Statue4Deano
Super Star
It’s nice to have another “enigmatic” Russian on the team. It just feels right.
Friedman: Andrei Kuzmenko to LA
- Thread starter HeadInjury
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Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
cup =/= ours
Clif
Super Star
I’m really not familiar with his game. I hope he attempts wraparounds.
VCRW
Classic player
Blake didn’t have the cards… the Kuzmenko deal was the only sensible path until this summer. Even with Rackell, the Kings still wouldn’t have been strong enough to challenge Winnipeg, Vegas, Dallas, and Colorado - all of which just got even stronger.
emsomaso
The Swedish King
I read that Pittsburgh turned down an offer of a top prospect, a 1st and a 3rd round pick for Rackell. If that’s even remotely true, I’m VERY happy that Blake decided to pass…
Birdman
TEAM LGK
That’s short sighted. He’s a 30 goal scorer who plays top 6 minutes that’s under contract for 2 more years at a palatable $5M per season. Depends on who the prospect is, but if you can make that deal without taking away from the team on the Ice, it’s a no brainer.
Prospects are just that until they aren’t, and our drafting and development group hasn’t hit any home runs in a while, so why not?
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
Yeah but we suck trading for people too.
VCRW
Classic player
If there is one word that can be used to describe this year’s deadline deals, it’s overpayment. Team needs to be improved this summer, not during this frantic period. In light of the huge upgrades among the actual best teams in the West, Rackell would not have turned this struggling group into a contender.
emsomaso
The Swedish King
Because giving away Liam Greentree, a 1st and a 3rd round pick for Rackell still wouldn’t be enough to make us a serious contender. That’s why not…
And since Pittsburgh supposedly turned down an offer like that, it would have taken even more to get it done.
Add to that the fact that Rackell most likely wouldn’t hit 30 goal in Kings defense first system, it’s an even bigger reason not to do a deal like that IMO.
MonkeysUncle
Prospect
Heard he didn't want to come to La
Statue4Deano
Super Star
Rakell will be available this summer and his price drops every day that passes.
The smartest move was Blake keeping his powder dry at this deadline. Prices were ridiculous and there wasn’t one player available who would turn this squad into a contender including Rantanen.
If the Kings are going to continue to run Blake and Hiller’s defense first system it’s more important to get the right fit vs the best player available.
Priority #1 this off-season has to be turning Moore into a winger who fits this system better, ideally a right shot PP specialist. Everyone is thinking Kings will be after Marner and if that’s the case Moore’s 4.2M cap hit must go.
The smartest move was Blake keeping his powder dry at this deadline. Prices were ridiculous and there wasn’t one player available who would turn this squad into a contender including Rantanen.
If the Kings are going to continue to run Blake and Hiller’s defense first system it’s more important to get the right fit vs the best player available.
Priority #1 this off-season has to be turning Moore into a winger who fits this system better, ideally a right shot PP specialist. Everyone is thinking Kings will be after Marner and if that’s the case Moore’s 4.2M cap hit must go.
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hokiecat
Super Star
Exactly!!! It was an extreme sellers market. There is no reason to overpay, even if it is a hockey deal. Get some players this summer at the draft or in free agency.
This too! There was no need to blow out picks when we're not going to make it past Edmonton, Dallas, Colorado, etc.
I hope the Kings do as you say but I don't think Blake has much vision. He's not a terrible GM but not a great one either. Remember when we were awful and Toronto sent Marleau+ a first to Carolina to bury the salary? That is the kind of move Blake should have been making in that era.
But like you said, he needs to build a complete roster. This team has been without a top right-shot forward for nearly 2 seasons, ever since Vilardi was traded. I like Laffy but he's got 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 23 games. PP1 has some issues with slow players but get a freaking right shot PP specialist already!!! Also, how do you have an abundance of riches at RD (one of the harder positions to fill) and not move one to get a puck-moving LD year after year?
ICE24
Super Star
I'm so excited to see the Kuuz in the lineup tonight. This player is going to show the entire NHL, that this was the steal of the deadline. What a gem of a player. I'm on the edge of my seat and I have more than 5 hours away till puck drop. Blake pulled one off again. Amazing GM.
You've got to raise your hand!
You've got to raise your hand!
DarkLeftHand
Super Star
I agree with this sentiment, and it follows suit to the post I made yesterday about trading first round picks. If the cost was Chromiak, the 20th overall in the 60th overall pick, it’s certainly worth it to get acquire a winger who can score 30 goals at the NHL level, and Rackell has done exactly that 4 seasons in his career. He also had a strong playoff showing for the Ducks back in 14/15’. For all the clamoring about Greentree on this forum, we will honestly be quite lucky if he actually develops into a 30 goal, or .65PPG type player, just for comparisons sake. You guys slobber all over Byfield, and that’s basically the rate at which he’s producing, and that’s only if you count the last two seasons where his play has shown mild improvement from his first 80-100 games.
Hell yeah brother! MARCH TO THE PRESIDENTS TROPHY BITCHES
emsomaso
The Swedish King
From what I have read Pittsburgh was offered a top 35 league wide prospect. If that is true, talking about Chromiak as the one who would have sealed the deal for us is not exactly realistic…
JC6388LAKings
Super Star
Whoa, there, hold your horses. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still don't know if Kuz is going to fit in the Kings' system of hockey and that he could be a difference maker for this team. I'm not celebrating until the results are in.
