2018-19 Off Season Thread

[LAKINGSFAN]

Yeah Puck. They were talking about this yesterday on the NHL channel on XM yesterday. They didnt get into the details but they said that Ottawa was a complete mess in the locker room and front office. Crazy

 

[Psych3man]

Slava Voynov looking for dismissal of domestic violence case: Report

As I have been saying for a long time, the blackballing of him is ridiculous. Should be in LA Kings uniform. Nanny state CA law screwed him and prevented him from making a living at his utmost.

 

[Deader2818]

I don't want him here. I don't care how good he is or how he can help the team. No excuse for domestic abuse.

 

[davnlaguna]

My wife and I are on different sides

She feels it was a mistake that got blown out of proportion
I think that this was the first time they went to the ER
Weird I know
She thinks the kings could use him
I think they should trade his rights to the highest bidder.

 

[LoCal Kings]

J. Modry: Amazingly, the Kings were able to hire Modry as an Assistant. As the best 7th defenseman of all time, his services must have been highly sought after.

 

[Psych3man]

No one knows the full story of what actually happened in the Voynov incident except the two participants. We don't know what led up to it, what the wife's role was (I am not saying she deserved it, I don't know what happened in its entirety and neither do you, I can just tell you from professional experience that the woman's role is always minimized or unknown; it is very rare nowadays for the man to just tee off and strike a completely innocent wife, which was a lot more common in the 60s and 70s; I tell women it is cowardly to act toward or say things to your man that if another man said or did the same thing to him in a bar your man would deck him; women want equality--why can they hit, attack and throw objects at a man but if he does the same thing or retaliates he immediately goes to jail?!?), what Slava's role was, what it was all about, etc. I have often found when you know the whole story of any given human interaction, you rarely have the same impression you started with.
What we do know is:
--Slava struck his wife
--Wife wanted to drop the charges, nanny state of CA wouldn't let her
--Slava served his punishment in full
--Since serving his punishment, Slava has been unable to pursue making a living to his utmost for several years in his prime (no NHL, no World Cup (??)--all other World Cup participants were angels???)
--United States is a forgiving nation that believes in rehabilitation, second chances and what you are now and what you have done lately matters more than your worst moments in the past

Bring Slava back to LA!

 

[Fox4Kings]

I'd welcome him back. I agree with Psych. People make mistakes and should be forgiven. Clearly his wife has forgiven him, they are still together, right? If she can, I think we can.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

As a Kings fan, we sorely missed Voynov since he helped the Kings win 10 of 11 series over 3 years, but in the wake of the Jarret Stoll drugs, Mike Richards drugs, Voynov domestic abuse etc. it's just sort of transcendent of hockey, and the Kings need to move on.

Plus the Kings have finally sort of rebuilt their defense, and that isn't the most pressing need. The Kings JUST fired that dude who was in charge of players' lives (I don't know what his position title was, but he got hired to basically do damage control and help with any personal issues).

As for ruining a guy's life, and making him unable to make a living, that's some BS, and he has seriously paid for this situation. He should be able to get back in the league and make a living, but I just feel the Kings can't flirt with this if they want to pretend to be one those rock solid franchises.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Anyone want to comment on how LA just traded Andy Adreoff for Peter Budaj?

That makes 4 serviceable goalies, so that would lead me to believe LA is going to look to move Campbell or someone in part of a deal (Maybe even during the draft in 6 days).

Thoughts? I am seeing a scorer coming in. Forbort/Campbell/3rd piece for a Top 6 dude.

 

[Fox4Kings]

Puck and I discussed the trade briefly earlier in this thread. My train of thought was same as yours, doesn't make a lot of sense and thought maybe it meant another trade is coming involving one of our goalie prospects. I still think that's a possibility, but as Puck mention, more likely Budaj is just going to be a mentor role and a backup in the minors, and because so, will not have a cap hit. If that's the case, we essentially cleared a little cap space and logjam in the B6 forwards and got a nice team guy to help our young goalies develop, and in a pinch, could play NHL duty.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

RE Voynov, I'm really on the fence. Guys have committed crimes in all sports, hockey notwithstanding, yet have been allowed back into their respective leagues to show off their skill set and make a killing doing so.

