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

[WHOneedsSOX]

They emailed me

Got it, do you mind forwarding it to me? I can msg you.

 

[Statto]

It’s bad enough that Chromiak re-signed but now Nurse is available for Holland?

Massive L today for the fans

They need AHL players and it’s a two way deal, so not sure where the issue is? He’s a decent guy to play as a veteran player at that level and was the Reigns top scorer. He definitely improved next year and would be decent depth if we were to get a bunch of injuries.

Nurse on the other hand… please, no!

 

[Trash Panda]

I mean if you can dump Ceci on them for Nurse and a pick do you do it?

I say we keep Ceci.

I find comfort in knowing someone is worse at their job than even I am.

 

[DoktorJeep]

I just heard that Nurse was among the top 30 defensemen for minutes played in the whole league. Here everyone is thinking the Kings biggest need is a replacement for Kopitar and Kenny is probably focused on replacing Doughty.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

It's difficult to articulate how bad & stupid any trade for Darnell Nurse would be....

On one hand, you'd be adding a player who is severely overpaid and probably a bottom pair guy on a legit contending team.

On the other hand, you'd be actively helping a division rival by taking Nurse & his contract off their hands.

It would have to be an INSANELY lopsided trade for any reasonable person to even remotely consider it.... However, the Kings front office is where reasonable people go to die.. So I wouldn't put it past them.

 

[BaileyFan]

Nurse seems like a Duncan Keith situation waiting to happen. i.e. Holland will take him off their hands for nothing and in fact will pay assets to make it happen.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I just heard that Nurse was among the top 30 defensemen for minutes played in the whole league. Here everyone is thinking the Kings biggest need is a replacement for Kopitar and Kenny is probably focused on replacing Doughty.

First thing that came out of Lavys mouth was culture, I don’t think Doughty fits into that equation and he’s getting older.

I could be wrong but I think Holland will inform Doughty that he will be traded soon, not so much extension talks.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I would assume he goes to the Sharks.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Nurse seems like a Duncan Keith situation waiting to happen. i.e. Holland will take him off their hands for nothing and in fact will pay assets to make it happen.

Nurse does fit into Lavy’s style. Can move the puck well, strong skater for a defenseman, shot blocker.

The fit is there, but there’s the cap hit, needs a solid D pairing etc. Edmonton is going to have to retain + take a salary back or add a sweetener to any deal.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I would assume he goes to the Sharks.

Fourth period says Penguins or Kings.

 

[Reaper45]

Fourth period says Penguins or Kings.

The problem with the Fourth Period is that while not like Eklund their track record is pretty poor.

I’d take Nurse if we could shed Ceci + Moore.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Here's how the trade *should* look (if it happens):

• To LAK: Darnell Nurse, 2027 2nd round pick, 2026 4th round pick
• To EDM: Cody Ceci

And here's how the trade will likely end up looking knowing the Kongs (if it happens):

• To LAK: Darnell Nurse
• To EDM: 2027 2nd round pick

 

[Telos]

McDavid mentioned he liked playing with Ceci. It would piss me off so much if we went through that presser about needing to go on the attack and adding more mobility to the defense and then they acquire Nurse. I mean, the frightful additions we've made recently like Ceci or Perry have already shocked our systems enough where I don't think much else would surprise me, but helping Edmonton by taking that cave troll would be miserable.

 

[SmytheKing]

I feel like the Nurse thing is inevitable and has been since Holland was signed. It seems like a situation that we've all been expecting for a while now. Only reason it won't happen is that Edmonton won't take what we're offering or doesn't want to retain.

Honestly wouldn't be shocked to see him for Doughty straight up all things considered. We get cap space and a low actual salary in exchange for a couple of extra years. That actual dollar value has gotta be attractive to a team paying like 8 coaches still.

 

[kingsholygrail]

It feels inevitable doesn't it?

 

[HockeyEsoterics]

I don't want any player to join this franchise with a contract longer than Laviolette.

They want to go for it now and try and win in the next 2/3 seasons?

Fine. Whatever. I don't personally think it'll work but.... FINE.

But don't make decisions that this organization will have to manage after you've gone and f***ed off to retirement.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

I think there is a fair argument to be made that Nurse-Ceci were the biggest reason the Kings at some points looked good against the Oilers. So I expect Holland to finish the inside job and reunite them here.

I literally made this exact argument for years, including during those series

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I can’t believe EDM has the gall to say no retention. I have to believe Holland can find a better deal on another defenseman.

 

[HockeyEsoterics]

I can’t believe EDM has the gall to say no retention. I have to believe Holland can find a better deal on another defenseman.

Jacob Moverare would be a better deal on a defenseman.

The conversations about Nurse's on ice impact baffle me.

How can the collective hockey world spend the last few weeks upset about Larkin with his NMC demanding a trade and realizing his contract and his profile don't match his his resume and yet still be having a serious conversation about Nurse as a player.

His cap hit is over $9M and he's under contract for 4 more years.

The only way he's NOT a boat anchor is if he miraculously turns into Bobby Orr 2.0

 

[Trash Panda]

In all reality, for the situation the Kings find themselves in, they shouldn’t be taking Nurse for free.

Not even if your least favorite contract on the roster is going back the other way.

 

[FSL KINGS]

It's happening.

Someone wake up Holland! I'm going to sacrifice some leftover chicken & a slice of week old pizza to the hockey Gods to get this done! It just makes so much sense!

Nurse, Doughty pair will be epic!

And by all accounts, they aren't willing to retain

If they trade Pettersson, it'll basically be a cap dump / so they can start completely fresh & build with a clean slate.

He's signed for 6 more years at $11.6M and has produced at a pace of ~57 points per 82 games over the last 2 seasons..... Vancouver would be lucky to get ANYTHING back in return for EP40 with his cap hit and recent track record.

That's why he's available, cheap! King's wheelhouse.

Edit: I may have forgotten to take my meds today.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Nurse for Ceci and Kuemper.

 

[kingsboy11]

Kings are already in a cap crunch as it is, why the f*** should they go after Nurse even if the acquisition cost is low. I understand these teams don't want to retain salary on their players, but why should the Kings bare the burden of these contracts? I'd say Holland is smart enough to realize this, but he's the moron that signed Nurse to that boat anchor of a contract.

 

[shuchukfan]

I hope Laviolette has some say in the roster and says hell no to Nurse. I mean, the Kings got rid of Spence because Hiller didn't want to play him.

 

[Lt Dan]

I was wondering why @Trash Panda hasn't been posting as much, and now we know