Official LA Kings Off-Season

[symbology]

You’re totally right, just in points among centers PLD ranked 87 last season. Kopi was 45…

Just throwing this out there.

.9 PPG for Kopi
.86 PPG for PLD
.66 PPG for Danault
That is a .4 PPG difference between Kopi and PLD. Not a lot. PLD played 9 fewer games than Kopi which drops his point total which looks bad in a overall comparison.

The Kings scored .34 more goals per game than the Jets. With each one of those goals you can maybe estimate an average of 1.5 assists per goal (Without adding up all the goals and assists of all players on each team). If you estimate the PPG differential between the teams by multiplying the goal differential by 1.5 you get .5 PPG. There is only a .04 PPG difference between the players. Therefore, one could try to argue that PLD could have scored as many, if not more points than Kopi if he played on a team that scored as many goals as the Kings this past year.

If you look at the PPG for the 3 players above. Danault is not scoring at a 2nd line center pace. He is ranked at 66th overall in PPG for centers and that is on a Kings team that was ranked 10th overall for goals for.

Just shedding a little light is all. I am on the fence on this. If the trade is something like Iafallo/Moore, Durzi/Spence and a young prospect...... and PLD signs for around 8m per..... well then that might not be all that bad of an idea.

Sending QB or Gabe back the other way does not make much sense to me and I do not see it happening.

 

[DryKing]

Why not? Most of our young prospects don’t look like they’ll turn out to be top line NHL players, if NHL players at all. Time to turn those so-called assets into trade bait for real NHL players. Kopitar and Doughty won’t be around forever and the window to be a Stanley Cup contender will quickly close once they are gone.

I have to agree with Deano on this one. Under the the cap system the only way to pay players amounts like we pay Kopi and Doughty is to utilize entry level contracts and RFAs to balance costs if you want to keep your team competitive.

Just throwing this out there.

.9 PPG for Kopi
.86 PPG for PLD
.66 PPG for Danault
That is a .4 PPG difference between Kopi and PLD. Not a lot. PLD played 9 fewer games than Kopi which drops his point total which looks bad in a overall comparison.

The Kings scored .34 more goals per game than the Jets. With each one of those goals you can maybe estimate an average of 1.5 assists per goal (Without adding up all the goals and assists of all players on each team). If you estimate the PPG differential between the teams by multiplying the goal differential by 1.5 you get .5 PPG. There is only a .4 PPG difference between the players. Therefore, one could try to argue that PLD could have scored as many, if not more points than Kopi if he played on a team that scored as many goals as the Kings this past year.

If you look at the PPG for the 3 players above. Danault is not scoring at a 2nd line center pace. He is ranked at 66th overall in PPG for centers and that is on a Kings team that was ranked 10th overall for goals for.

Just shedding a little light is all. I am on the fence on this. If the trade is something like Iafallo/Moore, Durzi/Spence and a young prospect...... and PLD signs for around 8m per..... well then that might not be all that bad of an idea.

Sending QB or Gabe back the other way does not make much sense to me and I do not see it happening.

You make a good argument, thanks for putting this together. I still think the Kings could spend $8m (though I have heard he is asking for $9m+) more wisely though given their current roster (specifically on upgrading the defense / goaltending). Also if we look at Stutzle's extension (who is younger, better and growing at a much more rapid pace) with an AAV of $8.63, it's hard for me to believe that PLD is even worth $8m except possibly to a team that sees him as the missing piece. The fact that he has burned bridges with both NHL teams he's been with also lowers his value.

 

[symbology]

I have to agree with Deano on this one. Under the the cap system the only way to pay players amounts like we pay Kopi and Doughty is to utilize entry level contracts and RFAs to balance costs if you want to keep your team competitive.



You make a good argument, thanks for putting this together. I still think the Kings could spend $8m (though I have heard he is asking for $9m+) more wisely though given their current roster (specifically on upgrading the defense / goaltending). Also if we look at Stutzle's extension (who is younger, better and growing at a much more rapid pace) with an AAV of $8.63, it's hard for me to believe that PLD is even worth $8m except possibly to a team that sees him as the missing piece. The fact that he has burned bridges with both NHL teams he's been with also lowers his value.

