LA Kings All Things PLD

  • Thread starter Thread starter hokiecat
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OK, let's see the realistic worst-case and best-case scenarios when it comes to this trade:
A) Worst case scenario - PLD doesn't improve, Gabe does improve into first line material and avoids injuries, Kupari improves into a top 9 forward....the Kings end up with a Kopitar-lite center locked up for 8,5 million for 8 years, with something many people think lacks in Kopitar - feistiness and physicality. Kings fail to win the Cup next year.

B) Best case scenario - PLD does improve further into a perennial, PPG, Selke finalist on a very affordable long-term contract. Gabe doesn't improve and is hampered by injuries, Kupari stays on the level he is now...Kings win the Cup next year with Copley in net (lol).

OK, the Cup really is a stretch, but the "best case" scenario with PLD further improving as he enters his prime and plays with Fiala on his wing isn't all that far-fetched. A first line, two-way replacement for Kopitar on a 8x8,5 is f****** great. What are people smoking saying this is a bad contract? The cap is going to go up during this contract, especially after the Covid losses are covered. I was afraid he was going to get 9,5. 8,5 seems totally reasonable, seeing how Larkin and Barzal, two very non-playoff-y players that were used for comparison by some, are paid MORE.

What I do worry about is his FO%, but that is perhaps the easiest skill of a center to improve...and he'll have Kopitar to tell/show him how now.

PS: Do we know what kind of injury Gabe suffered this season? All I've found is "upper body"...which could be his back. And the secrecy about the injury itself is interesting...maybe that was the moment that Rob decided to trade him?
 
I am not even slightly upset by Kupari's inclusion in this deal. I said a couple times during the season that I would be perfectly happy to never see him in a Kings sweater again. Not that he was "bad" per se., but that he seemed to have almost no impact on games.
 
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RagBone said:
I am not even slightly upset by Kupari's inclusion in this deal. I said a couple times during the season that I would be perfectly happy to never see him in a Kings sweater again. Not that he was "bad" per se., but that he seemed to have almost no impact on games.
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Same. I’m vocally not a Kupari believer on here, although I gave him credit for becoming a decent player on the PK. Otherwise he refuses to shoot, doesn’t hit nearly as much as he should, makes bonehead turnovers, and got demolished in the playoffs this year. I think Fagemo could be more effective. He at least shoots the puck.
 
RagBone said:
I am not even slightly upset by Kupari's inclusion in this deal. I said a couple times during the season that I would be perfectly happy to never see him in a Kings sweater again. Not that he was "bad" per se., but that he seemed to have almost no impact on games.
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Kupari is the perfect example of a tweener. Not skilled enough to top 6 forward. Not physical enough to be a bottom 6 grinder. If he wants to stick in the NHL long term he’s going to have to find his role pretty quickly because the player he’s been in his first 130 NHL games is sub replacement level.

The good news for him is he’s still young and he does seem to have some untapped upside but the clock is ticking.
 
Dr. Tran said:
I really hope he proves me wrong. But I don’t like it. I don’t think he’s the right guy to bring in. We need a goalie. If we would’ve traded away the same guys for Hellebuyck I would’ve been good with that. So now how much do we have to get a goalie? Or do we have to trade more salary to get someone decent? But it’s done so what can I do but accept it.
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Just a question, would you be willing to pay him over 10m when his contract is up next year? No way the Kings could afford him after next season.
 
emsomaso said:
Can you or someone else find some actual proof of this? Not just gossip and random speculation! Because I can’t!

All I can find is this, where an actual teammate (Hellebuyck) talks about PLD being great in the locker room:

“He’s a great guy. He would be in charge of all our fun activities. He's the guy that knows what's going on and knows how to bring a team together,”

Doesn’t sound like a cancer to me…
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Heh, fair enough. Hmmm. I am trying to think of the last time the Kings had a "locker room cancer" in their prime (not a has-been).

Michael Cammalleri?
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RagBone said:
I am not even slightly upset by Kupari's inclusion in this deal. I said a couple times during the season that I would be perfectly happy to never see him in a Kings sweater again. Not that he was "bad" per se., but that he seemed to have almost no impact on games.
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Yeah, I'd agree. I think you can add IA to that list as well. Vilardi is the only real loss here assuming that the 2nd round pick isn't important...which is certainly not always the case.

The potential big loss here is Vilardi but to be honest I don't have that much of a complaint. On the other hand if Blake had traded Byfield I think I would have shot him myself.

As to the complaint about "needing a goalie and D". Well, the last I checked the season doesn't start until October so I don't see an issue here.

