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

[Sol]

32% of Kopitar's points came on the power play in his last good scoring season when he had 67 points.

22% of Byfield's points came on the power play last season.

It isn't a difficult argument to see Byfield's point totals jump if he is given the 40+ more seconds of PP time that Kopitar received, that time is on the 1st unit where he can stumble into secondary assists (it's called "The Modry"), and he plays at even strength with the two best wingers on the team.

Does that mean the team has a good season? Not so sure about that, but Byfield should be setting career highs across the board next season. 20 point jump? I think it is plausible. Streaky? You bet, but remember that Kopitar became Quietar for like, December or January all the time and still showed up at the end with his points.

Derek Armstrong put up 44 points in 67 games as the Kings de facto #1C. Byfield is more skilled than him and will have better linemates while playing during an easier era for scoring. If Byfield is still at 50-ish points while getting all the toys to play with, then we can officially call him a bust.

Byfield also put up 55 points on Kopitar's wing, but he was 21 v. Kempe at 25.

Kempe going from 14 goals to 35 was f***ing mind blowing while it was happening no matter how much he had flashed previously. All of a sudden he was a guy that was blasting one-timers on the power play from the Ovechkin spot.

I am super critical of Byfield, but it is not wild to think he can put up 70 points. I just feel it will be empty calories.

bro

I dont even care to get into this argument but

you cannot have an honest argument and pretend playing 81 games twice and a couple more covid shortened seasons are NOT 'first full season in the NHL'

Let’s bet on it at this point. stop talking about it and be about it. Who’s in for a wager

Also I was talking about Kempe’s first full season he was far more productive than Byfields full season despite being much younger

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

That Mayor interview from a few days ago sure sounds like Doughty might get dealt. Fingers crossed.

Don't.....

Don't make me have hope....

 

[KingsHockey24]

After doing a deep dive into the UFA market I could see some potential adds.

I think the majority of the new roster players will be acquired through trade but still will add at least two players in Free Agency.

- Jeffrey Viel LW, 29 (Slight Malott upgrade.)
- Curtis Douglas C, 26 (Samuel Helenius clone.)
- Luke Kunin C/RW, 28 (4th line depth guy.)
- Nick Blankenburg RD, 28 (Undersized puck-mover, #7D)
- Nick Cousins C/LW, 32 (Biggest rat in the NHL, 20 point depth guy.)
- A.J. Greer LW, 29 (Signficant upgrade over Malott, sorta fake tough though.)
- Vladimir Tarasenko RW, 34 (Middle six scorer, 5PP goals last season.)
- Mason Marchment LW, 30 (Middle six powerfoward.)

 

[Reaper45]

I personally think they like the 4th line as it is with Lee-Helenius-Ward. I could see them having Laferriere play as the 2c and signing Marchment if they can’t sign Laughton. But you re-sign Clarke and get someone stupid enough to take Doughty, Dumolin and Kuemper and then we can start talking. Even if we get another man’s trash for our trash, it might end up as some treasure.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Let’s bet on it at this point. stop talking about it and be about it. Who’s in for a wager

Also I was talking about Kempe’s first full season he was far more productive than Byfields full season despite being much younger

Oh I could be convinced, but i have to see how the offseason roster shakes out

I was more commenting on the idea that back to back 81 game seasons don't count as 'full seasons'

 

[johnjm22]

https://puckpedia.com/news/2026-27-nhl-offseason-outlook-los-angeles-kings

it wouldn't surprise anyone to still see Holland pursue top UFAs such as Darren Raddysh or Alex Tuch, and then try to deal from surplus elsewhere on his roster.

Contract Comparable Tool suggests Clarke could command a long-term deal in the neighbourhood of Luke Hughes' seven-year deal with New Jersey at a $9 million cap hit.

I really don't think Holland will want to give Clarke 9M.

 

[johnjm22]

I personally think they like the 4th line as it is with Lee-Helenius-Ward. I could see them having Laferriere play as the 2c and signing Marchment if they can’t sign Laughton. But you re-sign Clarke and get someone stupid enough to take Doughty, Dumolin and Kuemper and then we can start talking. Even if we get another man’s trash for our trash, it might end up as some treasure.

Who's the 3C in that scenario? Connors?

Panarin-Byfield-Kempe
Fiala-Laferriere-Armia
Marchment-Connors-Moore
Lee-Helenius-Ward

Moore and Marchment played on a line together when the Marlies won the Calder Cup.

 

[FSL KINGS]

https://puckpedia.com/news/2026-27-nhl-offseason-outlook-los-angeles-kings

I really don't think Holland will want to give Clarke 9M.

Clarke at 7+
Doughty at 11 for one more year
That's a lot of cap.