Yeah, I hear ya. Not the most pressing need. I do not know why he soured on the CBJ, but he is not the only player looking to get out of WPG. Look at what is going on in Calgary. A number of players jumping ship there as well.

 

[DryKing]

Yeah, I hear ya. Not the most pressing need. I do not know why he soured on the CBJ, but he is not the only player looking to get out of WPG. Look at what is going on in Calgary. A number of players jumping ship there as well.

Yeah Calgary is a mess right now for sure. You may be right in regards to PLD (and I may have made a false assumption) as the rumor is Scheifele also wants out.

 

[Dr. Tran]

I don't f***ing want PLD. Not for anyone but especially not for Byfield or Vilardi. He's a malcontent, he wants too much money, & he'll probably be with us until his contract expires & then he's off to Montreal. Anyway, our biggest need isn't at center, it's in goal.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

I'm all in on PLD. He still has incredible untapped upside. Put him on a top 10 team, with a positive culture and maybe he takes the next step. It's a risk, but all trades and acquisitions are. I have a feeling his petulance / immaturity are being slightly over blown, it's good media fodder. Blake isn't going to bring in a cancer and commit 7-8 million a year for someone with toxic issues. I do feel like it's been overblown and Blake will have done plenty of due diligence.

PLD has got the ability to be an elite 2nd line center that could explode into a bonafide 1st liner. With the underwhelming performances of QB + Turcotte it's a risk worth taking IMO.

I think Blake can get the deal done for a 7.5m AAV, no way he is getting 9m AAV. and I would support that 100%. If it's Vilardi going the other way, tough to swallow but it's a sell high, buy low scenario that could pay huge dividends.

Interesting to read him compared to Anze back in 2016, this is a kid that should just be entering his prime. Kopi / PLD / Danault is a HELL of a center gang.

"A similarly punishing two-way forward with size and zero deficiencies, Anze Kopitar, is the type of player Dubois will aspire to become at the next level. Pierre-Luc Dubois has the potential to develop into an elite two-way forward who excels as a positive catalyst in every facet of the roles he can play, be it the dynamic scorer, the set-up man, the intimidating power forward, or the defensive-minded shutdown guy. He is the type of player nobody likes to play against. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016)"

 

[Birdman]

I don't f***ing want PLD. Not for anyone but especially not for Byfield or Vilardi. He's a malcontent, he wants too much money, & he'll probably be with us until his contract expires & then he's off to Montreal. Anyway, our biggest need isn't at center, it's I’m goal

I'm all in on PLD. He still has incredible untapped upside. Put him on a top 10 team, with a positive culture and maybe he takes the next step. It's a risk, but all trades and acquisitions are. I have a feeling his petulance / immaturity are being slightly over blown, it's good media fodder. Blake isn't going to bring in a cancer and commit 7-8 million a year for someone with toxic issues. I do feel like it's been overblown and Blake will have done plenty of due diligence.

PLD has got the ability to be an elite 2nd line center that could explode into a bonafide 1st liner. With the underwhelming performances of QB + Turcotte it's a risk worth taking IMO.

I think Blake can get the deal done for a 7.5m AAV, no way he is getting 9m AAV. and I would support that 100%. If it's Vilardi going the other way, tough to swallow but it's a sell high, buy low scenario that could pay huge dividends.

Interesting to read him compared to Anze back in 2016, this is a kid that should just be entering his prime. Kopi / PLD / Danault is a HELL of a center gang.

"A similarly punishing two-way forward with size and zero deficiencies, Anze Kopitar, is the type of player Dubois will aspire to become at the next level. Pierre-Luc Dubois has the potential to develop into an elite two-way forward who excels as a positive catalyst in every facet of the roles he can play, be it the dynamic scorer, the set-up man, the intimidating power forward, or the defensive-minded shutdown guy. He is the type of player nobody likes to play against. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016)"

I think he’s a better setup guy than Kopitar. Paired with Fiala and rolling 3 consecutive lines like we could with the Kopitar and Danult groups, we would be kinda scary in the matchup department, especially cone playoff time.

 

[hokiecat]

Every Sharks, Oilers, Flames, etc fan has their fingers crossed that Blake can finalize the trade.
I saw somebody say 'it's a trade the Canucks would make'.

