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.

 

[orpheus]

I have spent much of the offseason looking at some of the team's d-men and thinking...

 

[santiclaws]

imo he needs to be in the AHL next season - really crappy rule that he is not eligible to do so. Hopefully that changes soon.

It has changed, but only after next season

 

[Guinevere]

I haven’t read everything yet but it’s never too early to talk Kings hockey. Do we boo or do we cheer POS Perry?!?!?

 

[pray4mojo]

I haven’t read everything yet but it’s never too early to talk Kings hockey. Do we boo or do we cheer POS Perry?!?!?

I say we cheer, but then all admit we need to collectively take a shower for feeling so dirty.

 

[Nyssa42]

I haven’t read everything yet but it’s never too early to talk Kings hockey. Do we boo or do we cheer POS Perry?!?!?

I will NOT be cheering. Not even when he scores the Cup-winning goal.

 

[Nyssa42]

something to make us all feel really old

 

[symbology]

Looks about right but the Kings really need to ensure a few things:

1) Byfield completes the transition to becoming our L1 Center. I really think this means pairing him up with Kempe at some point this season. Also, Byfield needs to play a key role, and get consistent time, on the PP1. That may mean Kopitar eventually moving to PP2 and Clarke moving to PP1 at the some point this season.

2) Turcotte is given a key role in the top 9. Using him as a L4 center is bad news on multiple fronts (hinders his game, increases the chance of injury, doesn't give him a chance to shine by lacking a finisher on the line). I think Turcotte has already proven he is an every day NHL player. Now, as you said, he needs the chance to prove he is a top 9. Likely this means moving him to Danault's wing.

3) L4 needs to play physical. This means keeping Helenius in the lineup on the 4th line (where then, though, do you put Turcotte?)

4) Kings need to start the slow transition from Doughty to Clarke and ensure Clarke is given a portion of key moments / played in key situations. Full transition is likely 1-2 seasons away still, or possibly never depending on Clarke's development. If Clarke is going to be the future top D, we need to give him time on and off with Anderson this season.

Now if the Kings Org thinks they have put a Cup contender on the ice, likely none of these things happen.

My guess is that we see another season hampered by our HC's lack of foresight in an attempt to prove himself - Turcotte not getting a real shot to prove himself, unless a key injury arises, a slow transition from Kopitar to Byfield, leaving both lines looking largely the same, and Doughty continue to log heavy minutes and play the vast majority of key situations not allowing much development opportunity for Clarke.

I was going to post a lengthy reply. No need, I will just repost this ^^^^^^^

 

[DoubleMinor]

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.

I would not trade the guy who was the best player (by far) in the playoff series.

Kings are in a bit of a pickle though. Turcotte needs to be elevated to show what he is capable of, but there isn’t a spot for him other than the fourth line. So, either we waste a high first-round pick or we trade someone else. OR, the lines need to change so that Turcotte gets more minutes with good players.

If it’s a trade, the logical players are Danault (no), Moore, Foegele, Fiala (no), Laffy (no).
To me, I do not trade any of these guys unless the return is a top-four defenseman. Both Moore and Foegele are on favorable contracts. They both have value. Both are possible 20-goal scorers.

One thought is that I keep hearing how disappointing this roster is. But I don’t see holes or openings for the players we have.

 

[ICE24]

This team is cup ready.

 

[DryKing]

I would not trade the guy who was the best player (by far) in the playoff series.

Kings are in a bit of a pickle though. Turcotte needs to be elevated to show what he is capable of, but there isn’t a spot for him other than the fourth line. So, either we waste a high first-round pick or we trade someone else. OR, the lines need to change so that Turcotte gets more minutes with good players.

If it’s a trade, the logical players are Danault (no), Moore, Foegele, Fiala (no), Laffy (no).
To me, I do not trade any of these guys unless the return is a top-four defenseman. Both Moore and Foegele are on favorable contracts. They both have value. Both are possible 20-goal scorers.

One thought is that I keep hearing how disappointing this roster is. But I don’t see holes or openings for the players we have.

True, but that is largely due to our farm having largely been depleted. Essentially the talent we have ready to bring up isn't better than the talent we already have up...so it comes heavily down to do you favor experience or upside.

That is why I suggested Turcotte's best chance would be playing on Danault's wing for a season.

The Kings will probably be pressed, and potentially be tempted, to trade the one area of strength we have in our farm - one of the two top end goalie prospects. I really hope they fight this urge and let the two of them come up through the system and battle for the future starting role a few seasons from now.