In that sense I think Voynov should be afforded the same opportunity - people can change (trust me, I'm living proof) and if he has as far as I'm concerned he has earned the right to make a living doing what his profession is. In hockey alone we have stories of Varlamov, both Kanes, Patrick Roy, Dino Ciccarelli, etc. Dany Heatley killed a teammate - even if on accident - yet was permitted to come back into the league to the tune of $59.5 million over the balance of his NHL career after that incident.

The issue is the social movement of our current society with the MeToo movement, the SJCs out there, etc. and the pressure to punish these people forever it seems. That's not right either. They scream for justice and redemption yet here is a chance to give that to a guy like Voynov and it's totally different message. So which one is it? Can't have it both ways.

The Ray Rice incident really brought things like DV to light and the NFL did not do any professional sport any favors with the way they handled it and how they went about it. That is why you saw the response from Bettman and the Kings because prior to the Rice incident, none of the previous ones I mentioned drew this much attention.

Personally, I am OK with him in a Kings uniform because of his talent and what he brings, but also am OK with the Kings in moving him and gaining considerable assets because of that same talent and skill set. Ultimately it comes down to Blake and the Kings' organizational stance on it which right now is they will not let him play in a Kings uniform from what I've read.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Puck and I discussed the trade briefly earlier in this thread. My train of thought was same as yours, doesn't make a lot of sense and thought maybe it meant another trade is coming involving one of our goalie prospects. I still think that's a possibility, but as Puck mention, more likely Budaj is just going to be a mentor role and a backup in the minors, and because so, will not have a cap hit. If that's the case, we essentially cleared a little cap space and logjam in the B6 forwards and got a nice team guy to help our young goalies develop, and in a pinch, could play NHL duty.

I don't think Budaj is tabbed for the NHL roster one bit, Campbell got his promotion and is the de facto number 2 unless he screws it up. With the movement in Ontario however (Wedgewood UFA and not going to be resigned IMO, Villalta a Junior player, Peterson expected to be the number one) it'll come down to Kehler and Budaj.

The beauty is the cap and roster space clearing Blake made with one fell swoop on this deal - Budaj will not count against the cap if he is in Ontario (not because he will be a mentor, but because of the cap relief allowed NHL teams on buried contracts in the AHL - the good old Wade Redden Rule. The cap relief on any NHL contract in 2018-19 is $1.025 million, which just so happens to be his NHL salary) and moving Andreoff cleared up $677,500 and a roster spot in an already watered down B6.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Hoffman traded to SJ and then flipped to FL:

Mike Hoffman trade grades: Senators wash hands; Sharks positioned for free-agent splash

He went really cheap to SJ and Wilson received a much better return from Florida. Really goes to show you how big a mess Ottawa is and how that is affecting their ability to receive full value for players they want to move out.

 

[LoCal Kings]

Voynov: the problem with moving him is trying to get "market value". We've all read that teams have inquired about Voynov. But likely those teams think they can get him at a discount because of the obvious situation (see Mike Hoffman, Evander Kane, etc.). Even if those teams scouted him in Russia, not sure how much of value they'd be willing to give up. Much like Kovalchuk, I believe Voynov played on that super-stacked team.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Trotz steps down as Capitals coach:

Trotz steps down as Capitals coach - Article - TSN

Interesting, he is a good coach and finally got that coveted Cup. The issue was a clause that triggered when the Caps won, he had the option to extend himself with a $300K raise to $1.8 million a season for 2 seasons. He countered with a 5 year deal and the Capitals declined.

It's hard to say what was the deciding factor (term or money) for Trotz that made the Caps decline because we don't know the ask but he is definitely underpaid by coaching salary standards. You have some big names making big money (Quenneville $6 million, Babcock $6.25 million, Julien $5 million) but the range is roughly between $2-3 million. Even the new Rangers coach David Quinn (0 NHL games experience, collegiate coach) is making $2.4 million a season (5 years/$12 million) which was startling to me.

I think Trotz should be in the $2.75 million range considering his longevity, reputation and what he brings to the table. Capitals made a big mistake here it sounds like unless Trotz was asking for the ridiculous outlier contracts of guys like Babcock (8 years/$50 million) and Julien (5 years/$30 million).

