Where do you guys stand?

[Rusty Batch]

would it be better to offer sheet Elia Peterson or Svechnikov then?

it never would happen, but when the cap is flat if ever there was time for Blake to be a dink and take full advantage of the flat cap this is how.

Sure, Im on board with that as well

 

[Rusty Batch]

How can the team even evaluate which of its prospects are going to be players at this point. I know not all will pan out, but the question is which ones? The last year was completely unprecedented. Our pants are not on fire - wait a year, and do some cost-efficient adds where needed.

Our organization sees many of them in practice every day, they should have better knowledge of our prospects than other teams

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think this year is crucial for finding out what we have in prospects and for reducing Kopitar and Doughty's minutes some.

Offseason:
-2C/3C--Sign Danault/Zajac or maybe if Dubinsky is able to come back to soften Kopitar's minutes. If not, sign RNH/Stastny, though not for a 'shutdown' role, but to insulate the coming youth and reduce Kopitar's offensive responsibility.
-Forward depth/grit/PK--take a swing at Cizikas, Foligno, Hyman, Cogliano
-Hjalmarsson, Oleksiak, Sanheim?
-Kick the can on players affected by cap squeezes--there are nearly too many to list but you can likely do better than the above two lists by making small moves.

The team that starts the year almost certainly won't be the one that ends the year--we're going to start seeing heavy doses Turcotte, Kaliyev, Kupari, Thomas, etc, and figuring out where they slot in before making the 'big moves' like trading Johnson opening up a spot for Voynov. I can't see them moving the blue chip prospects before seeing what they do because they can't afford to open up a hole by trading the 'wrong guy.'

There are probably some wish list items too (like Sergachev) but I don't think we're ready for that--but the Doughty heir is something we need to find in short order.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Decent argument, but if you wait a year from now to get a better read on the prospects there is very little chance that a player like Eichel is available. Guys like this just don't hit the open market very often, had anyone posted a Jack Eichel for prospects trade proposal two years ago they would have been laughed off the board. That is basically what Friedman said on his podcast about a potential Eichel trade, he said, "Teams can say they don't want to move so and so, but at the end of the day its Jack Eichel, guys", If you want to stick to your guns and keep the prospects that is cool I respect your opinion, but just know there is basically a 0% chance we get another chance at a player like this.

I think it is a valid argument. I am sure DL would have loved Richards and Carter the day he came on board, but had to wait...and same with Williams. You can only acquire players that are available and it's more difficult
with more NTC contracts and cap constraints - although Blake has that advantage. But if Eichel is the only top tier guy out there, I would not trade for him. The King doctors will also want to know where Jack stands on his treatments - surgeries. I would feel better getting Tkachuk or Reinhart. And as RJ says, one or more of the guys he just listed...Blake Coleman, also a possibility.

I can foresee this in 3 years "why did Blake include Thomas in that deal? Should have dealt Madden or Fagemo....I knew Thomas would be better than hoped for and better than Fagemo and Madden"
(BULLSHIT POST in which you never stated that)
You can't be afraid to pull the trigger and give up prospects, I just feel most of the top prospects will be at a point by the next trade deadline, to have better idea where they are at, with being closer to what to expect...even then, it took JAD an extra year to show something....Lias Andersson started slow and is looking more like a legit 3rd line LW with some jam. (who would have guessed he would drop the gloves when Vilardi was hit? Well, he was a captain too, right?)

 

[Gjwrams]

Let me put on my Blake cap.

Get Seattle to take Maata in the expansion draft. probably a 3rd round pick or rights to AA?

LHD puck mover solution:

Clague, Kupari, 2021 2nd round pick, 2022 3rd Round pick

to PHI

Shane Gostisbehere (We pairs with Matt Roy)
2021 1st rd pick....We Select Cossa (Goalie of the future)

Scoring winger to put on Kopi's line: Sign Brandon Saad 4 x 7.5

 

[YP44]

Let me put on my Blake cap.

Get Seattle to take Maata in the expansion draft. probably a 3rd round pick or rights to AA?

LHD puck mover solution:

Clague, Kupari, 2021 2nd round pick, 2022 3rd Round pick

to PHI

Shane Gostisbehere (We pairs with Matt Roy)
2021 1st rd pick....We Select Cossa (Goalie of the future)

Scoring winger to put on Kopi's line: Sign Brandon Saad 4 x 7.5

I'm still pissed LA didn't get ghost off of waivers. I don't know about that deal though. Hate to lose Kupari for a guy who was on waivers, but if a first is coming back hard to knock it.

