Post-Game Talk: Tough Decisions- LA Kings Off-Season

[funky]

Okay so Panarin had his best season ever under Laviolette...

• 49 goals, 120 points

Hoping there was some correlation there and it wasn't just a coincidence... Maybe he's the kind of hard ass head coach that knows how to push the right buttons to get players to play their absolute bags off every night??

I know he has a shelf life given his methodologies but if it works for even 2-3 seasons, that could be very helpful for this team.

Someone who's going to crack the whip and demand 120% every shift, every night.

If Laviolette is the kind of guy who can light a fire under players like Panarin, Fiala, and Byfield.... things could actually work out pretty decently (obviously yes, roster construction still a major concern)

Miko Zibanejad has also played for Laviolette and put up point alongside Panarin

It might be the cheapest acquisition cost for a top six center

 

[RumHam]

Miko Zibanejad has also played for Laviolette and put up point alongside Panarin

It might be the cheapest acquisition cost for a top six center

I think Panarin mostly played with Trochek and Lafrenierre

 

[Kudelski37]

Those players you are talking about are already really good before they get going in their prime. I have no idea what on earth you guys are seeing in Byfield to expect magically he's going to drop the EP40 label of being spineless. Byfield is spineless. EP40 is spineless and more successful yet people act like he's more of a bum than Byfield despite having a 102 point season in 2022-2023. Also, while consistently having 60+ point seasons. While Byfield's best season was 55 points in 2023-2024. He's had 6 less points in 2025-2026 two years after his best season. I know 6 points isnt major but he shouldn't be trending downward but he is.

No. Let's look at a player still playing for the cup, William Karlsson. He put up a combined 45 points in 162 games in his age 23 and 24 seasons as a third line center. At age 25, he gets the opportunity to be a fist line center and scores 43 goals and 78 points on a cup finalist. Marchessault and Haula had big jumps in scoring that season too.

Reinhart went from a career high of 65 points to a point + per game player at 26.

Verhagee went from 55 point career high to back to back 70+ point seasons

Thompson had 14 points in 38 games at Byfield's age and playing behind Eichel. He scored 68 points when he no longer played in Eichel's shadow.

MacK went from 53 to 97 points at age 22 when Duchesne gets traded.

It isn't rare for players to breakout at an age older than Byfield and/or after an established player is moved to no longer block them. Kopitar is gone so I do expect Byfield to be much more productive.

 

[Sol]

No. Let's look at a player still playing for the cup, William Karlsson. He put up a combined 45 points in 162 games in his age 23 and 24 seasons as a third line center. At age 25, he gets the opportunity to be a fist line center and scores 43 goals and 78 points on a cup finalist. Marchessault and Haula had big jumps in scoring that season too.

Reinhart went from a career high of 65 points to a point + per game player at 26.

Verhagee went from 55 point career high to back to back 70+ point seasons

Thompson had 14 points in 38 games at Byfield's age and playing behind Eichel. He scored 68 points when he no longer played in Eichel's shadow.

MacK went from 53 to 97 points at age 22 when Duchesne gets traded.

It isn't rare for players to breakout at an age older than Byfield and/or after an established player is moved to no longer block them. Kopitar is gone so I do expect Byfield to be much more productive.

Karlsson is an exception and you know there’s a reason why there’s essentially no one who had the random goal scoring explosion that he had. MacKinnon? Really. MacKinnon was already showing super star levels of talent which is why they got rid of Duchene. For the love of God tage Thompson comparison? This is so f***ing dumb I’m sorry. Again you’re using outliers to build a case. But there’s a reason why they’re OUTLIERS

 

[johnjm22]

I don't think a coaching hire matters very much

It does in the short term.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Miko Zibanejad has also played for Laviolette and put up point alongside Panarin

It might be the cheapest acquisition cost for a top six center

Agree - I reckon you could acquire him for a pretty reasonable price.

I think Panarin mostly played with Trochek and Lafrenierre

Mika would ideally play with Fiala and Laf (IMO)

Panarin - Byfield - Kempe
Fiala - Zibanejad - Laferriere

Obviously understand that a lot of people are going to prefer to swap Byfield & Mika - def see the idea there. But personally, I feel this would be a bit more balanced.

And as for Byfield, it's a sink or swim situation. I do really think Panarin & Kempe for a full season (in addition to Byfield being a year older) can elevate Byfield's production to a very reasonable level - Then you'd have two legit scoring lines.

And again, the only way this would be remotely OK is if the cost to acquire is very reasonable. We're not talking about shipping out the farm for 33 year old Mika Zibanejad...

