Armchair GMs

[Nodoughtyboutit]

Well after game 3, I've been reading too much of Kings X. I know we have another game at minimum, but obviously this series is all but done.

So my question, what would you do as Kings management in the off-season?

I agree with everyone that Luc has got to go and a new coach needs to be brought in. But what about the roster.

We are in a rough situation with no clear direction. It's gonna be hard to go full scorched earth with Panarin and Kempe on the roster. And the thought of somehow turning the page on Doughty, Ceci and other bad contracts seems pretty unlikely.

What would be you first moves in the off season?

What

 

[Kingsfan44]

Well after game 3, I've been reading too much of Kings X. I know we have another game at minimum, but obviously this series is all but done.

So my question, what would you do as Kings management in the off-season?

I agree with everyone that Luc has got to go and a new coach needs to be brought in. But what about the roster.

We are in a rough situation with no clear direction. It's gonna be hard to go full scorched earth with Panarin and Kempe on the roster. And the thought of somehow turning the page on Doughty, Ceci and other bad contracts seems pretty unlikely.

What would be you first moves in the off season?

What

Hire Pat Verbeek away from the ducks and have him build our roster!! On a serious note, we have breadman and Kempe to build around. We need to sign/acquire a legit 1C and 2nd line scoring (we have plenty of 3rd/4th liners - being played on 2nd line)...then we need a puck moving damn and a shutdown d man. Getting these types of players will cost picks, $, and some of our younger players/goalie prospects.

 

[Nodoughtyboutit]

Hire Pat Verbeek away from the ducks and have him build our roster!! On a serious note, we have breadman and Kempe to build around. We need to sign/acquire a legit 1C and 2nd line scoring (we have plenty of 3rd/4th liners - being played on 2nd line)...then we need a puck moving damn and a shutdown d man. Getting these types of players will cost picks, $, and some of our younger players/goalie prospects.

What 1c do you think we can acquire?

 

[DryKing]

Step 1: assess the trade value of each player on the roster vs the value they bring to the team
Step 2: identify any players within the roster with largely duplicative skills
Step 3: see who is available in the league
Step 4: make what deals we can

Reality is there is less than a 5% chance a legit L1 Center will be on the market, but we do know we need to improve: Center depth, 2nd line wing scoring, puck moving D, overall skating and stick handling.

Without knowing who will be available it's simply academic going through the motions, but as much as we need the other positions I would prioritize a puck moving young D-man at all costs. After that my focus would be on increasing center depth and then adding legitimate L2 scoring wings.

Center depth is the easiest one provided we are able to re-sign Laughton. That won't get us a L1/L2 Center in the process, but the long-term solve for that is through the draft which leaves us signing a L2 vet if needed.

Most important part the Kings will need to sign a Head Coach who is able to develop players and team culture while driving success. The HC isn't going to get a gimmie on this team.

 

[Clif]

Trade Kuemper for cap and give Portillo a chance. High priority for me.

A lot of the dmen potentially up for trade that can move the puck are RD: Borgen (SEA), Faulk (StL). One of Nemec or Hamilton will be traded but both are RD and expensive. Then there’s Andersson if he hits UFA.

Now if we could get Doughty to waive and accept a trade somewhere, any of these guys make the Kings a much better blueline. They will all need lots of minutes as will Clarke. I mind Ceci less at 12 minutes a game.

Maybe SEA would trade Dunn? I don’t know what the Kings do on the left side.

As for center, TOR may not have a first this year and definitely doesn’t next season. Very curious to watch them. I would give up a lot for Nylander. Two firsts and George to start. B-grade (if not C-grade) throw in prospects in Pinelli/Salin/Kirsanov if need be. Nylander played some center in TOR and did well. I say put him between Juice and Bread and he’ll be fine. A guy can dream.

 

[DryKing]

Trade Kuemper for cap and give Portillo a chance. High priority for me.

A lot of the dmen potentially up for trade that can move the puck are RD: Borgen (SEA), Faulk (StL). One of Nemec or Hamilton will be traded but both are RD and expensive. Then there’s Andersson if he hits UFA.

Now if we could get Doughty to waive and accept a trade somewhere, any of these guys make the Kings a much better blueline. They will all need lots of minutes as will Clarke. I mind Ceci less at 12 minutes a game.

Maybe SEA would trade Dunn? I don’t know what the Kings do on the left side.

