Another interesting question is, if Zus wants to be a King and is willing to sign for less, do you pull the trigger on a 1 year deal?
And, how much?
Moreover, Stoll is not a #2, but neither is Zus. We really do need Loki or Schenn slotted at the #2. So Zus at #3 and Stoll #4? Or Stoll at #3, Zus at #4? 2 #3's is 1 too many...
It's not popular around here, but I would. It would have to be a significant cut, because with Brayden likely playing for us, money becomes a serious issue for this year at least, but Zus would be a primier 4th line center, probably fighting for the best in the league, and he is a special teams specialist. Can't turn away his experience for the right price, center is Dean's most concerned forward position, we won't have two rookies taking half the spots, so it is either Richardson, Lewis, or Handzus and Richie or Lewis can play the wing. In the end, it won't happen though, someone will offer Zus more money, and I don't see him playing out his career for us for a pittance, he still has some bottom 6 years left, and we aren't likely a year away from the cup. You make those deals with the Detroits and Vancouvers of the world, not the Kings. My prediction:
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"It has not been a good day. I lost my glasses early this morning and I had to go buy a pair of 79 dollar reading glasses today. 79 bucks. You can literally get them at Costco, three-for-20." - Darryl Sutter's response to going up 2-0 in the series.
Another interesting question is, if Zus wants to be a King and is willing to sign for less, do you pull the trigger on a 1 year deal?
And, how much?
Moreover, Stoll is not a #2, but neither is Zus. We really do need Loki or Schenn slotted at the #2. So Zus at #3 and Stoll #4? Or Stoll at #3, Zus at #4? 2 #3's is 1 too many...
Not for more than $1.5 million. Strictly for depth and mentorship.
He'd just be in the way of developing forwards if re-signed.
I like Kopitar-Stoll-Schenn-Lewis down the middle in 2011-12, then Kopitar-Schenn-xxx-Lewis in 2012-13. Could have an all Kings-drafted line-up down the middle in a couple years!
This appears to be LA's depth chart of 14 forwards that could potentially be on the opening night roster.
CENTERS:
Kopitar, Stoll, Lewis (RW), Richardson (LW), Schenn, Loktionov
LEFT WINGS:
Penner, Smyth, Clifford, Parse
RIGHT WINGS:
Williams, Brown, Simmonds, Westgarth
Could it be better? Yes. The top three right wings are solid, but the depth at LW is a bit concerning considering the lack of speed and a quality shooter. The lack of forwards with the ability to make plays with the puck is also a glaring weakness. It could possibly be addressed with the additions of Loktionov and Schenn, but that remains to be seen at the NHL level.
What concerns me the most is our LW situation after this coming season when Penner, Smyth, and Parse are all UFAs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishhead
We are going to miss that big body with defensive awareness and face-off ability that Handzus was, especially at the end of games. He had a forgettable year offensively, but he was key in many late game situations. Kopitar and Stoll are going to be logging major minutes at the end of games, I'm not sure if I like that given how much Kopi plays in other situations.
Yeah I wouldn't be shocked if Handzus was brought back on a cheap one year deal.
What concerns me the most is our LW situation after this coming season when Penner, Smyth, and Parse are all UFAs.
What's even worse is the LW situation throughout the organization. I mean Clune could take the 4th line LW spot, and maybe Holloway nabs a spot, but is Kitsyn ready? King was unimpressive. Meckler and Turnbull will be gone soon. I'm hoping for a LW heavy draft.
1. Maxim Kitsyn
2. Bud Holloway
3. Dwight King
4. Richard Clune
5. David Meckler
6. Joshua Turnbull
7. Ray Kaunisto
Going with a center lineup of Kopitar, Loktionov, Stoll and Schenn would likely mean that the Kings make zero additions via free agency. That leaves Penner, Smyth, Clifford and Richardson at LW and Williams, Brown, Simmonds and Lewis at RW with Westgarth and Parse as spare forwards.
Will you guys be satisfied if the Kings made zero changes to the roster and brought in some fresh new faces from within?