 

[DoubleMinor]

True, but that is largely due to our farm having largely been depleted. Essentially the talent we have ready to bring up isn't better than the talent we already have up...so it comes heavily down to do you favor experience or upside.

That is why I suggested Turcotte's best chance would be playing on Danault's wing for a season.

The Kings will probably be pressed, and potentially be tempted, to trade the one area of strength we have in our farm - one of the two top end goalie prospects. I really hope they fight this urge and let the two of them come up through the system and battle for the future starting role a few seasons from now.

I suspect this is all true. In the recent past we have both been on record for Turcotte to get a bigger chance. And your comment recently about the Kuzmenko signing making it more difficult for Turcotte to get that chance.

I do wonder if a fourth line of Turcotte-Perry-Armia can produce enough to see that line getting more than the standard 6-8 minutes.

 

[Bollocks]

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.

This is a very good point.

If Byfield embraces the #1C role and Turcotte somehow gets a good chance and proves himself worth of a top 9 role, the Byfield-Danault-Turcotte center lineup doesn't look too bad at all considering the team would lose a player of Kopitar's stature. They all have the offensive and defensive prowess necessary for the way this team should play.


In a twisted way it would really suck if Greentree comes into the camp and proves himself worthy of a top 9 spot as that would put the Kings in a position to either send him back to juniors and risk stagnation or even regression OR force them into trading likely both Turcotte AND Moore.

I suspect this is all true. In the recent past we have both been on record for Turcotte to get a bigger chance. And your comment recently about the Kuzmenko signing making it more difficult for Turcotte to get that chance.

I do wonder if a fourth line of Turcotte-Perry-Armia can produce enough to see that line getting more than the standard 6-8 minutes.

Perhaps that's the plan for the regular season, with occasional swap with Helenius based on specific matchup where more toughness is needed, and maybe things are clearer come trade deadline and a more informed decision can be made...

I mean - I kinda doubt Ken would sign Armia and Perry to be 6-8min TOI players. Sure, Armia will definitely get PK time and Perry likely some PP time, but still...it would be foolish not to take advantage of above-average talent on the 4th line, especially when it comes to "lesser" teams.

 

[DryKing]

I suspect this is all true. In the recent past we have both been on record for Turcotte to get a bigger chance. And your comment recently about the Kuzmenko signing making it more difficult for Turcotte to get that chance.

I do wonder if a fourth line of Turcotte-Perry-Armia can produce enough to see that line getting more than the standard 6-8 minutes.

It will be an interesting line combination if this happens. Perry had a stellar SPCT last season (both in the regular season and playoffs) and has shown he can still be an effective goal scorer. I didn't watch him enough to be certain, but from what I saw he scored the majority of his goals deep in the zone / around the crease. Turcotte has been historically most effective on the rush and with quick carry and pass scenarios (including from behind the offensive zone net). They could really click together and do some positive things but the growth opportunity for Turcotte, in order to make it happen, will likely be in his ability to carry and sustain possession of the puck for longer durations than he has in the past (not just quick carry and dump). That will require an enhanced ability to absorb checks and stay on the puck.

If they click the way they potentially could, though, they are likely a 12-14 minute a night line.

This is a very good point.

If Byfield embraces the #1C role and Turcotte somehow gets a good chance and proves himself worth of a top 9 role, the Byfield-Danault-Turcotte center lineup doesn't look too bad at all considering the team would lose a player of Kopitar's stature. They all have the offensive and defensive prowess necessary for the way this team should play.


In a twisted way it would really suck if Greentree comes into the camp and proves himself worthy of a top 9 spot as that would put the Kings in a position to either send him back to juniors and risk stagnation or even regression OR force them into trading likely both Turcotte AND Moore.

Ideally a line with Greentree-Turcotte-Perry would be pretty fun to watch. I don't know enough about Armia, though, to know how much removing him from that line and replacing him with Greentree would impact it. From what I can see about Armia he looks like a Trevor Lewis type player (able to play all situations and good off the puck) but I've never really paid attention to him during games.

Perry, as much as I despise him, would be a good mentor for both Greentree and Turcotte and still has a scoring touch. Turcotte dangling high in the offensive zone, Perry infront of the crease and Greetree working the boards in theory could really work out (I'm assuming Armia, on this line, would be working the boards?)