2024-25 Season Thread

[PuckinUgly57]

You can upgrade for an extra cost
Got tickets for the 2/24 Vegas and 3/13 Caps
Friend and I go together. Couldn’t upgrade for Caps game without buying a third ticket. They might release another batch soon. First day gets a ton of people buying. Friend got the upgrade for Vegas.

Thanks for the update, I'll probably go to a game in March and get better seats. Just have to time it with Ms Puck I for when she heads home from AZ.

 

[Kings4OT]

That really puts it into perspective. Of course everyone will point to the plus/minus with Stuetzle at a career -60 and Buster at a career +26 but a) the teams play two entirely different styles of games, b) the Sens haven't had reliable goaltending during his tenure there and c) plus/minus is a subjective stat and not really something that defines a player although the eye test does. Doughty is a -4 already but we know he isnt that type of player, when Durzi was here he was a -21 one season and it ass apparent he will never be counted on defensively.

Buster definitely is the better of the two defensively but again, he wasn't drafted to be Dunno 2.0 averaging 40 or less points a year especially considering the enormous number of opportunities he has gotten in recent years.

Stuetzle's. 89 PPG is literally identical to Kopitar's career PPG, and Kopitar in 2010 (5 years into his career) had 358 points in 393 GP or .91 PPG while still being defensively a rock.

I'm not making a comparison apples to apples, there will probably never be another Kopitar. But there are plenty of 1Cs in the league putting up numbers while not being defensive liabilities, there always has been. Getzlaf, Tavares in his prime, Bergeron, the list exists.

Buster is nowhere near that at all and doesn't appear to be Kopitar's successor.

Also Kopistar was ~ a -50 his first few seasons as well, I am definitely not comparing Stutzle to him....just more perspective and Timmeh also plays pk so hes not a total defensive liabilty and has gotten a few SHrs as well

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Also Kopistar was ~ a -50 his first few seasons as well, I am definitely not comparing Stutzle to him....just more perspective and Timmeh also plays pk so hes not a total defensive liabilty and has gotten a few SHrs as well

His first three years were brutal, -44 but by his fifth year he was a -13. Look at that time frame though, the Kings were rebuilding and terrible when Dumbo took over in 2006 (7 different goalies in 2007-08 which was an NHL record at the time) but made their first PO appearance under Dumbo in 2009-10 which coincides with the team getting defensively sound and Quick showing he will be their number one.

Exactly why I don't put too much stock into plus/minus, it's so subjective and dependent on so many team factors overall but Kopitar was already a defensive force by then. But hey, if Buster's putrid output but +26 is justification for his lack of production, whatever makes the apologists happy. Playing 200' hockey is a Kings expectation, so he doing exactly what he should be doing, he doesn't get a cookie for that.

I know what I'm seeing in this guy and to date it isn't good. If you remove his "breakout" 2023-24, you dont want to know what his career PPG drops to. I'll give you a hint though, it's low .30s. That one season extremely inflated that PPG nunber.

He simply has not delivered yet many of.his 2020 draft peers have. I'm so concerned that what we are seeing is who he is and it won't get much better. Not in LA anyway, he cannot drive his own line and that will be a serious problem here soon once Kopitar retires.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Randomly went to Ducks/Stars on Tuesday since the wife got some free tickets. Actually pretty cool experience overall, especially bringing my little one. Ducks being a more relatable character for a child.

But man, 500th game for John Gibson, so good for him. Then like halfway through the 1st, they throw up that it's also Jacob Trouba's 800th game. Most Ducks thing ever. Spends like 780 with Jets and Rangers, and has to celebrate in Anaheim.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Really awesome video. Not short, probably like 45 minutes. But it's a Russian dude shadowing Gavrikov in the facility. So almost all the dialogue is translated.

Highlight of note was also him joking but not joking about Fiala being last in the facility and first to head home all the time.

