddenly passionate about jettisoning Iafallo for peanuts... or not wanting to re-sign Leipsic to a league minimum contract...

Although it takes two to tango, we should be figuring out how to dump the aging vets that are talking up all of the salary cap while not providing a winning culture for our youth.

if you can find a way to get aging veterans with bloated contracts off the books without 1. taking back equally bad contracts, or 2. packaging quality younger players to dump said contracts, please let me know

 

[Steve Zissou]

if you can find a way to get aging veterans with bloated contracts off the books without 1. taking back equally bad contracts, or 2. packaging quality younger players to dump said contracts, please let me know

Dion is a 99.9% untradeable because he's a pylon, but there are still deals that GMs can make regarding Carter, Quick, Lewis, etc.

'It takes two to tango' obviously got lost on you...

 

[Kingspiracy]

would anyone do toffoli to new jersey for mcleod and a 2nd

yep, without knowing who mcleod is.

 

[Mats26]

No one is saying that about Iafallo. What they are saying is Iafallo will not play a large role in any future success of the franchise, because the team isn't going to contend for a number of years. Iafallo cost the Kings nothing in terms of an asset to acquire. Turning him into a 2nd or 3rd round pick would be a good idea.

And that's not what we are debating. You don't assess less value and make them more expendable because he was a free signing. They need to be developed and then see what you have. Kid went from 9-15 goals on a dreadful offensive team. We get rid of him for what... a 3rd or 4th rounder? seriously

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I am 100% against trading Iafallo. That makes zero sense to me.

He’s still a young player with some possible upside. He’s exactly the kind of player you want to start stockpiling for a rebuild. And who are you trading him for? Another pick or prospect with even more uncertainty than Iafallo himself?

If he was 30, I’d understand that sentiment. But he’s only 25. At least keep him until he hits UFA years, and reassess at that point.

 

[kilowatt]

yep, without knowing who mcleod is.

 

[kovacro]

The bigger problem is that we are obsessing over the Pearson trade... suddenly passionate about jettisoning Iafallo for peanuts... or not wanting to re-sign Leipsic to a league minimum contract...

Although it takes two to tango, we should be figuring out how to dump the aging vets that are talking up all of the salary cap while not providing a winning culture for our youth.

I must have missed the tide turning on this one but, I thought the majority of people on here were cool with bringing Leipsic back.

 

[kovacro]

yep, without knowing who mcleod is.

Not sure if the Devils would deal him. Former 1st round pick that played junior with Mississauga (OHL).

Only saw the Steelheads once during the 17/18 season and I don’t recall him standing out but it was one game. His junior numbers are solid. He also has represented Canada on numerous occasions.

Here are his stats.

Michael Mcleod - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[KingsFan7824]

Although it takes two to tango, we should be figuring out how to dump the aging vets that are talking up all of the salary cap while not providing a winning culture for our youth.

And those are the two options. You've got the 3 categories of player. The 30+, the 25-30, and the 25 and younger. Nobody wants to get rid of the youngest of the young players(although they have the most value for the Kings). If it's difficult/impossible to trade the 30+ guys, and you want to make some moves, and you want to get some value, there's really only one category of player to trade from.

That's the goalie situation. If they can't get rid of Quick(and getting out from the 4 remaining years on the contract would be the #1 option), with Petersen as a RFA this summer, they have to trade Campbell. He's going to be a UFA next year. His value probably won't get higher. One of the few non-prospects they could currently sell high on. If Petersen is supposed to be the next guy, Campbell isn't going to re-sign if he's any good. Campbell is going to be looking to make up for a lost career. In both money and playing time. Even if they could get Quick out, they still might not be able to keep Campbell beyond next year.

 

[KINGS17]

And that's not what we are debating. You don't assess less value and make them more expendable because he was a free signing. They need to be developed and then see what you have. Kid went from 9-15 goals on a dreadful offensive team. We get rid of him for what... a 3rd or 4th rounder? seriously

No, I wouldn't trade Iafallo for a 4th rounder, definitely would for a 2nd rounder though.

 

[AlphaBravo]

And those are the two options. You've got the 3 categories of player. The 30+, the 25-30, and the 25 and younger. Nobody wants to get rid of the youngest of the young players(although they have the most value for the Kings). If it's difficult/impossible to trade the 30+ guys, and you want to make some moves, and you want to get some value, there's really only one category of player to trade from.