I can almost guarantee with him hitting the market, teams with head coaches who have a coach but are maybe on their last watch are considering hiring him. Maybe bring him on as "a special advisor" to acclimate him to the team culture but also put a coach on notice that there is an established NHL guy waiting if you don't turn this around. Edmonton and Minnesota come to mind immediately even with McClellan and Hakstol still on board.

The only open head coach position right now is the Islanders who would do well with a coach like him.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Voynov: the problem with moving him is trying to get "market value". We've all read that teams have inquired about Voynov. But likely those teams think they can get him at a discount because of the obvious situation (see Mike Hoffman, Evander Kane, etc.). Even if those teams scouted him in Russia, not sure how much of value they'd be willing to give up. Much like Kovalchuk, I believe Voynov played on that super-stacked team.

The Kings are not going to get market value for him, that is a given. But with his rights expiring next season I don't think a second round pick or even a high level prospect is being unreasonable. In which case I would take it rather than see him walk for nothing in summer 2019 - he is a RH, two-way defender who is built for the game the way it is played today.

Look at the Hoffman trade today, Dorion got almost nothing for a guy who has averaged roughly 60 points in each of the last 5 seasons (27G/31A). That is a T6 LW who because of supposed off ice character issues* just netted an underachieving 1st round pick who has never cracked 20 goals in a season and is a third liner at best after almost a decade in the NHL.

I actually think Boedker will be bought out because he is owed less than his cap hit the next two season and Ottawa is cutting costs as much as possible and with Gaborik's health being the biggest factor in him being potentially bought out, this helps them financially. Really curious to see how the Gaborik situation plays out, he should be done with his recovery from the surgery he had and the buyout window started Friday and runs through June 30.

But Dorion had zero leverage and it showed - Florida tried to acquire him last week but the price was too high, so they worked around it with SJ who just cleared money for a big move (they are rumored to make a push for Tavares AND Kovalchuk - the clearing of cap space essentially confirms it) and brought a big load of draft picks. So in the end Dorion got hosed in a no win situation, Tallon got that scoring wing he desperately needed in 2018-19 (which he lost in giving up Marchessault and Smith to Vegas last year. Nice job dude) and Wilson made out like a champ.

I don't know if Blake will be in a similar boat, I guess the talks gauging his value will determine that, but I think the expectation needs to be established with fans that he will not bring in what he would have under different circumstances. If the offers suck it may make sense to get him in LA, have him play and up his value and then move him at the deadline or let his deal run out and he can negotiate on the open market.

*Hoffman: maybe they aren't even his issues. Celebrity women can reach cattiness on a level far beyond suburbia, I can only imagine how it is in a locker room with that much money and egos and maybe the guys are just doing damage control constantly but who took the public hit? Who's value went down like MH370 to almost nothing? It wasn't his arm candy, it was him.

If he truly has nothing to do with it, his value, reputation and earning power just took a hit unjustifiably. If he did, then you know what they say - play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

 

[Deader2818]

Bring Trotz here.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Bring Trotz here.

Would love to see him here in some capacity, have always like him. Disciplined yet seems like a players' coach, been through some tough times both professional with building up Nashville and finally getting Washington over the hump as well as personal issues so he is battle tested. Seems like a really likable and humble guy too.

I don't think Blake will term Stevens this summer, even with Trotz available. Last season was a transitional year and under the circumstances I think Stevens did OK, but not great. He has some fine tuning to do but what he has that others don't is the connection with these players long term and familiarity with the Kings and how they run things.

I saw some more offensive creativity from the players early on, but it seemed as the season went along they fell back into the Sutter heavy hockey mindset. Stevens is a big part of that as well having been here as long as he has and under Sutter, so along with the players trying to unlearn Sutter so is Stevens. He made some progress but there is work to do.

I think this season is the one where Blake will really keep an eye on Stevens and if it's similar/meddling results, they will consider a coaching change next season.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Panarin may be available, not ready to talk about an extension yet after 1 season in Columbus:

Somehow, Artemi Panarin is in trade rumors again

Should be an interesting few days leading up to the draft. I am totally expecting LA to make a move by Monday to get a scoring winger.

Also according to Mayor's Manor, a Doughty deal is waiting to be signed. Can't be official until July 1 but it's supposedly all but done.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I see a lot of comments saying the Sharks are going to push hard to try to get Tavares. Shedding Boedker to free up cap as part of this process.