2019-20 Off Season Thread

[Kings4OT]

I think aho signed because it had the years he wanted...canes said all along they would match...aho took advantage of that

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Best remaining unrestricted free agents

Of note for me on remaining free agents out there:

Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes

Williams did a marvelous job as Hurricanes captain last season, helping them qualify for the playoffs and reach the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2009. Williams, who turns 38 on Oct. 4, scored at least 20 goals for the seventh time in the NHL (23 goals, 30 assists) and had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 15 playoff games.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think aho signed because it had the years he wanted...canes said all along they would match...aho took advantage of that

I think his agent played the Canes, their offer was the max 8 years but Aho wanted 5. Agent knew that, went to Montreal, got the 5 year term and Aho signed the Offer Sheet.

The Canes shouldn't be upset with Bergevin, he did what any GM would do to improve his team. It's also not his fault that Aho signed the Offer Sheet. Obviously money was not the issue, Aho signed for what he felt he was worth.

If anything they should be pissed at the agent who pretty much forced them into a corner by giving Aho what he wanted.

 

[pete6835]

The Los Angeles Kings re-signed restricted free agent Alex Iafallo after his career year -- avoiding arbitration.

The forward set career highs with 15 goals and 18 assists. He receives a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.425 million.

The 25-year-old was a bright spot for a down Kings team that finished last in the Pacific Division.

He was coming off a two-year entry-level contract with a cap hit of $925,000.

-------------------

Another locked up avoiding arbitration with a pretty small 2.4 mil a year

 

[Kings4OT]

Definately worth seeing if he progresses. Some games seemed like iafallo was the only one hustling

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Wow...not happy about this deal at all. I like Iafallo, he hustles and works hard but for a guy who has spent his first two NHL seasons on the first line as the LW1 his production is not good.

No reason he shouldn't be putting up a minimum of 50-60 points playing with Kopitar and Brown but his career totals are 9/16/25 in 2017-18 and 15/18/33 in 2018-19.Those are M6 borderline B6 numbers.

Blake did not qualify Reider in June 2018 at $2.225 million because while he hustled and worked hard too his production was similar to Iafallo's. Not understanding this deal at all and hope it doesn't look dumb in 2 years.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

TFP reporting around the draft the Kings were in on a deal for Puljujarvi who has requested a trade out of Edmonton. He was the 4th overall pick in 2016 and has struggled badly in Edmonton and clashed with coaches but is still very young at 21 and his struggles can be equally questioned on whether it's him or the environment in Edmonton. Makes sense the Kings would target him with his age fitting into the youth movement.

Coming with him however would have been a familiar face, Lucic. The Kings would have had to take him back as a salary dump for Edmonton, his contract looks worse and worse every day. The Kings reportedly dangled Matt Luff who Dave Tippett really likes.

Blake didn't pull the trigger because of Lucic, but interesting to hear what moves were potentially possible.

 

[pete6835]

Wow...not happy about this deal at all.

He might have received more from arbitration.

 

[Kings4OT]

Nobody wants lucic, possibly the worst contract out there. I would rather luff over puljarvi ...dude has bust written all over him and is a pain in the ass.

Even if iafallo doesnt do any better its only 2 seasons. Even if he ends up m6 or something...thats not a huge cost...hell its less than we pay to have phanuef not play here.....

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Best remaining unrestricted free agents

Of note for me on remaining free agents out there:

Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes

Williams did a marvelous job as Hurricanes captain last season, helping them qualify for the playoffs and reach the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2009. Williams, who turns 38 on Oct. 4, scored at least 20 goals for the seventh time in the NHL (23 goals, 30 assists) and had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 15 playoff games.

Old man put up some solid numbers in Carolina. Loved the guy here, he is a legend and will go down as one of the best/favorite Kings of all time but he served his purpose here and I don't think is needed (The Athletic has an article from last week debating if the Kings should try and sign him again).

He's also stated he will only play in Carolina or will retire, he's in no rush to sign and taking his time. He's earned it with a resume like he has.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

He might have received more from arbitration.

I highly doubt it, he doesn't have the body of work to warrant what he got let alone more. Guys who can be used as comps would be Reider, Devon Shore, Danton Heinen, Joel Armia - all support players who are M6 or B6.

Dude just got a 162% raise for some pretty shitty numbers so the Kings must be banking on some serious progression, not to mention this is one of Blake's first signings as GM and he has serious wood for collegiate players. This was a favor more than anything from what I'm seeing. He's not going to battle with players he brings in, probably would with Dumbo signings however.

The Kings qualified him at his $925,000 to retain negotiating rights but probably offered him about $1.25 million is my guess and he countered with or was considering $3+ million on his submission to the arbitrator and the crux of his argument would be that he is the Kings LW1 and therefore should be paid considerably more. Statistically he would be better off hiding that ledger.

Arbitrator would have probably given him between $1.7 and $2 million so this is a win for the Iafallo camp hands down, now it's time to put up better numbers.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Nobody wants lucic, possibly the worst contract out there. I would rather luff over puljarvi ...dude has bust written all over him and is a pain in the ass.

Even if iafallo doesnt do any better its only 2 seasons. Even if he ends up m6 or something...thats not a huge cost...hell its less than we pay to have phanuef not play here.....

Seabrook comes to mind for me although Lucic isn't too far behind. The Hawks really screwed themselves on that deal for him, he is a marginal defender at best these days but still has 5 years left at near $7 million on his deal and he is around 34-35. I highly doubt he sees the end of that contract.

I am not overly impressed with Puljujarvi myself, especially because Edmonton has screwed up a lot in the first round with their picks the better part of a decade (Yakupov comes to mind immediately at 1st overall, he is the modern day Patrik Stefan and isn't even in the NHL anymore) so you have to question their scouting to begin with. Luff has shown some skill and I would much rather see him than Puljujarvi here.