Yes. Penner will have a full camp with Kopitar. When have the Kings had a legit top line LW in camp?
I actually like that lineup. Handzus is still a valuable PK'er, if Lewis became the full-time RW on that line it would take away the liability that is Westgarth. Plus that line could provide a little offense.
I love Kitsyn and have said so allot around here but if he were to join the team this coming season it would be as a third/fourth line player to start with limited minutes. That is if we keep Smyth and or Penner. Kitsyn is a 2nd line LW who will be a stud for us but not yet if I were GM.
One season away.
Holloway should be brought up for our 3/4rth line LW spot which pretty much means to me that Holloway should be brought up to play with whatever we do beyond the Clifford/Lewis/Simmonds line.
We are going to make a couple of moves this off season out of necessity alone.
As things sit now after Zues and Poni leave we are full up right again and have kids who either need to play or start being shopped if not both.
I'm not good at putting lines together out of season but to me our only don't you dare touch it line is our 3rd (Clifford/Lewis/Simmonds).
I can't imagine that DL won't do something to address our teams need for a better balance. The problem I see us having is how to move a couple of players that aren't destined to be a part of our core or team for the next 3/4 years without taking too much back in return while still addressing our primary need.
Dealing Smyth and his salary for pick's/prospect(s) would be ideal for us not only opening up a roster spot that could be filled by Loktionov and or others but also giving us cap space. The problem with this scenario is finding a team that would be willing to take on Smyth's salary without wanting to dump some salary back on us in return.
Today's NHL is a weird and different animal than pre lock out in this area. Gone are the days where teams would simply try to address needs by making deals, now they have to consider things like their own cap, the cap of the team they are dealing with, the amount of time that the returning players have on their contracts and other considerations to name a few.
There are teams out there who are far enough below the cap that could take a player like Smyth but then they are in the drivers seat much like we have been in the recent past. We certainly don't want to be involved in a scenario that sends us back a lesser player with a lesser contract as part of a deal and be stuck having to deal with what to do with them.
Edmonton has stepped forward and expressed interest in Smyth (or did so at the last deadline) but it is rumored that they want one of our kid D in return. Now if they would take DavisD as that kid and then send us back a mid level prospect/mid round pick the return would be acceptable for us but would the Oilers feel the same way? Hard to say.
Who knows how it will play out but if you look at our team as it sits today we definitely have to do something before we go into next season.
What's even worse is the LW situation throughout the organization. I mean Clune could take the 4th line LW spot, and maybe Holloway nabs a spot, but is Kitsyn ready? King was unimpressive. Meckler and Turnbull will be gone soon. I'm hoping for a LW heavy draft.
I wonder if they've ever considered just doing a prospect swap with a team with more winger depth?
Its amazing that the Rags had the foresite to nab that kid. He is one special player. The good news is that the Rags are always willing to deal quality for a big name......
We send them Simmonds and our 2nd this year
They send us Big K.
Of course it wouldn't happen but that is how much I like the kid. He is gonna be a solid 20/20+ guy in the league within the next couple of years.
Vey for Big K? People would whine but it is about fair value or at least I believe time will prove me right.
Another interesting question is, if Zus wants to be a King and is willing to sign for less, do you pull the trigger on a 1 year deal?
And, how much?
Moreover, Stoll is not a #2, but neither is Zus. We really do need Loki or Schenn slotted at the #2. So Zus at #3 and Stoll #4? Or Stoll at #3, Zus at #4? 2 #3's is 1 too many...
I would have Kopitar, Stoll, Lewis, and Schenn with Loktionov as a reserve and tell both Schenn and Loktionov that if they want more playing time they will have to take from someone else and hopefully one of them takes it from Stoll who can be traded at the deadline.
I don't like the idea of giving the 2nd center position to a kid, let the kid earn it. In my scenario, there is time to be taken (Stoll at 2nd and Lewis at 3rd) from others so this would help their development. I would also put Smyth on the 4th line with Schenn, teach him how to be an NHL player.
Its amazing that the Rags had the foresite to nab that kid. He is one special player. The good news is that the Rags are always willing to deal quality for a big name......
