***Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings GDT 4/5/25 1:00pm on FanDuel***

I did not get to see this game or participate in the discussion, but PAY KUZMENKO WHATEVER HE WANTS!!! I love his game, and I love his personality. I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand half of the questions Carlynn asks, but he makes up a good answer anyway and always has a big smile on his face and says thank you to the fans.
His interview after he got traded is on YouTube. I get the sense he knows this may be his last stop in the nhl.

And yes, agree need to keep him. He reminds me of a quicker palffy.
 
His interview after he got traded is on YouTube. I get the sense he knows this may be his last stop in the nhl.

And yes, agree need to keep him. He reminds me of a quicker palffy.
Please don't pay him whatever he wants. That's how you end up with a Gaborik contract.

He's been a great fit over the past 2-3 weeks and I'd love to keep him but he also needs to realize that his NHL career was almost over before Blake traded for him. He's in a great situation where the Kings put him on the top line with Kopi and Kempe. He gets to play with extremely skilled linemates. And Kopi still leads by example and drags his linemates into the fight. You aren't going to FAFO when it comes to playing defense when you're on the ice with Kopi.

Anyhow, both sides should realize that this has been a great marriage so far and meet in the middle. Kuzy was 6-7 weeks away from playing in the KHL and the Kings have stumbled into a guy who has jump-started the offense in a huge way. The puck is on and off Kuzy's stick so quickly and that has been somewhat contagious; other Kings are starting to show an urgency in making decisions and moving the puck which is leading to increased scoring.
 
Please don't pay him whatever he wants. That's how you end up with a Gaborik contract.

He's been a great fit over the past 2-3 weeks and I'd love to keep him but he also needs to realize that his NHL career was almost over before Blake traded for him. He's in a great situation where the Kings put him on the top line with Kopi and Kempe. He gets to play with extremely skilled linemates. And Kopi still leads by example and drags his linemates into the fight. You aren't going to FAFO when it comes to playing defense when you're on the ice with Kopi.

Anyhow, both sides should realize that this has been a great marriage so far and meet in the middle. Kuzy was 6-7 weeks away from playing in the KHL and the Kings have stumbled into a guy who has jump-started the offense in a huge way. The puck is on and off Kuzy's stick so quickly and that has been somewhat contagious; other Kings are starting to show an urgency in making decisions and moving the puck which is leading to increased scoring.

Agree, thats kinda what im implying in that he knows this is his last stop. So maybe he signs a 1 or 2 yr contract to show he can stick...?
 
Agree, thats kinda what im implying in that he knows this is his last stop. So maybe he signs a 1 or 2 yr contract to show he can stick...?
It’s a good question about what to do re Kuzmenko. Probably a little premature but based on what we have seen up to this point it’s worth the discussion.

He has filled a big hole and had done so very well. He seems to have fit in with the structure and the team.

If memory serves, he’s in the last year of a two year deal that has a cap hit of $5.5.

While I agree that prior to this trade he had little value, I’m sure that is changing by the day. Who wouldn’t be impressed with his play with the Kings? I have little to no doubt that he has other teams noticing.

As with many players, Kuzmenko has his own plans. Is he looking for term or money, or both? I couldn’t possibly know.

Is he (and his agent) thinking he deserves a raise? If so I suspect he would have to find that elsewhere.

If he’s looking for some term, perhaps that’s of interest to the Kings. Two or three years, again based on his performance so far, is not out of the question. But at what cost?

I would think something between 3-4.5 per year would not be out of the question.
My main thought is whether the Kings should give up on a player who has improved the top line and the power play. Again, that’s been a black hole for at least a few years. I would not turn my back on that easily.

I’d consider a three-year 12M deal for him. Not much more with money and no more with term.

Of course, if he produces in the playoffs perhaps that means you think about adding money. But playoff productivity is not a given. Lots of players just don’t do do it when it matters and it’s harder.

That’s my thoughts after watching for a few weeks. I have no idea what changes over the next little while. But again, I wouldn’t close that door based on based on what we have seen.
 
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