I guess with Iafallo the way I see it is the Kings are bogged down with crappy contracts whether they are $10 million or $2 million, no need to add another one to that list no matter how much. This contract will take him to GIII UFA, he will be 26 in December and 27 in summer 2021 so this is his shot to prove he deserves to be paid like a T3 player.

If it pans out the Kings get a steal of a deal, if not they overpaid a M6 player.

 

[LoCal Kings]

I think Ottawa is the only team where taking on the Lucic contract (without dumping another significant salary) is even a remote possibility. Arizona and Carolina have moved up away from the floor, so those destinations won't work. A team has got to be in super rebuild mode, more of "tear it down all the away" rebuild of 4-5 years, rather than the Kings current vision of a 2-3 years. Please Blake, don't even think about it.

Honestly, Edmonton has been great to the Kings this last decade. The Stoll/Greene trade, even the Penner trade for former 1st rounder Teubert, worked out great. Out pricing the Kings on both Sekera and Lucic worked out great too. Thank you, Oilers.

If the "sweetener" was sufficient, I wouldn't mind the Kings dealing with Edmonton and taking on the Kris Russel contract. Let him be 7th D-man this year, and buy him out next summer. But its got to be a good pick and/or prospect.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Some real stinkers 2016

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Some real stinkers 2016

Yup, that 2016 UFA class was brutal. None of those deals have or will pan out. These guys made off like bandits.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think Ottawa is the only team where taking on the Lucic contract (without dumping another significant salary) is even a remote possibility. Arizona and Carolina have moved up away from the floor, so those destinations won't work. A team has got to be in super rebuild mode, more of "tear it down all the away" rebuild of 4-5 years, rather than the Kings current vision of a 2-3 years. Please Blake, don't even think about it.

Based on what I'm seeing I don't see LA taking on a bad contract. Blake seems to want to go for tank this year and get one more high end pick into the stable while maintaining cap flexibility 2 to 3 years from now. In summer 2020 they have a ton of contracts potentially falling off the books in GIII UFAs Toffoli, Lewis, Clifford, M. Kempe, Forbort, LaDue, Ryan and GII RFAs Gundstrom, Walker, Roy and MacDermid.

If Blake were to have taken Lucic's contract, that's $6 million for 3 additional years (after 2019-20) and if the youth starts making an impact on the roster they would be due deals during that 3 year span, limiting financial options with Lucic still on the books. I think Blake kicked the can to see if he could extract a high pick from Edmonton but that's all it was.

Another thing with Lucic, he has a a full NMC in the last 3 years of the deal and would need to be protected for the Seattle draft no matter where he ends up. I can't see him taking a risk too waive it and not be protected even though there is a 99% chance he would not be claimed.

*regarding Toffoli, it's interesting that we have not heard anything about a contract extension. Interesting podcast on Mayor's Manor and Toffoli comes up, Hoven completely calls him out for being a lazy ass who is more into Hollywood and the beach scene than dedicated to his career. Makes total sense why his career has been shit the last 3 years, unless he has a stellar season a $4+ million season in 2020+ is in jeopardy.

This is the year he needs to have a great year to remain in LA, personally I hope they just move the guy in February. That ship has sailed and with a younger group coming in, they don't need his lack of professionalism in the locker room.

He would just revert to being a doughboy after getting yet another fat contract and be a continual headache on the next contract. Great season or not, the time to cut ties is now for any type of decent return.

Honestly, Edmonton has been great to the Kings this last decade. The Stoll/Greene trade, even the Penner trade for former 1st rounder Teubert, worked out great. Out pricing the Kings on both Sekera and Lucic worked out great too. Thank you, Oilers.

Don't forget the Ryan Smyth/Gilbert Brule fiasco, even though that deal was nixed because Dumbo said he got a dud in injured Brule and the deal was amended to send Fraser here. While he wasn't any type of offensive cog, he was a solid teammate and tough as nails. Important to that 2012 Cup team in a B6 role.

Holland is a lot wiser than the last few GMs in Edmonton, I don't see any more lopsided deals coming LA's way any time soon.

If the "sweetener" was sufficient, I wouldn't mind the Kings dealing with Edmonton and taking on the Kris Russel contract. Let him be 7th D-man this year, and buy him out next summer. But its got to be a good pick and/or prospect.

I think the Kings are done acquiring veteran D and addressed the contract eating above, my money for the defense this season will be Doughty/Forbort/Martinez/Walker/Roy/Ryan and lastly MacDermid. I don't expect LaDue to be on the NHL roster which is a good thing.

I don't think any of the young defense or prospects (aside from Roy and Walker) makes the Opening Night roster but may get cameos during the season, and with a younger group, MacDermid's experience and contract status he will be kept on board to keep teams a little honest to not push them around as much.

 

[LoCal Kings]

I had definitely wanted the Kings to take the Marleau contract/ buy out with the Toronto 1st rounder. But looking at Cap Friendly, don't think they could've fit $6M of dead money under cap without trading a Quick, Toffoli, etc.

And since Blake is clearly holding onto those guys in hopes their value goes up a bit, unlikely they take on any bad contracts with a sweetener.

But if a contract could get moved this off season and make room for a Marleau-esque deal, then I think the Kings could actually afford someone with 2 years left. (But definitely not 4 yrs like Lucic.). 2 yrs left contracts that teams would want dump: Kris Russel $4M, David Backes $6M, Shattenkirk $6.6M, James Reiner $3.4M.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Patience: The Summer of Restlessness

Pretty solid read

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Patience: The Summer of Restlessness

Pretty solid read

Absolutely. Spot on too, Blake's level of ineptness is astounding.

 

[Kings4OT]

Dont disagree with it