I think it would cost a lot more to get Seattle to take Maata

 

[Reaper45]

I'm still pissed LA didn't get ghost off of waivers. I don't know about that deal though. Hate to lose Kupari for a guy who was on waivers, but if a first is coming back hard to knock it.

I think it would cost a lot more to get Seattle to take Maata

Unfortunately yes. More like here’s Blake Lizotte to take Maatta.

 

[kenito7]

1 and 3 are a toss up, 2 is an absolute no go the worst possible choice. I would make a serious offer for Eichel if the Doctors think there is a good chance of recovery. The other big names available are either too expensive or redundant(Jones and
Hamilton). No interest at all for Danault. He scored 5 goals this year and people want to pay 5m for him. He maybe worth that much but not to the Kings. The Kings should only look for forwards that can score 25+ goals Now is time to stay the course and save your assets unless something special can be done. I would consider salary cap as the Kings most valuable asset right now and if the cap is flat for the next 5 years it only becomes more valuable in the near future.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Why waste assets to pay someone to take Maatta? Bury him for a year in the minors if need be and then he’s off the books next year.

 

[johnjm22]

There are no good options.

1) Make an Eichel-like trade to try and improve the team now.
Likely Result: This almost guarantees mediocrity.

2) Keep sucking ass and acquiring picks/prospects.
Likely Result: Team won't be good anytime soon. The suffering continues. And there's no guarantee it works out. It could result in a decade long malaise of awfulness.

3. Don't trade picks/prospects but bring in some decent bridge talent.
Likely Result: We suck slightly less, and this decreases our chances of drafting elite players as we won't be picking as high in the draft.


Every option is terrible and probably won't work. Option #2 gives us the best chance, but risks the most pain.

 

[kenito7]

There are no good options.

1) Make an Eichel-like trade to try and improve the team now.
Likely Result: This almost guarantee mediocrity.

2) Keep sucking ass and acquiring picks/prospects.
Likely Result: Team won't be good anytime soon. The suffering continues. And there's no guarantee it works out. It could result in a decade long malaise of awfulness.

3. Don't trade picks/prospects but bring in some decent bridge talent.
Likely Result: We suck slightly less, and this decreases our chances of drafting elite players as we won't be picking as high in the draft.


Every option is terrible and probably won't work. Option #2 gives us the best chance, but risks the most pain.

Have to disagree option 2 is the worst. The Kings best asset right now is salary cap and should not be wasted on small improvements. Assets should only be used on young really good or really cheap players. Keep roster spots open for their prospects. In the Pacific division only Vegas looks like a lock for the playoffs the Kings could back door a playoff spot just with internal improvement.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Bring in 4 guys making $4m each. 3 guys making $5m. 5 guys making $3m. 2 guys making $7m. Whatever it is. Don't have to get rid of any prospects that matter, and you don't have to deal with Doughty drama. How is Doughty drama anything prospects need to deal with? Trade Doughty then. Well good luck with that.

Just use the cap space, and then when you don't win, you can at least point to there not being $20m in unused funds.

 

[Mats26]

1 and 3 are a toss up, 2 is an absolute no go the worst possible choice. I would make a serious offer for Eichel if the Doctors think there is a good chance of recovery. The other big names available are either too expensive or redundant(Jones and
Hamilton). No interest at all for Danault. He scored 5 goals this year and people want to pay 5m for him. He maybe worth that much but not to the Kings. The Kings should only look for forwards that can score 25+ goals Now is time to stay the course and save your assets unless something special can be done. I would consider salary cap as the Kings most valuable asset right now and if the cap is flat for the next 5 years it only becomes more valuable in the near future.

Why trade for big name players when we see how properly developed prospects are outplaying big name traded stars in these playoffs.

Key words for the Kings: "Properly Developed"

 

[Reclamation Project]

Why waste assets to pay someone to take Maatta? Bury him for a year in the minors if need be and then he’s off the books next year.

I'm totally lost on this too, he has just next season left. Flip him at the deadline for a third round pick and move on.

 

[funky]

I'm totally lost on this too, he has just next season left. Flip him at the deadline for a third round pick and move on.

maybe Seattle has the same idea and takes him off our hands. Still young with good size and veteran experience. Recoup a pick at the deadline as guys like Lizotte or Wagner won’t.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Let me put on my Blake cap.

Get Seattle to take Maata in the expansion draft. probably a 3rd round pick or rights to AA?

