So, who do we keep, trade or promote?

[Pickle_Pucks]

2 of Durzi / Spence / Clarke will have to go. None of those guys are 3rd pairing style players. With Drew on board the math is quite simple.

I like Spence's game a lot but I think he's the easiest one to deal. Then the tough decision comes. Do you stick with a proven guy (Durzi) who is still improving and often playing out of position remember, or gamble that Clarke will reach his potential instead of cashing in on his higher trade value.

A package of Clarke, Pinelli or Turcotte and a first rounder gets you a high quality, proven LD. Then you still have Spence, and possibly AK or Chromiak to move for a goaltender.

Grans I think you want to hang onto as a potential 3rd pairing guy with possibly more upside down the road.

 

[santiclaws]

He's a second pair guy already in my book and his minutes reflect that too.

Like I said, he's a second pair guy only because the team's D is decidedly subpar. I don't see him as a second pair guy on a contending team.

I like the upside of Clarke but I cannot understand how so many Kings fans are down on Durzi (and willing to dump him for Spence).

It's not a matter of being down on Durzi, it's just that Spence is a pretty similar player but three years younger with better defensive instincts. He also has a better shot. Durzi is better now but I think Spence will not only be the better player in the long run but he'll be better fairly soon.

 

[jammer06]

Like I said, he's a second pair guy only because the team's D is decidedly subpar. I don't see him as a second pair guy on a contending team.




It's not a matter of being down on Durzi, it's just that Spence is a pretty similar player but three years younger with better defensive instincts. He also has a better shot. Durzi is better now but I think Spence will not only be the better player in the long run but he'll be better fairly soon.

Spence has to figure out the size thing is one knock, and secondly Durzi has the most snarl factor on the back end. Im not sure that's a positive but taking him out gives the kings less.

 

[hokiecat]

Like I said, he's a second pair guy only because the team's D is decidedly subpar. I don't see him as a second pair guy on a contending team.

That's fair but he's also in his second year in the NHL and his defense has improved somewhat. I don't like his game off the rush but he's been good at blocking shots.

It's not a matter of being down on Durzi, it's just that Spence is a pretty similar player but three years younger with better defensive instincts. He also has a better shot. Durzi is better now but I think Spence will not only be the better player in the long run but he'll be better fairly soon.

Spence is notably smaller and he was knocked out of last year's playoffs. Kassian overpowered the Kings defense and Spence in particular. I don't see how Spence is a long-term fit if his game does not translate to the playoffs. I'd trade him based upon his AHL stats and/or showcase him in the NHL during early season play where it is less physical and his skill set can shine. If Spence was bigger then the decision to keep him would be a no-brainer, but all the in-game evidence indicates that he needs to get bigger or he needs to reinvent his game for the playoffs.

Meanwhile Durzi plays bigger than his size and has gotten in more fights than almost any other guy on the blue line. For a team which gets accused of being soft, we'll need to replace his willingness to stand up for his teammates.

 

[Helvetica]

Durzi's. So I don't really think he and Durzi are redundant any more that a potential 1C and a potential 3C are redundant.

I see your point, but do disagree somewhat. In terms of role, and what guys bring to the team, especially on the back end, i do see some redundancy there between the two. If you think about the prototypical defensemen in today's game, there are basically three-ish roles... stay at home, two-way game, and purely offensive. Clarke and Durzi, to me, both project to more of the offensive type players. They aren't stay at home guys, and their defense is definitely the weaker part of their game. And that's sort fo why i mentioned Durzi's ceiling and his role... if he can improve his defensive reads and reliability, he could become a solid 2-way player. But his offense doesnt look like it'll be good enough to ever become an elite offensive player like Clarke could, and that's why im suggesting he's a little redundant. To your point, if he doesn't evolve, he's a lesser version (potentially). If they both end up filling the same role on the team, that's redundancy. I do think Durzi brings a bit of snarl and an almost pest like nature that clarke is pretty unlikely to have though, so there are some attributes that aren't really present elsewhere on the team. And he's shown improvement this season, despite playing a lot of time on his off side. So i do have hope he wind sup as a middle pairing, sort of 2-way player. I think he can be that. He's shown throughout his career that he can find ways to rise to the occasion.

 

[Helvetica]

2 of Durzi / Spence / Clarke will have to go. None of those guys are 3rd pairing style players. With Drew on board the math is quite simple..

My only disagreement with this is that i do think it's possible to start clarke as a 3rd pair guy next season. And by year two, i find it hard to believe that Doughty will still be near teh top of the league in min played. I had hoped we'd see his min start to come down a touch this season, but that doenst appear to be happening. So, i do envision a scenario in witch you run something like Doughty, Durzi, Clarke on the right... or we potentially still see Durzi playing on the left next season. And within the next 2-3 seasons we start to see those three shift around depending on how Durzi and Clarke progress, and how much Doughty starts to slow down. That isnt an unreasonable timeline for those three.

