2025-26 Off Season Thread

[CaptHowdy00]

Mitch Marner NHL free agency sweepstakes: Ranking all 32 potential landing spots

With roster needs and cap situations in mind, how each team fits as a destination for one of the biggest names to hit free agency in years.

www.nytimes.com

Los Angeles Kings​

One of the few playoff teams in a desirable market that definitely needs help up front, has cap space and will be aggressive in free agency. New GM Ken Holland has signaled he intends to use his cap space to put his team in a better position to finally advance further in the postseason. Marner feels like a perfect fit on a team that has such a strong defensive approach, and he knows coach Jim Hiller well from their time in Toronto. The Kings won’t be the front-runner, but they’re certainly in the mix.

I don’t know enough about this guy one way or the other. Is he going to be worth the money?

 

[Kings4OT]

Mitch Marner NHL free agency sweepstakes: Ranking all 32 potential landing spots

With roster needs and cap situations in mind, how each team fits as a destination for one of the biggest names to hit free agency in years.

www.nytimes.com

Los Angeles Kings​

One of the few playoff teams in a desirable market that definitely needs help up front, has cap space and will be aggressive in free agency. New GM Ken Holland has signaled he intends to use his cap space to put his team in a better position to finally advance further in the postseason. Marner feels like a perfect fit on a team that has such a strong defensive approach, and he knows coach Jim Hiller well from their time in Toronto. The Kings won’t be the front-runner, but they’re certainly in the mix.

I don’t know enough about this guy one way or the other. Is he going to be worth the money?

Marner has what I would call a very high hockey IQ. More of a playmaker than a scorer but can snipe as well. Honestly with Fiala on the other side if they had a big C in front of the net, they would lite it up. Defensively sound too. Not a playoff hockey guy, but i think if put with a Jeanott type he would be effective....just needs protection so he can dish more than fight for position if that makes any sense

 

[PuckinUgly57]

A concern with Marner is the production, and I don't mean his overall production. He's a 1.13 PPG player in his 9 years in the league (741P/657GP), hitting a career high 102 points this season has also had seasons in the 80s and 90s. He's a solid player, as K4 stated he's more of a disher than a shooter. He's a huge reason why guys like Matthews hits 60 goals.

The issue is LA (shocker I know). They don't have a Matthews, they don't have a Nylander, etc. They don't have finishers minus Kempe and Fiala and neither of those guys are Matthews or Nylander or even a Tavares or Reilly or Knies. So Marner won't be putting up 90-100 points here and at that price he may be getting ($13-14 million) I can see a lot of disappointed Kings fans when he tops out at 70 points for that much money.

If the expectations are tempered that that may happen, go for it but as also stated he isn't a PO performer. I'd rather use that $13-14 million on two solid additions than on one player because Kings depth did them in.

Guys like Kane, Perry, Brown, Henrique are contributing and winning games while LAs depth guys were nonexistent. I don't think one high end, high dollar guy fixes that to help LA advance.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Roh oh Raggy...

 

[Kings4OT]

Roh oh Raggy...

Ya, hes gone. Cant talk shit on players and survive

 

[PuckinUgly57]

TA on potential fits for Ehlers:

Los Angeles Kings

Ehlers doesn’t fit the mold of the Kings’ structure or forward group,, so this pick may feel out of left field. But after four (!) consecutive Round 1 eliminations, it’s time for L.A. to go against the grain. Maybe that finally happens with Ken Holland taking over as general manager for Rob Blake.

The Kings don’t necessarily need to completely overhaul their roster or playing style, but it’s clear this team needs some change to better compete with the best in the West. It’s thought that defense wins championships, but it’s clear in recent years that a team also needs an elite offense. So this team should be looking to add more scoring pop to their defensive playing style. Adding more puck-moving forwards who can boost the team’s rush-based attack could be the key.

Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere all contribute shots in transition, but only Kevin Fiala stands out with some of the best in the league.

With Ehlers in the fold, the top six would have more dimension. L.A.’s two-way centers would help offset any defensive concerns with Ehlers’ game, allowing him to play to his strengths.

I'd definitely consider Ehlers over Marner because of cost alone and he immediately slips into the T6. He's a play driver and creative, reminds me of a more skilled Blowout but a LH shot. That's the rub, the Kings need a T6 RH shot.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Teh Blog doing player reviews for the season, this one is on Clarke:

2025 Kings Seasons In Review – Brandt Clarke - LA Kings Insider

Continuing through the defensemen with a look at Brandt Clarke’s first NHL season. More ups than downs, certainly, for a player who brings a skillset no one else within the Kings organization possesses. More on the young blueliner below. Brandt Clarke LAK Statline – 78 games played, 5 goals, 28...

lakingsinsider.com

In a nutshell: he generated the most offensive chances for from the defense when he was on the ice. He also generated the most offensive chances against from the defense when he was on the ice.

Sounds like Karlsson Light to me, which means in 5 years he will win the first of 5 Norris Trophies because the award is so skewed.

Still not sold on this guy, especially when you consider how much he shrunk during the WCQF. This is a huge year for him not only in terms of a new contract (summer 2026) but also improving his defensive game.

And I don't care what people say, he isn't 200 pounds. It begins there, this summer he should be hitting the gym 5 days a week minimum and stuffing his face with pasta and PBJ sammiches. He's got to get bigger and stronger because he struggles in physical battles especially around the net. There's a clip somewhere (IG?) where Kane chirps him and says "you're soft". Clarke doesn't respond.

Haven't read the comments yet, this should be rich.

 

[Kings4OT]

I would like Bennett 5y or less (so not happening), Ekblad, Boeser, maybe Nelson for 3y (also not happening)

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kupari signs a two year deal with HC Lugano (Swiss league). Jets weren't going to qualify him. He may resurface in the NHL in a few years but he's essentially out of the league.

Another blown first round pick under Bowlby, he went 20OA in 2018. It's nutty how slowly but surely we are hearing about these guys picked under that regime either banished to the minors, getting waived or leaving the league altogether.

Yanetti sucks.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I would like Bennett 5y or less (so not happening), Ekblad, Boeser, maybe Nelson for 3y (also not happening)

Bennett and Ekblad for sure but I am concerned, they play smash mouth hockey and the Kings philosophy doesn't seem to permit that. Edmundson was neutered, none of that nasty we've seen for years was present from him this season in LA and he's got three more years on his deal (thanks Bowlby).

I don't want to get a Bennett and not be allowed to play his game. Would be nice to get him though and let him do his thing.