Crazy his comments on wanting to win a Norris. I guess he still holds the all time best single season +/- in the KHL.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Really awesome video. Not short, probably like 45 minutes. But it's a Russian dude shadowing Gavrikov in the facility. So almost all the dialogue is translated.

Highlight of note was also him joking but not joking about Fiala being last in the facility and first to head home all the time.

Crazy his comments on wanting to win a Norris. I guess he still holds the all time best single season +/- in the KHL.

I'll definitely check it out later today when I have some time, thanks for the link.

Not surprised he wants a Norris, he's been solid this season. Going back to before the Kings acquired him, he was LD1 in Columbus because Werenski was injured lonh term and he played fairly well on a defensive hole of a team and his name started getting some buzz around the league.

The issue was he'd never done that before and was in his mid 20s so it became a is he good or is he playing over his head? He comes over to LA and fits like a glove, has a down year (I think after the knee injury from Lee of the Islanders) and then is back to top form this season.

He's solid although I don't think Norris caliber yet but possible. He's definitely going to get paid this summer by LA or someone else, with the cap going up next year I hope he stays in LA because there are no better internal options and if he leaves that creates a hole that would have to be filled from outside anyway - may as well keep him.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I'll definitely check it out later today when I have some time, thanks for the link.

Not surprised he wants a Norris, he's been solid this season. Going back to before the Kings acquired him, he was LD1 in Columbus because Werenski was injured lonh term and he played fairly well on a defensive hole of a team and his name started getting some buzz around the league.

The issue was he'd never done that before and was in his mid 20s so it became a is he good or is he playing over his head? He comes over to LA and fits like a glove, has a down year (I think after the knee injury from Lee of the Islanders) and then is back to top form this season.

He's solid although I don't think Norris caliber yet but possible. He's definitely going to get paid this summer by LA or someone else, with the cap going up next year I hope he stays in LA because there are no better internal options and if he leaves that creates a hole that would have to be filled from outside anyway - may as well keep him.

Video is very interesting if you do check it out. He is actually pretty funny. He said his goal never changed, and he feels like he's been getting better and growing towards that Norris, but the league has also been growing and guys like Makar and Hughes have been growing more. haha. He jokingly says it. He also says sort of what we all think, He said if they had an offensive Norris and defensive Norris, he thinks he'd be in the conversation for the defensive side.

The host asks him about the LA ice, and Gavrikov says it is softer because of the weather and court changes. Said when he first came here, his groin was killing him, so the dudes told him to dull up his skat blades and he'd be better, which ended up being true. The training facility is really amazing. They have this check-in system for each player after workouts. Step on the scale for weight, then put how you felt your energy level was. They have all this data they input to tweak overall team workouts and stuff. Example they used was if ten guys say their legs hurt, they know to scale back their workouts and all that. I just laugh because they talk about Gretzky having the trainers go get him a hot dog or whatever in between periods. That is a common knock on Gretzky from the youth, saying he couldn't hang in this NHL today, but the counterargument is that Gretzky was so far and away better in his day based on whatever they had. He would have also grown up with everything modern that these guys had, so he would've have also been better.

 

[Kings4OT]

Gavrikov will never get a Norris as long as points enter into the choice, 100% unfortunate and As most of you know I hate defensemen that cant defend properly.

Gretzsky might not have been as far ahead of these guys as his generation but he would still be ahead of even mcjesus. Hell much of what hoal scorers do come from what he did.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Funny Gavrikov is being discussed, this from TA today:

Vladislav Gavrikov’s UFA status presents a challenge for Kings: What should they do?

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The situations for the Los Angeles Kings last year and this year are eerily similar.

Last spring, Matt Roy was a top-four defenseman playing key five-on-five minutes and contributing to their penalty kill in a clamp-down role. The Kings were in a push to lock down a playoff spot and opted to keep the minutes-eating Roy on their blue line instead of trading the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. They would lose in the first round for a third straight year and watch Roy land a six-year contract with the Washington Capitals.

