Is Matt Roy Gone?

[Statue4Deano]

That Blake is reportedly still meeting with Roy’s camp says as much, yeah. Would rather Blake accepts it’s time to move on from Roy rather than try and sign and get priced out, treating Spence like a fallback.

Will say this much, I agree this team with its current roster is still better than what it produced last year given some adjustments like you’ve said. And if they manage to somehow win a round or two over the next two years then they don’t need to be a contender now. That’s a great scenario for the young kids to develop and the older players alike to lift some spirits.

At this point I wouldn’t even be all that surprised if Blake gives Roy an 8 year deal and Clarke plays the majority of next season in Ontario.

I still think he uses the 1st round pick this year to get the big money goalie he’s been chasing for years.

The longer Blake runs the team the more I’m convinced he wants his team to be the 98 Dallas Stars.

 

[Clif]

At this point I wouldn’t even be all that surprised if Blake gives Roy an 8 year deal and Clarke plays the majority of next season in Ontario.

I still think he uses the 1st round pick this year to get the big money goalie he’s been chasing for years.

The longer Blake runs the team the more I’m convinced he wants his team to be the 98 Dallas Stars.

If that’s our reality, then ever since the Quick trade, which was followed up by you know what, we are sober sitters concerned if Blake is able to drive. Cool.

 

[Statue4Deano]

He's played in 4 RS games this season and proved nothing so far. He's not their playoff joker. What makes Shane so confident that he's a steal?

IMO Moverare is a better bet for our long term LD need due to his bigger frame and AHL success.

The sad fact is just that TB hit a development plateau very early on in his career and failed to crack an NHL lineup that needed a 3rd pairing LD with good puck moving skills badly. It's not like the Kings tried to make him into an enforcer.

That made his trade value zero and I doubt the Kings would be able to cash anything in on him, considering Vegas put him on waivers shortly after claiming him, too.

Florida picked up Gustav Forsling off waivers as a 24 year old d man whose development plateaued for Chicago, Vancouver and Carolina. Not saying Bjornfot will be as good as Forsling but Florida likes something about him.

 

[hokiecat]

Florida picked up Gustav Forsling off waivers as a 24 year old d man whose development plateaued for Chicago, Vancouver and Carolina. Not saying Bjornfot will be as good as Forsling but Florida likes something about him.

I don't see TB as a legit NHL player. But Florida has worked miracles with OEL as well; so I wouldn't count their staff out when it comes to rehabbing a player.
I'd still keep Moverare 99 times out of 100 though. Some first round picks are just busts who fail to grow and some mid round picks, like Roy and Mikey, turn into top 4 guys. TB feels like sunk cost fallacy.

 

[symbology]

I have been fine with Roy. He’s been pretty solid and consistent.
Before the playoff series I was beginning to think it was his swan sing due to free agency. After the series I was firmly convinced that he would move on.
His playoff series performance was not good. And it certainly wasn’t worthy of a long and expensive contract.
He will get some serious offers in dollars and term, well beyond what he is worth. That’s Free Agency.
I would be OK keeping Roy at $4M or so. But he will sign for more than that. And he’s just not worth it.

I don’t think Clarke is ready for anything more than third-pair and PP time. And I don’t think Spence is ready for second-pair yet or perhaps ever.
That’s the conundrum.

Clarke has to start playing in the NHL. It’s gonna be a learning curve for him. But at some point you gotta start the process.

What I think needs to happen is probably a trade or two that sends Spence out and we get a solid righty D for 2-3 years, either via trade or FA. Who that is, I can’t even guess. But this would avoid a stupid payday for Roy, get Clarke in the Kings lineup, and a seat warmer on the second-pair.

Now, I also think there needs to be a move with the third pair …Englund is just not enough. I like that he’s big and mean. But I don’t like that he is slow as molasses and makes some rather dumb decisions. Clarke would need a less erratic partner.
The guy who I would be tempted to pair with Clarke is Martinez. Yep, he’s old and has a ton of mileage. But he could surely be a great mentor. And god knows we could use someone (anyone) who is interested in blocking shots.

That’s my take. While I don’t dislike Roy as a #2 D, I can’t believe he’s vital to the point of overpayment.

I agree with much of this.

