MonkeysUncle
Prospect
That was Trevor Lewis the last couple years, I'd rather have a player you know can play and not one who might be breaking down in season, even for a million, money will be tight again this year.
Confirmed with Link Kings name Holland their 10th GM in History
- Thread starter Dexter
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DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Yeah, I recall.
I initially dismissed the idea.
He’s a leader, as you said. He’s a winner. He’s as competitive as they come.
The Kings could use all of those traits.
Put him on a line with Jeannot and Helenius. See what he has left.
Only issue is if he is an impediment to the development of younger players.
But the idea is intriguing.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
Brock Boeser, you are an LA King.
Clif
Super Star
This is how I feel. Two years max if Holland comes up empty on other FAs signings, and that’s just because Kings’ PP greatly improved with a skilled right shot. The PP needs a right shot. If it has to be Kuz, so be it.
Problem is, his reputation is to come out awesome for a year and then disappear. Feels like we got that in micro with him. Amazing when the Kings were winning. He had a godawful game 3 and only scored one point (goal) in games 3-6. Hey, there are good time players who make great additions when the going is good. But this team needs more than that to win a series against the Oilers.
King of Pentacle5
3rd Line Winger
You think Lewis has the same skillset as Toews? Wow. When Lewis finally breaks a 30 point season, hell will have frozen over. Meanwhile, Toews has 12 out of 15 seasons of 50+ points. Seven of those are 60+. And he’s both a Conn Smythe and Selke winner.
Toews wants another crack at a cup, and the Kings are close. He was the C of a multiple cup winning Chicago team. From interviews I’ve read it sounds like he’s still got that fire. I don’t see this situation at all like Lecavalier, whom the Kings traded for to help Philly dump some salary and was already mentally done with hockey for a few seasons. This would be a low risk, high reward situation imo. He’s not looking for big $$$. As long as he could stay healthy, which I think he would since his issue was covid related and not knee or back issues, he’d be a 30+ point scorer on the 3rd or 4th line and provide a sh*t ton of SC winning C experience on top of what Kopi and DD already bring. I think those three guys from that incredible LA vs Chicago era of hockey between 2011-2014 would feed off each other’s excitement, grit and experience.
Toews 'moving forward' with NHL return, agent says | NHL.com
37-year-old last played for Blackhawks in 2023, missed time due to illness
www.nhl.com
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What party?
Taxi Squad
uh. This gif's implication is Moog has just made my enemies list by the mere suggestion of this nonsense.=) Monkey, the best kind of jokes are the ones that need to be explained.
We have a fourth line?
(I'm sorry, I just can't seem to let this go. I probably won't get over this until next year's playoffs. I'll either be happy, or I'll have something new to be angry about!)
Statue4Deano
Super Star
It would be pretty funny if we sign Toews for the 4th line, face the Oilers in the 1st round again, Hiller rolls 3 lines, we lose and then he says he played the players he trusts…
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Yeah, I can tell it runs deep.
It’s appropriate to allow people to have their bitterness about things they feel. I’m not in a position to be critical of that. I’m guilty in some ways too.
Two things about the playoff series and the critics that are under my skin a bit are the “strategy” (of sitting back with the lead) and the failure to roll three lines.
I’ve had my say about the strategy and am frankly tired of it.
The three lines criticism to me were about two things:
Jeannot being injured, and
The unique nature of the Oilers.
Had Jeannot been in the lineup I sincerely believe the fourth line would have gotten the 6-8 minutes a game. His absence was very important. Without him the fourth line was a concern. I have little doubt that the Oilers would have put McDavid and Draisital out at every opportunity.
A fourth line of inexperienced players vs those two would have been problematic.
Hiller I believe adequately addressed that in this particular series he opted to play three lines heavily. I think he also said that would have changed against a different opponent.
Had Hiller played the fourth line more, and had they been exposed, this board would have been just as critical, asking “Why did Hiller play the fourth line!!!”
Before the series I was very concerned about the young guys vs the Oilers, especially in the road games, without Jeannot.
I cannot say Hiller was correct, but I can say that I understand his logic. And to be honest, that’s kind of my guide with criticizing coaches.
I will accept sound reasoning. Sometimes the strategic decision doesn’t work, but it does not always follow that the decision was wrong.
Another season and I fully expect that the Kings will have a fourth line that is trusted. Whether that lines has Jeannot (or Toews) or Turcotte, Helenius and Lee, I have little doubt that Hiller will develop that line and use it come playoff time.
