Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
Lead paint.
Sounds like PLD logic to me no offense. As far as we know QB hit his peak this year (hope not). 8x8 seems nuts for #55 at the moment.
Free Agency Thread
- Thread starter Statue4Deano
- Start date
Lead paint.
Sounds like PLD logic to me no offense. As far as we know QB hit his peak this year (hope not). 8x8 seems nuts for #55 at the moment.
symbology
TEAM LGK
Blake has done worse things.
Something in the 8x7.5 range will work out fine (not optimal though) for QB IMO. Look back at the last 2 months of the season. QB was playing with an illness and was not the same player he had been. His scoring dried up, we all saw that. He still finished with 20G and 55 points. Was 2nd on the team in +/- with +19 (best forward). I think it is very safe to say that that QB will be even better next year.
The direct comparable is Slafkovsky. He also had 20G, but only 50 points and was on the other end of the +/- with -19 (3rd worse on the team). Byfield out performed Slafkovsky all the while playing 1.5 minutes less per game.
There were many games this year where QB was the best forward out there. Pay the man.......
I will add this, do you all remember 2 years ago when QB was first placed with Kopi and Kempe. QB was making plays that his linemates were not prepared for. QB could have had another 20+ assists that season if Kopi and Kempe would have kept up with his play making ability.
Last edited:
symbology
TEAM LGK
Here is a good read and a fare take on what the Kings did via FA.
LA Kings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
LA Kings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
EB924
Top Forward
While technically it's possible that QB has peaked, it's highly, highly, HIGHLY unlikely. He is only 21 years old. How many NHL players who have already displayed the kind of skills, smarts, and work ethic as QB end up peaking at only 21 y/o? Not many. If you locked in QB at 8x8 it would be a steal. To put things in perspective PLD had a cap hit of 8.5 and if he showed the kind of skill and tenacity that QB has already shown no one would have criticized that deal and he'd still be a King. That being said I'm not sure the Kings would be able to lock him in at such a low price. He might be looking for 10+ per year if he is going to forgo a few years of free agency.
emsomaso
The Swedish King
Good read, but makes me want to puke even more about the Edmundson signing…
symbology
TEAM LGK
^^^^ This ^^^^
PLD had a 63 point season and Blake threw 8x8.5 at him. QB just had a 55 point season while playing with an illness for 2 months that slowed him down. Without that setback, QB would have matched PLD's 63 points easily.
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
I will say QB's been ill what 2 (maybe 3?) years in a row for a long stretch of time. A little worrisome.
symbology
TEAM LGK
Yes and no. He has had his health issues. Once it was Mono, or something similar. Typical young persons issue. Then there was an ankle issue if I recall. This last one sounds different for sure.
That being said, the Team Dr's are aware of what is going on. That means the Team is. If it was anything to be worried about the next contract would reflect that. In all fairness, I am looking at this from the point of view that all is well health wise for QB. IMO, that is the only way we can look at this. Assume that assuming all is well.
Also, I do recall that earlier this year you said (in regards to QB) that you thought that he would be a bust. It sounds like you still do not fully see the kids potential. I in no way shape of form think he has reached his peak. He is still just a kid out there. But..... who knows........
Last edited:
DryKing
Power Forward
The more I research the more I think you are spot on about this. Slafkovsky is a good comparable at LW. Unless Byfield's camp pushes to get more money (paid as a center) it seems like 8x7.5 is about right. That said, Slafvosky was a 1st overall pick and is has been effective at the NHL at a younger age so I really can't see Byfield getting more than him unless Blake goes totally off the rails (technically Byfield should get a little less, probably between the $7.25-7.5m AAV range).
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
If QB gets 8x8, I would be pretty happy. Cap is going up significantly, it will likely be a bargain in a couple of years.
DryKing
Power Forward
Whatever he ends up getting it looks like we will be in another year of cap hell.
DarkLeftHand
Super Star
Crazy to see that the lightning will have hedman at 8 mill cap hit or less his entire career… some orgs continue to make smart decisions, and some don’t.
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
Yeah I said had my doubts last year (pre-PLD plague that is) and I have my doubts at a 8x8m. I thought he was pretty good this year and had a great year. I did say each time I hope he proves me wrong and he definitely did this year so I am not writing him off by any means. I was wrong about 55 and right about 80 in the off season
You have a good point regarding the team being aware of his medical situation - I mean with a healthy season without nagging things going on he might really start shining. He's definitely had some obvious showings of what he's capable of.
symbology
TEAM LGK
Norris, Conn Smythe, 2 cups. All for less than 8mil / year.
Just goes to show how over paid DD has been and is.
DarkLeftHand
Super Star
Yep, my point exactly. That extra sunk 3 mill could have been applied to Gavrikovs salary and we would have two elite defenders.
ICE24
Super Star
We all knew this would be a down year for the Kings and that they would not make the playoffs. I will enjoy the season no matter how bad they play. No expectations for the next few years. I say keep Clarke in Ontario. There is no need to have this young kid getting crushed this early in his career. I watched him during the Reign playoffs vs the Firebirds and he was getting hammered.
Last edited:
Clif
Super Star
What did anyone realistically want? We have all complained in some form or another about how soft and small this team is. They’re less so now.
The one honest and human answer Blake gave in the last several months was about how the team needs to go to uncomfortable areas of the ice, and right to the net. That’s personnel, but more than that it’s culture. These moves should hopefully advance the culture.
Further, with Jeannot on the team guys should feel more confident about going to those difficult areas because that guy has their back. Grundstrom cannot offer that.
With three rookies on this team, two sophomores, and an emerging Byfield it’s time to set a tone now. It’s exactly why I said this team can’t win with PLD. That degree of softness in puck battles for his size is a culture killer. I don’t fear that with these guys.
Kings’ competition for third place/wild card is Vegas and Seattle plus St Louis. The Central teams from last year are all returning to the playoffs so it’s going to be tough. I don’t know if Kings will make it. But i’m excited to see young talent get experience, young talent I believe in, and a team that at least shouldn’t get punked anymore and fold like paper bags because Anders Lee was mean to them.
The one honest and human answer Blake gave in the last several months was about how the team needs to go to uncomfortable areas of the ice, and right to the net. That’s personnel, but more than that it’s culture. These moves should hopefully advance the culture.
Further, with Jeannot on the team guys should feel more confident about going to those difficult areas because that guy has their back. Grundstrom cannot offer that.
With three rookies on this team, two sophomores, and an emerging Byfield it’s time to set a tone now. It’s exactly why I said this team can’t win with PLD. That degree of softness in puck battles for his size is a culture killer. I don’t fear that with these guys.
Kings’ competition for third place/wild card is Vegas and Seattle plus St Louis. The Central teams from last year are all returning to the playoffs so it’s going to be tough. I don’t know if Kings will make it. But i’m excited to see young talent get experience, young talent I believe in, and a team that at least shouldn’t get punked anymore and fold like paper bags because Anders Lee was mean to them.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
I liked the Foegele signing and the Jeannot trade. Top 6 is still missing a right shot.
I don’t mind bringing back Lewis.
Best thing about the projected lineup is the compete level will most certainly be increased from last season. Also all 4 lines will now feature someone who can and will run a dman through the boards if given the chance.
