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

[symbology]

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.

You may not have been on these boards in any capacity many moons ago, but there were some very HOT discussions about Kopitar's ability to LEAD. I think that came to a head when the Kings acquired Richards.

 

[symbology]

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.

Problem with a trade like that is Black has not left KH many assets to work with.

 

[Statue4Deano]

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.

I don’t know if the Kings have any shot at Bennett. He’s a great fit for the Kings and would certainly be a great #2 behind Byfield for the next 4+ seasons but lots of teams will be calling and his price tag is going to get into the silly range where his on-ice production will never meet his cap hit.

Think back to the Danault signing. Blake gave a high character guy with a career season high of 13 goals - 6 years 33 Million (5.5M cap hit). Sam Bennett could be looking at 7-8 M per season.

If the Kings overpay Bennett they’re still going to need to add scoring and suddenly their cap space is dried up so Holland will be forced to throw some Hail Marys. I’d prefer overpaying Marner and Holland adding character on the cheap like he did in Edmonton.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Danault went to world championship
Is he getting traded ?

Danault has 2 years left on his deal with a No-Trade clause. He’s not going anywhere unless he wants to be traded.

 

[DoubleMinor]

You may not have been on these boards in any capacity many moons ago, but there were some very HOT discussions about Kopitar's ability to LEAD. I think that came to a head when the Kings acquired Richards.

Not on the board but closely watching since pre/Gretzky.
I do agree that there is certainly a question about Kopi’s leadership. Whether he is or was an actual leader, I think only the players really know. But I have no interest in trying to make an argument about his leadership. I’ve questioned it. I don’t see it in the open.
But I also think it is true that players can lead by example. And that is where I think Kopi does have some leadership value. I believe the Captain of any team needs to be more than that. I’m hard pressed to think of any team that won that did not have a true leader, even if that player wasn’t the Captain.
Richards was indeed brought in to be a/the leader. But as stated previously, there were a lot of them on those teams. Brown was undervalued in that regard. And the Kings have surely missed his leadership.

 

[DoubleMinor]

Danault has 2 years left on his deal with a No-Trade clause. He’s not going anywhere unless he wants to be traded.

Two years left? I thought one.
Regardless I have no qualms with Danault. He was their best player in this recent playoff series, at least in my opinion. Not sure you can replace his value at his price, especially with the cap lifted.

 

[DoubleMinor]

You may not have been on these boards in any capacity many moons ago, but there were some very HOT discussions about Kopitar's ability to LEAD. I think that came to a head when the Kings acquired Richards.

Also, while I was not posting I did read this board a lot, and have some decent knowledge of what was said, and even in some cases who said it!

 

[Statue4Deano]

Two years left? I thought one.
Regardless I have no qualms with Danault. He was their best player in this recent playoff series, at least in my opinion. Not sure you can replace his value at his price, especially with the cap lifted.

2 seasons and 10M in actual cash left on his deal. He was excellent in the playoffs and I’ll be happy to see him play out his deal. Money well spent. One of the best free agent signings in Kings history as far as I’m concerned.

 

[VCRW]

Danault has 2 years left on his deal with a No-Trade clause. He’s not going anywhere unless he wants to be traded.

"Unless..." keeps the door open.. You have to give to get. If you can sign a true 2C like Bennett, then everyone moves up when Kopi shuttles down or retires. I would value a stud d'man over Danault... +Spence+prospect+#1 Pick.

 

[King of Pentacle5]

Brock Nelson announced that he won't be signing with the Avs. I don't know much about his play because he was on the Islanders for most of his career. But stats-wise he's obviously pretty solid. I guess he didn't really fit in with the Avs system.

 

[VCRW]

I don’t know if the Kings have any shot at Bennett. He’s a great fit for the Kings and would certainly be a great #2 behind Byfield for the next 4+ seasons but lots of teams will be calling and his price tag is going to get into the silly range where his on-ice production will never meet his cap hit.

Think back to the Danault signing. Blake gave a high character guy with a career season high of 13 goals - 6 years 33 Million (5.5M cap hit). Sam Bennett could be looking at 7-8 M per season.

If the Kings overpay Bennett they’re still going to need to add scoring and suddenly their cap space is dried up so Holland will be forced to throw some Hail Marys. I’d prefer overpaying Marner and Holland adding character on the cheap like he did in Edmonton.

Are you really okay with Marner, a winger and career-long playoff no-show, taking up $12-14 million of next season's cap? He's no Kucherov. What about building down the middle, Deano-style? I am totally okay with paying Bennett what he's worth. I can't say the same about Mitch.

 

[Clif]

"Unless..." keeps the door open.. You have to give to get. If you can sign a true 2C like Bennett, then everyone moves up when Kopi shuttles down or retires. I would value a stud d'man over Danault... +Spence+prospect+#1 Pick.

Buffalo has enough prospects. They need to make the playoffs. They also need RD.

Would you trade Moore, Spence, this year’s first for Byrum? Throw in a third rounder or Thomas if needed to close it out. Think that’d be enough? I think it would.

 

[VCRW]

Buffalo has enough prospects. They need to make the playoffs. They also need RD.

Would you trade Moore, Spence, this year’s first for Byrum? Throw in a third rounder or Thomas if needed to close it out. Think that’d be enough? I think it would.

Don't know if Byrum is a guy you can ride thru the playoffs, but he would be a significant offensive upgrade on the left side nonetheless. Would you then let Gavi walk? Trade Mikey?

