It’s deadline season!

DryKing said:
Well if it's between a 1st line winger or shutdown center, I will vote for winger but we know Kopitar's line won't really be L1.

Personally I think Hiller has pulled the wool over everyone's eyes by how improperly he has used Q. There is zero reason why Q should not be centering a line with Kempe, as the two have shown a great deal of chemistry and success together. Instead the go-to is to line him up with bottom 6 forwards and see how it goes. Now he moves him to wing with Kopitar who can't keep up with him (no slight on Kopi) as though Hiller is punishing him for his own shortcomings as a coach.

All of this misuse has gotten the fanbase to question the skill of Byfield, and rightfully so as the success we expect him to have has not materialized.

I will also note that Byfield did receive a Selke vote last season and likely would receive multiple this season. You are spot on about his faceoff percentage needing to improve, but under any competent coach I have zero doubt he is pushing 60-70 points this season. As stands, he remains 3rd on the team in scoring and 1st out of centers, while only getting a chance to play with our top winger in overtime.
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Byfield plays the hardest minutes of any center and still has the most points. If anyone on this team was offensively dynamic this season Byfield would look pretty poor. Instead, he’s scoring about as much as this outdated system (and pylon D) is allowing anyone to score. By the way, he rarely is on the ice with Clarke. Which brings us to:

…Hiller is punishing him for his own shortcomings as a coach.
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All of this misuse has gotten the fanbase to question the skill of Byfield, and rightfully so as the success we expect him to have has not materialized.
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I couldn’t say it any better. We are all tired of saying next year is the year with Byfield. But if we all recognize what a failure Hiller from the playoffs on, we have to understand a lot of Byfield’s offensive failure rests on Hiller.

And now after excelling as the defensive center Hiller forced him to be, Hiller is yanking him around some more and saying he can’t play with the new dynamic winger the team just got and in fact go up and get babysat by Kopi some more. Brilliant man. Just awe inspiring.
 
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DryKing said:
Agreed, plus adding a guy like Panarin helps attract talent in free agency and possible NMC waivers for trades. Ken may be playing chess here - time will tell. Worst case it helps to add a 2 season buffer while the right pieces come together.

To Jom's point, I would rather see them focus on increasing the prospect pool and building from within but obviously that's not the direction the Organization is choosing to go in.
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Vegas has shown you don't need to do that. Trade picks, prospects, players and get top line guys like Eichel, Stone, Hertl...they are all about winning today and will address tomorrow with more trades, getting rid of more picks and current roster players. I didn't think it was sustainable and maybe it will catch up with them...but it hasn't yet. Even if it does, I'd rather have multiple years as a contender and then suck for a few years than being mid for 10+ years.
 
DryKing said:
Personally I think he is a better Center than a Wing, but both you and @VCRW make valid points.
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I can’t agree that he is a better center than a wing. As a center he plays more like a wing. He does not make his linemates better often enough by being a facilitator. Q’s assist numbers are pretty anemic when compared to his average TOI. He spends far too much o-zone time chasing the puck and getting bogged down on the boards. His positioning in the d-zone is too often questionable and damaging (as his -6 number shows). I repeat my statement that QB’s future success in the NHL will come from playing LW.
 
ICE24 said:
That's a tough schedule. Knights should be a loss, Oilers most likely a loss. Flames definitely a loss. Avs, not a chance. Islanders a possibility. I wonder if the Avs could use a player like Perry?
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Knights are missing Stone, Eichel, Marner and Hanafin...so totally a trap game for the Kings now. One they should win but who knows with this team. Panarin hatty incoming :ROFLMAO:
 
LAKingSteve said:
Knights are missing Stone, Eichel, Marner and Hanafin...so totally a trap game for the Kings now. One they should win but who knows with this team. Panarin hatty incoming :ROFLMAO:
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What the heck are Stone and Marner doing missing this game. They went straight home after their olympic loss. I understand why the other two are not playing.
 
I think the Kings need a right shot Center. But before the Kings make any trades they need to decide if Byfield is a LW or C, and if Laffy's a C or RW. And not just for this season but from now on until they're no longer on the team. If they want to keep Laffy at center then they don't need to trade for one. Unless Byfield is also staying at LW. In which case they do need a center. But maybe a left shot & could also wait until the off season.

