The Rebuild

[KINGS17]

Someone else mentioned bringing the Russians over too; I think this is the perfect time to bring Porkins over and guarantee him NHL time. once other guys are moved, anyway.

I think with the assets already in the system and a high pick this year (multiple high picks if guys are moved) this thing could get turned around in decently short order.

As long as they are on one to two year deals, sure bring them over.

 

[LAKings88]

I don’t think the Kovy situation helps LA when it comes to Porkins.

Pure speculation of course.

 

[LAKings88]

What players have LA rushed recently that derailed their careers?

Tukonen and Berg are the only ones I can think of and they go back awhile but they were likely just not that good.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Maybe, I just think that contract is difficult to move.

Not at all, you know how many teams would give their left nuts to have a Norris caliber d-man? They don’t grow on trees.

 

[LAKings88]

Not at all, you know how many teams would give their left nuts to have a Norris caliber d-man? They don’t grow on trees.

It’s getting the right pieces but also salary. He also has a NMC to doesn’t he. Doable, but not easy.

 

[damacles1156]

What players has LA rushed recently that derailed their careers?

Tukonen and Berg are the only ones I can think of and they go back awhile but they were likely just not that good.

It's not ruin to the point of can't play on NHL ice. What you don't want to happen is Pavel Zacha happen to your top 10 pick.

Or stunt a players growth to not round out their game. Imagine Kyle Clifford having played two seasons in the AHL learning to round out his game. He most likely would have been a more complete player.

 

[LAKings88]

It's not ruin to the point of can't play on NHL ice. What you don't want to happen is Pavel Zacha happen to your top 10 pick.

Or stunt a players growth to not round out their game. Imagine Kyle Clifford having played two seasons in the AHL learning to round out his game. He most likely would have been a more complete player.

Again arguments can be made that Zacha didn’t deserve the high pick. I do agree he was rushed tho. Or that injuries affected Clifford as much as development. Clifford also helped LA to a two cup culture.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Again arguments can be made that Zacha didn’t deserve the high pick. Or that injuries affected Clifford as much as development. Clifford also helped LA to a two cup culture.

I heard one of Cliffords concussions was a close to retirement one. So it's amazing he's come back from that. Many with severe ones never do. Props to him and his hard
work and dedication, just should be on the 4th line...not the second line.

 

[MollerManor]

People just want change. Even the black hole teams were more exciting to watch. This year is the first in longer than I can remember where i find myself caring less and less about them playing or not.

100%. It's a dumb analogy, but the Kings feel exactly like when Steve Carrell left The Office. Same key people, but it's just not as good or entertaining anymore.

 

[kings11]

As long as they are on one to two year deals, sure bring them over.

Exactly, Bieber is the time to see what we actually have! What’s the worse that can happen if we bring over Prokhorkin, Dergachyov, Kubalik and Bulat?? I’m willing to bet two of those are NHL caliber and one of those, likely Proks is going to be valuable to us either as a piece going forward or a very nice trade piece... oh and I hope we claim the Russian kid from MTL!

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Exactly, Bieber is the time to see what we actually have! What’s the worse that can happen if we bring over Prokhorkin, Dergachyov, Kubalik and Bulat?? I’m willing to bet two of those are NHL caliber and one of those, likely Proks is going to be valuable to us either as a piece going forward or a very nice trade piece... oh and I hope we claim the Russian kid from MTL!

Get Sodergran over here too. Just turned 19 and now on the first line in the SEL. 6'3" 205 lbs.
Mass advertising never looked so cool. lol. Get him over here now, just cuz he looks like Tomas Sandstrom....loved Sandstrom. I saw him in Caesars Palace , after that outdoor exhibition game (around 1990?) and he was coming back to the tables and was pissed...must have been losing money and I said "that was a helluva goal that beat Russia" (he had just scored a gwg vs Russia for Team Sweden ..maybe the Worlds...I cannot recall but he did...and Tomas said "yeah, yeah"....kind of douchelike, but loved Tomas.