As for center, TOR may not have a first this year and definitely doesn’t next season. Very curious to watch them. I would give up a lot for Nylander. Two firsts and George to start. B-grade (if not C-grade) throw in prospects in Pinelli/Salin/Kirsanov if need be. Nylander played some center in TOR and did well. I say put him between Juice and Bread and he’ll be fine. A guy can dream.

Curious as to your thoughts - do you think Nylander who come much cheaper than Matthews? I'd be a big fan of obtaining Nylander as he seems to be one of the few Leafs always fighting for a win no matter the circumstances, but even moreso of Matthews who would add the stronger 2-way game and scoring touch (he would be great with Panarin).

Either player we would have to give up a haul for, as you mentioned, but I agree it would be totally worth it as players like these do not come along often.

 

[symbology]

Curious as to your thoughts - do you think Nylander who come much cheaper than Matthews? I'd be a big fan of obtaining Nylander as he seems to be one of the few Leafs always fighting for a win no matter the circumstances, but even moreso of Matthews who would add the stronger 2-way game and scoring touch (he would be great with Panarin).

Either player we would have to give up a haul for, as you mentioned, but I agree it would be totally worth it as players like these do not come along often.

The problem I see, making a trade for such a player will fill one hole while creating another. Kings have no "great" depth at any position. Sure for young prospects they have some goalies, but none of them have proven anything at this point.

Tough spot to be in. They really should consider a full rebuild starting at Luc.

The miracle scenario would be build a team next year that McJesus would want to join. That answers the 1C question.

 

[jammer06]

Turcotte for McJesus! Straight up

 

[Kurisu]

Turcotte for McJesus! Straight up

After the Ducks eliminate him, he may be available.

 

[Clif]

Curious as to your thoughts - do you think Nylander who come much cheaper than Matthews? I'd be a big fan of obtaining Nylander as he seems to be one of the few Leafs always fighting for a win no matter the circumstances, but even moreso of Matthews who would add the stronger 2-way game and scoring touch (he would be great with Panarin).

Either player we would have to give up a haul for, as you mentioned, but I agree it would be totally worth it as players like these do not come along often.

TOR has one of the most bare, if not most bare, cupboards in the league. They desperately need picks and prospects.

Matthews is regarded by some in TOR media as the greatest Leaf of all time. You can’t get the greatest franchise player of all time, or at least in the last 20 years, for picks and prospects alone. He’d cost Byfield or Clarke + if not both of them +.

Pure speculation on my part re: my package for Nylander, but he’s still not the captain, number one center, GOAT etc. so he’s gotta be cheaper somewhat. I’d be afraid that even with two firsts and George a young roster player will need to back which means Laf. I really, really don’t like that. But you’d rather be down a second line winger than a first line center. Still, I’d love to think more prospects would do it.

 

[Bollocks]

Some good ideas here.

If we're talking realistic scenarios (so, no DD trades, sadly):
- 1st order of business should be resigning Laughton.
- Definitely trade Kuemper, there's bound to be a team with highly questionable goalkeeping looking to gamble...like Oilers, Ducks...retain half the salary if needed. Give the backup job to Portillo.
- Sniff around the price tags of the likes of E. Pettersson, Nylander, Matthews, Hischier, Thomas, though I'm afraid the only one the Kings could really afford is Pettersson.
- Find a capable top-4 LD to play with DD on the 2nd pair, move Clarke up with Mikey, trade away one of the vets (Edmundson's stock is quite high, could be worth to cash in on it)
- find out if someone comes knocking heavily at the camp and make more moves accordingly (Dumo, Ceci, Turcotte, Moore)

 

[JC6388LAKings]

TOR has one of the most bare, if not most bare, cupboards in the league. They desperately need picks and prospects.

Matthews is regarded by some in TOR media as the greatest Leaf of all time. You can’t get the greatest franchise player of all time, or at least in the last 20 years, for picks and prospects alone. He’d cost Byfield or Clarke + if not both of them +.

Pure speculation on my part re: my package for Nylander, but he’s still not the captain, number one center, GOAT etc. so he’s gotta be cheaper somewhat. I’d be afraid that even with two firsts and George a young roster player will need to back which means Laf. I really, really don’t like that. But you’d rather be down a second line winger than a first line center. Still, I’d love to think more prospects would do it.

