Is It Too Early To Start Talking About Hockey?

[ICE24]

The general consensus seems to believe that the Kings fail to make the playoffs, after the summer of nothing. I will watch the season, however, with zero expectations, which makes the losses easier to accept.

I just hope they eliminate the Dad’s road trip, after getting abused last season.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

Turcotte is the best candidate for a big "upside swing" (outside of QB potentially), he absolutely has to be given an opportunity. It's risky, but the team as is, is just not good enough. A breakout year from Turcotte can change that.

You have to look into dealing Danault and moving Turcotte to 3C. Very risky indeed, but you have to swing for the fences here. If it doesn't work out, so it goes...Phil could bring in a couple nice young pieces as it is. He's on a good contract and many teams would love to have him.

It'll never happen but it's what I would do. At worst it happens next year when Kopi is gone, but I think it's something you do now. Phil is losing a step as I write this post...time to swing for the fences...last hurrah for Kopi...

 

[Clif]

I'm with you and liked Malott also. I think he proved himself to be a solid 4th line player. Looks like his shot may come next season, or based on injury, given the off-season signings that took place. I actually think he was more effective than Lee, but Lee has more potential upside.

Without Jeannot the Kings lose that scary guy on the ice, so that makes a good case for Malott. However, he won’t play every or even most nights. As you said Lee has more upside so is it even worth sending him down or losing him on waivers for Malott?

On another hand it’d help to have Helenius center the fourth line every night both for his own development and for more size and hitting in the lineup. But then there’s Turcotte…

I believe it’s a matter of time for when Moore gets traded. I know it would feel rushed if that time was now, but it’s gotta happen eventually unless Turc is moved instead.

Turcotte is the best candidate for a big "upside swing" (outside of QB potentially), he absolutely has to be given an opportunity. It's risky, but the team as is, is just not good enough. A breakout year from Turcotte can change that.

You have to look into dealing Danault and moving Turcotte to 3C. Very risky indeed, but you have to swing for the fences here. If it doesn't work out, so it goes...Phil could bring in a couple nice young pieces as it is. He's on a good contract and many teams would love to have him.

It'll never happen but it's what I would do. At worst it happens next year when Kopi is gone, but I think it's something you do now. Phil is losing a step as I write this post...time to swing for the fences...last hurrah for Kopi...

The risky move that makes sense is trading Moore and letting Turcotte play next to Phil, or give Greentree a legit chance to make it. Won’t happen either, but losing Phil when you’re already losing Kopi is beyond risky and belongs in an entirely different category.

 

[DryKing]

The risky move that makes sense is trading Moore and letting Turcotte play next to Phil, or give Greentree a legit chance to make it. Won’t happen either, but losing Phil when you’re already losing Kopi is beyond risky and belongs in an entirely different category.

Considering Kopi is set to retire next season, I prefer your suggestion of moving Moore rather than Danault. Moving Danault leaves us short a center, once Kopi retires, and we really don't have anyone in the farm close to being ready (or impactful at the NHL level). Danault is on a good contract and absolutely turned it on last playoff season. Between his skating and defensive play, he projects to be an effective center for several seasons to come. To me, he's a keeper.

Moore is a good player and I'd ideally like to see the Kings keep him - but out of the players on the roster with value, he is currently the most expendable on a team strong in forward defensive play and weak on goal scorers and the ability to facilitate offense from the blue line.