What should LA do at the deadline?

[johnjm22]

Blake hasnt not shown the riverboat gambler cocaine influenced decisions that were dark side of the DL persona

Exactly. He's been extremely conservative with future assets. I think that only changes if he has the opportunity to land a youngish cornerstone player that can help us for now and in the future.

 

[BringTheReign]

Blake also told Lebrun and Friedman that he's not looking to spend more than what he paid for Arvidsson on a deadline deal. I think a deal to add a piece to the future core is a different story obviously, but even with the injuries I just don't see Blake doing something rash. I think this season has been found money for management no matter what they've said publicly about the playoff push. Even if Doughty did, management never actually came out at the beginning of the season and said something like "playoffs or bust." They spoke more about playing meaningful games (i.e. doublespeak for pleasing the vets and hedging if we still miss the playoffs) and that the exodus of prior veterans was over.

 

[Reaper45]

After watching the D get pushed around so much last night I would argue a guy like Sanheim or Soucy is more needed than even Chychrun. We don't have anyone big and mean in the org on D. Said player would help a LOT on the PK too, bless Durzi but he shouldn't be out there.

Some of us have been saying this for a few seasons now.

 

[Reaper45]

It is impossible get more out of fast declining Kopitar.

Like squeezing a rock for water.

 

[kingsfan28]

Trade for ....

 

[kingsfan28]

Right now, Jack Johnson would help.

 

[JeanBlanc]

After watching the D get pushed around so much last night I would argue a guy like Sanheim or Soucy is more needed than even Chychrun. We don't have anyone big and mean in the org on D. Said player would help a LOT on the PK too,

I don't think that anyone's arguing against more physicality in the defensive corps, just not at the expense of skating, vision, and passing ability.

The last few games have really underlined the previous advantage the Kings had when they could get out of the D-zone with three quick passes. Or by playing keep-away between the defensemen and finding the pass to the middle that made sense to break out.

The past few games reminded me of previous-season Kings teams. Easily hemmed into the defensive zone. Frequent defensive zone turnovers. Holding on to the puck too long instead of making the easy puck-possession pass.

 

[Fishhead]

Even with Toby going down, not much has changed. The only thing is I would actually consider a rental if the price is right. If no one bites on Gio and Seattle wants to let him go for a middling prospect, I would be totally fine with that. Odds are that won't happen so I expect a hockey trade or nothing. Chychrun is hurt yet again and is probably out until around the deadline, there wasn't much of a chance he is moved anyways and that has to be even lower now.

 

[dman3474]

Stay the course. If they were looking for a scorer, keep looking. Same with D. These aren’t season ending injuries (we hope) for most of these players. Elder in the next 3ish weeks. Don’t over react and stay the damn course

 

[No Name The Nameless]

I'm really disappointed JC got injured.

 

[kinghock]

I'm really disappointed JC got injured.

I'm really disappointed 8 Kings players got injured

 

[kilowatt]

I'm really disappointed 8 Kings players got injured

No kidding. Nine players actually, including our entire opening night defense.

Here's our opening night roster less injuries, and players who then spent most of the year in Ontario in italics:

Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Iafallo – Danault – Kempe
Tkachev – Vilardi – Kaliyev
Lemieux – Lizotte – Moore
Grundstrom

Anderson – Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Edler – Walker
Maatta, Wolanin

Quick
Petersen

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Don't care about the current injuries in the grand scheme, nothing changes. Long term answers at goal scoring winger, left shot offensive defenseman, and high tier goalie prospect are the needs that need to be the focus at the deadline and the offseason

 

[KingsHockey24]

No kidding. Nine players actually, including our entire opening night defense.

Here's our opening night roster less injuries, and players who then spent most of the year in Ontario in italics:

Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Iafallo – Danault – Kempe
Tkachev – Vilardi – Kaliyev
Lemieux – Lizotte – Moore
Grundstrom

Anderson – Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Edler – Walker
Maatta, Wolanin

Quick
Petersen

Don't forget Athanasiou.

 

[kilowatt]

Don't forget Athanasiou.

True, ten, I forgot that Athanasiou wasn't on the opening night roster. Was using that to count

 

[johnjm22]

Next to get injured is one of our goalies.

Been saying it for awhile, we're very fragile at that position.

 

[apocalypse]

I've Been saying that the kings need a middleweight. Someone like foligno in Minnesota or Crouse in Arizona. Someone who can handle the tough guys in the league. That's why we have so many injuries. You're asking skill guys to play a physical game and it's not working. Guys with grease like Moore, lizotte and kempe can just bounce off checks but everyone else is glass. Get a middleweight already.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

No kidding. Nine players actually, including our entire opening night defense.

Here's our opening night roster less injuries, and players who then spent most of the year in Ontario in italics:

Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Iafallo – Danault – Kempe
Tkachev – Vilardi – Kaliyev
Lemieux – Lizotte – Moore
Grundstrom

Anderson – Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Edler – Walker
Maatta, Wolanin

Quick
Petersen

Holy smokes! I was trying remember all of the players that are hurt but that's ugly. At least if it were more weighed towards the forward group the Kings have a lot more options. Not to polish a turd here but at least they get to put some of these guys from Ontario into the lineup to see how they'll perform.

