So, who do we keep, trade or promote?

[jt]

For those who know, is Kirill Kirsanov a legit possibility?
He's 6'1, 200 lbs. and a solid defender.
A better option than Bjornfot?

He's 20 and just signed a 2-year contract with SKA in the KHL. It's unlikely he'll be a King anytime soon.

[jt]

OMG Blake absolutely should not stand pat. Quick has a save percentage of .881, and a goals against of 3.41. Quick must be asked to retire at the trade deadline (hopefully sooner) so Blake can get a #2 goalie who can compete. He hasn't won a game since December 1st, and has been well under a .900 save percentage in his six losses since then. He had an .800 save percentage against TB!!!! #FFS the Kings cannot win with him in goal. Thanks for the two Cups, but come on.

What goalie are you thinking is available that fills their need?

[DarkLeftHand]

Who says the Sharks want to help their division rival?

Which divisional rival would you be indicating here? The one they actually traded Megna to, or the other divisional rival whose fan site we are on currently? Genius..

[triplcrown]

Aw, c'mon, is Gavrikov really not that good?

I try to visualize him in a pair with Matt Roy.

Does he at least hit SOMETIMES, during the most physical games?
Does he make a lot of mistakes? Is he soft?

On paper, he looks promising. But I really know nothing about this player.

Has anyone here actually seen him play much?

Here are some youtube headlines about Gavrikov I did screen shots of.

Please check them out and give your
honest reaction:

(Click on images on the page to enlarge)
NOTE: The last headline was included for the purpose of FULL DISCLOSURE

https://respectfullywest.blogspot.co...ines-from.html

[Bollocks]

Which divisional rival would you be indicating here? The one they actually traded Megna to, or the other divisional rival whose fan site we are on currently? Genius..

The one that historically their fans hate beucase what happened in the last decade, genius...

Or do you think FO completely ignores fan opinion even when doing otherwise such low-impact decisions? This is such a cheap way to anger fans that are already angry at you...

[Clif]

Aw, c'mon, is Gavrikov really not that good?

I try to visualize him in a pair with Matt Roy.

Does he at least hit SOMETIMES, during the most physical games?
Does he make a lot of mistakes? Is he soft?

On paper, he looks promising. But I really know nothing about this player.

Has anyone here actually seen him play much?

Here are some youtube headlines about Gavrikov I did screen shots of.

Please check them out and give your
honest reaction:

(Click on images on the page to enlarge)
NOTE: The last headline was included for the purpose of FULL DISCLOSURE

https://respectfullywest.blogspot.co...ines-from.html

He had 124 hits last year but that appears to be an outlier. He hits a lot less in other seasons. This year Sean Walker has two more hits in four fewer games. For a player who’s 6’3” not being very physical is concerning.

I’ll admit I’m basing my opinion off of some articles I read, but one of them is from Frank Seravalli, who I trust. I also read an interesting article in the Athletic about him that backed up the Seravalli article, with Gavrikov himself saying he’d rather stick check than hit because hitting can still mean the puck rolls by and the other team can score. Well, maybe he’s just not a great hitter then?

From the Seravalli article:

“The real truth may not be related to Gavrikov’s actual play at all, which is that team executives and broadcasters don’t really know how to define him, and so because he blocks shots and throws the occasional crosscheck in front of the net, he gets labeled as physical and it sticks.

Unfortunately, it’s an incorrect characterization, because Gavrikov is not physical in the traditional sense of creating contact and winning pucks in contested areas. He contains offense more than he stops it, and he tries to force opponents into worse spots to shoot rather than separating forwards from pucks, which would win back possession for his team.

Opponents have keyed in on the fact that Gavrikov isn’t a great puck mover, especially under pressure. He resorts to rimming the puck, in an attempt to bypass the forecheck, rather than to escape pressure and find better outlets. With space, he makes simple plays but nothing flashy. He will occasionally join the rush, but he is more of a decoy than a threat.

Gavrikov’s foot speed has always been on the plus-side of the ledger, but this season has presented some concern. He has taken twice as many penalties as he’s drawn, and while a minus differential is normal for a defender, double the pleasure is not double the fun for the Jackets.”

Full article: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/wh...e-deadline/amp

Sounds like a fairly average player. Especially not worth it if a first in the deepest draft in years is the cost. To the spirit of this thread, I’d say the Kings first this year should also be untouchable. Ridiculous to give it up when they’re not a contender.

[jammer06]

1) I'm of the view that Gavrikov is this years Ben Chairot, let someone else pay stupid money for a stupid player
2) If they fill that LHD spot, the default presumption is that Durzi will move back to the right and that Roy will move down to pair with Edler/Toby. Note Durzi currently "drives" the second pair, McCabe would probably be viewed as very complimentary in that slot
3) Beware defensive +/- leaders on crappy teams. The ghost of Tom Preissing still haunts
4) Moore and Kaliyev are skating, their ability to be ready determines a ton regarding Blakes choices
5) If there's a goalie prospect out there to go get, I can't see Blake doing it until Cal's had one more shot at the net.
6) If Blake does decide to go for a goalie prospect, Swayman, Wallstedt, Askarov would have to be the type of goalie to spend the assets on. It's the only affordable way to move forward with Cal on the books. Spending assets to get Cal off the books doesn't need to be done at the same time should they go that road.
7) If they go rental goalie the 4 names that everyone will be hearing are Varlomov, Stalock, Korpisalo, Talbot. If they could get feelers on Tokarski or Rittich I'd feel better about it than the other rental options. The idea is to improve on Copley to the point that nobody questions it. The young prospect or the 1B goalie seems an easier sell.
8) In all of this Spence is on the outside looking in, as is Toby, pending injury. Which I think is a very appropriate and patient play for Blake to take this season.
9) In regards to wheelers list, I still have hopes for Akil to get some time as a bonafide NHLer even though he's aged up of the prospect list.
10) Oh yeah that Gabe guy is going to be back eventually too. Lots of options for Blake.

[hokiecat]

There is no reason to pick up a rental player. We aren't in the running to actually win a Cup with this roster. Either make a hockey trade or stand pat. I don't see the need to pick up a rental who isn't in the long term plan. The Jim Nill articles on the Athletic the past few weeks have been great in terms of seeing a GM make a trade for a future piece in Nils Lundkvist and then also why they don't consumate a trade if what they are adding is only marginally better than what they have down in the AHL.

[VCRW]

1) I'm of the view that Gavrikov is this years Ben Chairot, let someone else pay stupid money for a stupid player
2) If they fill that LHD spot, the default presumption is that Durzi will move back to the right and that Roy will move down to pair with Edler/Toby. Note Durzi currently "drives" the second pair, McCabe would probably be viewed as very complimentary in that slot.

This is a perfect summation of the case for McCabe. Moving Durzi back to the right side is imperative. Everything gets better when that happens.

[jammer06]

There is no reason to pick up a rental player. We aren't in the running to actually win a Cup with this roster. Either make a hockey trade or stand pat. I don't see the need to pick up a rental who isn't in the long term plan. The Jim Nill articles on the Athletic the past few weeks have been great in terms of seeing a GM make a trade for a future piece in Nils Lundkvist and then also why they don't consumate a trade if what they are adding is only marginally better than what they have down in the AHL.

That was a great article, Dallas and the return from the dead of Jamie Benn have been a heck of a story to go along with their youngsters Robertson and Hintz. Remember when everyone wanted to run Nill out of town for his colorful language?