2025-26 Off Season Thread

[PuckinUgly57]

TA, one FA every team should target. Gavrikov came up multiple times:

Los Angeles Kings

Vladislav Gavrikov

With Rob Blake as the Kings’ GM, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Gavrikov would be re-signed, but that’s no longer the case with Ken Holland. If Holland isn’t keen on throwing many years and big money at Gavrikov, the 29-year-old defensive bedrock, trading for the younger Bowen Byram (or perhaps Nicolas Hague) might be necessary if they also make a big move, such as taking a run at Marner. — Eric Stephens

Detroit Red Wings​

Vladislav Gavrikov​

While a top-line winger would be the more exciting add, Detroit needs a top-four defenseman, and Gavrikov would be the dream fit. He’s one of the league’s best defensive defensemen, is used to taking tough minutes and has familiarity with Todd McLellan and Trent Yawney from Los Angeles. Putting Gavrikov next to Moritz Seider would make for a fearsome defensive pairing. — Max Bultman

Pittsburgh Penguins

Vladislav Gavrikov

Gavrikov, a steady and dependable player, would help and fit well on the left side of the Penguins’ blue line. Plus, he’s only 29. — Josh Yohe

Im starting to believe Gavrikov will not be here as a King in the fall, I don't think Holland is willing to break the bank for him like Blake was. Gavrikov is solid but the Kings system also makes goalies and D look better than they are. Would have liked some more offense from the back end as a whole so not singling him out. Just need more in general from the blue line and not just a bunch of Matt Greenes. Both finalists have an active, involved defense offensively.

Which is OK, but they'll need a replacement plus I think the money should be invested in some high event forwards who don't mind playing some rough hockey who can score.

Target Byram in a trade and move one of Spence or Clarke out. The Sabres need a RH defender and have a glut of lefties which LA needs (good job yet again managing the surplus of RHD the Kings had just 2 years ago Bowlby), plus Byram can skate and make things happen from the back and.is young enough to stay here for a while.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

TA, one FA every team should target. Gavrikov came up multiple times:

Los Angeles Kings

Vladislav Gavrikov

With Rob Blake as the Kings’ GM, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Gavrikov would be re-signed, but that’s no longer the case with Ken Holland. If Holland isn’t keen on throwing many years and big money at Gavrikov, the 29-year-old defensive bedrock, trading for the younger Bowen Byram (or perhaps Nicolas Hague) might be necessary if they also make a big move, such as taking a run at Marner. — Eric Stephens

Detroit Red Wings​

Vladislav Gavrikov​

While a top-line winger would be the more exciting add, Detroit needs a top-four defenseman, and Gavrikov would be the dream fit. He’s one of the league’s best defensive defensemen, is used to taking tough minutes and has familiarity with Todd McLellan and Trent Yawney from Los Angeles. Putting Gavrikov next to Moritz Seider would make for a fearsome defensive pairing. — Max Bultman

Pittsburgh Penguins

Vladislav Gavrikov

Gavrikov, a steady and dependable player, would help and fit well on the left side of the Penguins’ blue line. Plus, he’s only 29. — Josh Yohe

Im starting to believe Gavrikov will not be here as a King in the fall, I don't think Holland is willing to break the bank for him like Blake was. Gavrikov is solid but the Kings system also makes goalies and D look better than they are. Would have liked some more offense from the back end as a whole so not singling him out. Just need more in general from the blue line and not just a bunch of Matt Greenes. Both finalists have an active, involved defense offensively.

Which is OK, but they'll need a replacement plus I think the money should be invested in some high event forwards who don't mind playing some rough hockey who can score.

Target Byram in a trade and move one of Spence or Clarke out. The Sabres need a RH defender and have a glut of lefties which LA needs (good job yet again managing the surplus of RHD the Kings had just 2 years ago Bowlby), plus Byram can skate and make things happen from the back and.is young enough to stay here for a while.

I think Gavrikov is worth a good chunk of money, honestly. Probably #2-3 money, and with cap going up, I don't really mind it. But I also sort of think he might be gone. I've seen a ton of articles on that Detroit push, as they're going to bring in whatever they can to try to make the playoffs. They still love Moritz Seider, but he isn't enough back there on the blue line.

I'm not really sold on Byram, and he won a cup with an absolutely loaded Colorado team. Banished to Buffalo, if he can be had for cheap, then sure, I'm for it, but he's never really stood out to me. I wanted the Kings to draft him over Turcotte so bad, so he went the pick before to Colorado, and he wasn't on the board anymore. Which led directly to the Kings taking Clarke the next year or two later. Heir apparent to Doughty.

In an offensive league, I think you ride Clarke out another year and see what happens. If Clarke is the main piece that gets you Robertson or someone like that, then I'm listening for sure. But Kings need to sign some guys on the backend, because they'd be depleting an already pretty weak part of their team. Doughty older, Gavrikov maybe gone, Mike Anderson I swear is better suited in the 4-5 spot than the 2-3, Spence was better this year, but still not overly big. Clarke is 160 soaking wet. Edmundson was okay. Ironically probably one of the dudes I'm more comfortable with back there. So that is not a good looking defense, and assuming Kuemper just plays Vezina-level again, is also tough.

We should all put together our ideal off-season hopes.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

I think Gavrikov is worth a good chunk of money, honestly. Probably #2-3 money, and with cap going up, I don't really mind it. But I also sort of think he might be gone. I've seen a ton of articles on that Detroit push, as they're going to bring in whatever they can to try to make the playoffs. They still love Moritz Seider, but he isn't enough back there on the blue line.