 

[PaulCat]

As of today, our two top priorities are goaltending and fixing the PK. This proposed trade addresses neither of them. Perhaps in light of Adin Hill winning the Stanley Cup the need isn't to get a top flight goalie, especially with our D-corps as it stands today and with our cap limitations a cheap goalie may be all we can do. In truth we need a 3C. Lizotte isn't the answer. Great guy and tons of character but if you are looking for someone to center Fiala, PLD is a pretty damn good solution. Not $8 million good but it makes us incredibly potent down the middle and I can't think of many teams with this type of talent 3 lines deep. It would be a matchup nightmare for any team.

That said, do I want to see Vilardi go? An emphatic no but if he isn't looking to take a bridge deal then he immediately becomes our most tradeable asset and if you are trading away a 23 year old forward with scoring touch you better damn grab a player in that ballpark with that type of productivity.

 

[Clif]

Just throwing this out there.

.9 PPG for Kopi
.86 PPG for PLD
.66 PPG for Danault
That is a .4 PPG difference between Kopi and PLD. Not a lot. PLD played 9 fewer games than Kopi which drops his point total which looks bad in a overall comparison.

The Kings scored .34 more goals per game than the Jets. With each one of those goals you can maybe estimate an average of 1.5 assists per goal (Without adding up all the goals and assists of all players on each team). If you estimate the PPG differential between the teams by multiplying the goal differential by 1.5 you get .5 PPG. There is only a .4 PPG difference between the players. Therefore, one could try to argue that PLD could have scored as many, if not more points than Kopi if he played on a team that scored as many goals as the Kings this past year.

If you look at the PPG for the 3 players above. Danault is not scoring at a 2nd line center pace. He is ranked at 66th overall in PPG for centers and that is on a Kings team that was ranked 10th overall for goals for.

Just shedding a little light is all. I am on the fence on this. If the trade is something like Iafallo/Moore, Durzi/Spence and a young prospect...... and PLD signs for around 8m per..... well then that might not be all that bad of an idea.

Sending QB or Gabe back the other way does not make much sense to me and I do not see it happening.

Appreciate the perspective. You’d hope he’d also up his point totals a bit more still. Playing with Fiala could certainly do that too.

Salary-wise I don’t see it getting done without trading Vilardi as that’s 3-4M right there.

 

[Statue4Deano]

I don't f***ing want PLD. Not for anyone but especially not for Byfield or Vilardi. He's a malcontent, he wants too much money, & he'll probably be with us until his contract expires & then he's off to Montreal. Anyway, our biggest need isn't at center, it's in goal.

How much is too much money for Vilardi on his next deal? He’s got a career high of 23 goals and maybe more importantly a season high of 63 games played.

How much and how long is acceptable?

 

[Statue4Deano]

As of today, our two top priorities are goaltending and fixing the PK. This proposed trade addresses neither of them. Perhaps in light of Adin Hill winning the Stanley Cup the need isn't to get a top flight goalie, especially with our D-corps as it stands today and with our cap limitations a cheap goalie may be all we can do. In truth we need a 3C. Lizotte isn't the answer. Great guy and tons of character but if you are looking for someone to center Fiala, PLD is a pretty damn good solution. Not $8 million good but it makes us incredibly potent down the middle and I can't think of many teams with this type of talent 3 lines deep. It would be a matchup nightmare for any team.

That said, do I want to see Vilardi go? An emphatic no but if he isn't looking to take a bridge deal then he immediately becomes our most tradeable asset and if you are trading away a 23 year old forward with scoring touch you better damn grab a player in that ballpark with that type of productivity.

I doubt Blake even kicks the tires on a deal like this if Vilardi were interested in a reasonable extension. I’m sure there’s a team out there that would be interested in taking the risk on a long term big money deal considering how young and immensely talented he obviously is but I think the Kings organization would be better off letting some other team take that risk if they can get a slightly older less risky asset while equally talented with a long term deal of his own in place.

The more I think about a trade centered around Dubois and Vilardi the more I think it makes sense for both sides.

