Peter James Bond II
"Man, we were right there" - De-Luc-sional
- Mar 5, 2015
- 3,682
- 5,520
That's why I added that some of the core should have been traded in the last 2 years....but what can they do now? They are up against the cap and 31st and worst NHL offense. They spent the 6+ million on Kovalchuk and the first 12 games were great and it's a mystery what happened since....a few flat games and WD banishes him to line 4. Bizarre. Not going to focus on that, but plays a part where they are now....maybe the ankle thing affected him. We have to see how that plays out and the Voynov
thing as well. I think Kovy should get a legit chance to be LW line 1 with Kopitar. Kings are NOT paying Kovalchuk to play 12 minutes on line 3 for 6.5 million a year for 3 years. He either plays top 6 minutes or he goes elsewhere. Iafallo is good, but not a #1 LW. Not putting any points up. Move him down.
I think at this point, they don't have assets to trade for good young players....excpet there's a rumor out of Philly media that they are interested in BOTH Quick and Muzzin.....so that would get a good return...probably have to take one of their goalies, but get good assets back. And the Martinez possibilty to TBL.
I think all the Kings can do now is try to get the most out of the Kovalchuk situation - either he plays real minutes or see if he will go elsewhere. IF he can play like his first 12 games, great! But it won
t be on line 3 or 4. I am baffled as to why Iafallo is cemented on line 1. If you have SEVERAL 3-5 game streaks with 0 points on line #1, you should not be cemented on it!!
And if there are trades for Quick, Muzzin, Martinez, you obviously have to get back at least 1 defenseman that can play now.
Otherwise, as Futa said - be out there looking for more free agents (college / Euro / CHL) and draft well. I think the last 3 drafts have been better...let's not get into
Vilardi at the moment...sucks, for him...but damn, he was awesome all last year, once he started up. Arguably best player in junior hockey. So let's hope he gets well.
But I think Kupari may be the best forward they've drafted since Kopitar. Legit speed, skill, size, good overall game and excelling as an 18 yr old in Liiga,
JAD can play, just needs time. Whether hes a 2nd or 3rd line guy, no matter...Kings need speed and skill in top 9. Thomas is excelling and may have a good future.
Just more like 2-3 yrs away. Clague is apparently doing pretty well, seems like Brickley may need 2 yrs and who knows....but all the Kings can do now
is make the best trades they can and draft well. And develop well.
Word on Martinez SEEMS to be the Kings take back one of their D that has expiring contract like Girardi, BUT they also get one of their top prospects...Cirelli - Cernak - Foote - Alexander Voloov...and I think the reason TBL scouts were at several Reign games, were that they probably want a second player back as well...so maybe like Marty + ? + 4th pick for Girardi + Foote. ?? WHo knows.
What is known, is the TBL scouts were at 5+ King and Reign games. So all you can do is speculate...salary must work. Why Martinez? He's underrated and low salary and 3 TBL D have expiring
contracts.
Hope Scherbak becomes good to great and reaches his potential....and Leipsic is decent. I like the way Scherbak could skate with the puck and protect it and
be patient to find a play....in his own words - he says he's a better playmaker than scorer. the 28ish 52 assists 2 years in junior show that. On lame teams too,,,not easy
to get 50+ assists on bad trams. Liked his first game.
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