2018-19 Off Season Thread

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I'm not a major go green guy (although I have improved on that as I have gotten older - paperless receipts for example) pretty cool to see LA led the charge on this new sheet process and it has benefits for the teams, players and fans.

How California’s drought helped Kings go green and create harder, faster ice in the process | The Hockey News

Late in responding to this one. That Luc Robitaille interview was actually really funny (the audio version). He was basically saying the ice was better because they took the humidity out of the building (Like colder places Calgary and Denver, who traditionally have better ice). The best part was something like "The ice was faster this year. The Knights sure seemed to enjoy it. Maybe next year, our players will too, but the ice was definitely better this year"

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Excellent article and comments, Puck.
I would just add that their power play was horrible for all the talent they have on the ice. It ranked 17th in the NHL but was even more ugly to watch live. So many games, including vs Vegas in PO, could have gone their way with a clutch PP goal here and there. They cannot enter the zone without dumping and chasing, probably due to lack of speed and continued Sutter influence. Here's to better offense next year with improved creativity and skill.

That Kings PP has been atrocious since around 2010. Remember against Vancouver in 2010, it was Doughty, JMFJ, Kopitar basically rotating 3 high, and then Handzus with his big body at the net. It was deadly as a PP. After that, it just went South. A lot of times it's feels like no sense of urgency or direction. I would change it up by putting Doughty on the half board or trying whatever I could to change things, since it clearly doesn't work as is.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Their PP is really predictable, and there isn't a lot of movement it seems compared to other teams. There isn't too many cross ice passes, seems it's low high low high shot from the point and hope it goes in via screen, straight power or rebound and someone pops it in.

Watching the Caps move that puck around in Game 2 resulting in Ovechkin's PP goal - vintage too, cross ice pass, left dot, one time rocket - was really cool to see. The Kings have the personnel for that but I don't understand why they don't change it up. This is where I think Turgeon should step up a little bit and help out on.

I checked their PP stats for the last 10 years and it's all over the map:
(Kompon Years)
2008-09 19.2% 14th
2009-10 20.8% 7th
2010-11 16.1% 21st
2011-12 17% 17th - Cup

2012-13 19.9% 11th - WCF
2013-14 15.1% 27th - Cup
2014-15 19% 11th
2015-16 20% 8th
2016-17 19.1% 15th
2017-18 20.4% 17th

Average:
18.6% 15th

Seems to me the magic number is 20%, if you can hit that you will be in good shape. 2017-18 is the outlier in that number because a lot of teams cashed in on PP chances this past season which is why even though they hit 20%+ they ranked near the bottom third of teams in PP percentage.

Ultimately I think the strategy needs to be changed up and not be so conservative and be more creative.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Got some goodies for you mooks today, Uncle Puck has been looking around:

TSN - Kings Off Season Game Plan
Off-Season Game Plan: Los Angeles Kings - Article - TSN

Doughty Contract

1993 Cup Run 25th Anniversary Articles
1993 Stanley Cup archive: Canadiens lose Game 1 to Los Angeles Kings

Kings looking for high scoring wingers - Kessel, Skinner, Pacioretty
Report: Kings pushing to acquire one of three star wingers

Kessel is interesting, I posted on another thread if the Kings would be interested in him a few days ago but the numbers would need to make sense considering he would be a $6.4 million cap hit minimum, not to mention he seems to wear out his welcome everywhere he has been.

You're welcome - don't ever say Pucky doesn't love you. Bastard.

=)~~

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Pretty funny assessment on needs. "What I said the Kings needed last year"



To be fair, I remember endless videos and articles about how LA was done, and how it would take everything Kopitar to stay interested.

So we'll see. More optimism headed into next year already. Still need a medium range move though.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Still need a medium range move though.

I think they need a between a medium and a high end move personally to improve the skill level on 2 of the 4 T6 wings minimum (easier said than done, I know). The defense should be the pillar in any trade for these types of moves and the glut of B6 players should be included as throw ins to clear out roster space and money.

I think Carter, Kopitar and Pearson are solid but Iafallo, Toffoli and Brown have question marks surrounding them heading into 2018-19. I would like to hope Brown will repeat this season, but I am not banking on it based on his age and 5 of the last 6 year production history. Iafallo needs to start producing to be included in this group although I think he worked very hard for both Kopitar and Brown. Toffoli, well I think you know where I stand on that.

