2022 Offseason Thread

[DryKing]

If he stays, I hope AI can prove any critics, including me, wrong with a season more like '20/21. A 50-60 point season would make everyone happy.

That seems like a big ask (50-60 points). He could possibly pull it off if he plays full time on Danault's line but it's still a longshot. At a $4m salary, given all the non-scoring related things he does, he would be a significant significant steal.

Gotta ask, though, if that is your bar for Iafallo then what is your bar for Arvidsson - 70-80 points?

 

[Ice24]

I believe AI's production just goes down. A change of scenery might just save his career. Not sure if teams would be willing to bet on him. I hope I'm wrong

 

[Clif]

Was thinking Vilardi, Durzi, and a first was ballpark for Chychrun, with quite possibly a Grundstrom type throw-in. Iafallo could be that throw-in. And that same package could well be for a forward vs. Chychrun.

 

[VCRW]

That seems like a big ask (50-60 points). He could possibly pull it off if he plays full time on Danault's line but it's still a longshot. At a $4m salary, given all the non-scoring related things he does, he would be a significant significant steal.

Gotta ask, though, if that is your bar for Iafallo then what is your bar for Arvidsson - 70-80 points?

That number for AI is based on playing with Kopitar and Kempe again. If he only plays 3rd line, then expectations are, of course, commensurately lowered.

LW1, whoever it may be, has to produce next season. 2 of the 3 forwards on that line scoring less than 20 goals is a glaring problem.

 

[DryKing]

That number for AI is based on playing with Kopitar and Kempe again. If he only plays 3rd line, then expectations are, of course, commensurately lowered.

LW1, whoever it may be, has to produce next season. 2 of the 3 forwards on that line scoring less than 20 goals is a glaring problem.

Totally agree, this is probably our biggest area of need to fill next season. We need goal scorers on that 1st line.

I asked with the mindset of Iafallo being a 3rd line forward / 2nd at best so I was curious where you were coming from. Makes sense as those would be the expectations if he was spent next season as a top line winger. Thank you for sharing your thought process.

 

[gokor84]

The Problem with IA is that he is a jack of all trades and master of none type of player. Hopefully he plays 3rd line with Byfield and a goal scorer like Kaliev so he can provide that defensive blanket for the Rookies. Main reason he was stuck on the first line was his willingness to be a puck hound and get involved in the forecheck physically. Those last 3 months or so was panful to watch and I hope it was due to injury/covid. If he plays top line minutes and does the same thing then he needs to be traded asap for anything .

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

Hopefully he plays 3rd line with Byfield and a goal scorer like Kaliev so he can provide that defensive blanket for the Rookies

I'd be happy with a AI-QB-AK third line to start the season.

Only if that includes an elite winger to play with Kempe + Kopi, and the 2nd line stays the same.

Add an elite dman, and the entire composition of the team changes.

Some combo of Kupari, Vilardi + 1st + Durzi or Spence, Grans or Faber, Fagemo or Thomas, and another throw in like Madden or a 2nd can net you that elite goal scorer and dman.

 

[jammer06]

That number for AI is based on playing with Kopitar and Kempe again. If he only plays 3rd line, then expectations are, of course, commensurately lowered.

LW1, whoever it may be, has to produce next season. 2 of the 3 forwards on that line scoring less than 20 goals is a glaring problem.

That's an interesting criteria, it needs to be qualified regarding Stanley cup capability. Not many teams have three 20 goal scorers on their top line. Only three contending teams pulled off a top line with 3 20 goal scoring this year

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-fantasy-hockey-best-line-rankings-forward-combos-2021-22/c-300943326

This ranking is fantasy, not actual combos and they can't even get there. Florida, Toronto and Colorado are your standard bearers. Everyone else needed a 15+ goal man in that third spot. If Florida can get un****ed in the playoffs it will go a long way to bringing back that one absolutely dominant line.

 

[Ice24]

I'll tell you one thing, this offseason has been way too long. It has been six days!

 

[DryKing]

That's an interesting criteria, it needs to be qualified regarding Stanley cup capability. Not many teams have three 20 goal scorers on their top line. Only three contending teams pulled off a top line with 3 20 goal scoring this year

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-fantasy-hockey-best-line-rankings-forward-combos-2021-22/c-300943326

This ranking is fantasy, not actual combos and they can't even get there. Florida, Toronto and Colorado are your standard bearers. Everyone else needed a 15+ goal man in that third spot. If Florida can get un****ed in the playoffs it will go a long way to bringing back that one absolutely dominant line.

Agreed but the logic used was put in place in order to have 2/3 of the top line forward score at least 20 goals (Kopitar may be able to get there next season but did not this season). If a forward plays full time with Kopitar next season then hitting 20 goals seems like a pretty obtainable bar considering Kopitar may more may not get there himself (but definitely will help his line mates do so).

