Kempe Contract Watch Thread

[Clif]

I have a terrible feeling about this negotiation… this may be the last season for #9 in L.A. Holland wants McDavid and a big contract for Juice may be an obstacle.

I’m not at that stage yet because no other major UFA to be has signed yet either. Eichel hasn’t and there’s no way he’s going anywhere. I’d think the same with Panarin.

I’d put Kempe in a Connor bucket with WPG. Both teams need them in outsized ways and will need to pay more than they want to, but ultimately will have to accept that and get it done. It seems so obvious I’m frustrated it’s taking this long.

Agreed Holland is already eyeing McDavid. He also needs Kempe to help sell LA to him if a McDavid UFA actually happens.

 

[ICE24]

Regarding McDavid, yes he will bring in more fans, more celebrities, however, I don't see more wins.

 

[symbology]

I’m not at that stage yet because no other major UFA to be has signed yet either. Eichel hasn’t and there’s no way he’s going anywhere. I’d think the same with Panarin.

I’d put Kempe in a Connor bucket with WPG. Both teams need them in outsized ways and will need to pay more than they want to, but ultimately will have to accept that and get it done. It seems so obvious I’m frustrated it’s taking this long.

Agreed Holland is already eyeing McDavid. He also needs Kempe to help sell LA to him if a McDavid UFA actually happens.

Did you ever consider that Luc may have hired Holland to help bring McDavid to LA?

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Did you ever consider that Luc may have hired Holland to help bring McDavid to LA?

I believe several people have already mentioned this, and I also believe there is some truth to it. Will it happen? I think most of us Kings fans already know the answer to that, but I feel it was probably Luc’s intent when he hired Holland.

 

[Clif]

Did you ever consider that Luc may have hired Holland to help bring McDavid to LA?

I just figured Luc hired him because he had experience and didn’t want another rookie GM. And also because he won a Cup under him in DET.

But I suppose old Galaxy Brain is forward thinking enough in his 4D chess game to factor in a potential McDavid UFA craze.

 

[aragorn]

old Galaxy Brain is forward thinking...

Sounds like something Princess Leah would say.

 

[DryKing]

Regarding McDavid, yes he will bring in more fans, more celebrities, however, I don't see more wins.

Gotta disagree - I think he would absolutely bring more wins and very likely a Stanley Cup to LA if the Kings roster was anything like last season.

I really do not see any legitimate reason as to why he would want to come to the Kings, however, as by the time he does the Kings will be in transition and possibly even a rebuild depending on how the roster is managed. The main attraction I could see, at this point, is Byfield, Kempe and George all of which have some connection to McDavid. If they can draft or acquire a future long-term defensive standout then maybe they'd have a chance of landing him, but from a purely financial perspective other teams can offer more alluring contracts based on tax rates and other Organizations have shown a stronger desire to win and be competitive year over year (such as Vegas).

My lean is that the Kings should focus on signing/acquiring Necas next season.

Also the Kings need to extend Kempe asap. They've had him on a home town discount for several seasons now and it's time to pay the man. For a team who can't manage to sign FA stars, they sure seem to lack perspective on how valuable Kempe truly is to the Organization.