Also, friday 3/6 is the trade deadline. That means we have to win 3 of the next 4 games to be on a 90 point pace, which is a likely playoff spot. They also need a puck moving LD. But I don't think they think they need that. Which is a huge mistake. We also have the Hiller problem. He's not the right coach for this team. He's not going to get us into the playoffs. And he's not going to deploy any of the players in the lineup or in roles that make any sense for them. Everyone's going to look like underachievers as long as he's the coach. And I don't know why management can't see this & are wasting this season.
 
Dr. Tran said:
I think the Kings need a right shot Center. But before the Kings make any trades they need to decide if Byfield is a LW or C, and if Laffy's a C or RW. And not just for this season but from now on until they're no longer on the team. If they want to keep Laffy at center then they don't need to trade for one. Unless Byfield is also staying at LW. In which case they do need a center. But maybe a left shot & could also wait until the off season.

Also, friday 3/6 is the trade deadline. That means we have to win 3 of the next 4 games to be on a 90 point pace, which is a likely playoff spot. They also need a puck moving LD. But I don't think they think they need that. Which is a huge mistake. We also have the Hiller problem. He's not the right coach for this team. He's not going to get us into the playoffs. And he's not going to deploy any of the players in the lineup or in roles that make any sense for them. Everyone's going to look like underachievers as long as he's the coach. And I don't know why management can't see this & are wasting this season.
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Holland has nothing to lose, he's going all in. By the time he's done, this organization will be a mess. The only hope is that the Kings go on a losing streak which they are on right now which is currently 4 games. Does Holland buy if the streak gets to 7 losses in a row?
 
ICE24 said:
Holland has nothing to lose, he's going all in. By the time he's done, this organization will be a mess. The only hope is that the Kings go on a losing streak which they are on right now which is currently 4 games. Does Holland buy if the streak gets to 7 losses in a row?
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Would rather Holland sell… just 1 guy. He wears #8…
 
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dneprovec said:
if Laine for Byfield works with contract difference do it yesterday.
the only problem he's after surgery and didn't play since October
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Hm, maybe a couple of years ago, but at this point, I think Laine is closer to being out of the league, than he is to being a 35 goal scorer. Now, if we were talking about swapping for a guy like Shane wright, who still has some projected upside, I might be in agreement with you.

If Montreal really wants to be rid of Laine and would take back a -productive- player like Trevor Moore, that might be worth the gamble to acquire a niche PP specialist like Laine. We really, desperately need more dangerous facets to our power play. Especially given the lopsided-ness of the contract situations, with Laine being a pure rental, and Moore having two more seasons left on his contract at a relatively low number. To be clear, this is not because I think we need to move Moore, I actually like what he brings, but our PP is so NO dimensional, that even a decent uptick there would probably have won us 5-7 more games in regulation this year. Imagine having a couple of PP goals during any of the last four playoff matches against Edmonton? Lots of what ifs there, of course, and gambling on a guy who should probably be stapled to the bench for the majority of a game, barring the man advantage, is definitely a stretch, but…
 
This Laine trade rumour angers up my blood. Just thinking Kings would give up any value for that guy.
If Montreal is that desperate. ask for one of their 2nd round picks in addition (they have 3), ~1 M retained salary and give them Foegele and a non-roster player. That'll give MTL some cap room to go after someone else.
Problem is Laine isn't expected to play before the deadline so, no idea when he'll be ready.
There have been odd occurrences — like Laine practicing in non-typical roles (even skating on defense in drills) — which some analysts see as a sign he may not fit into Montreal’s plan and may be desperate to get rid of him.
 
Dr. Tran said:
I think the Kings need a right shot Center. But before the Kings make any trades they need to decide if Byfield is a LW or C, and if Laffy's a C or RW. And not just for this season but from now on until they're no longer on the team. If they want to keep Laffy at center then they don't need to trade for one. Unless Byfield is also staying at LW. In which case they do need a center. But maybe a left shot & could also wait until the off season.