 

[Nasti]

Fun fact: the last time the Kings hired a coach who had already won the cup as head coach was Marc Crawford. What could go wrong?

 

[Johnny Utah]

Everyone needs to stop making Laffy the 3C. Everyone in the Kings org is saying they like him better at wing. I think he even basically told them he prefers the wing also.

The Kings will figure something out whether they make trades or sign UFA centers before putting Laffy back at C.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Everyone needs to stop making Laffy the 3C. Everyone in the Kings org is saying they like him better at wing. I think he even basically told them he prefers the wing also.

The Kings will figure something out whether they make trades or sign UFA centers before putting Laffy back at C.

Panarin, Laughton, Kempe

Rather see Laferriere at center than sign Laughton 4-5 years. If they don't add a legit center, Laferriere is better than most options.

Laughton, or equivalent player, & Laferriere both in the top 6 to start the year is going to be rough.

Didn't we win the AHL regular season? Maybe there's a top 6 forward down there Holland could call up?

 

[Kudelski37]

But even then, in Kempe's first full season in the NHL he had the same exact amount of points as Byfield did in his most recent season. I think you can't compare them.

View attachment 1251996

What are you looking at???? Byfield had 49 points this season. Kempe had 37 points in 81 games in 17-18 (his first full season). Kempe didn't hit 49 points until age 25 in 21-22 ( 54 point season).

 

[KingsHockey24]

I personally think they like the 4th line as it is with Lee-Helenius-Ward. I could see them having Laferriere play as the 2c and signing Marchment if they can’t sign Laughton. But you re-sign Clarke and get someone stupid enough to take Doughty, Dumolin and Kuemper and then we can start talking. Even if we get another man’s trash for our trash, it might end up as some treasure.

Lee is a 26 year old career AHL'er that hasn't even played 30 games in the NHL.

Pass.

 

[The Butcher]

Fun fact: the last time the Kings hired a coach who had already won the cup as head coach was Marc Crawford. What could go wrong?

Crow sucked but at least he was a hard ass. No country club bullshit with him.

 

[Reaper45]

Crow sucked but at least he was a hard ass. No country club bullshit with him.

The hard ass coaches work but they have a shelf life.

 

[Reaper45]

Lee is a 26 year old career AHL'er that hasn't even played 30 games in the NHL.

Pass.

I feel the same way. I don’t want Lee there but he’s big enough to be difficult to play against and provide some offense.

 

[Trash Panda]

https://puckpedia.com/news/2026-27-nhl-offseason-outlook-los-angeles-kings

I really don't think Holland will want to give Clarke 9M.

I don’t know enough about how Holland is operating to have an informed opinion on what he may or may not offer, but I am absolutely sure that Clarke has the organization over a barrel here.

His negotiations this summer could get pretty interesting.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What are you looking at???? Byfield had 49 points this season. Kempe had 37 points in 81 games in 17-18 (his first full season). Kempe didn't hit 49 points until age 25 in 21-22 ( 54 point season).

He's looking at back-to-back 81 game seasons don't count and two full covid shortened seasons don't count, only 82 games counts

 

[HockeyEsoterics]

Crow sucked but at least he was a hard ass. No country club bullshit with him.

He kicked a player on the bench despite knowing that the player in question had been a victim of horrendous physical abuse.

While giving preferential treatment to the golden boy players on the roster.

Crawford was a terrible coach, allegedly a terrible person and supported a totally different kind of country club bullshit.

 

[YP44]

How is Kotkanemi only 25 still. Guy has been disappointment but can play center. Wonder if Carolina would do him for moore.

I hope LA pushes for Kent Johnson if his rumor trade request was true.

 

[Kudelski37]

He's looking at back-to-back 81 game seasons don't count and two full covid shortened seasons don't count, only 82 games counts

Byfield has yet to play all 82 games in a season so....

 

[johnjm22]

but I am absolutely sure that Clarke has the organization over a barrel here.

That would presume the Kings think that Clarke is good.

 

[Johnny Utah]

How is Kotkanemi only 25 still. Guy has been disappointment but can play center. Wonder if Carolina would do him for moore.

I hope LA pushes for Kent Johnson if his rumor trade request was true.

Kotkanemi is terrible - rumor has it Canes offered him for Danault and Kings passed.

 

[Sol]

Byfield has yet to play all 82 games in a season so....

Wha you aren't getting unc and to no surprise, it's going over your head, you're comparing Kempe's extremely unusual career path, mind you, last pick of the first round, to the 2nd overall pick of the 1st round. If you already dont notice that even in your equation that these variables look bad for Byfield then you're on some really power stuff.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

That would presume the Kings think that Clarke is good.

That was my thought exactly lmao

Kings front office may be too stupid for Clarke to have them over a barrel because they may legitimately be too stupid to see how good he is