I still think Kempe should be moved into a full time LW role instead of center because the Kings have Kopitar, Carter and most likely Amadio locking down C1-C3. C4 will most likely be Thompson although Amadio and he can be interchanged. Lewis is in the mix too since he can play all 3 forward positions and was almost exclusively a center until the last 2 seasons.

Moving Kempe to wing allows him to grow in a safer environment with the veterans on the top 2 lines. Defensive,ly he was solid as a center but offensively, I think he was stunted the more and more he played C. He is built for speed and offense down the wing. Who knows, maybe if he does improve as a center he is Carter's successor in the future but for now, I would put him up on the top 2 LW slots.

That leaves Carter and Pearson on L2, and maybe a guy like Toffoli is moved to bring in a player who is a better fit. I keep seeing Kingsters salivating over Vilardi but it remains to be seen what he can do at the NHL level. If he's as mature as the organization is saying he will get a serious look too but that creates a logjam then with 5 centers and 4 slots. We've all seen Kings prospects hyped up only to not make an impact at the NHL level, at least not instantly.

My personal opinion: he is 18, only drafted 1 year ago, the Kings have an intriguing player in Amadio who did well in the C3 slot with a better chance to stick in 2018-19 (I can see him developing into a solid C3 - already has some NHL experience, the skill/speed/vision to stay in the NHL, is ahead in terms of learning the NHL game and I feel that slot is his to lose) and Thompson for the C4 slot so there is absolutely zero incentive to keep him up at the NHL level unless he blows the team away in camp. He cannot go to the AHL so it'll be the NHL or Juniors for him. If he has a strong camp, keep him up for the 9 game trial and see how he does. I don't know what the rush with him is from the fans.

I read the ask for Skinner is a 1st round pick and a prospect, which I would not do unless he agrees to a sign and trade since he has only 1 year left on his deal. Of course GMs leak their "asks" to gauge interest and build value but they rarely get what they are asking for initially.

I'd pony up that part of the package for a guy who wouldn't potentially be a 1 year rental - we already went down the Lucic route and it compounded the depletion of depth issue in the system.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Well that didn't even last a year:

Pierre Turgeon not returning as Kings' assistant coach - LA Kings Insider

He really didn't seem to help much anyway, so probably a good thing. Probably the first and only "Offensive Coordinator" position ever in the NHL and it was a bust.

In more news, promotions:

LA Kings Promote Nelson Emerson and Glen Murray; Reign Name Seeley New GM

Good old Bowlby and his frat buddies from the late 1990s, he gave them promotions. I still can't believe Emerson is on the coaching staff and has been for well over a decade, his Kings management career is 4 times as long as his Kings playing career (which sucked).

Another guy I couldn't stand in a Kings uniform because he was terrible here. I remember he came over from Atlanta with Buchberger, and just stunk the place up but Blake orchestrated that trade because he hadn't been traded yet and Taylor did him a solid to try and appease him by bringing in his old college buddy and roommate.

I remember he changed jersey numbers 3 different times in his short career here, probably out of superstition or something. Sorry man, no matter what number you wore you sucked dog balls.

Ran into Craig Johnson and Scott Neidermeyer in spring 2017 in Newport Beach meeting a CPA for breakfast. Nice guys, got a picture with them, Johnson was the coach at Santa Margarita High School prior to this. Hopefully he can help the skating because we all know he can't help on the scoring.

=)~~

My favorite guy J-Blow is the Reign's Assistant Coach? Maybe I can officially make the hot dog toss a dream come true. And I completely forgot Seeley was drafted by the Kings but never played for them.

Not digging the cronyism in the system again, this is what it was like under Dave Taylor with the good old boys club.

 

[Psych3man]

Hot dog, hot dog, hot dog

I remember the original post, seems a million years ago.
Laugh my ass off every time I think about it.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kovalchuk met with Blake and Robotile Friday per the LA Times.

I tried to cut and paste the link but for some reason it won't let me. Must be because I'm currently staring at the Pacific Ocean and enjoying my Sunday.

