Eh, it's Kings news. There are three remaining RFAs left to re-sign: Richardson, Lewis, and Clune.
Next summer is going to be quite busy with the following RFAs that need to negotiate new deals:
Doughty
Johnson
Simmonds
Bernier
Moller
Martinez
Zatkoff
Holloway
Campbell
Mikus (I heard he's returning to Europe as of next season)
Meckler
Cliche
Mullen
Elkins
Fransson
UFAs for next summer include:
Handzus
Williams
Harrold
Ersberg
Zeiler
I don't get Lombardi's love for Cliche. I like the guy, but he is a 4th liner at best, and within our system, he's a depth/fill-in type to me. At least I can understand with Elkins, he's only been in for one season, but Cliche has done little above the ordinary to warrant this contract.
I'm not opposed to the contract, I just don't see the value or reasoning, other than to help Manchester possibly.
I don't get Lombardi's love for Cliche. I like the guy, but he is a 4th liner at best, and within our system, he's a depth/fill-in type to me. At least I can understand with Elkins, he's only been in for one season, but Cliche has done little above the ordinary to warrant this contract.
I'm not opposed to the contract, I just don't see the value or reasoning, other than to help Manchester possibly.
Where's there any risk when he will earn a little over $600,000 if he makes the NHL. He is being paid appropriately for the role he will serve. If he becomes a serviceable 4th line center, what's the harm? He is also considered a leader on Manchester, so at the very least, they retain a minor league veteran who can help some of the younger prospects in the AHL. Not every prospect has to be a top six forward.
Good move, Cliche will likely be the Captain on the Monarchs, if not centering the 4th line for the LA Kings if he does that well in camp. Cliche doesn't wow with numbers (never did, and its not why he was drafted), but he more than makes up for it on defense and in leadership.
Be nice to Cliche and Bernier on the Kings, two guys I watched playing for the Maineaics in the Q.
Remember, Cliche has had some injuries since turning pro that have kept him from playing a whole lot. He still may turn into a good PK'ing 4th line center that could chip in the odd goal. The kid led Canada not too long ago, he has some skills Napolean Dynomite would envy. Good for him.
Don't forget that Manchester has to field a team as well. Cliche and Elkins are exactly what Mancherster needs and maybe they will get a cup of coffee.
I don't get Lombardi's love for Cliche. I like the guy, but he is a 4th liner at best, and within our system, he's a depth/fill-in type to me. At least I can understand with Elkins, he's only been in for one season, but Cliche has done little above the ordinary to warrant this contract.
I'm not opposed to the contract, I just don't see the value or reasoning, other than to help Manchester possibly.
At the very least, a very good return for Avery (Jason Ward and Jan Marek were the throw-ins) lol...helps the Monarchs defensively and could take Richardson's spot as a depth forward and cheaper alternative.
Good move, Cliche will likely be the Captain on the Monarchs, if not centering the 4th line for the LA Kings if he does that well in camp. Cliche doesn't wow with numbers (never did, and its not why he was drafted), but he more than makes up for it on defense and in leadership.
Be nice to Cliche and Bernier on the Kings, two guys I watched playing for the Maineaics in the Q.
Exactly. I watched about half the games the year the Maineaics won (and all the playoff games) which is when I started to love Bernier. Cliche was a total soldier on that team. He was the heart and soul, the captain. As said above, he doesn't put up HUGE numbers, but that's not what he's about. He's a defensive center that gets the job done. I kind of think of him as a guy who could be on a shut down line, like the Ducks had on their cup run with Nieds, Pahlsson and Moen.
