Kempe, RFA

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based strictly on the fact we dont have anyone with as cool as a nick name as juice ... i say we keep him
 
VCRW said:
If he scores 25-30, then Kempe becomes worth more than Iafallo on a bridge deal, but not a lot more.

Maybe $4.5 - $4.75 million for 2 years and say "Okay. Back it up. Show us you're a gamebreaker."
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He's also a RFA. So Blake holds the cards here. Either sign him to a long term deal that we like, or a bridge deal, or let some other team sign him and we can decide if we want to match or take the picks. Kempe's offensive game has really taken off this season. His defense is a little looser but it isn't like the Kings are the Oilers. We have plenty of other forwards who are very responsible defensively.
 
For those keeping score at home, Kempe has passed Kopitar for point shares as a forward. He's behind only Doughty (very good this year) and Roy (I'll keep repeating that he's secretly really good until the board gets the message). Give Adrian the Iafallo offer before it is too late!
 
hokiecat said:
Give Adrian the Iafallo offer before it is too late!
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FWIW, on the recent KotP, Blake basically said they dont really try and work out extensions for RFA's mid season. With that said, he also said he wasnt worried about his own extension and that they'd probably get something worked out at the end of the year. Lo and behold, a few days later...
 
hokiecat said:
He's also a RFA. So Blake holds the cards here. Either sign him to a long term deal that we like, or a bridge deal, or let some other team sign him and we can decide if we want to match or take the picks. Kempe's offensive game has really taken off this season. His defense is a little looser but it isn't like the Kings are the Oilers. We have plenty of other forwards who are very responsible defensively.
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If you ask the coach, TM will tell you Kempe is one of the most defensively responsible forwards. Both Kempe and Kopitar have picked up a few meaningless "minuses" due to the Kings frustration when they pull the goalie and then get scored on. So happy Drew and Kopi let Juice take the long shot at the empty net last night!
 
aaron said:
Is this the commonly held belief?

At $2M he's a cheap wing who can score 15-15-30, with good possession metrics. At age 25, he's probably reached full potential.
To me, he's trade bait.
If re-signed, I'm not going over 2 years, $3M/per.

I'm not in the Kempe business long term.
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This assessment hasn't aged too well... With some guys it just takes a little longer for the light to shine.

In his NHL career, Kempe has had 3 coaches, has played all 3 forward positions, and has played with more different line mates than any other forward. But the Adrian Kempe who finally emerged last season when he settled in as a winger is now the top offensive talent on the team. It would have to be a real blockbuster trade to justify moving him.
 
I've been wrong before. But I'm not ready to change my mind after 30 days.
Especially one shooting 15% (10% career) and almost no primary assists.

So interesting development, but not sold.
 
I'm finally seeing more goals and less lazy penalties-Mikey likey!
 
aaron said:
I've been wrong before. But I'm not ready to change my mind after 30 days.
Especially one shooting 15% (10% career) and almost no primary assists.

So interesting development, but not sold.
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It was difficult to get any assists at all playing with Kopitar and Brown. Kopitar now has 2 goals in his last 32 games. Brown's shooting percentage has consistently been between 3% and 5%. On the other hand, 19-11-9 is a pretty good top line right now. Hopefully, Kopi will rejoin the ranks of the goal scorers soon.
 
VCRW said:
It was difficult to get any assists at all playing with Kopitar and Brown. Kopitar now has 2 goals in his last 32 games. Brown's shooting percentage has consistently been between 3% and 5%. On the other hand, 19-11-9 is a pretty good top line right now. Hopefully, Kopi will rejoin the ranks of the goal scorers soon.
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One hole in Kempe's game, and I'm not sure it's really a hole at all, is that aside from the PP he doesn't have 5 man unit tendencies when he's looking to make things happen. Our D would have to be much more active probably for him to really take criticism here but Kempe is not likely to find the D man when I'm watching him play. In that vein it just seems he's likely to shrink the ice in his offensive focus, which would be a fair criticism.
 
jammer06 said:
One hole in Kempe's game, and I'm not sure it's really a hole at all, is that aside from the PP he doesn't have 5 man unit tendencies when he's looking to make things happen. Our D would have to be much more active probably for him to really take criticism here but Kempe is not likely to find the D man when I'm watching him play. In that vein it just seems he's likely to shrink the ice in his offensive focus, which would be a fair criticism.
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He's a shoot first guy; exactly the kind of player the Kings need more of. I have no issues with him not having many assists. He never will, he's not that guy.
 
jammer06 said:
One hole in Kempe's game, and I'm not sure it's really a hole at all, is that aside from the PP he doesn't have 5 man unit tendencies when he's looking to make things happen. Our D would have to be much more active probably for him to really take criticism here but Kempe is not likely to find the D man when I'm watching him play. In that vein it just seems he's likely to shrink the ice in his offensive focus, which would be a fair criticism.
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The problem may be partly attributable to the fact that, pre-Durzi, no other defenseman other than Drew consistently joined the rushes, even Walker. I've read that Bjornfot has been encouraged to take a more active offensive role but, paired with Durzi, he will still have to pick his spots carefully. Quicker and more confident breakouts by the defense sure would help a lot to create a 5-man attack. In TM's system, the forwards all play very low in the d-zone in support of the defensemen. Hard to get guys open near the blueline for that important first pass. Breakouts have too often been problematic under this regime. For that reason, I am happy Kempe is often a one man breakout.

Iafallo will do better keeping up with Kempe than Kopi. Perhaps Anze would be better used going to the goal, not the boards and letting IA and Juice do the retrieving. I'd love to see Kopitar be dangerous again.
 
Kempe is having a great season. A breakout season. Sign him up for another 4-5 years. 5 x 5.
 
Relax, Nick Suzuki and his 7-12-19 was a selection also.

Not that there was a more deserving all-star (Quick anyone?)
 
aaron said:
Play with Kopi, score goals. Not exactly an argument for Kempe
After a quick skim, I find it unconvincing. Sell high at the deadline.
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Yeah because top 6 goal scorers are so easy to come by right? Kempe is a keeper. He'll slot in nicely with anybody and he's good for chemistry. Plus, when you go and trade such key pieces of a team, that kind of messes with the other players' heads. Just saying.
 
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