Like for example, what if you could attach a 1st round pick and a B tier prospect onto Cody Ceci & get Mika Zibanejad back in return??

Something like that where you address a clear need at center while also getting rid of one of your (bad) defensemen

 

[AbsentMojo]

Agree - I reckon you could acquire him for a pretty reasonable price.

Mika would ideally play with Fiala and Laf (IMO)

Panarin - Byfield - Kempe
Fiala - Zibanejad - Laferriere

Obviously understand that a lot of people are going to prefer to swap Byfield & Mika - def see the idea there. But personally, I feel this would be a bit more balanced.

And as for Byfield, it's a sink or swim situation. I do really think Panarin & Kempe for a full season (in addition to Byfield being a year older) can elevate Byfield's production to a very reasonable level - Then you'd have two legit scoring lines.

And again, the only way this would be remotely OK is if the cost to acquire is very reasonable. We're not talking about shipping out the farm for 33 year old Mika Zibanejad...

Like for example, what if you could attach a 1st round pick and a B tier prospect onto Cody Ceci & get Mika Zibanejad back in return??

Something like that where you address a clear need at center while also getting rid of one of your (bad) defensemen

Pipe dream to get rid of Ceci.. on top of the 4 x 4.5 numnuts gave him a 10 team M-NTC... this contract really needs to be filed under the YCMTSU category.

 

[BaileyFan]

Hoven said today it’s unlikely there’s an extension to be made at the terms Drew wants. He also again brought up the possibility of trading Drew as if it’s something Holland might still be considering. Fingers crossed.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Hoven said today it’s unlikely there’s an extension to be made at the terms Drew wants. He also again brought up the possibility of trading Drew as if it’s something Holland might still be considering. Fingers crossed.

Id be hyped about this were it not for the source...maybe squirrel finds the nut here.. let hope

 

[RumHam]

Agree - I reckon you could acquire him for a pretty reasonable price.

Mika would ideally play with Fiala and Laf (IMO)

Panarin - Byfield - Kempe
Fiala - Zibanejad - Laferriere

Obviously understand that a lot of people are going to prefer to swap Byfield & Mika - def see the idea there. But personally, I feel this would be a bit more balanced.

And as for Byfield, it's a sink or swim situation. I do really think Panarin & Kempe for a full season (in addition to Byfield being a year older) can elevate Byfield's production to a very reasonable level - Then you'd have two legit scoring lines.

And again, the only way this would be remotely OK is if the cost to acquire is very reasonable. We're not talking about shipping out the farm for 33 year old Mika Zibanejad...

Like for example, what if you could attach a 1st round pick and a B tier prospect onto Cody Ceci & get Mika Zibanejad back in return??

Something like that where you address a clear need at center while also getting rid of one of your (bad) defensemen

Ive heard from folks in that area that Zibanejad loves New York and the dj club scene and isnt interested in waiving his nmc and being traded but who knows.

 

[Herby]

Welcome to the annual summertime Byfield breakout predictions part of being a Kings fan.




What will happen first this season, will it be the 30 points in 30 games streak or the 10 points in 30 games slump?

 

[AbsentMojo]

Welcome to the annual summertime Byfield breakout predictions part of being a Kings fan.

View attachment 1251802


What will happen first this season, will it be the 30 points in 30 games streak or the 10 points in 30 games slump?

This years hopium revolves around Kopi being gone (finally)...Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 2 or more (in this case 5 times) shame on me

 

[bland]

You know one angle I haven’t thought of

Lavy is here to smack the childish ‘y’ out of Michael Anderson

It's about time.

Sincerely,
Thomas Wingels

 

[FSL KINGS]

Hoven said today it’s unlikely there’s an extension to be made at the terms Drew wants. He also again brought up the possibility of trading Drew as if it’s something Holland might still be considering. Fingers crossed.

Wouldn't that be something? Doughty upset about a lack of extension requests a trade. Don't get my hopes up.

This years hopium revolves around Kopi being gone (finally)...Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 2 or more (in this case 5 times) shame on me

Kopi was gone last year. Byfield was already logging the tough minutes. He was drafted to be a defensive center we're already there!

Feeling good about this season. WE HAVE A REAL COACH! That's awesome. Best coach since Sutter? There's always something to complain about, but nice for now.

Roster
Try for a center,
Nico: Connections to Fiala, a little unhappy with team stalling & negotiating a contract this summer.

Wright: Young, inexperienced & don't know what his ceiling is.

EP40: Skating fell off, shot isn't what it used to be. Still decent player, overpaid.