I do also believe that we can now see how easily the Oilers rolled over the Knights and Stars. The Kings have so far been the toughest opponent, and it’s not even close.
DryKing
Power Forward
Ugh you got me excited there for a moment. I would be happy to see him added to the roster...
Johnnysuede71
3rd Line Winger
The rich getting richer....and yah the Knights have won their cup but here again is an example of this so called 'cup-culture' trope being total crap and how that's supposed to big a draw for impending free agents. IMO Vegas is just as far from another cup as the Kings are (if not more.) It would be a money move pure and simple with Nevada having the additional pull of...here we go again...no state income tax. The more I don't like to believe this is 99 percent of the reason these elite players go where they go....the more disappointed I get when I realize it's true. Let's be honest....Florida has built a perennial contender (as did Tampa before them) for this is exact same reason....and they now have their 'cup-culture' as a result. Chicken or the egg. Smoke and mirrors....and plenty of BS.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
If the only issue were money the Kings could match his net pay by offering about 13% more than Vegas. LA has the cap space to make that kind of offer. I don’t believe it’s just money.
Vegas has shown a deeper commitment to winning than LA has over the past decade. Also I’d wager that Vegas management is considered more competent than LA, around the league. Lastly Marner would be playing next to one of the best Centers in the league in Eichel.
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Good points.
You are definitely correct that Vegas has certainly been more aggressive than the Kings.
My view is that from the outset (due to the liberal expansion rules, bold moves associated with that draft) that Vegas came out of the gate as contenders, where the Kings have been trying to be contenders. That distinction allowed Vegas to go for it.
I think we are finally seeing the Kings get to that level and I think we will see that this off-season. I do expect the Kings (Holland) to show that “commitment”.
Have the Kings been too cautious? I think I the case can certainly be made. The PLD move was pretty aggressive though. But this is the off-season where the Kings are finally in the “win-now” phase.
Johnnysuede71
3rd Line Winger
I won't disagree with your money assessment. The argument is it's a lot easier to have a 'deeper commitment to winning' when you have this financial advantage going all the way back to expansion. I mean the Knights have only been a TEAM for 8 seasons for chrissakes. 4 division titles ....two western conference Championships and a Cup later. I am simply responding to the notion...presented OFTEN here...that high-end free agents are attracted to an established 'cup culture' in a 'hockey friendly' market that is supposedly NOT represented at all in LA. Nonsense. Plenty of places this guy could end up where he could play with one of the best centers in the league...like...let me think...oh I don't know...maybe the guy he played with last 7 seasons??? And yet we are hearing how unlikely it his he will return. Interesting.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
It is interesting. I still happen to believe the Kings will be in the running for his services. The roster fit is there and if Holland can sell him on the plan to build around him then LA makes a lot of sense.
DryKing
Power Forward
Totally agree. I think part of the reason Marner may leave Toronto comes down to both the Media and the Fans. He has been pretty consistently a whipping boy when things go wrong out there. Move to a market like LA, or Vegas, as the media is more or less removed from the equation.
I would also add, not only is Marner looking to play with a top Center or Wing, but he is preferably looking for one around his own age. The Kings can attempt to sell Marner on future pairings with Byfield and Kempe, but Kempe is the main draw, from a player perspective, for Marner to come over. The other is, like you mentioned, building around him and making him the actual "guy".
If he wants to be that franchise face, he likely does not go to Vegas as they are committed, presently, to other players. If he wants to fit into the crowd, then Vegas is pretty appealing (along with their commitment to winning, tax benefits, and media exposure).
I don't see him wanting to go to a team like Chicago or San Jose despite the ability to pair up with a top center. Anahiem, Columbus, NYR, Colorado (If they can afford him) and Minnesota seem pretty appealing, however.
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
After the media attention and criticism in Toronto does he really want to be “the face” in another city?
He may well want to be the guy you build around though, which is different.
I think if he’s had his fill of the media, the South Bay might look pretty appealing.
The Kings are on the cusp. And playing with Kempe and Byfield has to look pretty good.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
Nope
You have to acknowledge that the silver Knights (not just golden knights) have a nicer facility than TSC, the kings need to admit crypto and El segundo have reached the limits of resurfacing and make serious infrastructure moves. Taxes are huge but....
Now Chirping
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