 

[VCRW]

That's an interesting criteria, it needs to be qualified regarding Stanley cup capability. Not many teams have three 20 goal scorers on their top line. Only three contending teams pulled off a top line with 3 20 goal scoring this year

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-fantasy-hockey-best-line-rankings-forward-combos-2021-22/c-300943326

This ranking is fantasy, not actual combos and they can't even get there. Florida, Toronto and Colorado are your standard bearers. Everyone else needed a 15+ goal man in that third spot. If Florida can get un****ed in the playoffs it will go a long way to bringing back that one absolutely dominant line.

My comment was about Kopi and AI being under 20. Both guys don't have to score 20+. But one of them does.

And it may not ever be Kopi again. Therefore, it's probably AI who needs to pick up the goal-scoring slack.

Still, I would be just as happy seeing Kempe score 35-40 while 11 and 19 are racking up assists. It's about total production from a top line.

Don't know what happened to AI in 2022 after being so good in the 2021 segment of the season. Hope he can turn the switch back on.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

Offseason fashion watch: Kopi rockin the DB23 hoodie. Love to see it!

 

[jammer06]

Russo posted his take on the eligible teams for Fiala

https://theathletic.com/3329872/2022/05/25/wild-kevin-fiala-trade-value-suitors?source=user-shared-article

The relevant part to the kings:

Los Angeles Kings: L.A. is a structured team that controls play well. What the Kings lack is dynamic game-breakers, as evidenced by their NHL-worst shooting percentage in the regular season. Besides Adrian Kempe, the Kings are still looking for their next offensive star. Fiala would be a sure thing, a guaranteed top-line contributor for years to come. L.A. is projected to have oodles of cap space this summer and is asset rich with one of the NHL’s deepest prospect pools, meaning it checks the boxes to make a trade happen logistically.

I'm not a Fiala fan but he was a point per game player away from Kirill

 

[VCRW]

Russo posted his take on the eligible teams for Fiala

https://theathletic.com/3329872/2022/05/25/wild-kevin-fiala-trade-value-suitors?source=user-shared-article

The relevant part to the kings:



I'm not a Fiala fan but he was a point per game player away from Kirill

He always seems to get off to a slow start, but heats up big time in the second half of the season. Fiala would definitely be an addition on offense, but he is another left shot forward. Kings are overloaded in that department. Or would one move Iafallo to make room for Fiala?

 

[DryKing]

Russo posted his take on the eligible teams for Fiala

https://theathletic.com/3329872/2022/05/25/wild-kevin-fiala-trade-value-suitors?source=user-shared-article

The relevant part to the kings:



I'm not a Fiala fan but he was a point per game player away from Kirill

He'd be a nice pickup but he's an RFA so pass. I'd rather focus on Forsberg or even Rakell.

 

[santiclaws]

He always seems to get off to a slow start, but heats up big time in the second half of the season. Fiala would definitely be an addition on offense, but he is another left shot forward. Kings are overloaded in that department. Or would one move Iafallo to make room for Fiala?

What the Kings are not overloaded on is legit first line left wings, which is exactly what Fiala is. He is on the small side, but otherwise a perfect fit. Iafallo should be on the third line, so if they get Fiala Iafallo can slot into what would be his natural spot.

 

[VCRW]

He'd be a nice pickup but he's an RFA so pass. I'd rather focus on Forsberg or even Rakell.

I kinda like Rakell as a match with Kopi and Juice. But, yes, Forsberg has to be the prime target. He sure made Johansen look better than he is. Let’s hope Filip sees a future in L.A. that he wants to join and become reunited with Arvy.

 

[VCRW]

What the Kings are not overloaded on is legit first line left wings, which is exactly what Fiala is. He is on the small side, but otherwise a perfect fit. Iafallo should be on the third line, so if they get Fiala Iafallo can slot into what would be his natural spot.

But Fiala’s an RFA… what would be the price?

 

[jom]

About Forsberg:

https://thehockeywriters.com/kings-should-not-pursue-filip-forsberg/

Thoughts?

jom

 

[jammer06]

About Forsberg:

https://thehockeywriters.com/kings-should-not-pursue-filip-forsberg/

Thoughts?

jom

The most interesting part of that article was how it pointed out the scoring in the bottom six as noting only Kaliyev and Lizotte cleared 10 goals in that role. It actually makes me wonder how much of Lizotte's production can be attributed to AK. Arty did get 6 of his 14 goals on the PP, but getting 8 at evens in the bottom role he had is nothing to sneeze at. Lizotte understandably didn't get much if any PP time. AK did post 10 even strength assists (only 3 on the PP). Last year Lizotte only posted 3 goals in 41 games and the season before 7 in 65 games. He's actually entering his 25yo season so still eligible to have a statistical peak on his own. Just a curiosity in my mind that lends itself to keeping Blake in a 4th line role and hoping that one of these rookies will play their way into the middle six role this team needs.

Regarding Forsberg, their comments about Burakovsky and Nichushkin were comical. Nadri is gone there and those two will be Sakic's focus. If anyone wants to raid any part of the Av's their most likely scenario is believing Ryan Murray has something left in the tank to offer a team that needs depth. He's still only 28 and could find he's still a quality NHL'er, competing with the other folks on that back end might make Drew wonder if he still knew how to hockey.