With a month until the March 7 trade deadline, the Kings are again in the thick of a playoff race and now they’re pondering Vladislav Gavrikov, another important defender. Because of injuries to Drew Doughty and now Mikey Anderson, Gavrikov has been an invaluable top-pair ace. He’s excelled in playing major, high-leverage minutes. And he’s approaching UFA status on an expiring deal.

What should the Kings do?

Extending his contract would cost a pretty penny. At 29, Gavrikov is finishing a two-year extension he signed with the Kings after a very successful integration following a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2023 deadline. He’s one of the higher paid “stay-at-home” shutdown defensemen, earning $5.25 million this season after making $6.5 million in 2023-24. All but $1.55 million of that front-loaded contract was paid in two July 1 signing bonuses.

Gavrikov is earning his money. Because of Doughty’s four-month absence to start the season, Gavrikov is playing a career-high average of 24 minutes per game and excelling with, per Evolving-Hockey, a 1.89 expected goals against per 60 minutes of five-on-five play. He’s a stalwart on the Kings’ fifth-ranked penalty kill and moved into Doughty’s spot, playing his off side and teaming with Anderson to be on the ice for just 18 goals against in more than 700 even-strength minutes.

The season, and that strategic short-term extension, have positioned Gavrikov for a major payday, especially given that the NHL salary cap will rise from $88 million to $95.5 million next season, and then zoom to $113.5 million by 2027-28. This can be the last large-scale contract he signs.

“Well, we’re going to see what’s going to happen in the next few months,” Gavrikov told The Athletic. “My focus right now is our playoff race. Being in the playoffs and fight for a (Stanley) Cup. That’s target No. 1 and goal No. 1 for the whole team. After that, we can talk what’s going to happen.”

Let’s look at three options that the Kings can take with Gavrikov.

Option No. 1: Extend him​

If the salary cap was remaining flat next season, or even continuing its modest 5.4 percent jump, the Kings might find it tougher to retain Gavrikov. They’ve already got more than $70 million committed to current roster players for 2025-26, and while there’s no assurance that forwards Tanner Jeannot or Trevor Lewis will return, the Kings do have to work out a second contract for Alex Laferriere as he comes off his entry-level deal, and also sign a backup goalie.

But the cap ceiling will jump 8.5 percent, to $95.5 million, which should leave approximately $25 million available. And with another 18 percent boost across 2026-27 and 2027-28, it gives Los Angeles the ability to pay Gavrikov handsomely and pursue others either through trade or free agency.

While core forward Adrian Kempe figures to land a huge deal when his bargain contract ($5.5 million AAV) finishes after the 2025-26 season, Anze Kopitar’s $7 million cap number could come off the books if he ends his NHL career. Young defensemen Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke will come up for new contracts then, but the combination of expiring money and a rising cap could be beneficial for Gavrikov and the Kings.

“That helps everyone,” Gavrikov said. “For a team, you have a couple more tools to maneuver. Same for the players. It’s never a bad thing when the league and the teams and players earning more money. It’s going to help the team to pay maybe more players. You can’t complain about that.”

Option No. 2: Trade him​

Would the Kings do what they didn’t do with Roy and move Gavrikov by the deadline? Anything is possible, and the team would have to set a high price if it put him on the market. A first-round pick would be a necessity in a package, even though the acquiring team would know that he could be a rental.

Another first-round pick, to go with their own, along with a quality prospect and perhaps an additional higher-round draft choice could help address a pipeline that’s stocked with intriguing goalies but low on potential sure-thing pieces outside of 2024 first-rounder Liam Greentree. The trading of first-round selections in 2022 (for Kevin Fiala) and 2023 (for Gavrikov) and the graduation of players such as Laferriere, Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte have whittled away their prospect pool. But this year’s first round isn’t considered to be as strong as other years.

But the Kings may be in a dogfight to hold onto their current No. 3 spot in the Pacific Division, with Vancouver and Calgary on their heels. They do have games in hand on the Canucks and Flames, so a wild-card berth is possible if they’re leapfrogged by either club. Tracking down either Vegas or Edmonton feels less realistic as each game comes off the schedule, so the Kings are likely reduced to maintaining their spot and facing whichever team falls short in the Vegas-Edmonton battle for the division title.