I'm not really sold on Byram, and he won a cup with an absolutely loaded Colorado team. Banished to Buffalo, if he can be had for cheap, then sure, I'm for it, but he's never really stood out to me. I wanted the Kings to draft him over Turcotte so bad, so he went the pick before to Colorado, and he wasn't on the board anymore. Which led directly to the Kings taking Clarke the next year or two later. Heir apparent to Doughty.

In an offensive league, I think you ride Clarke out another year and see what happens. If Clarke is the main piece that gets you Robertson or someone like that, then I'm listening for sure. But Kings need to sign some guys on the backend, because they'd be depleting an already pretty weak part of their team. Doughty older, Gavrikov maybe gone, Mike Anderson I swear is better suited in the 4-5 spot than the 2-3, Spence was better this year, but still not overly big. Clarke is 160 soaking wet. Edmundson was okay. Ironically probably one of the dudes I'm more comfortable with back there. So that is not a good looking defense, and assuming Kuemper just plays Vezina-level again, is also tough.

We should all put together our ideal off-season hopes.

My main issue is that if we dont re-sign Gavrikov that means in the last two years we have lost both he and Roy for absolutely nothing. If they werent going to get a deal done with him, I would have at least tried to trade his rights to someone and get something for him.
I to am okay with them getting him signed. We all know that the cups were won with defense and goaltending. I would much rather tighten up the backend then worry about getting a Marner.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Kinda resign Copley for another year. #1 comment "Why".

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kinda resign Copley for another year. #1 comment "Why".

He will start in Ontario, don't see him back in LA. My gut tells me Portillo will make the team as the #2 behind Kuemper and get some starts next season.

Copley was a great story with the wins a few years ago to save LAs season but he is a career backup. He racked up the wins but his numbers were really pedestrian.

Still, Ontario needs a veteran guy and he will be the guy. He's been a good teammate, I wouldn't doubt if it's a one way contract for $775,000. Not bad for playing in Rancho.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

New York Rangers Plan to Exploit Market Loophole to Steal Top Players

The New York Rangers have money to spend after the Chris Kreider trade, and now they're set to take advantage of other teams with some major offer sheets.

www.yardbarker.com

Pretty interesting here. NY Rangers plan to target a bunch of RFA's with bonus-laden contracts to players on teams that hate to give bonuses. Make it annoying or hard to match those offers.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

New York Rangers Plan to Exploit Market Loophole to Steal Top Players

The New York Rangers have money to spend after the Chris Kreider trade, and now they're set to take advantage of other teams with some major offer sheets.

www.yardbarker.com

Pretty interesting here. NY Rangers plan to target a bunch of RFA's with bonus-laden contracts to players on teams that hate to give bonuses. Make it annoying or hard to match those offers.

Unless I'm missing something (which I don't think) the only contracts that permit bonuses are either ELCs (Schedule A and B bonuses), 35+ contracts which means they are UFA or players coming off a season in which they missed 100+ consecutive days due to injury.

This means a guy like Vilardi is not on that list as this will be his third (?) contract and I don't believe he missed 100+ days but did miss signifcant time. There may be a signing bonus involved but I believe those are calculated into total salary anyway. He's also an RFA with arbitration rights.

I'd be curious to learn more about this tactic if it is indeed possible. Seems there would be an extremely limited pool of players if any at all.

 

[Kings4OT]

Kane maybe??? Lol.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Mark Walter’s is buying the Lakers for $10B. With everything he’s done for the Dodgers, it’s a great move. Now I want him to buy the Kings.
Interestingly enough, he bought out Uncle Phil too.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Mark Walter’s is buying the Lakers for $10B. With everything he’s done for the Dodgers, it’s a great move. Now I want him to buy the Kings.
Interestingly enough, he bought out Uncle Phil too.

I just saw that. He will be the majority owner. Not sure if Buss will stall have much of a stake in the team moving forward. There isnt much he doesnt own. Chealsea in the premier league. F1 racing team oh and the Sparks. LOL
I agree, if he can do things with the Lakers as he did the Doyers, they should be good soon.
Not sure what he could do with the Kings, since there is a cap and Amshultz has already said that they can spend to the cap. Other than fire Luc and get new blood in here.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Uncle Phil ain't going anywhere. Flat out owns the Kings, knows his firm operating costs year after year with the cap, owns Staples outright and surrounding DTLA, it's a cash cow for him and a drop in the bucket compared to his portfolio. The building is filled yearly from the Kings, Lakers, other events and concerts.

And agree, that's the most he can really do - lose Robitaille - but knowing he can spend $95.5 million and change for staff and whatever the Kings are a cost controlled, profitable entity for him. No new president or whatever for LA will change anything unfortunately from that executive level.

All the change has to happen within starting with culture and not accepting making the POs is some achievement.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kings and Utah to play a preseason game Sept 30 in Idaho.

Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings to play NHL preseason game in Boise

The Utah Mammoth and Los Angeles Kings will square off on Sept. 30 at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise.

www.ktvb.com

Wonder if Uncle Gary is thinking about another expansion franchise there.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Kings and Utah to play a preseason game Sept 30 in Idaho.

Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings to play NHL preseason game in Boise

The Utah Mammoth and Los Angeles Kings will square off on Sept. 30 at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise.

www.ktvb.com

Wonder if Uncle Gary is thinking about another expansion franchise there.

Idaho= sports mecca.
I have also been hearing about Atlanta again. Ugh

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

NHL free agency deep dive: Analyzing the top defensemen available

With free-agency season approaching, the big question is: How much is each player worth? Here's a look at the top defensemen.

www.nytimes.com

I can't think of an article being more off base. They think Ekblad will get $7.8mil/year and Gavrikov right around $6mil/year. I feel like if Gavrikov was only going to get $6mil/year, that deal would already be done.

 

[Kings4OT]

Marchment for a 3 and 4? Cheap