J
jt
Lurker
Hamilton?
After drafting Clarke, Faber and Grans in the last two years and Jordan Spence looking more and more likely to reach the NHL? With Doughty, Roy and Walker already on the roster?
Hamilton was the worst deal of the day. He is a very good offensive option, but he is a supporting/secondary player and not a driver. Good hand to have, but he just got a #1 defender deal.
Danault IS an impact player, just not in the sexy ways some fans freak out about.
The biggest need on the Kings roster is on-ice accountability. Players who hold up to pressure and don't wilt, especially in the most vital areas of the ice. That could not be said of last years roster, or honestly any Kings roster in the past five years. No one player can change that for a team, but one player who gets key shifts in those vital situations can make a huge difference on a game. Danault is that type of player, accountability first and foremost. Players like that take pressure off of the rest of the roster and allow them to be slotted in positions to maximize their particular skills.
Free agency is always costly, its a tax in and of itself. Preference is to draft and develop, then trade if you have to, then sign as a last result.
Danault may not put up gaudy numbers, but he is going to be here longer than Anze, and he is the kind of player who will allow the kids to come in when ready with support and knowledge that they won't have to take on the harder assignments.
Edler is a safety net and perfect partner for Walker. He can play big, steady minutes, but likely won't have to. He's a good fit for Anderson and Bjornfot to study, while taking on bigger penalty kill minutes. Plus, at one year, he fits in perfectly with the likely next scenario...
The Kings now have the cover in place to take the next year to seek out a mega deal for a real impact defenseman, with plenty to spend in assets and cap. No need to rush into anything at all, this can be an extended search to overpay for exactly what they want.
In the meantime, the acquisitions of Arvidsson, Danault and Edler increase the speed, skill, tenacity and accountability of the current roster at just the cost of a couple picks. The table is much better set to introduce kids to the league as opposed to the disastererous tone of last year. Conservatively, their goal differential is likely around +50 to last year with these additions.
With the Brandt Clarke pick, the last few weeks have been incredibly positive.
This might be the most insightful and accurate post I've seen on LGK in my 25 years here.