=)~~

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Some Vegas stuff from their fan site:

"Not Everyone Will Be Back"; A Look Into VGK's Free Agency Situation (Plus 9 Predictions) - SinBin.vegas

I love reading comments on fan sites, some are great and some are so off the mark it's hilarious. This one is straight out of NHL19:

Maritimer
Great read but I honestly thought they’d keep Nealer over Perron, and I actually wish they would keep both of them. If they don’t keep Nealer I thought he may go back to Nashville or Pitts but I do not feel that way any longer. Maybe a Canadian team.

I thought there might be something on here about MAF? If they want him to have another huge season like he did this season they best make him feel secure as least by the Christmas break. I know they’re waiting to see how well he does before making any huge deals! Lock him up. Pay the man what he’s so worth. You won’t find a better human being, goalie, teammate, and player to represent LV.

Sorry, but I do not think Sbisa is a fit for the VGK.

Willy Karlsson, I would pay 5 million 3yrs. The highest I would go is 5.5 3yrs. Add in some incentives. I see these players often have big seasons when their contracts up, and then fall off over the next yr or so, not that I think he will, but be very careful.

Don’t be shocked if you see something go down between the NYI and the Pitts Penguins. There is a chance you may see JT in the Burgh, and Kessel in NY. Toronto is still paying $1,200,000 of his contract for 1 more year.
Tavares has the same numbers and he’s cheaper, and PK is not getting along with coach Sully Mully. JT and Crosby are very close friends. He even goes to see Sid in Nova Scotia, every summer, and they play golf.
Brassard will become a winger, maybe for Geno, and JT plays center. I know Kessel is a Right Wing, and shoots right, and Brassard is a center and shoots left, I still think you will see Brassard on the wing this yr, and that opens up a Center. I say all this as if the VGK want any chance against the Penguins next yr GMGM better step up to the plate and find at least 1 big name this off season. Why? Because I think the Pens are gonna be the team to beat next season. Rested, Brassard, Letang will feel better, the big G, and maybe JT.

I wish the VGK would go after Erik Karlsson. I’d pay for him and make Sbisa and a goalie part of the deal. VGK don’t need anymore goalies but the Sens certainly do..

I know one thing, if Pitts wants to let Sheary go, the VGK better grab him. I think he would do great in Vegas.

There is so much ignorance is bliss in here I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Have a field day boys.

=)~~

 

[LoCal Kings]

Kovalchuk: I think the Kings should offer a large sum..... for one year. If they make no other big moves (IF), then with cap going up, can probably pay him $6M-$7M for one year.

All the talk is he would want 3 years. But maybe he would take a gross over-payment on a 1 year deal, then seek another contract for less in subsequent years???

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Hot dog, hot dog, hot dog

I remember the original post, seems a million years ago.
Laugh my ass off every time I think about it.

Time sure flies, I think we started planning it in December 2007. The date was going to be Feb 18, 2008 against Phoenix. I knew I was going to be escorted out and glass seats would have been cheap because both Phoenix and LA sucked so I didn't care about spending the money. The only apprehension I had was I didn't know if I was going to be just thrown out of the game or if an arrest was to follow but my lifelong dislike of that guy made it easy to accept I may spend a night or two in the pokey.

The problem is in early January 2008 I was arrested in Seal Beach, spent a few days in county and the way my court hearings worked out I was scheduled to see a judge on Feb 19 2008, which happened to be my birthday as well (this was not a new offense, it was for my DUI from friggin 2004 where I did everything I was supposed to but because I was a dumbass I didn't pay the fines. I was randomly picked up on a bench warrant issued in 2006).

I think this is around the time Ox really started getting into my head about growing up, being a man and a father (my first daughter was a little over 2 at that time), becoming more responsible, doing something productive with my life instead of just drinking it away, getting into trouble and banging every skirt that walked by.

I just imagined what he would say if I did it, got into more legal trouble already having to see a judge the next day and how disappointed he would be so I opted not to do it. I could already imagine his voice on the phone or the look on my face and I didn't like either of those feelings because I loved him so much.

So as I sat in court all day and got everything handled I was disappointed I wasn't able to pull it off but was happy with myself that I finally put something that needed to be done to rest and didn't avoid it any longer. That's that whole "growing up" thing Ox pounded into me.

