Free Agency Thread

ICE24 said:
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.
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I too was amazed at how much he gets hit and for the most part these are AHL level players. Wait till the Tom Wilson's of the world start teeing off on him. He'll absolutely need to be protected in some fashion or he won't last 30 games as he's not the biggest kid in the world.
 
Clif said:
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.
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This is an excellent post and one of the best I've read in days. Truly what did everyone expect? Ever since Brownie retired we've been a cream puff soft team and now as of July 2, 2024 we ain't anymore. I liked the Foegele and Jeannot deals and will hope for the best with Edmundson. Although I do think that Blake and company evaluates D men differently ( apparently a LOT differently ) than most on this board.

Now each youngin' or undersized kid (lookin' at you Jordan Spence) will have someone to stand in the gap for them. At least until they learn what it takes to stay in one piece in the NHL. I think that was job one this offseason (well outside of dumping PLD but that has been beaten into the ground enough already.)

BTW was really impressed with the Foegele interview; he actually stated that he WANTED to come play with the Kings. Makes me glad that somebody wants to be here and help this organization make a run for the Cup.
Go Kings!!!

~ArkyKingsFan~
 
Statue4Deano said:
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.
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I legitimately like all these moves as well, and agreed the top 6 RW is needed.

Further, another top 6 center in two years when Kopi retires is questionable, and more immediately the top 4 LD. Holes and looming questions for sure, but if this season increases the compete and sets up a culture that already fosters some fight it’ll be a productive year. Would much rather Lee, Helenius and Ziemmer come into a system that already has snarl than have to rely on them as young 20-somethings to establish it.
 
ArkyKingsFan said:
This is an excellent post and one of the best I've read in days. Truly what did everyone expect? Ever since Brownie retired we've been a cream puff soft team and now as of July 2, 2024 we ain't anymore. I liked the Foegele and Jeannot deals and will hope for the best with Edmundson. Although I do think that Blake and company evaluates D men differently ( apparently a LOT differently ) than most on this board.

Now each youngin' or undersized kid (lookin' at you Jordan Spence) will have someone to stand in the gap for them. At least until they learn what it takes to stay in one piece in the NHL. I think that was job one this offseason (well outside of dumping PLD but that has been beaten into the ground enough already.)

BTW was really impressed with the Foegele interview; he actually stated that he WANTED to come play with the Kings. Makes me glad that somebody wants to be here and help this organization make a run for the Cup.
Go Kings!!!

~ArkyKingsFan~
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I was pleasantly surprised with Foegele. I like the signing quite a bit, but he sounds genuine about wanting to be here and in his words help the team get farther in the playoffs. If he can provide any insight to the Oil all the better.
 
Clif said:
I legitimately like all these moves as well, and agreed the top 6 RW is needed.

Further, another top 6 center in two years when Kopi retires is questionable, and more immediately the top 4 LD. Holes and looming questions for sure, but if this season increases the compete and sets up a culture that already fosters some fight it’ll be a productive year. Would much rather Lee, Helenius and Ziemmer come into a system that already has snarl than have to rely on them as young 20-somethings to establish it.
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The more I think about it the more I think this summer was necessary. Basically a take your medicine moment for the organization. Blake tried to build a high skill roster playing a conservative, mucking, grinding, tight checking game. He’s given up the pretense of high skill and just built a big heavy team to play that same conservative grind em up game style, imo.

The upside is now there’s more character and the proper work ethic in the locker room. The team now has a fair bit of give a damn. This should lay the proper foundation for guys like Byfield, Spence and Clarke. Those 3 will make up the post-Kopi future and they need these values imprinted on them.
 
Statue4Deano said:
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.
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I can’t f***ing wait! Haven’t had this element since 2014 really, and the 3 years prior was a TON of fun!

FYI, the two guys on my current team that lead the league in penalty minutes are Mini Me and Me :)
 
On the latest podcast, Hoven said the Kings are done for now and need to sign Byfield and Spence next. I suppose that makes sense.

They interviewed Hiller and he made it sound like Kaliyev would be on the roster. Explained how Kaliyev's one-timer on the power play is being taken away by changes in defending power plays that teams are making.

I wouldn't necessary expect Kaliyev to be on the team just because Hiller said this. It's not like he can say in an interview that Kaliyev will be traded.

Mentioned that they may use Laferriere and/or Thomas on the power play as a right shot.
 
HeadInjury said:
On the latest podcast, Hoven said the Kings are done for now and need to sign Byfield and Spence next. I suppose that makes sense.

They interviewed Hiller and he made it sound like Kaliyev would be on the roster. Explained how Kaliyev's one-timer on the power play is being taken away by changes in defending power plays that teams are making.

I wouldn't necessary expect Kaliyev to be on the team just because Hiller said this. It's not like he can say in an interview that Kaliyev will be traded.

Mentioned that they may use Laferriere and/or Thomas on the power play as a right shot.
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I like Thomas on the PP. He’s got a fair bit more skill than Laf and he has a nose for the net.
 
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I believe Laf is going to surprise a lot of people on this board this coming season. He will be stronger, more consistent and has a higher ceiling than most of the newcomers. Players like Turcotte and Thomas have played in the Kings system for a while now and still could not break into the lineup. Laf just happy to be in camp, makes the big club. He has had a full year under his belt in this system and should do some good things next season.
 
Statue4Deano said:
The more I think about it the more I think this summer was necessary. Basically a take your medicine moment for the organization. Blake tried to build a high skill roster playing a conservative, mucking, grinding, tight checking game. He’s given up the pretense of high skill and just built a big heavy team to play that same conservative grind em up game style, imo.

The upside is now there’s more character and the proper work ethic in the locker room. The team now has a fair bit of give a damn. This should lay the proper foundation for guys like Byfield, Spence and Clarke. Those 3 will make up the post-Kopi future and they need these values imprinted on them.
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It’s how i’m taking it also. Feels like Blake has been fighting the Dean way since day 1. Dismissing size and kicking that can down the road has always been suspect. The spin around “playing big,” jeeze. Why I’m optimistic, even with Edmundson being sub optimal. It’s all part of a shift, and a needed one.
 
ICE24 said:
I believe Laf is going to surprise a lot of people on this board this coming season. He will be stronger, more consistent and has a higher ceiling than most of the newcomers. Players like Turcotte and Thomas have played in the Kings system for a while now and still could not break into the lineup. Laf just happy to be in camp, makes the big club. He has had a full year under his belt in this system and should do some good things next season.
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I agree, but Thomas did looked good in his first few games last season. I think both of those forwards could impress next year. Kings will need them to.
 
Clif said:
I was pleasantly surprised with Foegele. I like the signing quite a bit, but he sounds genuine about wanting to be here and in his words help the team get farther in the playoffs. If he can provide any insight to the Oil all the better.
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Translation: He's looking forward to the beaches.
 
Not free agency but the Oilers just traded for Matt Savoie. 20 year old #9 overall pick. And they only had to give up Ryan McLeod and Ty Tullio.

So the Oilers are getting smaller, faster and more skilled while the Kings get bigger, slower and grittier.

It’s gonna be a long season.
 
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