Armchair GMs

[The Nuts]

So, trade whoever the NHL seems the better goalie?

Um, noo!

You decide who is better .

Forsberg was most recently better, is younger, injured less and cheaper.

There is no waiting , Portillo is cheaper and coming up.

I don't see retention but if it gives us a better return mayge.

But Kings are operating on an internal budget so Kuemper has to go.

The Kings prospects goalies are lined up like dominoes. But Kuemper must be knocked down first.

The you start the evaluation process on Portillo in NHL and hopefully Hampton and Carter on the Reign.

Shake , stir and watch the cream rise to the top.

 

[Bollocks]

Ducks will probably go with Dostal for their future. Husso is about as good as Darcy was down the stretch. Sharks still probably want Askarov to take the net and Ned has better numbers than Kuemper.

Caps traded Darcy for PLD. If the Kings trade him, it will be because they think Forsberg can be similar for less salary. I don't see teams offering a big package for Darcy based upon how he played after injury and the Olympic break.

I think most teams would wait for Kuemper to prove it with a bounce back performance in the fall.

Nobody is talking about "big package" for Kuemper. If he can net us a 4th rounder I'd be OK with that given the situation.

The question is just whether or not it would be wiser to trade Forsberg for a 2nd and hope Kuemper finds his game again....but this scenario involves 3m less in cap space and a risk of neither Kuemper or Portillo being good...which could be a blessing in disguise, BUT Ken is surely aware of that risk which is why I'm afraid he's not going to trade either of our veteran goalies.

And if both are good up until the deadline and the Kings are looking good to make the playoffs I can totally see Ken keeping both vet goalies, which would then likely result in big fat zero assets received (either walking at the UFA or Kuemper resigning for 1 year and then retiring) from the only position of strength in this organization...

 

[DryKing]

Nobody is talking about "big package" for Kuemper. If he can net us a 4th rounder I'd be OK with that given the situation.

The question is just whether or not it would be wiser to trade Forsberg for a 2nd and hope Kuemper finds his game again....but this scenario involves 3m less in cap space and a risk of neither Kuemper or Portillo being good...which could be a blessing in disguise, BUT Ken is surely aware of that risk which is why I'm afraid he's not going to trade either of our veteran goalies.

And if both are good up until the deadline and the Kings are looking good to make the playoffs I can totally see Ken keeping both vet goalies, which would then likely result in big fat zero assets received (either walking at the UFA or Kuemper resigning for 1 year and then retiring) from the only position of strength in this organization...

Yeah it would be a mistake not to trade one of the two. We finally have a pipeline of quality goalie prospects and need to make way to give them opportunity. Portillo has earned a shot at coming to the NHL.

I'm not sure Forsberg could handle a full season as starter, but it's worth a shot. I do expect Kuemper to bounce back next season.

 

[Bollocks]

Yeah it would be a mistake not to trade one of the two. We finally have a pipeline of quality goalie prospects and need to make way to give them opportunity. Portillo has earned a shot at coming to the NHL.

I'm not sure Forsberg could handle a full season as starter, but it's worth a shot. I do expect Kuemper to bounce back next season.

I don't think Forsberg would have to be a full season starter. I have high hopes that Portillo has what it takes to be at the very least a capable 1B NHL goalie.

 

[santiclaws]

I don't think Forsberg would have to be a full season starter. I have high hopes that Portillo has what it takes to be at the very least a capable 1B NHL goalie.

I have never heard any prospect "expert" opine that Portillo has the makings of an NHL starter. He's ranked below both George and Slukinsky in the pipeline and no one is projecting either one of them as a star. He's going to be 26 by the start of next season and has played in one NHL game, which may tell you something about how the Kings feel about him.

You never know, and goalies are voodoo in general, but I'm not very optimistic about him.

 

[Kurisu]

Screw it, I think I'm on Team Bernier.

 

[The Nuts]

I have never heard any prospect "expert" opine that Portillo has the makings of an NHL starter. He's ranked below both George and Slukinsky in the pipeline and no one is projecting either one of them as a star. He's going to be 26 by the start of next season and has played in one NHL game, which may tell you something about how the Kings feel about him.

You never know, and goalies are voodoo in general, but I'm not very optimistic about him.

