Thought Luff could develop into something. I know we have too many prospects, but seems tough being let go after a year where it would've been tough to really show what you're made of.
I agree it's got to be tough for Luff but he had 64 chances to prove he deserved a roster spot. He was great with the Reign and earned those 64 NHL games. But he just never showed any ability to play an NHL game. He'd do it for a few shifts and maybe even a whole game but then he'd regress the very next game, get sent down, play great, earn a callup, and then go through the same cycle. He's 24 and should be proven by now that he's an NHLer. Sure, he could be a late bloomer but it's really unlikely. Not in game style, but he seems like just another Brodzinski/Loktionov/Mersch.
This year it looks like they've got enough high quality prospects to get rid of guys who just aren't giving them reason to keep them. Guys like Wagner, Rymsha, Brickley, and Imama...and also make guys who probably ARE legit NHLers fight for jobs - like Lizottte, JAD, Frk, Wolanin, AA, Grundstrom, Lemieux, and Andersson. And let the next wave of prospects know they're fighting just for a callup: Turcotte, Madden, Fagemo, Kupark, Kaliyev, and Dudas. And it's not even about reaching limits. They've only used 38 of their 50 contracts and 56 of their 90 reserve list spots.
For me, it's great that the Kings are finally to the point of unloading players who might actually have success in the NHL because they have too many good young players (as opposed to trading Cernak for a veteran). And also choosing to move them rather than forced by the player because he doesn't want to come to LA (Kubalik). Yeah, there will be guys we all wish they could get back (Deslauriers), but in most cases they'll be replaced by players who are better.