That's the goalie situation. If they can't get rid of Quick(and getting out from the 4 remaining years on the contract would be the #1 option), with Petersen as a RFA this summer, they have to trade Campbell. He's going to be a UFA next year. His value probably won't get higher. One of the few non-prospects they could currently sell high on. If Petersen is supposed to be the next guy, Campbell isn't going to re-sign if he's any good. Campbell is going to be looking to make up for a lost career. In both money and playing time. Even if they could get Quick out, they still might not be able to keep Campbell beyond next year.

I agree. I don’t see any team interested in Quick, and I think it would be good to have a 1A/B tandem with Quick and Petterson. I also have this funny feeling that we saw the best of Campbell, and he may collapse this upcoming season. He has been solid in his limited appearances but he has had issues with confidence in the past.

Obviously if any team offered a 1st for Campbell you move him (I don’t think this will happen). But I would take a 2nd considering we can’t keep both Campbell and Petterson.

 

[Fishhead]

No, I wouldn't trade Iafallo for a 4th rounder, definitely would for a 2nd rounder though.

I'm not sure I would. Statistically, somewhere around 30% of 2nd rounders are good enough to stick in the NHL, and very few become impact players. It's probably good value for Iafallo, but odds are the pick won't be as good a player as he is. He might not fit nicely into a target age group, but there's really no reason to get rid of him. I think it's more likely Iafallo has an increase in production than a 2nd rounder he is dealt for becoming that player.

 

[DoktorJeep]

I don’t think you move guys like Iafallo or Kempe for just a second round pick. But if one of our better, younger guys gets moved with one of the overpaid vets, then you have to be ready for that reality.

 

[johnjm22]

The Kings have to strike a balance between making room in the lineup for younger players, while not gutting the lineup so much as to remove any semblance of stability; young players shouldn't be thrown to the wolves.

Toffoli for example was useless this year. Any one of Luff, Wagner, Brodzinski (if not injured), could have produced as much if not more than him if given his role. He needs to go.

Carter shouldn't be preventing Amadio from playing center on one of the top 3 lines.

Lewis shouldn't be bumping anyone out of the lineup at this point. (Management should've looked to move him after a career high 14 goals last year).

 

[The German Grinder 9]

I think it's best to go with all 3 goalies into the next season. Quick is a icon and is still a very good goaltender (and one of our heroes plus the playoff run rock), if he is healthy and make some little adjustments. And a player of his format has some more years in the tank and can teach the younger player something ... we are still a playoff spot team with the right tuning and a very good goalie tandem/trio is important in a long season ... See how the season goes and then trade Cambell in the right moment. But i'm not a expert and who knows how the GM and coaching staff see it with insider infos we don't have ... just my feeling and opinion ;-)

And IA should only traded as part of the right package and a major move that really helps ... he is a good player in different situations and still developing!

 

[AlphaBravo]

I think it's best to go with all 3 goalies into the next season. Quick is a icon and is still a very good goaltender (and one of our heroes plus the playoff run rock), if he is healthy and make some little adjustments. And a player of his format has some more years in the tank and can teach the younger player something ... we are still a playoff spot team with the right tuning and a very good goalie tandem/trio is important in a long season ... See how the season goes and then trade Cambell in the right moment. But i'm not a expert and who knows how the GM and coaching staff see it with insider infos we don't have ... just my feeling and opinion ;-)

And IA should only traded as part of the right package and a major move that really helps ... he is a good player in different situations and still developing!

Quick is still elite IMO. He just needs to be used right. I would like to see him split games with Petterson next year. If we make the playoffs in 2 years, we don’t want two inexperienced goalies. A veteran presence like Quick (whether as the starter or backup) will provide a stabilizing presence.

We don’t want to be like Tampa and have our goalie crumble under pressure.

 

[Reaper45]

Blake anticipates 8-10 new guys in the organization right?

Outgoing- Budaj(retired), Scherbak (Russia), Mitchell (UFA), Iacopelli (RFA likely not signed), Jenys (RFA likely not signed), Lintuniemi (RFA likely not signed), Sutter (UFA), Leipsic (RFA likely not signed) and Brodzinski (UFA).

 

[johnjm22]

I would like to see Brodzinski retained and given more of a chance in the lineup. He clearly has an NHL release.

That said, I think he will sign elsewhere.

 

[Fishhead]

I don’t think you move guys like Iafallo or Kempe for just a second round pick. But if one of our better, younger guys gets moved with one of the overpaid vets, then you have to be ready for that reality.

Yep. Alone, not really worth it. But in the right package I would easily include either of them.