LHD puck mover solution:

Clague, Kupari, 2021 2nd round pick, 2022 3rd Round pick

to PHI

Shane Gostisbehere (We pairs with Matt Roy)
2021 1st rd pick....We Select Cossa (Goalie of the future)

Scoring winger to put on Kopi's line: Sign Brandon Saad 4 x 7.5

Take off your Blake cap and never put it back on

 

[Gjwrams]

Take off your Blake cap and never put it back on

Well that was a constructive DICK comment? Why don't you tell me what about my suggestion was so annoying to you? Are you one of those trade all 5 of our top prospects for Eichel guys?

 

[fivehole32]

This is the hockey equivalent of "Screw, Marry, Kill" options. I think as many have stated before the Kings need to use the cap space to their benefit. Kneel before Saad would definitely be on my radar as a GM. I think DeBrusk is a really good option also. DeBrusk can play up and down the lineup and has a scoring touch.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Well that was a constructive DICK comment? Why don't you tell me what about my suggestion was so annoying to you? Are you one of those trade all 5 of our top prospects for Eichel guys?

Lighten up Francis. To be frank, I don't like any of your suggestions:

1) I'm not giving-up anything for Seattle to take Maata. He's on his last year and can be taken off of waivers or buried in Ontario if need be. So why exactly would we give-up assets for him to be taken? In addition, I'm not exactly concerned about losing anyone in particular in the expansion draft, so who are you trying to protect in this scenario? From what I gather some are concerned with losing Clague, but you are trading him in your next move.

2) Ghost could have been had for free less than 3 months ago, now you want to give-up assets for him? This basically boils down to Clague, Kupari, a 2nd, and a 3rd to get the 14th pick so that we can take a goalie, which typically take forever to develop. 14th overall is early for Cossa IMO, and I'm not too hot on taking goalies in the first round regardless. This does nothing for me.

3) 4 x 7.5 for Saad is way too much for me, especially with the flat cap being around for a while. Just because the Kings have cap space doesn't mean they should be foolish with it. A cap hit that high needs to be a difference maker, which Saad isn't.

If the Kings are comfortable with his medical, I'd absolutely be interested in trading for Eichel. No, I would not "trade all 5 of our top prospects", but only Byfield would be off the table (and no that doesn't mean I would trade all of the next four). Talent like Eichel rarely become available, if they are ok with his medical the Kings would be idiots to not be interested

 

[Lt Dan]

 

[OldGreatWestern]

I'm in on the Eichel thing.
Let's say.... Turcotte, 8th OA, Madden and Clague (enough? no idea)

Kempe - Eichel - Vilardi
Iafallo - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Athanasiou- Byfield - Brown
Lemieux - Anderson-Dolan - Moore

Something like that?

 

[Rusty Batch]

I'm in on the Eichel thing.
Let's say.... Turcotte, 8th OA, Madden and Clague (enough? no idea)

Kempe - Eichel - Vilardi
Iafallo - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Athanasiou- Byfield - Brown
Lemieux - Anderson-Dolan - Moore

Something like that?

I'd do that in a heartbeat but I doubt Buffalo would. Love the lines

 

[Mats26]

I'm in on the Eichel thing.
Let's say.... Turcotte, 8th OA, Madden and Clague (enough? no idea)

Kempe - Eichel - Vilardi
Iafallo - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Athanasiou- Byfield - Brown
Lemieux - Anderson-Dolan - Moore

Something like that?

Let's put aside injuries and the cost to aquire such a player.
You need to send salary back in any trade for a 10 million dollar player.

Estimate with spares, and AA, Moore's new salaries with term 2-3 years, you'll have ~4 million in cap space with that lineup. I assume you are staying with the same 6 dmen as last year with McDermind at #7? So no new upgrades on D?

You'll also lose another forward to expansion with Clague in the trade. Probably one of the swedes will go to Seattle, Grundstrom or Andersson. I would prefer Wagner just for cap reasons alone.

Next summer, we'll need to pay these RFAs with a flat cap.
Vilardi
Kempe
Lizotte
Lemieux
JAD
Mikey Anderson
Cal Petersen

How do you handle the cap next season?

Have you not seen what the Leafs are going through with 3 x 10 million dollar players on their roster?? It just doesn't work.

 

[Sol]

So over 2/3s of the posters on this poll agree that the Kings need to bring someone via trade or signing.

 

[deaderhead28]

I want to see where the fans stand on the trajectory of the team and what they think the Kings should do. Seems like there's different perspectives so I'm interested to see where the poll lines people up.

None of the above.You seek a logical trade to bring in a Stoll/Greene trade....You certainly don't go all in now...