Roster Talk: Nearing the 20 game mark

[KINGS17]

Lucic and Kopitar aside, the Kings will have $4.875 in expiring UFA contracts with Lewis, Ehrhoff, McBain and Enroth.

The Kings could also entertain the thought of moving a couple either one of Clifford (owed $1.6M) or Nolan (owed $950K).

Of course, the biggest piece of dead weight on this roster is Dustin Brown and his $5.875M cap hit. I don't know what type of miracle Lombardi will have to work out to move him, but he has to seriously consider doing so at some point if he wishes to retain Lucic.

You can't replace these guys with players that make just the minimum salary. Several of them are on very reasonable deals.

No, if you want additional cap space for Kopitar and/or Lucic, then you are going to have to give up Martinez or the equivalent. As maligned as Lewis is here by many, he serves a valuable service for what he is paid.

I tend to agree with damacles, Brown's contract is untradeable unless Dean retains salary and sweetens the deal.

 

[Fishhead]

It may all be a moot point anyways as the cap may even decrease. I remember this from last year:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/s...-dollar-could-affect-nhl-salary-cap.html?_r=0

Hodgson and other Canadian economists say the loonie would have to drop well below 85 cents to have a significant impact on the NHL's nearly 4 billion dollars per year business

Well, it hit 85 cents a couple months later in January and is now sub-.75. The CDN has lost 25% of it's value in only 3 years. That's a huge hit to revenue, considering the impact MTL and TOR have on league finances.

 

[KINGS17]

It may all be a moot point anyways as the cap may even decrease. I remember this from last year:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/s...-dollar-could-affect-nhl-salary-cap.html?_r=0



Well, it hit 85 cents a couple months later in January and is now sub-.75. The CDN has lost 25% of it's value in only 3 years. That's a huge hit to revenue, considering the impact MTL and TOR have on league finances.

It's basic economis. Some of the players around the NHL that will be UFAs this off season have contracts that just expire at the wrong time for them to get the dollars they want.

Some teams that don't spend to the cap should be able to pick up some bargains.

 

[YP44]

You can't replace these guys with players that make just the minimum salary. Several of them are on very reasonable deals.

No, if you want additional cap space for Kopitar and/or Lucic, then you are going to have to give up Martinez or the equivalent. As maligned as Lewis is here by many, he serves a valuable service for what he is paid.

I tend to agree with damacles, Brown's contract is untradeable unless Dean retains salary and sweetens the deal.

Could not agree more. Now if Lewis is looking for a big raise he could price himself out of a contract from the Kings

 

[YP44]

It may all be a moot point anyways as the cap may even decrease. I remember this from last year:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/s...-dollar-could-affect-nhl-salary-cap.html?_r=0



Well, it hit 85 cents a couple months later in January and is now sub-.75. The CDN has lost 25% of it's value in only 3 years. That's a huge hit to revenue, considering the impact MTL and TOR have on league finances.

I don't think we will see a decrease in the cap...but stagnant is likely IMO

 

[KINGS17]

Could not agree more. Now if Lewis is looking for a big raise he could price himself out of a contract from the Kings

I agree with you regarding Lewis. I think he could easily command $3M AAV for 5 years on the open market.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I agree with a previous post that you can't just shed guys like King, Clifford, et. al. because you have to replace them, too...so the net cap saved isn't really a huge deal. But we're getting to the penny counting point soon. I'm scared to put together a 2016 or 2017 tentative roster.

It's basic economis. Some of the players around the NHL that will be UFAs this off season have contracts that just expire at the wrong time for them to get the dollars they want.

Some teams that don't spend to the cap should be able to pick up some bargains.

TO the last point, I generally agree, but most teams are either 1. competing and at/near the cap to a degree that they're in the same boat as us; 2. on an internal budget/cap; or 3. an up-and-coming team that is free to spend but will need to save money for RFAs. There's finite cap space in the league and everyone is hurtling towards the cliff, especially since the contracts haven't been tempered at all.

I agree with you regarding Lewis. I think he could easily command $3M AAV for 5 years on the open market.

THAT I agree with, people will pay for experience and utility and put him in a third line role (or a team with superb offensive talent but crap possession, i.e. edmonton, could put him in a top six role as a pearson type).

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I'd be in favour of re-upping Lewis, Enroth, and McBain.

Let Ehrhoff walk and look at moving Greene, Nolan and either King or Clifford.

Mersch, Kempe and Gravel being able to make the jump by next season would be stellar.

Pearson Kopitar Gaborik
Lucic Carter Toffoli
Mersch Kempe Brown
King/Clifford Shore Lewis
Andreoff

McNabb Doughty
Muzzin Martinez
Forbort McBain
Schultz Gravel

Assuming Kopi @9.8, Lucic @6, Lewis @2.5, McNabb @2. Everybody else with minor RFA raises. Yes, I factored in Richards' settlement.

