Confirmed with Link Kings name Holland their 10th GM in History

The Leafs blew it so hard last night that everyone is now forgetting the Kings 3rd period meltdowns.

Mitch Marner had 1G/2A and was -7 for all seven 3rd periods in the series. Just last night when it counted most, he had 0G/0A, was a -2, and had only 2 SOG in 26 shifts (18:43 TOI). And right after he was yelling at his team to wake TF up, he turned the puck over.

That’s NOT a player that the Kings should sign to a $12mil/8 years contract. He’s an exceptional regular season player that seems to fold in the POs. I’d much rather see someone with more heart brought in, or developed from within.

The Kings need a guy like Brad Marchand.
 
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JayWells24 said:
I hope the Kings pass on Marner also. Utterly non-existent in his career in the playoffs. I don't think I have ever seen a hometown player get BOO'd like he did in the third period last night.
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Much of the team is non-existent in the playoffs. Even Mathews turns into a mere mortal in the playoffs. Mathews playoff production is slightly worse than Marner's.
 
symbology said:
Much of the team is non-existent in the playoffs. Even Mathews turns into a mere mortal in the playoffs. Mathews playoff production is slightly worse than Marner's.
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There are players who produce in the regular season but can’t in the playoffs. Joe Thornton comes to mind. Playoffs are tighter. Some players need time and space which goes away in the playoffs.
All that said, I’d be a bit hesitant on guys who come out of nowhere and have a good series or two right before they become FA’s. Brooks Orpic is a great example. Even last year the hot guy was Dakota Johnson.
The Kings need a couple guys who have had winning playoff experience, Bennett, Marchand types.
The Kings did seem to improve their culture this year. But they need some winning culture too.
 
King of Pentacle5 said:
The Leafs blew it so hard last night that everyone is now forgetting the Kings 3rd period meltdowns.

Mitch Marner had 1G/2A and was -7 for all seven 3rd periods in the series. Just last night when it counted most, he had 0G/0A, was a -2, and had only 2 SOG in 26 shifts (18:43 TOI). And right after he was yelling at his team to wake TF up, he turns the puck over, leading to another FLA goal.

That’s NOT a player that the Kings should sign to a $12mil/8 years contract. He’s an exceptional regular season player that seems to fold in the POs. I’d much rather see someone with more heart brought in, or developed from within.

The Kings need a guy like Brad Marchand.
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The perfect superstar doesn’t exist. The Kings are in a place where their franchise forward is about to retire, his position replacement is already on the roster and signed long term but they still have other holes that need to be filled.

Marner fills the offensive void Kopitar will leave after next season. If Marner signs in LA he won’t be expected to lead the team. He’s a hired gun. Just like Jeff Carter and Marian Gaborik were on the Cup winning teams. You can win with players like that if you surround them with high character players. Toronto couldn’t find that right mix. Maybe Ken Holland can.
 
Statue4Deano said:
The perfect superstar doesn’t exist. The Kings are in a place where their franchise forward is about to retire, his position replacement is already on the roster and signed long term but they still have other holes that need to be filled.

Marner fills the offensive void Kopitar will leave after next season. If Marner signs in LA he won’t be expected to lead the team. He’s a hired gun. Just like Jeff Carter and Marian Gaborik were on the Cup winning teams. You can win with players like that if you surround them with high character players. Toronto couldn’t find that right mix. Maybe Ken Holland can.
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Marner is a RW. I’m sure he can/has played C too, but he’s no replacement for Kopi, imo. His history of poor PO performances demonstrates this, especially when surrounded by arguably better linemates/team than Kopi.

I’d take prime Kopitar over prime Marner every time.
 
King of Pentacle5 said:
The Leafs blew it so hard last night that everyone is now forgetting the Kings 3rd period meltdowns.

Mitch Marner had 1G/2A and was -7 for all seven 3rd periods in the series. Just last night when it counted most, he had 0G/0A, was a -2, and had only 2 SOG in 26 shifts (18:43 TOI). And right after he was yelling at his team to wake TF up, he turned the puck over.

That’s NOT a player that the Kings should sign to a $12mil/8 years contract. He’s an exceptional regular season player that seems to fold in the POs. I’d much rather see someone with more heart brought in, or developed from within.

The Kings need a guy like Brad Marchand.
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I've been sceptical about signing him before the playoffs and now I'm staunchly against it.

Star players are fine and dandy but if they're in the mold of Marner and Tavares...sure, they are excellent players, but they cost too much for what they bring and they don't have the necessary intangibles if you want to build a Cup contender.
 
King of Pentacle5 said:
Marner is a RW. I’m sure he can/has played C too, but he’s no replacement for Kopi, imo. His history of poor PO performances demonstrates this, especially when surrounded by arguably better linemates/team than Kopi.

I’d take prime Kopitar over prime Marner every time.
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Byfield is going to take over Kopitar’s role on the ice. He already did an extent this season/playoffs but it remains to be seen if he can ever score like Kopi could. Marner will put up points like Kopitar did at his peak. Pairing an elite offensive winger like Marner with Byfield will help the both elevate their games. Especially if you put Kempe on the opposite wing. That’s a 1st like that can rival every top line in the league (outside of Edmonton).
 
Statue4Deano said:
Byfield is going to take over Kopitar’s role on the ice. He already did an extent this season/playoffs but it remains to be seen if he can ever score like Kopi could. Marner will put up points like Kopitar did at his peak. Pairing an elite offensive winger like Marner with Byfield will help the both elevate their games. Especially if you put Kempe on the opposite wing. That’s a 1st like that can rival every top line in the league (outside of Edmonton).
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What worries me is his cap hit would be 12+ with Kempe, Laferriere needing hefty raises and the Kings needing to boost their defense AND take care of a bit more quality FW depth.