I thought either Mats Sundin or Borje Salming laid a claim to that for them. You know Toronto.

 

[symbology]

Turcotte for McJesus! Straight up

What? Are you for real? McJesus ++ for Turq.

 

[DryKing]

The problem I see, making a trade for such a player will fill one hole while creating another. Kings have no "great" depth at any position. Sure for young prospects they have some goalies, but none of them have proven anything at this point.

Tough spot to be in. They really should consider a full rebuild starting at Luc.

The miracle scenario would be build a team next year that McJesus would want to join. That answers the 1C question.

I agree. I don't see the Kings bringing in a L1 Center via trade unless the player is "damaged goods" or they acquire/develop one through the draft. For an L2 Center they would likely have to significantly overpay which creates additional holes.

This is essentially why I am against trading away 1st round draft picks at this point. Much of this hole was created by trading away 1st and 2nds in successive years (those picks which likely a portion of would have developed and been on the active roster now).

I also agree that Luc should be gone next season. It's time for fresh leadership starting at the top of the house.

 

[Clif]

I thought either Mats Sundin or Borje Salming laid a claim to that for them. You know Toronto.

Depends on who you’re listening to/reading. As I said, some in TOR media say that. He’s already the franchise leader in goals scored as a Leaf. Mats Sundin was all class though.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

With the cap going up so much recently, you’re not going to find many, if any teams struggling to re-sign a 1C hitting RFA or UFA status. The only options would be a fixer upper, or possibly a team like NYR looking to trade a Zibanejad type, if they want to clear talent off the roster to do a deep dive tank.

 

[DryKing]

TOR has one of the most bare, if not most bare, cupboards in the league. They desperately need picks and prospects.

Matthews is regarded by some in TOR media as the greatest Leaf of all time. You can’t get the greatest franchise player of all time, or at least in the last 20 years, for picks and prospects alone. He’d cost Byfield or Clarke + if not both of them +.

Pure speculation on my part re: my package for Nylander, but he’s still not the captain, number one center, GOAT etc. so he’s gotta be cheaper somewhat. I’d be afraid that even with two firsts and George a young roster player will need to back which means Laf. I really, really don’t like that. But you’d rather be down a second line winger than a first line center. Still, I’d love to think more prospects would do it.

With how avid the hate/criticism is with a large portion of the Toronto fan base (and media), I'm hoping at some point Matthews demands a trade out of Toronto. This, plus his NMC, would likely lower his trade value.

Nylander, on the other handle, doesn't suffer the same criticism and is on a long term deal that he is outperforming. Granted he is a wing, vs center, which lowers value a bit but I'd be surprised if Toronto trades him for anything less than top value.

That said, it was just hopeful thinking on my part. I think you are spot on.

 

[Clif]

With how avid the hate/criticism is with a large portion of the Toronto fan base (and media), I'm hoping at some point Matthews demands a trade out of Toronto. This, plus his NMC, would likely lower his trade value.

Nylander, on the other handle, doesn't suffer the same criticism and is on a long term deal that he is outperforming. Granted he is a wing, vs center, which lowers value a bit but I'd be surprised if Toronto trades him for anything less than top value.

That said, it was just hopeful thinking on my part. I think you are spot on.

Don’t get me wrong, Nylander is all hopeful thinking on my part too. And you’re right, he’s got more years on his contract and outperforms it, whereas Matthews only has two years left and may want to go UFA, which forces their hand if they have a serious conversation this summer. They are going to rebuild and he will need to commit to that or not.

 

[ICE24]

The only way this team gets better is with a total rebuild and that is not going to happen. They will flounder for the next two seasons until Holland is gone. The new GM will then have to rebuild and that will take years to put a solid team on the ice. If Holland gives out horrible contracts in the next two years, it will take even more years. The Kings barely made the playoffs this season and we know what teams will be better next season.

Who will the Kings keep is the biggest question. I believe you have to trade Panarin next season to get a decent return. Will anyone want Kempe's contract? Kings will be at the bottom of the Pacific and the NHL, however, that gives them opportunities. It won't be pretty, but they will be better off in five or so years.

 

[05/29/93]

One good thing about the Panarin trade and contract, is that it is very flexible. The Kings can keep him if they want to try and improve and contend. Or, they could trade him as the first step of the rebuild. Same for Fiala, though his recovery after his injury would be a major concern for a trade partner. I think Doughty should be traded in either event.