2025-26 Off Season Thread

[Kings4OT]

I think someone else here mentioned him....i would love to see Stoll in a office/management side position....I think he would hold others accountable and bring a better perspective.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Sounds like me right around mid 2010's. Kings were just in the sunken place, and it was so hard to get motivated to watch them. Never good, but actually never bad enough to get that high draft capital. Just tons of 8th-12th overall picks going nowhere. Never make the playoffs. That span from like 2001-2010, which was such a significant part of my life.

It'll get figured out. Edmonton is all in right now, so there's also that. Draisaitl money kicks in next year, and McDavid money year after that. Cap it going up, but those are going to be the biggest contracts in the league. At least Holland already said the Kings plan to spend to the cap, so let's see how this roster shakes out. I don't love the hire, or love the retention of Hiller, but you see the heater Edmonton is on, and maybe there's only so much that can be done to overcome that matchup. See what happens with free agency, and then next year we'll see how this team is looking. Feels like Vegas might finally take that step back too, but who knows. Bunch of teams like Anaheim also ready to take that next step.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Sounds like me right around mid 2010's. Kings were just in the sunken place, and it was so hard to get motivated to watch them. Never good, but actually never bad enough to get that high draft capital. Just tons of 8th-12th overall picks going nowhere. Never make the playoffs. That span from like 2001-2010, which was such a significant part of my life.

The 2000s were indeed weird. Starts off with Andy Murray coming in, Kings immediately a better team with Palffy acquired, Detroit shells them, next season it's the Stunner at Staples and then the wheels come off in 2003. Granted they did have massive injuries to core players but that 2003-04 team was putrid to watch.

The Kings had an internal cap at the time of about $45 million, AEG wasn't going to spend to that (thus Blake traded) so instead of adding they make cheap moves like getting Yushkevich, trading Schneider, etc which keeps them from progressing and then of course the whole thing blows up in 2005, missing the playoffs when on Jan 1 2006 they were the number one team in the WC but ended in like an 11 game skid or whatever and miss altogether.

Only when Dumbo came in did it get a hard reset and honestly I was OK with that because he had a plan and followed it and was honest about it - this will take a minute to build. Bowlby had only the word "PLAN" written on a post it and nothing else putting the Kings right back to those mushy middle teams. Which I'd be fine with if the draft picks turned out or showed promise like they did under Dumbo but Blake biffed those too.

It's a tough spot to be as a Kings fan because you see these PO teams left and so many have homegrown players making a difference and putting them over the top.

Holland did say he will spend to the cap but I'm curious what that means. You can make a move for 3 players let's say and hit the cap but if they're not the right players it doesn't matter.

The Gavrikov situation is one I'm most keeping my eye on because if he leaves that creates a whole different chain of events or path to building a team.

It'll get figured out. Edmonton is all in right now, so there's also that. Draisaitl money kicks in next year, and McDavid money year after that. Cap it going up, but those are going to be the biggest contracts in the league. At least Holland already said the Kings plan to spend to the cap, so let's see how this roster shakes out. I don't love the hire, or love the retention of Hiller, but you see the heater Edmonton is on, and maybe there's only so much that can be done to overcome that matchup. See what happens with free agency, and then next year we'll see how this team is looking. Feels like Vegas might finally take that step back too, but who knows. Bunch of teams like Anaheim also ready to take that next step.

Anaheim is about a year away from making a big step, time to hire Blake so he can make ill advised trades parting with high picks and prospects and set the game plan back a while.

=)~~

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Checking out Teh Blog and all of a sudden everyone is ready to cut bait with Blowout, funny stuff. A month ago it's 3 years/$15 million, sign him stat.

He's really a PP specialist which is good, the Kings PP is atrocious and was before he arrived but he tailed off in the POs badly. I don't know if you commit that kind of money to an inconsistent guy although he seems well liked and helped revive the PP the tail end of the season.

But then again these fools signed Buster to $6.25 million and that didn't pan out in year one of that contract and he was a ghost during the first round plus a series altering screw up so who knows. With Holland (I'll come up with a moniker for him once we see what he does) at the wheel I'm very curious to see what he does vs what Blake did. I think his first two moves will tell us who he is and what he plans on doing moving forward.

But the ditch Kuzmenko and sign Marner chatter is in full buzz over there. That place is awesome for laughs, one suggestion was even trade Doughty (under contract) for Marner (UFA) straight up.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Man, that Leafs ending was so bad for them. They get that huge win 2-0 in Florida in a do or die game. Coming home with all that hype, and they follow up their last home game loss 6-1, with another 6-1 loss. How do you even wrap your head around being outscored 12-2 at home in your last two home games? Haven't seen anyone on their end saying to retain Marner or Tavares. And there is chatter about taking calls on Matthews. Insane shift in mindset over there. Some people saying Marner might've cost himself some money, but I doubt it. Lots of teams looking to go get him. Seen a few lists up to "Top 15 teams looking to sign Marner", and Kings were either not on the list or closer to 15.