Maybe Marner just needs to get out of that cursed city but is it worth the risk?
 
Bollocks said:
I've been sceptical about signing him before the playoffs and now I'm staunchly against it.

Star players are fine and dandy but if they're in the mold of Marner and Tavares...sure, they are excellent players, but they cost too much for what they bring and they don't have the necessary intangibles if you want to build a Cup contender.
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Before Jack Eichel was traded to Vegas were you saying he had the intangibles to lead a Cup contender? Matthew Tkachuk? Nate MacKinnon? Steven Stamkos? Nikita Kucherov?

All of these guys were star players who never won a cup until they did. There’s no reason to believe Matthews or Marner won’t lead their team a cup if they have the right team built around them. Just like all those players above and throw in McDavid and Draisaital.
 
Bollocks said:
What worries me is his cap hit would be 12+ with Kempe, Laferriere needing hefty raises and the Kings needing to boost their defense AND take care of a bit more quality FW depth.

Maybe Marner just needs to get out of that cursed city but is it worth the risk?
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Rantanen was the guy I (and Blake) wanted to break the bank for this off-season but he never became available. I see Marner as the best of the non-Rantanen options.

He needs a change of scenery. LA doesn’t have anyone in the pipeline like Marner and Kopitar (and Doughty) are coming off the books soon. The stars are aligning.
 
Statue4Deano said:
Before Jack Eichel was traded to Vegas were you saying he had the intangibles to lead a Cup contender? Matthew Tkachuk? Nate MacKinnon? Steven Stamkos? Nikita Kucherov?

All of these guys were star players who never won a cup until they did. There’s no reason to believe Matthews or Marner won’t lead their team a cup if they have the right team built around them. Just like all those players above and throw in McDavid and Draisaital.
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If Marner is available, and willing to sign with LA then the Kings need to make it happen. He's a far better player than most fans give him credit for. Marner on a line with Kempe would be fire, and boost Kempe into the 50/60 goal potential realm.

He also would make the PP much, much better.
 
Statue4Deano said:
The perfect superstar doesn’t exist. The Kings are in a place where their franchise forward is about to retire, his position replacement is already on the roster and signed long term but they still have other holes that need to be filled.

Marner fills the offensive void Kopitar will leave after next season. If Marner signs in LA he won’t be expected to lead the team. He’s a hired gun. Just like Jeff Carter and Marian Gaborik were on the Cup winning teams. You can win with players like that if you surround them with high character players. Toronto couldn’t find that right mix. Maybe Ken Holland can.
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Good point. Marner is a play maker. Kempe needs a play maker.
 
Statue4Deano said:
Before Jack Eichel was traded to Vegas were you saying he had the intangibles to lead a Cup contender? Matthew Tkachuk? Nate MacKinnon? Steven Stamkos? Nikita Kucherov?

All of these guys were star players who never won a cup until they did. There’s no reason to believe Matthews or Marner won’t lead their team a cup if they have the right team built around them. Just like all those players above and throw in McDavid and Draisaital.
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I mean, if you think about it Kopitar has not lead this team anywhere. Much of the leading was done by others when this team won its cups. That is the reality. I am still very grateful Kopi has been and is a King. Not trying to take anything away from him.
 
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I'd pretty much want to go against the grain and get Pastrnak rather than Marner. His offensive upside is much greater than Marner's and he's still in his prime so Holland should take a really big gamble and trade for him instead. I understand, however, that attempting to trade for Pastrnak is going to cost the Kings a slew of draft picks and potentially a top-six forward or so. But I'm probably the only Kings fan to consider this type of trade and Holland looks like he's in a win-now mood as GM of this team, so I don't see why not.
 
symbology said:
I mean, if you think about it Kopitar has not lead this team anywhere. Much of the leading was done by others when this team won its cup. That is the reality. I am still very grateful Kopi has been and is a King.
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It is really hard to gauge this with Kopi but I don’t necessarily disagree.
The Kings were very fortunate to have Stoll, Greene, Quick, Williams, Brown, Mitchell, & Richards. They were all part of the group of leaders. Whether Kopi was part of that I have no idea.
It is clear that Kopi is not the vocal leader in public. It does not mean that he does not lead.
I think we tend to believe the real leaders are the rah-rah, in your face types. It can be true. But it’s not exclusive to that type.

I too am thankful to have had Kopi as a King for this long. He’s very underrated, should have won the Hart (I will never forgive or forget the disgrace of Hall getting it due to east coast bias). Kopi has been a great player for a long, long time.
 
JC6388LAKings said:
I'd pretty much want to go against the grain and get Pastrnak rather than Marner. His offensive upside is much greater than Marner's and he's still in his prime so Holland should take a really big gamble and trade for him instead. I understand, however, that attempting to trade for Pastrnak is going to cost the Kings a slew of draft picks and potentially a top-six forward or so. But I'm probably the only Kings fan to consider this type of trade and Holland looks like he's in a win-now mood as GM of this team, so I don't see why not.
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That's definitely a scenario where you would have to give up Byfield and Clarke. Not happening.
 
Marner can definitely play. So much skill and he would fill a big hole. But, because of his potential cap hit, I kinda hope Holland would look past Marner and target Bennett instead. I still think finding a #1 left shot d'man remains the higher priority if they are intent on maxing out the cap. If Holland can get Bennett, then trading Danault becomes a possibility.
 
King of Pentacle5 said:
Marner is a RW. I’m sure he can/has played C too, but he’s no replacement for Kopi, imo. His history of poor PO performances demonstrates this, especially when surrounded by arguably better linemates/team than Kopi.

I’d take prime Kopitar over prime Marner every time.
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Problem is Kopi is past his prime. How much of Marner's POS (playoff suckage) is on him and how much on the team
 
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