Seen Ports ranked in top 20 goalie prospects and yes, Hampton and Carter mid teens.
Its weird how goalie's shake out.
You never know if, when and how they break out , when any of em do.
Does not really matter Ports has earned a look backing up Forsberg or Ken decides to trade him, or he is likely lost on waivers.
Seems most agree one of Kuemper or Forsberg needs to go and Ports gets his shot at back up.
So if the starter is injured or not performing he gets a shot at starter.
And hopefully Hampton or George is with the Reign and gets called up.
It is possible Ken decides to keep Anton and Darcy, he has a propensity for vets.
I think that would be viewed as selfish and aimed towards his two more season window here.

 

[VCRW]

Screw it, I think I'm on Team Bernier.

Ah, spirited discussions with Bland back then. I was always on Team Quick!

 

[Kurisu]

Ah, spirited discussions with Bland back then. I was always on Team Quick!

Lol. Kopi has no heart and will never lead us to a championship.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Lol. Kopi has no heart and will never lead us to a championship.

I remember those threads. Too many times Kopi was compared unfavorably to guys like Mikko Koivu, Ryan Getzlaf, Paul Stastny and Mike Richards. All 4 were said to be as good or better than Kopi.

Funny thing about those Mike Richards comps they sure did stop quickly once he was on the same team playing in the same system as Kopi. And I liked Mike Richards but Kopi is a first ballot HOFer. If Richards sniffs the Hall it’ll be on the back of his International play first and his shortened NHL career second.

 

[DryKing]

I remember those threads. Too many times Kopi was compared unfavorably to guys like Mikko Koivu, Ryan Getzlaf, Paul Stastny and Mike Richards. All 4 were said to be as good or better than Kopi.

Funny thing about those Mike Richards comps they sure did stop quickly once he was on the same team playing in the same system as Kopi. And I liked Mike Richards but Kopi is a first ballot HOFer. If Richards sniffs the Hall it’ll be on the back of his International play first and his shortened NHL career second.

Richards always seemed to me to be overrated, and Carter underrated. I was really sad when both Carter and Richards were on the table the Kings traded for Richards, instead of Carter. Worked out great, though, as they essentially stole Carter and got them both.

Richards was very good, but never looked like a future HoF'er. Getzlaf and Kopi I think were in the same bracket, until Getzlaf retired and Kopi kept going...and going.

I remember at an All-Star game where the announcers acted like it was the first time they ever saw Kopitar and were impressed how well he played outshining many of other stars on the Pacific team. I sometimes wonder how many points he would have put up over his career in a more offensively focused system.

 

[Bollocks]

Richards always seemed to me to be overrated, and Carter underrated. I was really sad when both Carter and Richards were on the table the Kings traded for Richards, instead of Carter. Worked out great, though, as they essentially stole Carter and got them both.

Richards was very good, but never looked like a future HoF'er. Getzlaf and Kopi I think were in the same bracket, until Getzlaf retired and Kopi kept going...and going.

I remember at an All-Star game where the announcers acted like it was the first time they ever saw Kopitar and were impressed how well he played outshining many of other stars on the Pacific team. I sometimes wonder how many points he would have put up over his career in a more offensively focused system.

Imagine Kopi being drafted by the Capitals at #14 and playing with Ovechkin for his whole career. A perennial 100+pt center right there.

 

[jammer06]

Well here's an interesting tidbit for you all. We all know the kings were involved in more games that were decided by 1 goal than in previous seasons. But would you have guessed the close in the gap from before was that they played in roughly 20 less games per season over the prior two that ended with them winning by 3 goals?

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

And yes if it felt like they lost twice as many OT games as prior, thats because they did.

 

[VCRW]

Richards always seemed to me to be overrated, and Carter underrated. I was really sad when both Carter and Richards were on the table the Kings traded for Richards, instead of Carter. Worked out great, though, as they essentially stole Carter and got them both.

Richards was very good, but never looked like a future HoF'er. Getzlaf and Kopi I think were in the same bracket, until Getzlaf retired and Kopi kept going...and going.

I remember at an All-Star game where the announcers acted like it was the first time they ever saw Kopitar and were impressed how well he played outshining many of other stars on the Pacific team. I sometimes wonder how many points he would have put up over his career in a more offensively focused system.

No Richards, no Cups. And yes, it is that simple. Mike was a winner and demanded accountability and responsibility from his teammates. His acquisition was crucial. There was a reason Mike was the player all the guys had to look in the eye as they came on the ice. Trying to diminish his contribution is denying history.