 

[King'sPawn]

Unfortunately, the Kings' inability to bring along their high-end forward prospects into the top-6 sooner is rearing its ugly head.

I said from before the season, there were three key expectations:
- making the playoffs
- leveraging their collection of veterans and journeymen to develop top-six players
- ensuring the development system and plan is set up to produce top-six players

Without achieving the second, they CANNOT afford to entertain trading away a potential valuable piece. What if, hypothetically, Vilardi turns out to be the best of them? Well, we can't decide whether it's worth trading him away - we don't know if the Kings would be okay leaning on Byfield, Kaliyev, and Turcotte in key roles.

The Kings don't have a good handle on who will help the organization in the next chapter. And considering the meteoric drop in Kopitar's play, they may have their hand forced after the deadline.

Best thing they can do is almost nothing. Use a pick to get a depth player to help keep their head above water.

But don't trade any prospects. This postseason, offseason, and preseason HAS to have more emphasis on putting forward prospects in key roles.

 

[kilowatt]

Unfortunately, the Kings' inability to bring along their high-end forward prospects into the top-6 sooner is rearing its ugly head.

I said from before the season, there were three key expectations:
- making the playoffs
- leveraging their collection of veterans and journeymen to develop top-six players
- ensuring the development system and plan is set up to produce top-six players

Without achieving the second, they CANNOT afford to entertain trading away a potential valuable piece. What if, hypothetically, Vilardi turns out to be the best of them? Well, we can't decide whether it's worth trading him away - we don't know if the Kings would be okay leaning on Byfield, Kaliyev, and Turcotte in key roles.

The Kings don't have a good handle on who will help the organization in the next chapter. And considering the meteoric drop in Kopitar's play, they may have their hand forced after the deadline.

Best thing they can do is almost nothing. Use a pick to get a depth player to help keep their head above water.

But don't trade any prospects. This postseason, offseason, and preseason HAS to have more emphasis on putting forward prospects in key roles.

The alternative, of course, is trading prospects for guys on good contracts. Trevor Moore is a great example, and is probably one of the most valuable players in the league given his contract versus his output. Having the best players isn't the only factor in building a great team. Having the best players relative to their contracts in addition to being healthy are probably the most important factors.

From a cost per point perspective, Lizotte, Moore, and Kempe are all in the top 100. Naturally, Olli Maatta is one of the worst in the league. Not that cost per point means anything or everything.

 

[King'sPawn]

The alternative, of course, is trading prospects for guys on good contracts. Trevor Moore is a great example, and is probably one of the most valuable players in the league given his contract versus his output. Having the best players isn't the only factor in building a great team. Having the best players relative to their contracts in addition to being healthy are probably the most important factors.

From a cost per point perspective, Lizotte, Moore, and Kempe are all in the top 100. Naturally, Olli Maatta is one of the worst in the league. Not that cost per point means anything or everything.

The Kings still need people from the younger age group to step up. You can't keep trading for 25-26+ players on good contracts and expect them to pan out like Moore.

Plus, Moore was acquired from trading Clifford + Campbell - two players who eventually had prospects capable of playing in their stead (mostly because, as mentioned, the Kings are good at churning out goalies, defensemen, and bottom-six forwards).

Pieces have to come from within, because free agent signings and trades are just typically more costly.

 

[Steve Zissou]

I'm really disappointed JC got injured.

Looks like 2-4 weeks for JC.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Needful things
1) toughness, add 1 vet forward & D. Use as extra skater & toughness against bigger teams. Borowiecki, Deslauriers types.

2) Sniper. Having Frk last game was useful with the man advantage. Kessel types are too old. 24-28 year olds may be hard to find. Trading for a young prospect might work.

3) Center, anything from #1 to defensive 3C. Going to need a C replacement & running multiple rookies that aren't ready at C isn't going to move the team forward.

4) LD vet, should be easy enough to find.

 

[Fishhead]

Looks like 2-4 weeks for JC.

It's not like this was really unexpected, he's missed significant time in all but one year. Arizona lucked out earlier that he got injured right in the middle of where games were delayed for COVID, otherwise he'd be looking at another 50 game season. He's as injury prone as I've ever seen in a young player. I know that a lot of his injuries seem random but maybe there is something mechanical going on.

 

[Steve Zissou]

It's not like this was really unexpected, he's missed significant time in all but one year. Arizona lucked out earlier that he got injured right in the middle of where games were delayed for COVID, otherwise he'd be looking at another 50 game season. He's as injury prone as I've ever seen in a young player. I know that a lot of his injuries seem random but maybe there is something mechanical going on.

He's experienced a number of knee issues in a three-year career so far.

He missed the first two months of the 2017-18 season after offseason knee surgery but returned Dec. 3 and scored a goal in his first game back, a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Chychrun had surgery to repair a torn ACL that delayed the start to his 2018-19 season until Nov. 13.

Jakob Chychrun NHL Injuries: Signings, Trades & more

He's a good defenseman when he's in the lineup but those injuries are starting to pile up.