It all depends on price and term. If they drop Kuzmenko, and signed Marner to a big money, I don't know if that's the move. Need size and ideally a stud defenseman. I actually think LA can not only afford to lose Gavrikov, but they need to get him and another guy on the backend. I'd take Kuzmenko, and see how he does with a full year. That PP is hard to ignore, and something LA just hasn't had. Get him closer to $5mil, I actually don't hate it. Versus like $13mil for a Marner. And use the other money to get another big and mobile defenseman. Round at the bottom 6 with some more size and speed. Kings actually plenty talented up front, just need more from their defense. My opinion.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

The Shanaplan clearly hasn't worked for almost a decade now, I think it's time to blow it all up. All flash no cash with that group, get what you can for one or two of those guys and keep the other two.

They remind me of LA but with higher end skill, no heart and no bite. Seeing how easily they were dismantled in G7 was brutal, the Cats put on a clinic in terms of forechecking, gap control, physical play, the Leafs just wilted under all that pressure. The score should have been 7-1 if not for Jones' second goal that was disallowed (shouldn't have been IMO), what an embarrassing way to go out in G7. Reminded me of how LA shelled SJ in G7 in 2014. There was never a doubt the series was over after a few goals were put up. That's the type of dagger in the heart instinct needed in LA.

Regarding Blowout, I don't give that guy $5 million increased cap or not. Anything under $4 million on 2-3 years OK, but he has shown he is too inconsistent to be in that higher salary range. If he balks, so be it. A replacement can be found but he gelled well with Kopitar and Kempe so he has that going for him.

Were I him, I take a one year prove it deal and cash in next go around because no one will give him close to the $5.75 million he made this season but he showed with the right system and teammates he can be effective.

He's probably pissed Bowlby left, he would have inked a 3 year/$21 million deal already with him at the wheel.

 

[Fox4Kings]

Personally I think Marner did himself well overall in the playoffs. He has a history of a no show but was a point per game player this playoff. He was MIA a few games but so was the entire team. I liked the fire he showed in Game 7 and the clear disappointment he showed on the bench. More than can be said for their Captain who seems to always have the same look on his face. I don't think he is captain material from what I can tell. I think Tavares and Marner would both be better options as C.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I'd pass on him still though, price point alone and he has more no shows in the POs than productive ones like this one. We all know how it goes though, UFAs always peak during a contract season. He has red flag written all over him.

I agree, Mathews didnt lead his team very well and didnt deliver when it was needed the most. All captains need to do that whether it's a lead by example Kopitar or a smash mouth Scott Stevens, when the moment arrives they have to be ready to pull their team into battle.

Tavares was the captain, he relinquished it last summer (maybe 2023?) handing the baton off for the next wave of younger players ready to lead and Mathews was the choice. To me it actually signaled he is on his way out which is looking likely now.

 

[Kings4OT]

Jt will need to take a very friendly pajama deal to stay in Tor...3 x 5 or less imo. The problem with Marner is even when he was yelling at his team in g7 he doesnt look like he even broke a sweatin the game. Not to stick up for Matthews at all, but I think hes been hurt all season and it will be addressed post season

 

[Kings4OT]

I cant remember the last cup winning team that didnt have a douchey do anything to win kinda guy like Kane, Perry, Marchand, Tchoke etc. Shanahan refused to go there really, sure Domi kinda, but if you go the Matthews, Marner, Paylander PJ type route uou better get a couple Bennets on those lines for the playoffs...its a different beast. If you put a Kane or Perry with those Leafs perimeter players they could have PO success. You need a few guys willing to really do anything to win.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Pajama deal...gold.

Sums up the Loafs, bunch of babies in onesies with snaps in the crotch.

 

[Kings4OT]

Im getting closer to correct yet again, sounding like Marner isnt signing with a Canadian team, let alone Tor

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Im getting closer to correct yet again, sounding like Marner isnt signing with a Canadian team, let alone Tor

Probably tired of being under the constant spot light and coming up short all the time, hence Mitch the Bitch.

Who's he looking at?

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Chatter sort of changing with how Florida is handling Carolina. Like maybe Toronto really was right there.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Canada lost 2-1 to Denmark in Worlds quarterfinal.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Didn't see the game, but allegedly 0-0 heading to 3rd. Canada scores up 1-0. Denmark scores in like 58th minute, and then again right before game ends.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

GM Ken Holland highlights one thing that he wants to address for the LA Kings GM Ken Holland highlights one thing that he wants to address for the LA Kings

Actually good talking point on what Kings want to address. Good note on the percentage of rebound shot that became goals. Kings led the league at 19% during regular season, and dropped to 7% in the playoffs. Looking to address why the Kings won't or can't get to the blue paint in the playoffs.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

GM Ken Holland highlights one thing that he wants to address for the LA Kings GM Ken Holland highlights one thing that he wants to address for the LA Kings

Actually good talking point on what Kings want to address. Good note on the percentage of rebound shot that became goals. Kings led the league at 19% during regular season, and dropped to 7% in the playoffs. Looking to address why the Kings won't or can't get to the blue paint in the playoffs.

Doesn't take a 4x Cup winning GM to point out the obvious, many of us said the Kings don't go to the hard areas and Buster has been mentioned a ton. Plays way too small for a man his size and I don't know if that's in him or not but to date it's more of the not variety.

But it's good he's brought it up and public, hoping some changes whether that be personnel or systems or whatever happens because how this team is currently they won't be winning PO rounds. They need some Bennetts, Kanes, Perrys etc.

Just watching the four teams left, they attack the net like nothing I've seen LA do and that must change to have success. Bowlby built a skilled soft team unfortunately.