Not a chance imo. Terry Murray has already said he thinks Lokti and Lewis do better at Center. Kopi, Richards, Stoll, and Lewis are all locks to make the team, and there's no way Stoll gets shifted to LW. He's the perfect third line Center. Just no room for Lokti. It's a good problem to have, I guess...
Is he NHL ready and has he proven himself to be so? Yes without a doubt.
Is he likely to be on the team's opening night roster? I suppose it might be possible but it is doubtful. Can I see him sticking with the team next year full time? Absolutely.
I say no, unless Murray tries to move either him or Stoll to the wing and it works, which I doubt. If loki has a great start in manchester though, I can see the club doing something to find him a spot though.
Well it all depends on what happens at camp, but I think what they should do with Loktionov this year is let him be #1 ctr in AHL. But any opportunity, whether wing or center via injury, let him come up and get experience.
But bringing him up to sit should be out of the question. He will be an NHLer despite his size eventually.
They will probably put him at #1 C in Manchester for now. Injuries or moving one of Stoll or Lewis to the wing is the only way I can see him getting ice time in LA for now.
I see him starting the season in Manchester, the Kings just have too many other options. The Kings line up is basically set.
Penner - Kopitar - Williams
Gagne - Richards - Brown
Clifford - Stoll - Richardson
Parse - Lewis - Westgarth
Unless Loktionov was centering the third line with Stoll taking the draws or something like that, which would look more like...
Penner - Kopitar - Williams
Gagne - Richards - Brown
Clifford - Loktionov - Stoll
Parse - Lewis - Richardson
But I doubt it.
Agree that Loki will start season in the ahl with the top six already locked. But a better lineup IMO than what you listed above would be a bottom six of...
Agree that Loki will start season in the ahl with the top six already locked. But a better lineup IMO than what you listed above would be a bottom six of...
He can definitely play at the nhl level. But there is no spot for him. I think a full year in Manchester would be really good for him. And if kopi or richards get injured we have a nice replacement.
If a player can play Center it has to be easier to play the wing.
We tested him on the wing already and he didn't play well there. Then when we put him at center and played so much better. Idk why he did so poorly at wing maybe cause he's not much of a shooter, he's more of a playmaker he's has great vision and likes to create for players around him.
We tested him on the wing already and he didn't play well there. Then when we put him at center and played so much better. Idk why he did so poorly at wing maybe cause he's not much of a shooter, he's more of a playmaker he's has great vision and likes to create for players around him.
He can play wing and still be a playmaker. His problem had nothing to do with position and all about confidence. If kopitar, Richards, and stoll stay healthy than there is no place for loktionov at center. But he could give the team three good scoring lines and one hell of a fourth line
I think he'll end up being traded, he'll be a top 6 center eventually maybe even this year on a weaker team. And you guys have kopitar and Richards for a long time.
I think he'll end up being traded, he'll be a top 6 center eventually maybe even this year on a weaker team. And you guys have kopitar and Richards for a long time.
If Stoll gets a multi-year extension, then trading Loki makes the most sense.
Evrey team that dresses Westgarth and keeps Loktionov in the AHL belongs to be banned.
The problem is our center depth.
1st and 2nd are and so i believe the 4th. Lewis is way to good in what he is doing.
The most logic thing would be to ice a scoring 3rd line instead grinders.
Problem is what to do with Stolland. He is way to slow for a winger and he is happy to hit the icerink with his shot.
The best thing would be to trade for a player like Comaeu. If it costs Stoll my heart will be broken but we need to scrifize.
If Stoll gets a multi-year extension, then trading Loki makes the most sense.
But to who and for what?
Loki & Bernier+ as a package for Parise?
No source or anything but a gut feeling NJ is keeping their eye on Bernier this year. Something involving JB and Parise might be possible if NJ gives up on its season - or they want something before Parise's FA.
I don't want to give up JB so soon, but no doubt you have to do it for Parise (even if Parise has a off start to the season).
I think he'll end up being traded, he'll be a top 6 center eventually maybe even this year on a weaker team. And you guys have kopitar and Richards for a long time.
yeahh trading Loktionov and keeping Stoll who's contract is running out and Richarson......
this would be a nice reminder of Kings dark ages in the 90's
Evrey team that dresses Westgarth and keeps Loktionov in the AHL belongs to be banned.
I don't think Loki would do very well playing Westgarth's role. To me that's like expecting Voynov to do what Greene does.
Quote:
The problem is our center depth.
1st and 2nd are and so i believe the 4th. Lewis is way to good in what he is doing.
The most logic thing would be to ice a scoring 3rd line instead grinders.
Problem is what to do with Stolland. He is way to slow for a winger and he is happy to hit the icerink with his shot.
The best thing would be to trade for a player like Comaeu. If it costs Stoll my heart will be broken but we need to scrifize.
I agree that is the problem, and if this was three years ago, SToll would be dealt most likely. That said, we are going for it now, and the Kings aren't likely to keep Loki over Stoll, since Stoll is better suited for the 3rd line than Loki.
I expect Loki to be dealt at the deadline to fill a hole, maybe to get a guy like Comeau, which would be a nice addition.
Last edited by kingsfan: 08-23-2011 at 03:15 PM.
Reason: forgot the :sarcasm: and didn't want to be roasted
Nope, if we re-sign Stoll he may be traded away too, if not, then he is our third line center.
__________________
"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.
To me that's like expecting Voynov to do what Greene does.
