Trade Loktionov, Moller, Richardson or Voynov or a combo for a big nasty 3rd liner that plays with an edge and we are set.
IMO we are set to make the playoffs now, so stand pat until someone is desperate and take advantage of them. We don't need the playoff roster to open the season.
Stoll+ for Iginla in January, when the Flames are mathematically eliminated, and Brown goes to 3rd line right wing.
Why would the Kings put Loktionov on the 4th line?
He has not played more than 40 games in Manchester....he is the Kings future #3 center. I don't see him making it until Stoll is gone as a UFA next summer, that way he can try and get a full year in the AHL under his belt. He has had two injury ridden seasons so far. Kings coaches agreed he is not as effective on the LW and he is not suited for a 4th line center role because of his size, that is better suited for Fraser and Lewis.
I'm very happy with this signing. I must say, I was surprised Dean signed him for the price and term he did and also with the swiftness it all went down after Richards made his decision. I'm really not that concerned with the whole injury thing, especially with how he finished the second half of the season and how he performed in the playoffs. Gagne had 27 points his last 30 regular season games and 12 points in 15 playoff games. To me, I see that as him turning the corner from his last injury and I can see him continuing on that path with us. Our team is definitely a legitimate contender now.
Stoll+ for Iginla in January, when the Flames are mathematically eliminated, and Brown goes to 3rd line right wing.
You do realize that being mathematically eliminated in January is impossible, don't you? Since Calgary plays 51 games up to the end of January, they would have to be over 62 points behind the 8th place team in the standings ...
Effectively eliminated? Ok
Mathematically eliminated? uhhhh, no
IMO we are set to make the playoffs now, so stand pat until someone is desperate and take advantage of them. We don't need the playoff roster to open the season.
Stoll+ for Iginla in January, when the Flames are mathematically eliminated, and Brown goes to 3rd line right wing.
Calgary wouldn't trade Iginla for a Stoll package. And the playoffs are when LA would need Stoll's faceoff mastery the most.
Clifford/Lewis/Kozun would be one tuff line to play against.
Parse/Stoll/Richardson is a nifty fast skilled line that can play at both ends.
Gagne/Kopitar/Williams a great skill sniper line
Penner/MR/Brown could be one of the scariest lines to play against that you could imagine if DP comes to camp ready to win a cup. Big Scary and Hits like a truck all coupled with some serious skills. Could be one heck of a line to try and defend against.
Throw Westgarth and Holloway in where needed and we are good.
17 goals is meh to me but I am willing to want the best for and from him for certain.
In 63 games with the first part of his season being well below par. I could easily see 25 goals next year. Kinda weird that the Kings top6 all have 30 potential imo. (no way they all get it....just saying)
The guy has the hands to exceed his past two season goal totals and reuniting him with MR might also make both of them feel better about being in L.A. and adapt/adjust more easily too.
I also have a tuff time with the idea of all of the top 6 hitting target but then weirder things have happened in the past.
Not to us but it has happened? (at least not in a long time and not too often).
Yes and he is a good guy both in the locker room and off the ice. He has a good rep.
The other plus is that DL's evil plan of taking over the Fliers and secretly bringing them to Los Angeles a little bit at a time is now one step closer to fruition.
Next years Jersey will have the Flier P in Purple Black and White with a crown hanging off of it.
I don't know why people are messing with the lines, it's quite clear they'll look like this coming out of training camp:
Penner-Kopitar-Williams
Gagné-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Lewis/Richardson
Parse-Richardson-Westgarth
Holloway? King? It's a toss up, Loktionov will probably make the team coming out of camp, like last season
Why would the Kings put Loktionov on the 4th line?
He has not played more than 40 games in Manchester....he is the Kings future #3 center. I don't see him making it until Stoll is gone as a UFA next summer, that way he can try and get a full year in the AHL under his belt. He has had two injury ridden seasons so far. Kings coaches agreed he is not as effective on the LW and he is not suited for a 4th line center role because of his size, that is better suited for Fraser and Lewis.
Makes sense, but I think there's something to be said for bringing a guy along slowly (even a skilled guy) on the 4th line. Example: Datsyuk
I'm very happy with this move. Very happy. Gagne is a risk, but the cap hit is pretty low, and it's only two years, which strategically makes a lot of sense. Next season, if Penner isn't working out, he can be traded (or somehow let go), and we can spend money on a top flight LW assuming one is available. This is a great deal.
I hadn't thought about Penner in relation to all this. Not only is he in a contract year but he will also need to compete for his position. This may make him work harder which is a good thing.
I wouldn't mind LA signing Zenon Konopka. He brings top end faceoff ability and also fights. Would eliminate the need to dress the one dimensional Westgarth. With him Stoll and Richards LA would have 3 top end faceoff guys.
So I am assuming Gagne will get his number #12 which begs the question what number will Loktionov wear? Anyone know his number in Manchester?
Well I guess he won't get his #18 as its retired. Maybe he gets to go with a high number like #81? I recall DL not liking that but maybe he gives the kid a break after he forfeits his number to Gagne lol!
