Kempe, RFA

[Helvetica]

What are the latest rumors on his signing before the end of the season?

i believe Blake mentioned the Kinsg don't typically negotiate contracts with RFA's mid season (that was like a month ago?). But he also said he hadnt really talked about an extension for himself and wasnt worried about it and then wound up announcing his extension like a week or two later.

Here's my counterpoint to your shooting% argument... Yes, its likely to regress some, but he'd still be looking at a 25-ish goal scorer. More importantly to me though, is how active he's looked on both sides of the puck. His defensive game has come around. His tenacity has improved. And obviously he looks significantly less streaky, and i don't just mean goals. His focus has been there pretty much every night. He's an integral part of the offense. And finally, and i think i made this point earlier, trading him sends an awful message to the team. If you work hard, do everything we ask, and develop like we want... we'll still trade you. No thanks.

 

[VCRW]

i believe Blake mentioned the Kinsg don't typically negotiate contracts with RFA's mid season (that was like a month ago?). But he also said he hadnt really talked about an extension for himself and wasnt worried about it and then wound up announcing his extension like a week or two later.

Here's my counterpoint to your shooting% argument... Yes, its likely to regress some, but he'd still be looking at a 25-ish goal scorer. More importantly to me though, is how active he's looked on both sides of the puck. His defensive game has come around. His tenacity has improved. And obviously he looks significantly less streaky, and i don't just mean goals. His focus has been there pretty much every night. He's an integral part of the offense. And finally, and i think i made this point earlier, trading him sends an awful message to the team. If you work hard, do everything we ask, and develop like we want... we'll still trade you. No thanks.

The percentage number that’s most meaningful is produced by dividing 6 by 23. Kempe has 6 GWGs out of his 23 tallies — that’s greater than 25%.

 

[RagBone]

It would be interesting to see how many who voter for the trade or qualiufying offer would change their vote, now, to long term deal. After another one against the Ducks.

 

[VCRW]

The percentage number that’s most meaningful is produced by dividing 6 by 23. Kempe has 6 GWGs out of his 23 tallies — that’s greater than 25%.

Now it’s 7 game winners out 25 goals. Things aren’t going well for the “Trade Kempe” faction.

 

[Busted Chops]

So if you're the GM, what are you willing to sign him for? $5M x 5? $6 x 6? Or really just $4M x 4?

Keep in mind that when Iafallo signed his deal he was 27 and had scored 9, 15, 17, and 13 goals while playing with the same premier #1C .

Kempe will be 26 at the start of next season and has scored 16, 12, 11, 14, and 23 (so far) goals. I can see the concern about not wanting to sign him to a HUGE contract, but $4M x 4 is way too low for a guy who has shown he can score goals...and is the only forward on the team like that.

4x4 would be a bargain. I think he gets 5x5. I don't think he could beat that in arbitration.

 

[Busted Chops]

It would be interesting to see how many who voter for the trade or qualiufying offer would change their vote, now, to long term deal. After another one against the Ducks.

I changed mine.

 

[VCRW]

4x4 would be a bargain. I think he gets 5x5. I don't think he could beat that in arbitration.

If Juice ends up at the 35 goal level, I'd rather see the Kings offer a 2-year "show me" bridge deal in that $5 - 5.5 million neighborhood. It's still a big raise and the shorter term would keep Kempe hungry.

 

[jgs]

Kings need to resign him. He is on a tear right now and if he continues, teams will be offering him big money. Blake should resign him now because it will cost alot more if he waits for later.

 

[DyslexicTom]

Still not sold on Kempe.

 

[VCRW]

Still not sold on Kempe.

That whole line sucks right now. Kopitar is in a terrible slump. Iafallo needs to be a healthy scratch. Kempe needs to get his shots on the damn net again. Too many complete misses.

 

[TooCool]

If he doesn't score another goal for the rest of the season, does he still get big $$$?

 

[Dexter]

Trade him for Chychrun

 

[VCRW]

If he doesn't score another goal for the rest of the season, does he still get big $$$?

Well... if Kopi is getting $10 million to suck right now...

 

[Statue4Deano]

He'll probably still crack 30 this year but if Blake pays him like a reliable 30 goal scorer we will regret it.

 

[Clif]

At least he contributed in the FL shootout. Don’t win that game without him.

Agreed a break from Kopi could do him some good and I like the Danault/Moore reunion while Arvy is out.

Otherwise the entire team suffers on breakouts with the rookie D they’ve got at the moment.

 

[DryKing]

At least he contributed in the FL shootout. Don’t win that game without him.

Agreed a break from Kopi could do him some good and I like the Danault/Moore reunion while Arvy is out.

Otherwise the entire team suffers on breakouts with the rookie D they’ve got at the moment.

Agreed, he needs to be reunited with Danault/Moore, players who do a better job with keeping up with him. Worst case flip Kempe and Vilardi, but Kaliyev isn't really a good fit for Danault's line.

At the current moment a decent amount of his chances have been self-driven using his speed with no one around to pick up a rebound / provide a threat.

 

[VCRW]

Agreed, he needs to be reunited with Danault/Moore, players who do a better job with keeping up with him. Worst case flip Kempe and Vilardi, but Kaliyev isn't really a good fit for Danault's line.

At the current moment a decent amount of his chances have been self-driven using his speed with no one around to pick up a rebound / provide a threat.

There were several instances last night when it looked as though Kempe was all alone in attack. There also as many incidents when Juice was the only forward helping on defense to send Iafallo or Kopitar out of the d-zone only to have those guys immediately fumble the puck away. A line of 9-24-12 is the only right answer right now. And play Lias with AI and Kopi.

 

[hokiecat]

Kempe needs to hit the net with his shots but he's still the most effective guy on the line right now. That is not saying much but square wheels Kopitar just looks sluggish out there and Iafallo is also in a monster slump. I think Todd needs to shuffle all the combos except for 12+24. Don't forget Kempe is by far the best forward at controlled zone entries on the PP. He provides a skillset which is sorely lacking otherwise.

I still have a 'buy' recommendation on Kempe. Maybe he'd be on sale this month.

 

[DryKing]

There were several instances last night when it looked as though Kempe was all alone in attack. There also as many incidents when Juice was the only forward helping on defense to send Iafallo or Kopitar out of the d-zone only to have those guys immediately fumble the puck away. A line of 9-24-12 is the only right answer right now. And play Lias with AI and Kopi.

Agreed - having four balanced lines has been a key to our success this year, but the Danualt line has been the main catalyst for most of the year. Get them going and then the rest will hopefully follow.

Kempe needs to hit the net with his shots but he's still the most effective guy on the line right now. That is not saying much but square wheels Kopitar just looks sluggish out there and Iafallo is also in a monster slump. I think Todd needs to shuffle all the combos except for 12+24. Don't forget Kempe is by far the best forward at controlled zone entries on the PP. He provides a skillset which is sorely lacking otherwise.

I still have a 'buy' recommendation on Kempe. Maybe he'd be on sale this month.

Haha I am "buy" on Kempe too, we just need to start utilizing his strengths more. Like you said he is the best when it comes to controlled zone entries which is something the Kings need to sorely work on, especially on the PP. Kupari is looking more and more like a player that might improve in this regard as well.

 

[DyslexicTom]

That whole line sucks right now. Kopitar is in a terrible slump. Iafallo needs to be a healthy scratch. Kempe needs to get his shots on the damn net again. Too many complete misses.

Kempe is the only guy on that line set to get a big pay day for <1 season's of work. People are kidding themselves if they think he's gonna take a sweetheart deal. 5 x $5 million at least; I feel that's too much.