Adrian Kempe

[smackdown380]

Duchene for TT won't be enough. Colorado wants a top tier D man and prospect. Extremely expensive and perhaps the Quacks will overpay for them.

I would love it if we somehow could give up Gaborik and McNabb (very cap friendly). As you read more into this article, it sounds like Vegas would unlikely take Gaborik so we have to try and trade him. Was hoping he could go on some sort of run (i.e. Hanzal) and up his value.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I've heard an NHL/NHL ready defender, high level prospect and draft pick. I would somehow hope Dumbo could swindle Sakic and involve McNabb but I doubt that happens.

Also agree moving one of the T6 forwards would not solve the issue even with Duchene coming back. He sure if skilled and fun to watch though.

 

[Kings4OT]

Kings where more likely asking about Iginla anyways, so I wouldn't get any hopes up on someone you might actually want

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I just feel like there's another tier of talent, that, if available, should be considered. Duchene and Taylor Hall were in that gamebreaker category, so it is/was worth a look. I don't even know that it would cost that much to get a guy like Duchene, but I was thinking out loud with that one since Toffoli is due a fat pay increase.

I know that Toffoli scored 31 last year, but he completely disappeared in the Playoffs last year (Much like a lot of guys), and I really haven't seen it this year. He was hurt, but he's up for a large pay increase, and I'm not 100% sold him being like a $6-7 mil/year guy. He only has 9 goals this year (But that might bode well in negotiations).

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Kings where more likely asking about Iginla anyways, so I wouldn't get any hopes up on someone you might actually want

You're probably correct with this one.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I've heard an NHL/NHL ready defender, high level prospect and draft pick. I would somehow hope Dumbo could swindle Sakic and involve McNabb but I doubt that happens.

Also agree moving one of the T6 forwards would not solve the issue even with Duchene coming back. He sure if skilled and fun to watch though.

The only thing I don't like is the draft pick, because this team has given up so much the past few years, that we really just can't afford that again.

That being said, based on that criteria you said above: Kempe (Or whoever)/McNabb/1st rd Pick for Duchene is that shot in the arm LA could use.

But the smart thing to do is probably not make a trade, let the team hope to make the Playoffs on a healthy Quick and see if the countless guys they already have wake up (Gaborik, Kopitar, Brown, Toffoli). Let these young guys get experience etc. That seemed to help Muzzin in 2013, which set him up to be instrumental in 2014. Last year, some of these young guys got Playoff experience in that short series against San Jose. It was short, but I still think it was valuable.

 

[Kings4OT]

I would be ok with Kempe, McWorthless and a pick for Duchene....and hey Sakic, take Gaborik so the cap works too.

 

[smackdown380]

Was listening to John Hoven and he was hearing that the Col scouts were looking at LaDue as part of a package and the Kings shut it down. Col moved on to Muzzin/Kempe and 2nd for Landeskog but LA said no and were willing to part with Martinez in some sort of package but that wasn't for Col. So that is looking like that deal is all but dead.

 

[smackdown380]

Posted in the At Quack thread the radio link with interesting topics including the potential Colorado trade.

 

[LoCal Kings]

But the smart thing to do is probably not make a trade, let the team hope to make the Playoffs on a healthy Quick and see if the countless guys they already have wake up (Gaborik, Kopitar, Brown, Toffoli). Let these young guys get experience etc.

Completely agree. The future of the defense looks more promising now, since anytime post-Voynov. Let them play out the season, protect 4 D and 4 Forwards in Expansion. After Expansion, then make a trade for a forward (or gauge the Free Agent market).

Gotta figure with the roster right now, Kings protect (Kopi, Carter, TT, Pearson), and (DD, Martinez, Muzz, Forbort). So, the only move for a good Forward that makes sense would be one that gives up one of those 4 d-men not named Doughty. Don't want to trade the whole Farm and picks for Duchene and then lose one of those 4 D-men in Expansion.

I know its frustrating to ostensibly "give up" a year during this core's prime. But there is smarter and more long-term move to be made after Expansion. Unless there is a minor move that can be made for a UFA / rental forward, I say don't trade.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

LoCal, that's sort my thinking after this weekend. LA came off of the bye week rested and theoretically should have been poised to make their push towards the post-season. Instead they've come out and lost 3 games, and really haven't looked like the team that they used to be.

I guess, for me, the most glaring thing is there is no identity anymore for this team. The Kings used to just wear teams down with a hard, physical game, but now it looks like they're the ones that look tired in the 3rd (Until last night's physical game, I can't remember the Kings really hitting like they used to a few years ago). They never had that offensive prowess, but now that they can't shut teams down like before, it's even more apparent how inept they are at producing offense.

I do agree that I like this defense better than last year, and having capable youth options (Sans McNabb who someone pointed out is actually terrible. I have to agree with that assessment now). They're still in the thick of the Playoff hunt if they can turn it around, but if they continue to look like they have this week, then I would seriously consider shutting Quick down for the year and letting him recover over the summer. Protect the players you mentioned above, accept the loss of one player, and retool for next year (Sort of like SJ did 2 years ago).

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Standing as of today.

The Kings really should be in a Playoff spot. Despite the most 3 recent losses, they did have those games to give, and their schedule really is favorable if they can play well at home in March.

 

[LoCal Kings]

The other thing to mention is depth. As it stands now, likely that LaDue, Kempe, Mersch (and maybe even Brodzinski?), are on the roster next year. Not sure there is anyone else in Ontario that can be considered a realistic NHL-regular prospect. Probably Clague, Cernak, and Moverare could be considered realistic NHL prospects, but they are all in Juniors, and would be a couple years away.

Point being: if they do trade away any of those prospects, then I'd say the prospect cupboard would be looking real bare.

 

[smackdown380]

Even if the Kings make the run that they should make (i.e. beating Calgary) and make the PO they won't go far. They may be able to beat teams like Calgary but they've showed they wont go far v actual PO teams.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Even if the Kings make the run that they should make (i.e. beating Calgary) and make the PO they won't go far. They may be able to beat teams like Calgary but they've showed they wont go far v actual PO teams.

I pretty much agree, except I've been pretty unimpressed with the Western Conference this year. Which teams really scare you this year? Probably San Jose again, but no one else really. So as bad as LA looks (And they look terrible), I can't say any teams look really strong.

This feels like one of those years where a 4 seed (Formerly 7 or 8 seed in the old system) could make a run in the west. I think the winner coming out of the East should be the favorite this year, just based on how teams have looked to this point of the season.