Again, this really comes down to whether this big contract PLD got is going to be worthwhile (from the Kings POV). We'll see.....

jom
 
Statue4Deano said:
This idea that he’s a locker room problem is built on assumptions and speculation. The reality is he did request a trade out of Columbus but he never publicly stated the reason. So that gets him the label of bad teammate. People forget that players have requested trades for decades and even well respected players like Ryan Smyth requested a trade from LA a season after we made the playoffs for the first time in a decade. **** happens and sometimes you just want to turn the page and get to a situation that works better for you.

What happened in Winnipeg was Dubois was a year from becoming an unrestricted free agent and he informed the team he wasn’t interested in re-signing and he gave them a list of teams where he would sign a long term deal. Winnipeg could’ve forced him to sign his qualifying offer and played out the year then traded him at the deadline instead all parties involved came together and found a solution that left LA, Winnipeg and the player satisfied moving forward.

This is a win for everyone involved. Kings get the player they want locked up through his prime. Winnipeg gets young NHL talent and a draft pick. Dubois gets stability in a city/team of his choosing.
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There's nothing anywhere to indicate he's a locker room cancer. I think people questioned his effort on ice at times but quite honestly, based on the interviews I've heard with Winnipeg media, they've said nothing negative. Ultimately, this really came down to a guy wanting to play where he wants to play. I don't think anyone should begrudge a player for trying to do what's best for them.
 
Dr. Tran said:
I really hope he proves me wrong. But I don’t like it. I don’t think he’s the right guy to bring in. We need a goalie. If we would’ve traded away the same guys for Hellebuyck I would’ve been good with that. So now how much do we have to get a goalie? Or do we have to trade more salary to get someone decent? But it’s done so what can I do but accept it.
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Rob said we have to get a goalie. We will get a goalie. May be a bridge guy vs a true number 1 but give me Copley who was 24-6 last year and another decent guy, we'll be fine. Vegas didn't exactly have experienced goalies playing all year. If the Kings are better in front of the goalies, which they should be, we'll be fine. I think the play for a number 1 goalie will be next season when the cap goes up.

And yes, we'll likely have to trade another player to even get a goalie this year.
 
Timo Meier just signed an 8 year x 8.8MM contract extension with the Devils. Meier is almost 2 years old than Dubios. Here are their career stats for comparison:

GP:
TM - 472
PLD - 434

G (Per Game)
TM - 163 (.35)
PLD - 129 (.30)

A: (PG)
TM - 167 (.35)
PLD - 173 (.40)

P: (PG)
TM - 330 (.70)
PLD - 302 (.70)

I know which player on an 8 year contract I’d rather have.
 
Statue4Deano said:
Timo Meier just signed an 8 year x 8.8MM contract extension with the Devils. Meier is almost 2 years old than Dubios. Here are their career stats for comparison:

GP:
TM - 472
PLD - 434

G (Per Game)
TM - 163 (.35)
PLD - 129 (.30)

A: (PG)
TM - 167 (.35)
PLD - 173 (.40)

P: (PG)
TM - 330 (.70)
PLD - 302 (.70)

I know which player on an 8 year contract I’d rather have.
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Given states that close, I want the younger guy on an 8 year contract. Meier could still be solid in 8 years but the difference between a 33 and 35 year old could be noticeable during years 7-8
 
Rob gave up a lot. It's risky, but if it works out he will look good.

On the flip side, if it all goes wrong this season, Rob will "fire" the coach (in his last year of his contract).
Rob will blame the coach, AEG won't owe $$ to a coach fired in the middle of a contract.
Rob gets off clean (via blaming the coach) and AEG is happy about the $$ not spent on a coach who no longer works for them.

Rob gets to select a new coach.
 
Bye Gabe, enjoy all the canadian fan support. Hope you don't miss living near the beach.



"I’d be lying not to say but in L.A., they’re not big hockey fans out there. Obviously, they have the Kings fans there that come to the games and are loyal. But it’s different being in Canada. You do miss it."
 
LAKingSteve said:
Bye Gabe, enjoy all the canadian fan support. Hope you don't miss living near the beach.



"I’d be lying not to say but in L.A., they’re not big hockey fans out there. Obviously, they have the Kings fans there that come to the games and are loyal. But it’s different being in Canada. You do miss it."
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I'm not hurt by it. He's right - compare hockey in LA to hockey in Winnipeg. It's the only thing Winnipeggers have...just like Edmonton.
 
LAKingSteve said:
Bye Gabe, enjoy all the canadian fan support. Hope you don't miss living near the beach.



"I’d be lying not to say but in L.A., they’re not big hockey fans out there. Obviously, they have the Kings fans there that come to the games and are loyal. But it’s different being in Canada. You do miss it."
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Didn't really seem like he ever wanted to be here. Glad he got his wish to play in Canada.
 
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