As mentioned, Gavrikov plays a big role on a defense that’s helped allow the fewest goals (129) in the league and the second-fewest shots on goal (25.4). Doughty has been back for four games and he’s trying to regain his usual form. Anderson is dealing with a finger injury and may not return for this weekend’s home games against Dallas and Anaheim, which has kept Gavrikov on the top pair with Doughty.

The Kings could go with Anderson and Doughty as their top pair, while having puck movers Spence and Clarke paired with defensive types Joel Edmundson and Jacob Moverare. But would they be just as good or better when it comes to matching up against their playoff opponent?

Option No. 3: Let him walk​

With Edmundson playing well in a second-pairing role and averaging a career-high 20:48, the Kings could feel comfortable putting the money needed to sign Gavrikov elsewhere. It seems likely that Gavrikov could move well into the $6 million bracket. And a rising cap might have the defender’s camp seeking a $7 million AAV or close to that.

Vancouver just signed Marcus Pettersson to a six-year contract worth $33 million after acquiring him from Pittsburgh. It’s the same deal New Jersey inked Brett Pesce to last summer. Gavrikov already has a higher cap hit and has only improved his profile with his success working on L.A.’s top pairing. He doesn’t have the offensive upside that other all-around defenders possess. But if Roy cashed in with the Capitals for $34.5 million ($5.75 million AAV), it’s fair to think that Gavrikov will do better.

At age 30, Jaccob Slavin signed an eight-year extension with Carolina for $51.69 million. The Kings may not be crazy about going to max term with Gavrikov, and if $6.5 annually is too rich in their view for a defensive defenseman who tops out at 25 to 30 points, they could shift toward improving the offense.

The Kings would be positioned to bid for a star forward such as Mikko Rantanen or Mitch Marner, if either hits the market. Brock Boeser might return home to score goals for Minnesota, but Nikolaj Ehlers, who has an 82-game average of 27 goals and 63 points, would add speed and finish if he doesn’t re-sign with Winnipeg.

Or the Kings could hold off until 2026, when the free-agent class could include Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel and perhaps the unthinkable in Connor McDavid. More money will be in the pot and Gavrikov is due to get a bigger cut, whether to remain in Los Angeles or play a large role for another club.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Good read. Not sure I know the answer. Depends on what this team is or wants, honestly. If you trade Gavrikov, I think you move Moore and Danault and maybe even look to blow it up with the bigger dudes moving too. My feeling is Blake still fancies this team a potential round or two winner, and would look to bolster some. I would move Moore and a pick today, if it meant brining back Brock Nelson.

There is some interesting stuff in the write-up above. Some big names coming up as FAs. You guys see Rantanen vs Necas stats so far? Crazy. Necas basically on fire since he's now playing with McKinnon and Makar, while Rantanen has two points in 6 games. One comment I read from a Carolina fan was their team is all sick right now, so give it a few weeks. But if this isn't a fluke, then Rantanen cost himself some serious money not just re-upping in Colorado.

Yeah I don't know. I really like Gavrikov, and I'd be okay paying him closer to the $7mil/year, but any term over 5 years I really don't like. My opinion on that, for whatever it's worth.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

NHL insider opines Hurricanes may be compelled to trade latest $55,500,000 blockbuster acquisition if extension talks fall apart

The Carolina Hurricanes may be compelled to move recently acquired winger Mikko Rantanen if they are unable to sign him to an extension, TSN insider Nick Kypreos believes.

www.sportskeeda.com

Carolina panicking? Says they cannot afford to NOT sign Rantanen, so they could actually trade him in the next month. They gave up a ton for Guentzel and he walked last year. Gave up a ton for Rantanen. Tough spot because Rantanen really might have inflated numbers from playing with the two superstars in Colorado. Hard to auto pay a dude $13mil/year without knowing for sure he is worth it.

