So, who do we keep, trade or promote?

[Kurisu]

Seeing the arrival of Turcotte and Fagemo last game, with the midseason approaching and acute needs at LD and G, it's time to talk about forward prospects. Defensive prospects are a puzzle also to a lesser extent, but the real challenge is untangling the value of the young forwards. Who is essential to the final part of the rebuild?

• Byfield
• Vilardi
• Kaliyev
• JAD
• Kupari
• Fagemo
• Turcotte

Which ones are your preferred future Kings, and who did I miss including?

[LAKingSteve]

It's a tough one because Turcotte is really kinda TBD. But if I had to choose now, Fagemo and JAD would be expendable.

I think Byfield, Vilardi, Kaliyev and Kupari are keepers at this point. That being said, I could see Kupari being moved eventually.

This is the problem when you have a crop of very good but not "great" players. It's really hard to tell which one will is the best of the lot.

[VCRW]

I think Byfield and Turcotte are untouchable.

If Kaliyev weren’t injured, he would be the first guy I would trade.

As much as I would hate losing him, I think Kupari will also be dangled.

The other very attractive forward prospect is Chromiak. He may be part of the deal for a LD as well. But I hope the team holds onto him. He has great potential at RW3 or RW4.

Vilardi and JAD are here to stay. They’ve earned their spots.

[santiclaws]

I think Byfield and Turcotte are untouchable.

Turcotte is about as touchable as touchable gets. The problem with trading him is that his value is currently pretty low because of his very concerning injury history. IF he manages to stay healthy, and that's a huuuuuge "if" considering his concussion history, he's currently projecting as a third-line center, maaaybe a second if things go really, really well for him and he suddenly discovers his scoring touch. His scoring has not translated to the pros, even when he is healthy. He is smallish for the type of physical, high-risk game he plays and his body is not taking it well. The next hit he takes could be the end of his hockey career, unfortunately. So the realistic assessment of Turcotte at this point is a middle-six center with a very concerning concussion history who relies on a type of game which puts him at a high risk of a career-ending injury. If I'm Blake, he's the first guy I'm dangling in trade talks.


The only two "untouchable" prospects the Kings have are Clarke and Byfield. They have the potential to be 1D and 1C, the two most valuable positions on a hockey team. Everyone else can be moved if the deal is right.

[DyslexicTom]

I think given the way that this organization has handled the current crop of prospects, there's a very real chance of a couple of them becoming answers to the trivia question "can you believe they traded him?"

Not to say that currently there are players that will become superstars, but the idea is that they weren't played enough at the highest level for us to know. It's all very much TBD still, which is fairly frustrating.

[jammer06]

If someone offered value of Byfield or Clarke as a 1C or 1D id be listening.

Im pondering this list some more. Having Moore out of the lineup is giving me a lot to think about. I still cant decide how valuable he is.

[Helvetica]

Untouchable: Byfield

Nearly Untouchable: Clarke. I trade him if it was part of a player coming back at LD that truly checked all the boxes. For example, it's been rumored lately that Quinn Hughes might be available. Not saying this happens, or that it's the perfect trade, just an example of somebody who id consider in a trade for Clarke.

Would prefer not to: Vilardi and JAD. I think both might have solidified themselves as mainstays this season. Different roles obviously, but i think both bring something to the table.

Everyone Else: Kaliyev and Fagemo look like they might fulfill the same role. Kaliyev should have more value. Turcotte's value is probably pretty low at this point, so who knows what he'd fetch, but given our forward and center depth, id certainly consider it. With that said, it would be a really wild twist if Turcotte somehow found himself as LA's next up and coming center with Byfield permanently moved to wing. It's not something i expect, but more fun to think about.

So, my prime candidates for trade would be:
• 1 of Kaliyev/Fagemo
• Kupari
• Turcotte


I think it's worth pointing out, as others have mentioned, that some of the vet guys like Iaffalo or Moore would be fairly valuable trade pieces that could potentially be filled by a prospect. For example, i really like how JAD has looked over the past few weeks, and you could potentially see him replace a guy like Iaffalo. With that said, i dont think he's there yet, so it would be a situation where a team is demanding a guy like Iaffalo and it forces your hand to make the trade.

[VCRW]

Turcotte is about as touchable as touchable gets. The problem with trading him is that his value is currently pretty low because of his very concerning injury history. IF he manages to stay healthy, and that's a huuuuuge "if" considering his concussion history, he's currently projecting as a third-line center, maaaybe a second if things go really, really well for him and he suddenly discovers his scoring touch. His scoring has not translated to the pros, even when he is healthy. He is smallish for the type of physical, high-risk game he plays and his body is not taking it well. The next hit he takes could be the end of his hockey career, unfortunately. So the realistic assessment of Turcotte at this point is a middle-six center with a very concerning concussion history who relies on a type of game which puts him at a high risk of a career-ending injury. If I'm Blake, he's the first guy I'm dangling in trade talks.


The only two "untouchable" prospects the Kings have are Clarke and Byfield. They have the potential to be 1D and 1C, the two most valuable positions on a hockey team. Everyone else can be moved if the deal is right.

I was only talking about the forwards in my post so that explains why Clarke was not included. And you correctly listed all the reasons that Turcotte is also an “untouchable”. Perhaps I could have used the word “untrade-able” instead.

But I am curious if you think any of the veteran wingers may get moved for the right defenseman. Before the season started, I speculated it could be Kempe or Arvidsson… although my preference would be seeing AI included in a big trade.

[Clif]

Top 9 wingers next year (assuming Byfield back at third center)

Kempe Fiala
Moore Arvidsson
Iafallo Vilardi
Kaliyev

Already one too many. None of them belong on a 4th line next year. I still don’t see room for Moore and Iafallo both long term.

Always thought Arvy was a bridge player but his tenacity, shot generation, pace, and vision have become important to this team. Whether it’s Fagemo or someone else that’s likely a big drop-off if they replace him. Does he get a new contract to keep going after next year?

A drop off, but a lesser one between Iafallo and JAD than Arvidsson and Fagemo or someone else.

4th line I’d trade Grundstrom for what you can and play Kupari over him. Turcotte could be next year’s JAD. Lemieux still brings something I’m not sure this team parts with yet, or they at least go outside for a cheaper option.

Don’t think anyone would claim Madden and Thomas but they have to clear waivers next year (as does Fagemo).

[santiclaws]

I was only talking about the forwards in my post so that explains why Clarke was not included. And you correctly listed all the reasons that Turcotte is also an “untouchable”. Perhaps I could have used the word “untrade-able” instead.

But I am curious if you think any of the veteran wingers may get moved for the right defenseman. Before the season started, I speculated it could be Kempe or Arvidsson… although my preference would be seeing AI included in a big trade.

Any of them if it is a "right enough" defenseman, I would think. Arvy or Kempe would seem to be the most likely candidates, but if the brass thinks Kupari could be the next Moore, maybe him as well, but that seems like a fairly remote possibility.