Johan Södergran at eliteprospects.com

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It's not ruin to the point of can't play on NHL ice. What you don't want to happen is Pavel Zacha happen to your top 10 pick.

Or stunt a players growth to not round out their game. Imagine Kyle Clifford having played two seasons in the AHL learning to round out his game. He most likely would have been a more complete player.

You even see the flashes of it now, which is why he's ok masquerading as a middle sixer. I know you're thinking of Kempe while you type that too.

 

[SFKingshomer]

They won't rebuild with Luc in charge

 

[Herby]

Times are changing guys. The days of guys playing in the AHL until they are 23 are mostly over, especially for higher end guys (top 6, top 4). Everything is better at the lower levels, better coaching, better off ice strength training, better nutrition.

That is what is nice about rebuilding now vs. rebuilding in decades past, as long as you draft well it won't take as much time as some expect.

 

[LAKings88]

Times are changing guys. The days of guys playing in the AHL until they are 23 are mostly over, especially for higher end guys (top 6, top 4). Everything is better at the lower levels, better coaching, better off ice strength training, better nutrition.

That is what is nice about rebuilding now vs. rebuilding in decades past, as long as you draft well it won't take as much time as some expect.

This, not to mention ELC contracts and cap management.

 

[KINGS17]

Times are changing guys. The days of guys playing in the AHL until they are 23 are mostly over, especially for higher end guys (top 6, top 4). Everything is better at the lower levels, better coaching, better off ice strength training, better nutrition.

That is what is nice about rebuilding now vs. rebuilding in decades past, as long as you draft well it won't take as much time as some expect.

I tend to agree, but the Kings don't have any higher end guys. Kempe, for example, tops out as a 3rd line energy guy on a good team.

 

[KingLB]

Times are changing guys. The days of guys playing in the AHL until they are 23 are mostly over, especially for higher end guys (top 6, top 4). Everything is better at the lower levels, better coaching, better off ice strength training, better nutrition.

That is what is nice about rebuilding now vs. rebuilding in decades past, as long as you draft well it won't take as much time as some expect.

True, and a top 5 player making the jump to the NHL the year after his draft isn't rushing. Its on schedule. The only players I can think of rushed in the near term were Clifford/Moller/Simmonds. While 1 worked out great, one became a decent NHL grinder, and one flopped. Is that really different odds then any other group of second rounders?

I absolutely think its time to go into full rebuild (as much as you can with the contracts the Kings currently have). Carter/Toff/AMart/Muzzin should go this year. Each should be able to bring back any range of 1sts/2nds/decent prospects (ie 2nd/3rd line potential). Add that to Valardi/Kupari/JAD/Thomas and if we are lucky Porkins/Hughes (dreams....) the Kings could conceivably have a quick 2-3 year rebuild.

So much so that it would make sense to keep a guy like Doughty as he would still be near the end of his prime in that window. Kopi, as that contract will be hard to move, and having him stay on the roster means you can still give the young guys protected mins. And of course Brown, who his play the last 2 years means you can't/shouldn't move him. He would be the "elder statesman" that brings this new group up, and maybe plays a Dave Andreychuk role on a cup contender in 4-5 years?

Do remember if the Kings do decide to rebuild, it could really give them advantage on the trade market. As in theory the payroll would drop tons next year. They can afford to retain tons of money on any of the 4 I listed above (max 2 at a time?), as well as taking back "bad contracts" as long as they are 3 or less years long (when you would expect to start having the payroll go up again).

 

[Coach Parker]

Hey guys,

Prefer to read up and check on the teams board before posting on the main.

Jeff Carter. Boston needs a 2nd line RW/C and the window to win is around Bergeron, Krejci and Marchand.

Boston has played most of the year with 5 of the top 6 D out so 5+ of the Bruins D prospects have been getting regular play and impressing. The glut of our top prospects are D and I see a fit for a rebuilding LA team.