 

[davnlaguna]

Randomly went to Ducks/Stars on Tuesday since the wife got some free tickets. Actually pretty cool experience overall, especially bringing my little one. Ducks being a more relatable character for a child.

But man, 500th game for John Gibson, so good for him. Then like halfway through the 1st, they throw up that it's also Jacob Trouba's 800th game. Most Ducks thing ever. Spends like 780 with Jets and Rangers, and has to celebrate in Anaheim.

Fowler was on the Ducks for 15 years and was traded with 991 games played for them
Blues had to make a stick quickly

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I must have missed this flying around the house last night but Doughty named to Team Canada at the 4 Nations Tournament as a replacement for Pietrangelo who pulled out last week to nurse some type of ailment during the two week break.

Also didn't realize Getzlaf is the advisor to Team Canada and Doughty had been speaking with him and he and Jon Cooper (Canada coach) had a face to face conversation last week when the Kings were in Tampa.

They'll only dress 6 defensemen for the tournament, curious where Doughty fits in. Just hoping both he and Kempe come back unscathed.

 

[Kings4OT]

I must have missed this flying around the house last night but Doughty named to Team Canada at the 4 Nations Tournament as a replacement for Pietrangelo who pulled out last week to nurse some type of ailment during the two week break.

Also didn't realize Getzlaf is the advisor to Team Canada and Doughty had been speaking with him and he and Jon Cooper (Canada coach) had a face to face conversation last week when the Kings were in Tampa.

They'll only dress 6 defensemen for the tournament, curious where Doughty fits in. Just hoping both he and Kempe come back unscathed.

I think it will help, hes made a few Muffin like plays, while he might be fine with the minutes, some decisions are not good and probably only fixed with playing and getting his mind right

 

[Kings4OT]

Byfield named Superbowl MVP, well deserved

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Byfield named Superbowl MVP, well deserved

Heard he scored 2 TDs from LA. I seriously cannot fathom how he does all this. Unbelievable 2OA.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Englund waived and claimed by Nashville. I didn't think he would pass because he had a poison pill built into his contract (a second year, one way contract) not to mention $1 million is rich for a depth defender or a seventh guy but he will get some playing time there.

Nashville Predators claim D Andreas England off waivers from Los Angeles Kings | TSN

The Nashville Predators claimed defenceman Andreas England off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

www.tsn.ca

Bummed because he added toughness, he stood up for teammates no questions asked but his departure clears salary cap room and could mean a trade is coming.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

NHL insider opines Hurricanes may be compelled to trade latest $55,500,000 blockbuster acquisition if extension talks fall apart

The Carolina Hurricanes may be compelled to move recently acquired winger Mikko Rantanen if they are unable to sign him to an extension, TSN insider Nick Kypreos believes.

www.sportskeeda.com

Carolina panicking? Says they cannot afford to NOT sign Rantanen, so they could actually trade him in the next month. They gave up a ton for Guentzel and he walked last year. Gave up a ton for Rantanen. Tough spot because Rantanen really might have inflated numbers from playing with the two superstars in Colorado. Hard to auto pay a dude $13mil/year without knowing for sure he is worth it.

Yikes, Dunden got burned with Guentzel so he's clearly trying not to let that happen again. Would be something to see a star traded twice in 2 months. The Canes gave up a lot for him for sure.

 

[Kings4OT]

Fans are down on Rantanen as he isnt insta killing it with Aho while Necas is on all cylinders with MacKinnon. Shows how fans are, they know their team was sick as fuck (even when LA played them) and the blame Rantanen as the problem....Rat gets hurt team not sick and Aho/Jarvis light it up....so obviously Rantanen is only a product of MacKinnon....so how long before fans start in on Mikko is a locker room problem lol. While I dont think Mikko is a 100 point player by himself and MacKinnon is someone I would take over McJesus, I do think Rantanen is a t3 player and will be a beast on any team.