Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season

[YP44]

I'm thinking the lineup won't be looking a lot different but could run like...

Brown--Kopitar--Carter
Kovy--Kempe--Prokhorkin
Grundstrom--JAD--Toffoli
Iafallo--Amadio--Wagner
Clifford, Luff

I like the looks of this but at the same time want to find a way to get Iafallo and Wagner off of the 4th line.

Maybe JAD spends a year in the AHL, Carter takes his spot and then we either have same top line as past 2 years or Wagner goes up

 

[kings11]

sure. you got it. I am traveling abroad and will be scarce around here....hope I lose the 100.

Everyone wins if Carts hits those marks... we’re either a playoff team or he’s getting us a real good return

 

[Mats26]

When will we know if Prokhorkin signs with us?

 

[kings11]

When will we know if Prokhorkin signs with us?

I thought it wasn't until the end of the month, unless his club gives him permission to sign early similar to Gusev

 

[goosh]

I thought it wasn't until the end of the month, unless his club gives him permission to sign early similar to Gusev

This is my understanding as well. Looks highly probable that he'll sign a one-year ELC with the Kings.

 

[Mats26]

ok cool, just a few days away and we'll know if he accepts to cross the pond.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Gonna lauuuuugh if on the 30th he announces his KHL extension.

 

[Kingsfan1]

I don’t know what you see in this lineup, but I definitely don’t see a contender. The “battle hardened” identity is long gone. There are only a handful of players left who went through 2012-2014, and they sure didn’t look battle hardened as they coasted to a 30th place finish.

I think it’s fair to expect a nice breakout year from Kempe. Grundstrom is still a complete unknown. He put up some points in a handful of meaningless games at the end of the season. That doesn’t mean he’s now a bonafide top six forward.

Kovalchuk, Brown, and Carter will be another year older. Any one of them can struggle with injuries throughout the year. The only lock for 50+ points is Kopitar.

So many question marks on this team remain. We have no idea how Vilardi, Kupari, Thomas, JAD, etc. will pan out. If history is any indication, at least two of those prospects will bust.

The Kings need several impact players to appear out of nowhere to contend. It’s not impossible, but it’s highly improbable.

Kings are still old, and lack an identity and a ton of depth. I don’t see them contending for another 4 years at the bare minimum.

It takes will , heart and compete to win. Look at Carolina , they have few stars a strong d Corp and a bunch of unknowns but everyone is buying in at same time and competing with heart grit and will and it’s taking them places . Williams just put up 50+ pts at 37 years of age . I’m not ready or convinced to give up on Carter or this team that much . The right players are needed for the right roles and the youth injection with their speed and skill and compete will make big difference . That lineup has a nice balance of depth and the bottom 6 can be a top 5 bottom 6, of everyone competes and scores timely goals . If Kupari, Or Grundstrom or Prokhorkin If signed can become any sort of top 6 talent and score 20+ goals and compete and bring heart and the other guys get their love for the game back it can go along way

 

[saintsnsoldiers]

Thread was just locked in the Trade Rumors, but what about Kopi for Giroux. Thoughts?

 

[Piston]

It takes will , heart and compete to win. Look at Carolina , they have few stars a strong d Corp and a bunch of unknowns but everyone is buying in at same time and competing with heart grit and will and it’s taking them places . Williams just put up 50+ pts at 37 years of age . I’m not ready or convinced to give up on Carter or this team that much . The right players are needed for the right roles and the youth injection with their speed and skill and compete will make big difference . That lineup has a nice balance of depth and the bottom 6 can be a top 5 bottom 6, of everyone competes and scores timely goals . If Kupari, Or Grundstrom or Prokhorkin If signed can become any sort of top 6 talent and score 20+ goals and compete and bring heart and the other guys get their love for the game back it can go along way

Bolded, fixed. Carolina is where they are because of an elite D-Corps, I had no idea they were this good. Pesce and Slavin may be the best pairing in the NHL. Faulk was once thought of as a #1 guy as was Hamilton. Van Riemsdyk has been outstanding. When Calvin de Haan is your number 6, you have a strong back end. Yes, they have a lot of heart (wish we had kept Williams and traded Carter in 2014). but they are where they because of talent.

 

[KINGS17]

Thread was just locked in the Trade Rumors, but what about Kopi for Giroux. Thoughts?

Meh, but that would be so like Philadelphia, and so like the Kings pre-Lombardi.

 

[johnjm22]

Austin Wagner - 20g-17a-37pts

I like it.

Everyone keeps penciling in Wagner on the 4th line. I'm confident he will develop into a 20+ goal scorer.

 

[YP44]

I like it.

Everyone keeps penciling in Wagner on the 4th line. I'm confident he will develop into a 20+ goal scorer.

he should have had more ice time this year...hopefully TM will give him that (assuming he still earns it)

 

[YP44]

Thread was just locked in the Trade Rumors, but what about Kopi for Giroux. Thoughts?

Would hate to see Kopitar go. If LA had the top pick in the draft and could get Hughes then I would be in favor as Giroux seems better suited to the wing.

I imagine the flyers say no, and LA also says no.

 

[lumbergh]

Would hate to see Kopitar go. If LA had the top pick in the draft and could get Hughes then I would be in favor as Giroux seems better suited to the wing.

I imagine the flyers say no, and LA also says no.

I imagine Kopitar says no.

 

[YP44]

I imagine Kopitar says no.

and Grioux

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

If Prokhorkin is slotted to play C, then it’s likely that one of Carter, Kempe, and perhaps Amadio will shift to play wing.

 

[tny760]

really didn't expect porky to have any interest in coming back, especially if it's a 1 year elc kinda gig

getting one of those guys back on wing would certainly be nice, i think amadio's been a capable 3/4C though and there's probably a little room for growth

 

[Choralone]

Wow. [Rare] good news for the Kings.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

A little taste of Prokhorkin's game.

 

[tny760]

A little taste of Prokhorkin's game.

really appreciate his willingness to take on guys 1v1 instead of just taking space and peeling away.. nice to see a guy skating with his head up too

that's one UGLY skating stride though

 

[BigKing]

This is nice.

 

[kings11]

really appreciate his willingness to take on guys 1v1 instead of just taking space and peeling away.. nice to see a guy skating with his head up too

that's one UGLY skating stride though

Big, Mobile and Uber Talented... Lots to like there...

 

[kingsboy11]

Never thought I'd see the day. But the timing was almost perfect for him. The team has spots to be won this upcoming training camp. His time to come over was just right.