 

[Dexter]

 

[hokiecat]

As of today, our two top priorities are goaltending and fixing the PK. This proposed trade addresses neither of them. Perhaps in light of Adin Hill winning the Stanley Cup the need isn't to get a top flight goalie, especially with our D-corps as it stands today and with our cap limitations a cheap goalie may be all we can do. In truth we need a 3C. Lizotte isn't the answer. Great guy and tons of character but if you are looking for someone to center Fiala, PLD is a pretty damn good solution. Not $8 million good but it makes us incredibly potent down the middle and I can't think of many teams with this type of talent 3 lines deep. It would be a matchup nightmare for any team.

That said, do I want to see Vilardi go? An emphatic no but if he isn't looking to take a bridge deal then he immediately becomes our most tradeable asset and if you are trading away a 23 year old forward with scoring touch you better damn grab a player in that ballpark with that type of productivity.

Who wants a player with productivity when you can get a chronic malcontent with term?

We're going to look back in a few years on this spring-summer as the time when Blake wrecked the team.

 

[HeadInjury]

Seems to me that the key to any trade would be getting PLD signed at something like $7 million per season.

Otherwise, sending out Vilardi and Iaffalo (the rumored roster pieces) would not clear enough cap space and another player would have to be shipped out somewhere.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Who wants a player with productivity when you can get a chronic malcontent with term?

We're going to look back in a few years on this spring-summer as the time when Blake wrecked the team.

Productivity is great. But what’s even better is a guy who is healthy enough to play more than 63 games in a season. And when he suits up he’s more productive than the guy who can’t stay in the lineup.

Dubois is 1 year older than Vilardi. He’s played in nearly 300 more NHL games, scored 88 more goals, 136 more assists for 224 more points.

Is Dubois a selfish greedy high maintenance player? Absolutely. That’s not exactly news when it comes to NHLers. The vast majority of the league is closer to Dubois than they are Kopitar when it comes to character. Who cares? Pro sports is a business first and foremost.

Swapping Dubois for Vilardi and couple young guys makes the team better and closer to a Cup. Period.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Seems to me that the key to any trade would be getting PLD signed at something like $7 million per season.

Otherwise, sending out Vilardi and Iaffalo (the rumored roster pieces) would not clear enough cap space and another player would have to be shipped out somewhere.

Arvidsson is on the last year of his contract. I don’t see the Kings re-singing him. That’s another 4.2 million if they move him for picks or prospects.

 

[HeadInjury]

Arvidsson is on the last year of his contract. I don’t see the Kings re-singing him. That’s another 4.2 million if they move him for picks or prospects.

True, but are we a better team with PLD coming in and Vilardi, Iaffalo and Arvidsson going out?

 

[DryKing]

Swapping Dubois for Vilardi and couple young guys makes the team better and closer to a Cup. Period.

Talent-wise sure, but the problem appears on the finance side. Dubois, today, is better than Vilardi but he also will command more than twice as much salary. Does adding him make the team better? It really depends on what we have to give up to gain him both at the time of the trade, and in the future based on a hampered ability to extend contracts when the time comes.

In the end it remains a gamble.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Who wants a player with productivity when you can get a chronic malcontent with term?

We're going to look back in a few years on this spring-summer as the time when Blake wrecked the team.

Weren’t we all reading about Vilardi’s attitude issues just prior to last season? That he was, perhaps, some sort of malcontent? Who’s to say that has not reared its ugly head behind the scenes, as the Kings brass tries to negotiate his RFA signing? I think Vilardi is probably our most ‘skilled’ forward, a la Trevor zegras, but do you think he’s objectively more valuable than a guy like kopitar or danault, in the grand scheme? We do have plenty of talent on the wing, with kempe, arvy, Fiala, but the centers we drafted in vilardi Byfield and Turcotte all seem like unsure bets to fill the void at center. One thing to remember is that Kopitars money will change for the better against the cap season after next, and if his hit comes down about 2mill, then it sort of balances out if PLD makes around 8mill. Remember the trade that brought Richards to our lineup, and what it signaled to the guys in the locker room? It basically was a call to arms, time to get to -serious- effing business. Sure, everybody says Richards was a total character guy, but let’s not forget about his unseemly exit from the club, and also the circumstances that led to his expulsion from Philadelphia in the first place.

My point is, you never know what truly goes on behind the scenes, and sometimes you need have to have a little faith in the guys who eat, sleep, breathe hockey, and just trust the process.