Proposal: Tavares for Kopitar

[Reaper45]

pretty good company there.

That’s first ballot company for sure.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

No

 

[CanadienShark]

Leafs do it. Kings don't.

 

[slimnipsu]

I’m quite sure that we don’t have photo of Tavares wearing Los Angeles pajamas..

 

[Lt Dan]

Why the Leafs do it: save some cap space, while maintaining or even bettering their roster for today. With all due respect to Tavares, Kopitar’s playing style is more playoff friendly, and something the Leafs terribly need.
Since Kopitar’s contract ends in 2024, while Tavares’s ends the next year, it also greatly increases the chance of being able to re-sign Matthews and Nylander, both 2024 free agents.

Why the Kings do it: they are on the brink of being a powerhouse, but after suffering major long term losses on the blue line, are likely to once again struggle to contend this season. There is no guarantee that Kopitar, who is 34, will be able to hold down the fort beyond this season. At 31, JT isn’t too young himself, but he likely still has enough gas in the tank to last a few more years.
By replacing Kopitar with Tavares, the Kings ensure that they have a number 1 center to help shelter their young studs as they come into their own, and can still be an impact player when this team is ready to contend.

The Kings have won three in a row and just beat the red hot Blues.

Kopitar like ,Mats Sundin ,will very likely play in to his late 30s.

This move makes so sense for the Kings

Gus Fring will continue this conversation

 

[boredmale]

The premise is that Tavares would serve the Kings resurgence better because he’s 3 years younger than Kopitar, but I still think Kopitar ages better, more gradual. The Tavares decline will be swifter, more abrupt.

Given Tavares doesn't rely as much on his skating for his game, I actually don't think his decline will be as bad as others who rely on skills that diminish over time

I don't think the deal is as bad as others are making it, from a long term perspective it might work out in Tavares favor.

 

[YP44]

Given Tavares doesn't rely as much on his skating for his game, I actually don't think his decline will be as bad as others who rely on skills that diminish over time

I don't think the deal is as bad as others are making it, from a long term perspective it might work out in Tavares favor.

I think it is hard to predict who is going to be the better older player. Especially since these two are both so good.

However i do not think that Kopitar is the better player today, and think he will be at least next year as well. And I like his contract better.

 

[Bandit]

The Kings invite you to choose one of the following options:

[ ] - No
[ ] - f*** No

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Kings say no thank you

Yeah, the idea that this trade somehow makes the Kings better is beyond hilarious.

 

[beedee]

Nope!

 

[SI90]

Yeah, the idea that this trade somehow makes the Kings better is beyond hilarious.

Kopitar is one of those guys like Nick Backstrom that has always been elite but doesn’t get talked about enough. Kopitar is still producing at a high level and is great defensively.

He’s a few years older than Tavares but to me if you’re reading Kopitar you’re doing it for futures or mid 20’s players.

 

[ElPrimeTime]

Kopitar is the better player now and there is a decent chance is still the better player at the end of his contract.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Kopitar is one of those guys like Nick Backstrom that has always been elite but doesn’t get talked about enough. Kopitar is still producing at a high level and is great defensively.

He’s a few years older than Tavares but to me if you’re reading Kopitar you’re doing it for futures or mid 20’s players.

He also produces pretty much what Tavares can now (especially when you factor in linemates), while adding high-end defense.

Toronto would come away like bandits in this trade.

 

[YP44]

He also produces pretty much what Tavares can now (especially when you factor in linemates), while adding high-end defense.

Toronto would come away like bandits in this trade.

the thought of Kopitar playing with Marner or Nylander is crazy though.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Both teams say no & both players say no to waiving their trade clauses

 

[KingTech]

the thought of Kopitar playing with Marner or Nylander is crazy though.

I agree either of them would be his best linemate hes ever had

 

[David Lunch]

I normally don’t respond to these threads, but I feel it my duty as a Kings fan to say no, nono NO NOOOOOOOOOOO *slams door*

 

[Breakers]

Toronto would love Kopitar in shutdown role
Tavares has been in that role from time to in Toronto and he isnt great at it

 

[KingsHockey24]

He's staying with us.

 

[kilowatt]

Isn't kopitar like one of three players to ever win the Selke and put up 1,000 points?
This deal is not worth getting three years younger for LA IMO.

Brind'Amour, Yzerman, Fedorov, Francis, Gilmour, Clarke would also join him on that.

Datsyuk was close at 918 and pretty clearly could have hit that mark. Bergeron is at 920 so he's gonna get there. Toews *probably* gets there as he's at 821 but who knows. Maybe the guy is cooked? ROR has a ways to go but if he plays for a while he could get close. Couturier is unlikely. Barkov will probably do it.

Anyway, there's been 7.

He's one of only three with two or more Selke trophies and 1,000 points. Brind'Amour and Fedorov being the other two. Yzerman, Francis, Gilmour, and Clarke only won one Selke. That's pretty great company.

 

[Morgs]

Even if Tavares would magically waive his NMC, the Leafs wouldn't do this. Let's just assume Tavares will be a Leaf at least for the next 4 years, and put threads like this to rest.

Can't see why LA would either, tbh.

 

[elitepete]

The premise is that Tavares would serve the Kings resurgence better because he’s 3 years younger than Kopitar, but I still think Kopitar ages better, more gradual. The Tavares decline will be swifter, more abrupt.

What makes you think that? Kopitar plays a more physical game, with more wear and tear on his body. A lot of deep playoff runs as well.

 

[kings11]

What makes you think that? Kopitar plays a more physical game, with more wear and tear on his body. A lot of deep playoff runs as well.

No he doesn’t, he’s always used his size to create space and his skill to finish and create. If he had a bruising style like Mike Richards or Dustin Brown I would agree but he simply does not.

 

[keppel146]

Tavares is like Heatley, dropped off the cliff real quick

 

[Fallschirmyager]

Not a fan of either team but it seems to me the only reason Kopitar leaves LA is because he asks to.