 

[Statue4Deano]

No Richards, no Cups. And yes, it is that simple. Mike was a winner and demanded accountability and responsibility from his teammates. His acquisition was crucial. There was a reason Mike was the player all the guys had to look in the eye as they came on the ice. Trying to diminish his contribution is denying history.

Richards was a piece. He wasn’t the most important piece but he was essential. That’s what made the 2012/14 teams so great. They had all the pieces in the right places. They couldn’t win without him just like they couldn’t win without Williams, Carter, Scuderi, Greene, Gaborik; etc.

 

[VCRW]

Richards was a piece. He wasn’t the most important piece but he was essential. That’s what made the 2012/14 teams so great. They had all the pieces in the right places. They couldn’t win without him just like they couldn’t win without Williams, Carter, Scuderi, Greene, Gaborik; etc.

Richards was absolutely crucial. He was the catalyst. He was the guy who embodied what Dean asked from Kopitar and Brown but did not receive - taking responsibility for winning.

I was at a game soon after Richards arrived and was sitting in the AEG seats near the ice. On one power play, Brown badly blew 2 consecutive tip in setups from Mike. The string of expletives coming from #10 that followed the second blown chance was quite “colorful”. But then Mike skated off the ice calmly talking to Brownie and continued the pep talk on the bench. Greene was the judge. Mike was the prosecuting attorney.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Richards was absolutely crucial. He was the catalyst. He was the guy who embodied what Dean asked from Kopitar and Brown but did not receive - taking responsibility for winning.

I was at a game soon after Richards arrived and was sitting in the AEG seats near the ice. On one power play, Brown badly blew 2 consecutive tip in setups from Mike. The string of expletives coming from #10 that followed the second blown chance was quite “colorful”. But then Mike skated off the ice calmly talking to Brownie and continued the pep talk on the bench. Greene was the judge. Mike was the prosecuting attorney.

Not disputing any of that. The facts are Richards didn’t have a cup until he went to LA. He had some very good to great teams in Philly but they didn’t win it all. Certainly not all his fault but they were his team.

The foundation was already built in LA when he joined. He was essential to pushing the Kings over the top. It’s really too bad his body was already broken down by 2013 because a healthy Mike Richards might’ve helped the Kings put up a bigger fight against Chicago.

 

[VCRW]

Not disputing any of that. The facts are Richards didn’t have a cup until he went to LA. He had some very good to great teams in Philly but they didn’t win it all. Certainly not all his fault but they were his team.

The foundation was already built in LA when he joined. He was essential to pushing the Kings over the top. It’s really too bad his body was already broken down by 2013 because a healthy Mike Richards might’ve helped the Kings put up a bigger fight against Chicago.

The Flyers vs. Blackhawks series in 2010 was a fantastic series. I was fortunate enough to be at Game 6 in Philly when Kane scored the Cup-winning goal. That Flyer team could have just as easily been champions. That was a great series.

His body was broken in the WCF final in 2013. Sadly, the pain killer addiction was a result of that punishment. Mike was never the same player. But anyone downplaying his importance in the first Cup win is flying in the face of reality. Mike’s contribution to building a winning culture was huge.

Once again, no Richards, no Cups.

 

[DryKing]

No Richards, no Cups. And yes, it is that simple. Mike was a winner and demanded accountability and responsibility from his teammates. His acquisition was crucial. There was a reason Mike was the player all the guys had to look in the eye as they came on the ice. Trying to diminish his contribution is denying history.

Well history shows the Kings could not win the Cup without Willie Mitchell....literally. It's like @Statue4Deano said, there were many integral parts which is what made the team so great.

For the record, I wasn't throwing shade at Richards. I agree he was an integral part of the Cup winning seasons but I still stand by Carter being underrated prior to us acquiring him.

 

[VCRW]

Well history shows the Kings could not win the Cup without Willie Mitchell....literally. It's like @Statue4Deano said, there were many integral parts which is what made the team so great.

For the record, I wasn't throwing shade at Richards. I agree he was an integral part of the Cup winning seasons but I still stand by Carter being underrated prior to us acquiring him.

In 2010, my son and I attended a Kings game against the Flyers. Philly won 7-4 but it wasn’t even that close. It was a total beatdown with the Richards line and the Carter line doing the damage. On the way home I said to my kid, “I would kill to have Richards or Carter on our team!”