We send them Simmonds and our 2nd this year
They send us Big K.
Of course it wouldn't happen but that is how much I like the kid. He is gonna be a solid 20/20+ guy in the league within the next couple of years.
Vey for Big K? People would whine but it is about fair value or at least I believe time will prove me right.
With as many assets as we have, I don't mind overpaying for what we need. We have so many good prospects, that there's almost not enough room for all of them. If we keep them all, we're bound to lose some of them for nothing. Might as well try and package some of them up for a LW.
With as many assets as we have, I don't mind overpaying for what we need. We have so many good prospects, that there's almost not enough room for all of them. If we keep them all, we're bound to lose some of them for nothing. Might as well try and package some of them up for a LW.
I don't mind overpaying as long as it is to get us the very epitome of what we need. Say Voynov for Krieder or even Voynov + a 2nd but nothing ridiculously over the top.
If we are talking about getting a Parise for instance then yes lets overpay. JB + JJ + a mid level prospect is a ton and about all I would be willing to overpay to get him but then I am terrible at trade proposals.
More to the point I am saying yes I would overpay to get a player especially if it could come from our ridiculous prospect depth. I would rather a deal based around JJ/Voynov/etc but I can't see the other team agreeing.
We have a specific need and a ton of depth to deal in order to get it. Getting rid of Smyth first is critical then after that we could start considering our next move imo.
I don't mind overpaying as long as it is to get us the very epitome of what we need. Say Voynov for Krieder or even Voynov + a 2nd but nothing ridiculously over the top.
If we are talking about getting a Parise for instance then yes lets overpay. JB + JJ + a mid level prospect is a ton and about all I would be willing to overpay to get him but then I am terrible at trade proposals.
More to the point I am saying yes I would overpay to get a player especially if it could come from our ridiculous prospect depth. I would rather a deal based around JJ/Voynov/etc but I can't see the other team agreeing.
We have a specific need and a ton of depth to deal in order to get it. Getting rid of Smyth first is critical then after that we could start considering our next move imo.
This is the key to a successful off season, pure and simple.
I don't mind overpaying as long as it is to get us the very epitome of what we need. Say Voynov for Krieder or even Voynov + a 2nd but nothing ridiculously over the top.
If we are talking about getting a Parise for instance then yes lets overpay. JB + JJ + a mid level prospect is a ton and about all I would be willing to overpay to get him but then I am terrible at trade proposals.
More to the point I am saying yes I would overpay to get a player especially if it could come from our ridiculous prospect depth. I would rather a deal based around JJ/Voynov/etc but I can't see the other team agreeing.
We have a specific need and a ton of depth to deal in order to get it. Getting rid of Smyth first is critical then after that we could start considering our next move imo.
There are some teams that are in need of of PMD prospects/players in their systems. NJ, Boston, Colorado, Columbus come to mind.
If we go the trade route, does Dean want to got for an established star LWer that will cost us a huge package? or does he go for cheaper, young, up and coming LW?
If he goes for the latter, there's a lot of options, and we don't necessarily have to get rid of Smyth. Something like Voynov for Tedenby makes sense for both teams.
Quote:
Originally Posted by piston
This is the key to a successful off season, pure and simple.
Only if it means we're replacing him with someone better. Otherwise Smyth is still and important contributing player. Simply getting rid of him makes us a worse team.
Looking at the 2012 free agents, there are quite a few attractive names that could upgrade the Kings' offense (should they remain unsigned come July 1, 2012).
Some names to consider for 2012:
Semin, Sharp, Hemsky, Doan, T. Ruutu, Umberger, Kunitz, Grabovski.
Why do people want to get rid of the only LW to score 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons for Terry Murray? I just don't get it. Too many people are all about cap hits on this board. The cap hit only matters if you spend to the cap and the Kings haven't been any where near the cap.
Didn't everyone ***** and moan about cap space getting too much ice time in LA and now people want the best performing LW on the Kings traded for cap space?
Why not wait until Doughty and Simmonds sign their contracts before freaking out about cap space?