Laferriere as a placeholder if those don't work

Get wing if moving Laferriere to center.
Philly has a bunch. Michkov has warts, would be nice to have Panarin mentor him. Philly says they won't move him, but like their other wings more. Bunch of other options.

D: Moving Doughty would open things up & fix some of the congestion. Would be a miracle if that happened. Dumoulin isn't really good enough to justify not having someone large & angry in the spot.

Possible targets that are large & ill-tempered
Trouba, Risto on right
Nurse, L. Stanley, Oleksiak & Englund! Maybe Englund for that 7th D.

Maybe grab Mancini from Van off waivers & see if Greener can fix him.

Ras Andersson is decent top 4 guy. Seems like his contract is going to be way too much for what he brings.

Plenty of options.

 

[Kudelski37]

Karlsson is an exception and you know there’s a reason why there’s essentially no one who had the random goal scoring explosion that he had. MacKinnon? Really. MacKinnon was already showing super star levels of talent which is why they got rid of Duchene. For the love of God tage Thompson comparison? This is so f***ing dumb I’m sorry. Again you’re using outliers to build a case. But there’s a reason why they’re OUTLIERS

I looked at the top 5 scorers for 2 specific teams, 17-18 Vegas and 24-25 Florida. 5 of those 10 fit the profile that you say is an outlier, so it isn't an outlier. I picked these two teams because they are/were contending teams. No stat padding on a lottery team.

I added two well known cases of Thompson and MacK. MacK best season through four seasons was his rookie year. Season 4 was down 10 points from his rookie despite playing all 82 games. I think you would have said he trending down instead of breaking out.

There are many more like Dylan Strome and Mika Zibanejad.

Ignorance is a choice.

 

[The Butcher]

Hoven said today it’s unlikely there’s an extension to be made at the terms Drew wants. He also again brought up the possibility of trading Drew as if it’s something Holland might still be considering. Fingers crossed.

Is Drew really in this much denial about the quality of his game? How much could he possibly be asking for?

 

[Kudelski37]

Is Drew really in this much denial about the quality of his game? How much could he possibly be asking for?

Any amount and any term is too much. Cut the cord and trade him.

 

[Trash Panda]

Is Drew really in this much denial about the quality of his game? How much could he possibly be asking for?

Drew has always been a difficult negotiation.

I just hope that this time he is difficult enough that the Kings make the smart move and let him walk.

 

[Herby]

Two seasons of Cryin Ryan's influence sure seemed to rub off on these guys when it came to contract negotiation. Maybe Doughty will call a press conference and faux cry because the Kings won't give him every dime he wants.

It's well within their rights its their careers, and they only have one. But I wouldn't expect any kind of hometown discount out of #8.

 

[Nasti]

Drew has been fellated by management for years. Of course he thinks he’s still that good.

As for the coach, at least Lavs eliminates the excuses. When this roster falls flat on its face again, no one can say it’s because of the loser coach. At least, not credibly.

 

[BigKing]

I actually think Byfield can put up 70-80 points but I also think that probably happens on a team that sacrifices offense for defense and has nothing to play for by March.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Two seasons of Cryin Ryan's influence sure seemed to rub off on these guys when it came to contract negotiation. Maybe Doughty will call a press conference and faux cry because the Kings won't give him every dime he wants.

It's well within their rights its their careers, and they only have one. But I wouldn't expect any kind of hometown discount out of #8.

He negotiated his last contract...probably shitting his pants that it isn't so easy this time when he doesn't have a claim to best dman in the world. Hell he has barely a tenuous claim to best dman on the team. This year may be a reality check for him.

I actually think Byfield can put up 70-80 points but I also think that probably happens on a team that sacrifices offense for defense and has nothing to play for by March.

So you're betting on him this year!

 

[DoktorJeep]

Last contract, Drew was his own agent and negotiating with his former teammate Rob Blake. This time around with Kenny Holland, he might want to pay an agent commission to work out a deal, especially if a trade scenario comes up.

Just look at how long it took Kempe to get an offer he was willing to sign. It took him playing at a team MVP level till nearly Thanksgiving to get that one done. With Drew’s current level of play, he’s more likely to be on top of the trade deadline leader board than re-upped for the term and money he’s probably expecting to get.

 

[Reaper45]

Trading Doughty (and one of of the three headed meatwad of Edmundson, Dumoulin, and Ceci) moving Laferriere to center or paying to have Laughton be the 2c and then adding a wing and whatever mobile d men you can get from the draft pick trades/moving the dinosaurs on D would go a long way towards at least making the team more watchable.

 

[Johnny Utah]

If Kings don’t re sign Laughton (who played a few games under Lavy) they will need two centers.