Roy at times in the first half of the season (and especially when the Kings were struggling) was pushing the offense to much. He was leaving Gavi hanging out to dry. A few times a game he was trying to lead the rush when he should not have been. If you recall Doughty calling out someone on the team for "caring only about points"? Most folks think that was aimed at Fiala who had not been playing well and making mistakes. I on the other hand think it was directed at Roy. Right after that comment Roy's lust for offense dropped considerably.

I agree about Clarke

I disagree about Spence. He is fine now and as he gains some strength he is going to be very solid offensive defensemen.

Agree about Englund and would not mind Marty being a mentor.

 

[symbology]

Is this team a contender? Seems no one here thinks that. So play Clarke and Spence both next year and let them develop.

Not the worst idea.

 

[Hipcheck]

Trading Roy at the deadline would have been a huge F U to the entire team. "You guys suck, we don't trust you, you're gonna lose anyway and we're giving up on you." Horrible, horrible message to send which will poison your team not just this season but for years. Teams going into the playoffs add players, never subtract. Name one team in the last five years which was in playoff position and traded away a top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman for picks at the deadline. Even a top 9 forward or top 6 defenseman. It's not done. There's a reason for that.

So they don’t win any games as opposed to one they managed to win in OT. Yes hindsight is 2020 but realizing the hand you’ve been dealt and playing it accordingly is part of what a GM is supposed to do.

The reality is Blake should have traded him before the season started to get a true left-handed defenseman in lieu of AHL journeymen Englund- who statistically was the worst defenseman on the league and also happened to be the same guy that threw the cheap shot elbow that gave Turcotte a concussion in the AHL playoffs.

The idea that we had a wealth of riches at right hand, defenseman and Blake never managed to get a true lefty is another example.

 

[symbology]

Trading Roy at the deadline would have been a huge F U to the entire team. "You guys suck, we don't trust you, you're gonna lose anyway and we're giving up on you." Horrible, horrible message to send which will poison your team not just this season but for years. Teams going into the playoffs add players, never subtract. Name one team in the last five years which was in playoff position and traded away a top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman for picks at the deadline. Even a top 9 forward or top 6 defenseman. It's not done. There's a reason for that.

My "dream" would have been to move Roy at the draft for riches and try to acquire a good PM LHD from another team. It probably would not have been an equal trade in the end and cost the Kings more assets, but it was one of the upgrades I wanted the Kings to make.

 

[hokiecat]

Roster management, what's that?
RD is among the tougher positions to fill and the Kings have will burn through an entire roster's worth in 12 months with Durzi, Roy, and Walker leaving LA at fire sale prices.

 

[McSorleyFan]

I look at it as not trading Roy or Arvidsson were Blake's "deadline" moves. Where teams bring in guys on their last year of a contract for a playoff run, Blake did it with guys on his roster, not giving up young talent or picks.
Now they'll be gone next season and either Blake will call up some AHL talent or bring in someone on the cheap.
Either way, it doesn't get Kings over the hump with their playoff 1st round problems.
He can try to patch the goalie hole with this savings in $ or save it for the guys coming up RFA.
I don't see Kings as contenders for a while.

 

[ICE24]

Kings need three lottery picks in the coming years and hopefully the Kings brass does not mess this up. Kopitar and Doughty will be gone so they will need to fill the void. Unfortunately, I believe they will be in the middle of the pack for a few more years and then drop to one of the lottery picks. As they start dropping, start trading players that still have value.

 

[F**e_Off]

Man, it sounds like "the future's so dark I've gotta wear night vision goggles".

 

[hokiecat]

Man, it sounds like "the future's so dark I've gotta wear night vision goggles".

The future feels very high floor, low ceiling to me. Kings will be a playoff team but not a top Cup contender.

 

[DryKing]

Kings need three lottery picks in the coming years and hopefully the Kings brass does not mess this up. Kopitar and Doughty will be gone so they will need to fill the void. Unfortunately, I believe they will be in the middle of the pack for a few more years and then drop to one of the lottery picks. As they start dropping, start trading players that still have value.

This is exactly why we shouldn't be trading 1st/2nd round picks - we need to get talent in the pipeline now to be ready when these two retire. If we do that, we should actually get better when Kopitar and Doughty retire (based on the cap space it will free up and where they project to be in the lineup the season before retirement) rather than worse.

