Armchair GMs

[Dr. Tran]

Answered my own question.

 

[ICE24]

Ok, I'm going to go against the grain and try to take a more positive look towards next season. We obviously need to figure out a top 2 C. But if we can figure that out and get a little more mobile out of the back I don't hate our team going into next year.

Panarin- 1C- Kempe
Fiala - Byfield - Laffy
Moore - Laughton(Resign) - Kuz?
Wright/Ward- Helenius-Malott

I think the biggest thing is the coach. I like the aggressiveness and physicality we brought with DJ, but not sure if he is the best going forward. Half of me wants to give him a shot while the other half wants to go get a proven coach and roll. As far as the defense it would obviously be ideal if we could replace one or two of the slower guys with more puck movers. Trading Doughty isn't likely. Trading Kuemper however is a good option. I don't think things are quite as bleak as everyone else assuming we can get a coach and hopefully a first line center via FA or trade.

I don't see Laughton resigning. He is a solid veteran, but I imagine he is looking to go to a team that has a legitimate chance at a cup run. I don't see Armia, so I am guessing he is one of your trades? Yes, Kuemper will most likely be traded, however, he did lose a lot of trade appeal due to his performance this season.

These are mostly the same players that won 35 games and got swept out of the playoffs. I like your positivity, however, I don't trust that Holland will or can do anything to improve this team over the offseason. He surely did not last offseason. Before Holland took over, the Kings won 48 games and had 105 points. The Kings dropped 15 points and had 13 fewer wins this season. I hope I'm wrong, however, I see a disaster of a season coming with a team like SJ taking over the Kings playoff spot.