Is something around a D prospect and a forward prospect enough to get Carter to Boston? Is there a scenario where those prospects are enough to entice a 1.2 million retention on his salary?

Thanks in advance for the responses and insight.

 

[LAKings88]

Hey guys,

Prefer to read up and check on the teams board before posting on the main.

Jeff Carter. Boston needs a 2nd line RW/C and the window to win is around Bergeron, Krejci and Marchand.

Boston has played most of the year with 5 of the top 6 D out so 5+ of the Bruins D prospects have been getting regular play and impressing. The glut of our top prospects are D and I see a fit for a rebuilding LA team.

Is something around a D prospect and a forward prospect enough to get Carter to Boston? Is there a scenario where those prospects are enough to entice a 1.2 million retention on his salary?

Thanks in advance for the responses and insight.

At the deadline-I want a first and decent prospect. Who knows what Blake will do?

 

[kevsh]

I'm all for a full rebuild (even if it's a couple of years late), but I'd rather they keep Doughty.

Whatever prospects they draft/acquire in the next few years could learn a lot from playing and practicing with him - esp. (obviously) defencemen. And has been pointed out, they need some solid veterans in the mix while the young 'uns develop. If they go that route, his contract won't be an issue as they'll be well under the cap.

The only hang-up is if he demands a trade, but I just don't see him doing that if he buys into the rebuild plan. Getting lucky and drafting Hughes would probably go a long way towards convincing him of that.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Prospects who jump into the NHL at 18/19 years old and make a definitive impact are extremely rare, and typically turn into allstars. Doughty and Kopitar are the last two players who did this for the Kings. Hughes would be another if we get him.

If a prospect is not at that level, or has an incomplete skill set, he needs ample time in the minors. Developing players need stability to improve their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

A floundering, no-identity, no-motivation, no-heart has-been like this current Kings team is a nightmare for developing prospects. Like Damacles said, Clifford was likely called up too early, and it hurt his game. And that was at least with a Kings team on an upward trajectory with stable coaching and management and vision.

We need to be more careful than ever with fragile prospects like Kupari, JAD, etc. These players can turn into real difference makers, but only if they’re spared the unstable mess that is the 18/19 and likely 19/20 Kings.

 

[LAKings88]

I think Kupari and Vilardi have legit shots next year.

Kopi, Brown, Doughty, one of Amart/Muzzin will still be the leaders and can take pressure off.

JAD likely could play but you would need to roll four lines. He could wait a little longer.

 

[Fishhead]

I personally don't think the fact that Clifford's development stunted had anything to do with him being brought up too early. When he was paired with Simmonds, they were really starting to come into their own, you could see it in the '11 playoffs where he had 5 points in 6 games. Then Bitz hammered him from behind in game 1 the next season and he's never been the same since.

First 2 seasons: Per game averages of 1.7 PIM per game and a fight every 5.6 games.
Last 6 seasons: Per game averages of .91 PIM per game and a fight every 9.6 games.

That hit in particular impacted his career, and he's absorbed some other big ones since. It took an edge off his game for sure.

 

[KINGS17]

I think Kupari and Vilardi have legit shots next year.

Kopi, Brown, Doughty, one of Amart/Muzzin will still be the leaders and can take pressure off.

JAD likely could play but you would need to roll four lines. He could wait a little longer.

Have Kopitar and Doughty been leaders up to this point? How can they be expected to be leaders in the future?

 

[LAKings88]

Have Kopitar and Doughty been leaders up to this point? How can they be expected to be leaders in the future?

I mean as far as dealing with the press. The young guys shouldn’t have to deal with extra pressure other than rounding out there games. Vilardi is likely ready by next year. He needs to play top six minutes tho. Kupari has played against men for two seasons now. He seems to have taken another step this year. I think he gets a long look at camp.