 

[DoubleMinor]

I don’t know if the Kings have any shot at Bennett. He’s a great fit for the Kings and would certainly be a great #2 behind Byfield for the next 4+ seasons but lots of teams will be calling and his price tag is going to get into the silly range where his on-ice production will never meet his cap hit.

Think back to the Danault signing. Blake gave a high character guy with a career season high of 13 goals - 6 years 33 Million (5.5M cap hit). Sam Bennett could be looking at 7-8 M per season.

If the Kings overpay Bennett they’re still going to need to add scoring and suddenly their cap space is dried up so Holland will be forced to throw some Hail Marys. I’d prefer overpaying Marner and Holland adding character on the cheap like he did in Edmonton.

This seems very accurate to me re Bennett. But the Kings should most definitely find out if it’s even possible. He would be a really good acquisition unless the contract gets ridiculous (which is likely).

With Bennett, I really have no idea why he would want to leave Florida. Seems like an ideal situation.
I have been very impressed with that team. He’s an integral part of it. It doesn’t seem to me that it will change in the near-term. They look like contenders for a while.

If it were me (and it isn’t) I would find it difficult to leave that team. Yep, he can get more money elsewhere probably. But enough to give up what he has?

I understand players have a short window to maximize their money. I don’t want to understate that part. But I honestly doubt that he’d will find the same dynamics with a different organization.

I recall the line in Moneyball re an offer “It’s not the money. It’s what the money represents”. I don’t think that is easily discounted.

But, with athlete contracts I sometimes wonder why a player leaves over a minimal (relatively) amount of money. I find myself wondering “what can you do with 75 million that you can’t do with 60? Is that worth giving up a great situation?”
I wonder if Bennett will have to answer that question himself?

Finally, I do wonder a bit about Bennett and the Panthers. These long playoff runs add up. For the team, but specifically Bennett (since this is mostly about him) I don’t know what will be left in the tank?
I actually thought this year would show that. But I just don’t see much of it. Yeah, Tkachuk seems a shadow of himself this year, and looks far from 100%. Barkov was injured late in the season but looks good.

If it’s correct that the numbers to lure Bennett will get silly that’s a part I would not dismiss quickly.

 

[SirJW]

Brock Nelson announced that he won't be signing with the Avs. I don't know much about his play because he was on the Islanders for most of his career. But stats-wise he's obviously pretty solid. I guess he didn't really fit in with the Avs system.

Many think he'll be returning The Islanders.

 

[Clif]

Don't know if Byrum is a guy you can ride thru the playoffs, but he would be a significant offensive upgrade on the left side nonetheless. Would you then let Gavi walk? Trade Mikey?

Yep Byrum is untested at 23 but feels like a risk worth taking.

Here’s where it gets truly speculative for me, but if Holland trades Spence, and I think there’s a good chance be does, I would like to see Gavi resign and play RD. He was a great pair with Mikey. Gavi’s pricetag is going to make people squeamish if we retain, however if he plays RD with Mikey he kind of becomes the de facto number one and his salary will be much easier to take.

Plus Doughty could bring Byrum along and Hiller would have a great puck-moving pair or a true shut-down pair depending on the situation.

 

[VCRW]

Yep Byrum is untested at 23 but feels like a risk worth taking.

Here’s where it gets truly speculative for me, but if Holland trades Spence, and I think there’s a good chance be does, I would like to see Gavi resign and play RD. He was a great pair with Mikey. Gavi’s pricetag is going to make people squeamish if we retain, however if he plays RD with Mikey he kind of becomes the de facto number one and his salary will be much easier to take.

Plus Doughty could bring Byrum along and Hiller would have a great puck-moving pair or a true shut-down pair depending on the situation.

I do like your plan... but where does that leave Clarke? 12 min/game on the 3rd pair until Doughty retires?

 

[Clif]

I do like your plan... but where does that leave Clarke? 12 min/game on the 3rd pair until Doughty retires?

Pretty much, yeah. That’s the downside. Of course Hiller should also decrease Doughty’s ice time. Should…

 

[DoubleMinor]

Pretty much, yeah. That’s the downside. Of course Hiller should also decrease Doughty’s ice time. Should…

Not terribly sure it’s that much of a downside.
Clarke is still developmental. Third-pair but gains more experience. Not a huge problem from my perspective.
And, we have no idea how Doughty will be next season. Hopefully close to 100% but we can’t know that. And, Doughty is nearing the end of a high usage/hard minutes career. Will he have injuries, need to take nights off here and there? Clarke can always step into a bigger role.
At least that’s my view of it.

 

[VCRW]

Not terribly sure it’s that much of a downside.
Clarke is still developmental. Third-pair but gains more experience. Not a huge problem from my perspective.
And, we have no idea how Doughty will be next season. Hopefully close to 100% but we can’t know that. And, Doughty is nearing the end of a high usage/hard minutes career. Will he have injuries, need to take nights off here and there? Clarke can always step into a bigger role.
At least that’s my view of it.

If they can pick up Byrum, or any true LD1, then Clarke would see no PP time in addition to playing the least minutes among the 6 D. Not optimal for his growth as a complete player, but it’s the price the Kings need to pay to improve as a team. Just hope Clarke stays engaged and motivated. Winning is always the best panacea.

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if some team just had to have Drew Doughty?