Plants us right around 68-69 million on the cap for 16/17. Not great but potentially doable even with a stagnant cap, and from my perspective the teams slightly better. Took damacle's Brown comments to heart, we'll need to ride it out with him at least until the end of next season.

And I know, this sketch, once we hit 17/18, leaves us royally ****ed on Toffoli and Pearson's deals, unless we then move on from Brown (once his $$ owed drops) or Gaborik, or someone else. Slight cap increase would be nice by then but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Not an ideal course of action and it has holes, but there it is.

 

[rajuabju]

I'd be in favour of re-upping Lewis, Enroth, and McBain.

Let Ehrhoff walk and look at moving Greene, Nolan and either King or Clifford.

Mersch, Kempe and Gravel being able to make the jump by next season would be stellar.

Pearson Kopitar Gaborik
Lucic Carter Toffoli
Mersch Kempe Brown
King/Clifford Shore Lewis
Andreoff

McNabb Doughty
Muzzin Martinez
Forbort McBain
Schultz Gravel

Assuming Kopi @9.8, Lucic @6, Lewis @2.5, McNabb @2. Everybody else with minor RFA raises. Yes, I factored in Richards' settlement.

Plants us right around 68-69 million on the cap for 16/17. Not great but potentially doable even with a stagnant cap, and from my perspective the teams slightly better. Took damacle's Brown comments to heart, we'll need to ride it out with him at least until the end of next season.

And I know, this sketch, once we hit 17/18, leaves us royally ****ed on Toffoli and Pearson's deals, unless we then move on from Brown (once his $$ owed drops) or Gaborik, or someone else. Slight cap increase would be nice by then but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Not an ideal course of action and it has holes, but there it is.

Except Lucic is going to try and get more than $6M. And if he keeps up his current play, he'd get it.

Martinez may need to be moved if we want to try and keep Lucic around, and we hope for another Ehrhoff type of 1 year deal with an aging vet, Greene makes a miraculous comeback and can play again, or we hope Gravel (or maybe someone like Dowd who's been in the system for 3+ years) can step into a bottom pairing, regular shift role next season.

 

[RichBaster]

From an outside perspective and maybe just a question for you guys, but wouldn't it make sense to just swap Brown for another bad contract albeit a shorter one? For instance Florida has Dave Bolland signed for 3 more yrs after this one making 5.5M/yr and provides "intangibles" like Brown. Florida would be smart to dump Bolland too as he has been scratched the last several games but has produced about as much as Brown so far. Not much of a cap hit savings but a lot less in actual dollars and cheaper to buyout this summer plus the buyout length is the same as the rest of Browns deal. Basically you guys could save $4M in cap hit just by ditching Brown. Or is he really looked at too much as a guy they won't trade?

 

[kingsfan28]

You can't replace these guys with players that make just the minimum salary. Several of them are on very reasonable deals.

No, if you want additional cap space for Kopitar and/or Lucic, then you are going to have to give up Martinez or the equivalent. As maligned as Lewis is here by many, he serves a valuable service for what he is paid.

I tend to agree with damacles, Brown's contract is untradeable unless Dean retains salary and sweetens the deal.

While this is true, they are a waste of money because they produce absolutely zero. The 4th line is a production blackhole and I rather have some young cheaper talent who will actually score a goal or two then Nolan and the like.

 

[KingLB]

From an outside perspective and maybe just a question for you guys, but wouldn't it make sense to just swap Brown for another bad contract albeit a shorter one? For instance Florida has Dave Bolland signed for 3 more yrs after this one making 5.5M/yr and provides "intangibles" like Brown. Florida would be smart to dump Bolland too as he has been scratched the last several games but has produced about as much as Brown so far. Not much of a cap hit savings but a lot less in actual dollars and cheaper to buyout this summer plus the buyout length is the same as the rest of Browns deal. Basically you guys could save $4M in cap hit just by ditching Brown. Or is he really looked at too much as a guy they won't trade?

So what is the reason Florida does this? If its as great a deal for the Kings as you say it is.

 

[Herby]

No one is taking on Brown or Gaborik's deals, maybe if Gabby were signed for two years, but the horrific strategy of signing guys to long term deals to save a little on cap hits is going to bite the Kings with these two. The only way to bring back Lucic at market value is to either let Kopitar walk or trade Martinez or Muzzin for a draft pick or young player.

You can also bring someone in for 600-800k who will contribute what Clifford is contributing at $1.6.

I have to agree with Dmac though, as good as Lucic has been you just can't give him the type of contract he is going to be seeking, it's just to risky with the style of play, he is a prime candidate to be another Richards or Brown.

 

[Trolfoli]

The Kings don't have someone to replace what Lucic brings. That's it. If he walks the Kings need another top 6 wing. I have my doubts about filling that roll internally.

Also no one is talking about the cap space freed up since Greene was moved.

Brown can be moved. 6M -2M retained frees up 4M, then slap King @ 2M or one of the kids from Ontario in @ 1M. That's an extra 2-3M and the team is probably better.