The best news of that day? Since I was in court on my birthday, not real happy about it but facing the music, all cell phones needed to be silenced. When I got out around 3:30pm, I turn my phone on and it sounded like a Vegas slot machine with all the texts arriving.

I check them out and...J-Blow had been traded to Philadelphia. I damn near did cartwheels walking back to the car.

=)~~

 

[Fox4Kings]

Budaj back to LA: LA Kings Acquire Peter Budaj, Andy Andreoff Traded to Tampa Bay Lightning

Not that I mind seeing Andreoff go, but this trade I don't really understand.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Clearing roster space in the B6, way too many players there. Andreoff was a solid soldier but there are plenty of guys like him on the roster, plus he would be a UFA next summer and probably not coming back. He filled his role well here, stuck up for his teammates and hopefully he gets a shot to establish himself as a B6 contributor in Tampa.

Also down in Ontario, Peterson is the projected number one and Kehler will probably be the number two. Villalta will most like play in the OHL again and Wedgewood is a UFA so I think Budaj was brought in for depth in the organization at the NHL level if Campbell falters but also as a veteran presence in Ontario to support Kehler and Peterson.

Budaj will be a GIII UFA next summer but there is also the Seattle expansion draft to worry about in case Campbell fulfills his destiny as a first round pick. This is a strange thought too but in 2020 Quick will be 34½ and have 3 years remaining at $5.8 million hit/$9 million cash so I wouldn't be surprised to see him exposed.

That would pave the way for the passing of the torch to either Peterson or Campbell but likely Peterson since Campbell will be 28 at that time but there have been plenty of late bloomer who went on to have stellar careers (Hasek, Osgood, Rinne for example).

There are a lot of moving parts between now and then so I wouldn't be surprised to see moves made to be compliant for that draft and also transition some of this aging core out. I can guarantee however after seeing how McPhee went about drafting Vegas and the trades he made on the sides resulting in Vegas pretty much getting a low end of the higher tier team out of the gate at their expense, they won't be as willing to make the deals and lose the players they did this time around.

 

[Fox4Kings]

I understand the logjam in our B6, but we just added more salary (minimal but it adds up) and didn't really fit a need at the NHL level. I would have rather just traded him for a worthless draft pick and keep some flexibility. Hopefully something else is in the works, perhaps involving Campbell.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

If Budaj is assigned to Ontario (highly likely) his hit won't be the full $1.025 million The formula for buried contracts is AAV - League Year Minimum Salary + $375,000. In Budaj's case that is $1.025 million - $650,000 (2018-19 minimum salary) + $375,000 = $750,000.

They moved Andreoff and his $677,500 so really they paid an extra $72,500 to shore up the goaltending in Ontario and clear out a roster spot a year early on a player they weren't going to keep anyway.

Not bad not to mention this signals there most likely will be a new addition to the NHL roster whether it's internal or external by Opening Night 2018.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Movement on the Voynov front, lots of teams showing interest apparently.

NHL teams showing interest in Slava Voynov despite history of domestic abuse, report says

He won't be a King, could get a nice package in return.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I understand the logjam in our B6, but we just added more salary (minimal but it adds up) and didn't really fit a need at the NHL level. I would have rather just traded him for a worthless draft pick and keep some flexibility. Hopefully something else is in the works, perhaps involving Campbell.

Correction, a bit slow today. The Kings should have a $0 cap hit if he is assigned to Ontario because the maximum cap relief for 2018-19 is $1.025 million, the exact same cap hit as Budaj.

They actually cleared $677,500 by moving Andreoff, acquiring Budaj for Ontario and opened up a roster spot.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kopitar's 10 defining moments:

LA Kings Draft Archives: Anze Kopitar's 10 Defining Moments

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Anyone see this? Ottawa is a mess all over the place:

Melinda Karlsson Files Restraining order Against Mike Hoffman's Girlfriend

We haven't had any weird drama in a while it seems (Linden Vey and his father, Johnson and his finances and parents, Mike Danton and his prison stint for attempted murder, etc.) so I guess we were due.

No idea what the motivation would be for Hoffman's GF but it pretty much means one if not both are gone.