Gallant or Beaudreau?

[DryKing]

I doubt that's due to Holland being a genius though...

I honestly won't be sold on Ken until he improves our prospect pool while still driving the the team on the ice forward (to at least a 2nd round playoff victory). It gives me hope, though, that despite trading away our top prospect in order to improve the team for the next 1-3 seasons, he hasn't completely gutted what little farm talent we have.

This leads me to believe that despite being in a win-now mentality, he is savvy enough to play the game at a deeper level and know he cannot fully mortgage away the teams future in the process.

 

[Bollocks]

Marner was out of his control. And using that as mark against him is just bad faith.

You must not read any other hockey media that absolutely lambasted Drury for getting so little.

I don’t know that Holland will make the right changes to this team to the extent it can win any rounds the next two seasons much less seriously compete. It may even be too late. The assets are limited. But I’m not going to downplay clear successes for what they are.

I wasn't trying to diss Ken regarding Marner, though I remember those who were fans of this hire were hopeful because he has connections and reputation to offset the undesirability of LA for top FAs. I wanted to point out he hasn't made any wow moves so far that would convince me he's going to be a significantly better GM than Rob, results wise.

Regarding Panarin - that's basically my point. It was more Drury being a whimp and Panarin taking advantage of him more so than Ken (who only got the opportunity after Panarin failed to force himself on two other teams before it was LA's turn). Ken took advantage of the right opportunity so he gets a + in that regard for sure, but it's not like he moved mountains to achieve it, or somehow mind tricked a GM into a very lopsided trade.

If Panarin doesn't want to come to LA, what does Ken do in that case? That kind of situation would be more telling about his ability as a GM.

Roster wise, he assembled slow and predictable D corps with big and difficult to move contracts. I wonder if he'll attempt to fix that during the offseason...

 

[Bollocks]

I honestly won't be sold on Ken until he improves our prospect pool while still driving the the team on the ice forward (to at least a 2nd round playoff victory). It gives me hope, though, that despite trading away our top prospect in order to improve the team for the next 1-3 seasons, he hasn't completely gutted what little farm talent we have.

This leads me to believe that despite being in a win-now mentality, he is savvy enough to play the game at a deeper level and know he cannot fully mortgage away the teams future in the process.

In order to do that he'd have to trade upcoming UFAs Kuz and Perry this season as it's extremely unlikely the Kings do any damage whatsoever in the playoffs after losing Fiala to injury. I have a feeling he won't do that. Trading Foegele should be an option too. Another UFA signing traded for a pick. That's easily three 2nd round picks "for free". Maybe even more, it's a sellers market.

If he would be savvy he'd also make an under the table deal with Kuz that he'd sign again with LA after he nets the Kings a good draft pick at the deadline in order to team up with Breadman next season.

Also, it would be wise to use the remaining of this seasom to give a proper, long look to some of the young players. Lee, Ward, maybe Connors or Chromiak...maybe trade Forsberg too and gice Portillo a shot at a permanent backup spot.

Yoi can't improve the org.depth without trading players away for picks/prospects and replacing them within with successful development projects and with new UFA signings, AND try to win at the same time.

 

[DryKing]

In order to do that he'd have to trade upcoming UFAs Kuz and Perry this season as it's extremely unlikely the Kings do any damage whatsoever in the playoffs after losing Fiala to injury. I have a feeling he won't do that. Trading Foegele should be an option too. Another UFA signing traded for a pick. That's easily three 2nd round picks "for free". Maybe even more, it's a sellers market.

If he would be savvy he'd also make an under the table deal with Kuz that he'd sign again with LA after he nets the Kings a good draft pick at the deadline in order to team up with Breadman next season.

Agreed, though I could go either way in regards to trading Kuz. I've been watching Kuz closely this season and really think we should keep and extend him. I get what you saying about a backroom agreement, but it's not worth the risk (imo) and I'd prefer the Kings keep things above board.

Trading Perry at the deadline should have always been the plan, with the exception of the Kings emerging as a contender this season (which they have not). I think there is room to move a couple more vet forwards at the deadline as well, either for draft picks or prospects.

On D I think we are pretty stuck with the only movable contracts, which could net us solid returns, being the ones we do not want to move (Clarke and Anderson).