Lewis: If Lombardi throws down 2.5-3M for Lewis he needs to go.

Edit: Kopitar, we need you to take 8M because we need 3M to sign Lewis.

 

[damacles1156]

No one is taking on Brown or Gaborik's deals, maybe if Gabby were signed for two years, but the horrific strategy of signing guys to long term deals to save a little on cap hits is going to bite the Kings with these two. The only way to bring back Lucic at market value is to either let Kopitar walk or trade Martinez or Muzzin for a draft pick or young player.

You can also bring someone in for 600-800k who will contribute what Clifford is contributing at $1.6.

I have to agree with Dmac though, as good as Lucic has been you just can't give him the type of contract he is going to be seeking, it's just to risky with the style of play, he is a prime candidate to be another Richards or Brown.

Kings should move on from Lucic after this season, No reason to sign the guy for what he will be seeking in UFA.

Unless, Lucic is willing to sign a sweetheart deal, something like four years at 4.0 million, Which he would not do.

 

[RichBaster]

So what is the reason Florida does this? If its as great a deal for the Kings as you say it is.

They are very weak at RW and Jagr is 43 and a UFA-to-be. Obviously the Panthers value certain leadership with signing Mitchell who's also a UFA-to-be so I think they would value Brown. They would probably need something thrown in to absorb the longer term of Brown but it wouldn't be super costly, a mid round pick or long term prospect.

 

[Trolfoli]

Kings should move on from Lucic after this season, No reason to sign the guy for what he will be seeking in UFA.

Unless, Lucic is willing to sign a sweetheart deal, something like four years at 4.0 million, Which he would not do.

He's 3rd in team scoring currently and brings a big physical game. I'd easily give him Brown's contract. Kings shouldn't be looking at getting rid of players that are productive. Kings need to look at cutting the dead weight to sign the good players.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings have to find a way to move Brown.

The only problem it doesn't solve the LW dilemma.

Pearson, Lucic, King, and Clifford are all pure Left Wingers. Brown has been playing RW to Shore and Lewis and when King comes back will be playing RW to Shore and King. No room for Mersch.

Brown and Gaboriks contracts are just too long. They might have to be bought out but I think the Kings will give Gaborik a few more years but Browns time is running up. I also think Brown is still a more trade able asset at this point. A team like Toronto doesn't have a player like Brown and been rumored to be interested in him for years.

 

[Reaper45]

Kings have to find a way to move Brown.

The only problem it doesn't solve the LW dilemma.

Pearson, Lucic, King, and Clifford are all pure Left Wingers. Brown has been playing RW to Shore and Lewis and when King comes back will be playing RW to Shore and King. No room for Mersch.

Brown and Gaboriks contracts are just too long. They might have to be bought out but I think the Kings will give Gaborik a few more years but Browns time is running up. I also think Brown is still a more trade able asset at this point. A team like Toronto doesn't have a player like Brown and been rumored to be interested in him for years.

Dude, Toronto had Clarkson and just got out of that deal. No way they take Brown. Brown, I love the guy, but he's untradeable. You gotta move Gaborik or Martinez or Muffin man on the high end or King, Clifford on the low end if you're trying to resign Lucic.

 

[YP44]

No one is taking on Brown or Gaborik's deals, maybe if Gabby were signed for two years, but the horrific strategy of signing guys to long term deals to save a little on cap hits is going to bite the Kings with these two. The only way to bring back Lucic at market value is to either let Kopitar walk or trade Martinez or Muzzin for a draft pick or young player.

You can also bring someone in for 600-800k who will contribute what Clifford is contributing at $1.6.

I have to agree with Dmac though, as good as Lucic has been you just can't give him the type of contract he is going to be seeking, it's just to risky with the style of play, he is a prime candidate to be another Richards or Brown.

I agree that Brown and gaborik are not likely to be dealt, but are the two contracts I want LA to get out of the most.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Clarkson is no Dustin Brown.

 

[YP44]

While this is true, they are a waste of money because they produce absolutely zero. The 4th line is a production blackhole and I rather have some young cheaper talent who will actually score a goal or two then Nolan and the like.

they may not produce but they are not a liability allowing goals every time they are on the ice.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It gets a lot of grief but our 4th line is one of the best in the league.

No 4th line is safe if you're going to give them extended matchups vs. the top lines of cup champions.

 

[damacles1156]

He's 3rd in team scoring currently and brings a big physical game. I'd easily give him Brown's contract. Kings shouldn't be looking at getting rid of players that are productive. Kings need to look at cutting the dead weight to sign the good players.

If it was that easy, Brown would already be off the team.

Also Lucic would already be signed.

 

[johnjm22]

What if the Kings do really well this year and contend for another SC? (or god forbid even win it?)

It would mean that something is obviously working for this team with DB as captain. Considering that, can we really assume it would be beneficial to move him?

I'd be willing to be that the Kings go to at least the WCF this year.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it?