Until we start better managing our finances, however, the Kings will always be doomed to fall short unless they hit the lottery.

Side question: I doubt Doughty retires in 27/28 so what reasonably do we think it will take to resign him (as it currently seems unlikely Blake, if still here, won't resign him).

 

[ICE24]

This is exactly why we shouldn't be trading 1st/2nd round picks - we need to get talent in the pipeline now to be ready when these two retire. If we do that, we should actually get better when Kopitar and Doughty retire (based on the cap space it will free up and where they project to be in the lineup the season before retirement) rather than worse.

Until we start better managing our finances, however, the Kings will always be doomed to fall short unless they hit the lottery.

Side question: I doubt Doughty retires in 27/28 so what reasonably do we think it will take to resign him (as it currently seems unlikely Blake, if still here, won't resign him).

It's crazy how our pipeline looked years ago, #1 pipeline and now it's mediocre at best and none of the #1 pipeline has merged onto the Kings. Yes, Kings prospects have done well for other teams. I agree, Kings can't trade picks anymore. I also do not see the Kings making the playoffs next season with other teams getting better. St. Louis will be in, and the Kings will be lurking on the outside. I am OK with that, since they can't compete further than the 1st round. I like Byfield and Laffy as they are only going to get better. Not sure what Doughty will sign for, however if they keep playing the minutes he has been, he will have not much left in the tank.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

I’d say that last bit sums up why Roy doesn’t exactly fit the Kings current blue line. His value is maximized playing next to a d-man who produces offense. The Kings don’t have anyone like that to pair him with unless you want Doughty to play on the left side for the first time in his 15 year career.

Love Drew, but honestly don't think he could be trusted to tell his left from right on the ice after 30 years of hockey on the right.

 

[HockeyFan33]

Roy is as good, or possibly better, than Gavrikov who we signed at $5.875 AAV, so I'm not following the logic of Roy only be worth $4m. I do agree that he will likely get an over payment offer in free agency, however.

Clarke is a tough one as I agree he needs time in the NHL but physically he really isn't yet ready. The alternative, however, is to keep him for another year in the AHL but that really stunts his growth so I really hope the Kings get him a good partner. Totally agree that Martinez would be an ideal fit with him and it would be great for Martinez to retire as a King.

To me in no way should we trade Spence, especially if we lose Roy in the offseason. Spence is a special player who, when he physically matures more and builds experience, will turn out to be a gem despite being a bit undersized.

Also agree that we need to upgrade Englund and/or possibly convert him to a 4th line forward. It'll be interesting to see what our 4th line looks like next season with the possible exits of Grundstrom, Lizzotte and Lewis.

I hate to see Lizotte go.....he was our only "enforcer."

 

[Hipcheck]

Nm

 

[2LeftSkates]

Spence is potentially the better player a couple of years down the road and he will be dramatically cheaper. He's the better offensive player already. You need players outperforming their contracts if you hope to make any noise in the playoffs. I'd keep Spence, and the cap space which that frees up, between the two of them.

The other option, if they somehow manage to sign Roy, would be to move Gavy and put Spence or Roy at LD, but I don't know how realistic that would be.

I wish I was as high on Spence. It seems he turns the puck over in his own zone a lot, and for an "offensive" defenseman type, he'll need to shoot the puck on net quite a more. He seems to think the net is the size of a big red barn. And Roy was better offensively with 5g 20A while Spence was 2g 22A. Hopefully Spence will become more of a driver of offense in the future but he's not there yet.

 

[Statue4Deano]

I wish I was as high on Spence. It seems he turns the puck over in his own zone a lot, and for an "offensive" defenseman type, he'll need to shoot the puck on net quite a more. He seems to think the net is the size of a big red barn. And Roy was better offensively with 5g 20A while Spence was 2g 22A. Hopefully Spence will become more of a driver of offense in the future but he's not there yet.

This is true for the majority of the season for Spence. I believe it was a result of having to babysit his very limited partner all season. He came in playing things as safely as possible. But I saw a distinct change in his game as the playoffs approached and then once the playoffs started his game soared. I thought he was excellent against the Oilers. He showed real flashes of a Top 4 dman.