Also, friday 3/6 is the trade deadline. That means we have to win 3 of the next 4 games to be on a 90 point pace, which is a likely playoff spot. They also need a puck moving LD. But I don't think they think they need that. Which is a huge mistake. We also have the Hiller problem. He's not the right coach for this team. He's not going to get us into the playoffs. And he's not going to deploy any of the players in the lineup or in roles that make any sense for them. Everyone's going to look like underachievers as long as he's the coach. And I don't know why management can't see this & are wasting this season.
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I was dismayed at QB not paired with Pan.
But I found out Pan likes a right shot C, so yes we need one.
Hiller should never have mentioned it to the media.
Right shot 1c are scarce.
Sign Coyle FA, call his agents and tell him all I can say is hi, right now from LA, KH.
Laffy is regressing at C and will go back to w if we get what you prescribe, lol.
The Kings needed to get points vs. Vegas sans 5 Olympians.
Nail in the coffin.
Season over.
Felt that way after Fiala.
DOn't give away picks or prospect.
Trade Kuemper for a haul.
 
McSorleyFan said:
This Laine trade rumour angers up my blood. Just thinking Kings would give up any value for that guy.
If Montreal is that desperate. ask for one of their 2nd round picks in addition (they have 3), ~1 M retained salary and give them Foegele and a non-roster player. That'll give MTL some cap room to go after someone else.
Problem is Laine isn't expected to play before the deadline so, no idea when he'll be ready.
There have been odd occurrences — like Laine practicing in non-typical roles (even skating on defense in drills) — which some analysts see as a sign he may not fit into Montreal’s plan and may be desperate to get rid of him.
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It really seems like Laine is one step away from being cooked in the league. It's nice to dream about his upside and the potential of him getting back to form, but I believe he has a low probability of getting there. That said, he could still be a valuable specialist/role player provided his attitude/ego allows it.

All the same, I wouldn't trade assets to pick up Laine - rather Montreal would likely need to incentivize a team to take him (especially as he is a FA at the end of the season). Perhaps they could retain salary and get a mid round pick for him, but who knows given the impact potential he has on the locker room.

  • Recent Concerns (Montreal): As of early 2025, reports indicated concerns about his mental and physical state, describing him as "grumbling," isolated, and showing poor body language during practices.
  • History of Character Concerns: Throughout his career, there have been, often unsourced, rumors of a "bad attitude" or being a "locker room" issue. Reports in 2021 suggested a "toxic environment" led to his departure from Winnipeg.
  • Inconsistency and Effort: He has been criticized for poor backchecking and low effort on the ice, leading to reduced ice time.
  • Style of Play: Critics describe his style as "nonchalant" and "less involved," noting his performance drops significantly when he isn't scoring.
  • Defense/Support: Some fans and analysts defend him, highlighting his immense scoring talent, the impact of injuries, and the possibility that the negativity around him is excessive.
 
DryKing said:
It really seems like Laine is one step away from being cooked in the league. It's nice to dream about his upside and the potential of him getting back to form, but I believe he has a low probability of getting there. That said, he could still be a valuable specialist/role player provided his attitude/ego allows it.

All the same, I wouldn't trade assets to pick up Laine - rather Montreal would likely need to incentivize a team to take him (especially as he is a FA at the end of the season). Perhaps they could retain salary and get a mid round pick for him, but who knows given the impact potential he has on the locker room.

  • Recent Concerns (Montreal): As of early 2025, reports indicated concerns about his mental and physical state, describing him as "grumbling," isolated, and showing poor body language during practices.
  • History of Character Concerns: Throughout his career, there have been, often unsourced, rumors of a "bad attitude" or being a "locker room" issue. Reports in 2021 suggested a "toxic environment" led to his departure from Winnipeg.
  • Inconsistency and Effort: He has been criticized for poor backchecking and low effort on the ice, leading to reduced ice time.
  • Style of Play: Critics describe his style as "nonchalant" and "less involved," noting his performance drops significantly when he isn't scoring.
  • Defense/Support: Some fans and analysts defend him, highlighting his immense scoring talent, the impact of injuries, and the possibility that the negativity around him is excessive.
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Thought the Kings already pivoted and don't see fit here
 
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