Everyone wants Walker traded, and im certainly a part of that, but if we're talking about which guys stay and which guys go... Roy cant be out of that equation. If you need to package him for a guy at LD, you do that. I like what he brings to the team, but right now, he's definitely not untouchable.

 

[jammer06]

My only disagreement with this is that i do think it's possible to start clarke as a 3rd pair guy next season. And by year two, i find it hard to believe that Doughty will still be near teh top of the league in min played. I had hoped we'd see his min start to come down a touch this season, but that doenst appear to be happening. So, i do envision a scenario in witch you run something like Doughty, Durzi, Clarke on the right... or we potentially still see Durzi playing on the left next season. And within the next 2-3 seasons we start to see those three shift around depending on how Durzi and Clarke progress, and how much Doughty starts to slow down. That isnt an unreasonable timeline for those three.

Everyone wants Walker traded, and im certainly a part of that, but if we're talking about which guys stay and which guys go... Roy cant be out of that equation. If you need to package him for a guy at LD, you do that. I like what he brings to the team, but right now, he's definitely not untouchable.

I concur that Clarke could fill a far more effective Amart third line role young with any number of veteran 3LD. Plus the more he improves the less minutes Doughty eats, which is the best way this can turn. As much as I've been a backer of Durzi over Roy, neither of them are a reason to reduce Doughty minutes. That has to come from 3rd pair competency.

 

[DryKing]

Kupari has shown something on PK that’s turned me around a bit on him. And he can hit when he wants to and carry the puck up and out of danger if he just keeps it simple and skates. It’s a stretch to say he’s following the Kempe model though. 9 goals and 12 assists in 98 games. Kempe was at least streaky and a tease. Kupari doesn’t shoot let alone score enough to be accused of either. (I know - it’s me again. We’ve had a couple messages on this player already but I can’t quit!)

True, what I meant is that Kupari will need to earn/hold his spot through other methods other than scoring until the scoring (hopefully) eventually comes much like Kempe did. Kempe was not exactly lighting the lamp at the beginning, with only 30 goals in his first 187 games but definitely blossomed into a impactful scorer later (his 5th full season to be exact). Kempe also had the advantage of PP time, while Kupari is now getting PK time. Looks like both may be in the late bloomer category, but only time will tell.

 

[Bill Hicks]

For those who know, is Kirill Kirsanov a legit possibility?
He's 6'1, 200 lbs. and a solid defender.
A better option than Bjornfot?

 

[VCRW]

True, what I meant is that Kupari will need to earn/hold his spot through other methods other than scoring until the scoring (hopefully) eventually comes much like Kempe did. Kempe was not exactly lighting the lamp at the beginning, with only 30 goals in his first 187 games but definitely blossomed into a impactful scorer later (his 5th full season to be exact). Kempe also had the advantage of PP time, while Kupari is now getting PK time. Looks like both may be in the late bloomer category, but only time will tell.

Kupari still seems to lack confidence in his obvious high skills level, his size and his hockey instincts. In that way Kupari differs from Juice in his earlier years. Kempe always had the swagger, but it seemed he lacked the motivation and direction to bring his best game every night. Kupari was a strong 2-way player in Ontario. I think he is getting closer to being that guy in the NHL.

I think getting PK time has given him a chance to show his more tenacious, physical side as well as highlighting his natural skating ability. Kupari has shown a hard, accurate wrister. If he plays to his size and ramps up his SOG output to maximize that strong shooting ability, Rasmus may prove to be a useful RW3/4 yet. That said, I am not at all certain that his future will be with the Kings.

 

[Nyssa42]

I don't envy Blake's job over the next couple of seasons. He's gotta manage the many excellent players we have on the NHL roster, keep enough hope alive for the AHL guys to stay hungry for an NHL roster spot, AND keep that prospect pipeline unclogged so we don't end up with the Old Guys Team in 4 or 5 years. The Kings have so many great "Tier 3" players (Grundstrom, JAD, Kupari, plus guys like Pepe and Lizotte who are fan favs & I'm probably forgetting some) and, really, there is no one who is underperforming right now.

It is so rare that there aren't a few guys I can't wait to see get traded, and right now there is no one - I even like Matt Roy now!!

EDIT - oh yeah....AND we're at the salary cap as it is.....

 

[Ice24]

I know who I would trade; however, at this point of my career with LGK, I am still going to defer to Rob Blake to make these decisions.

 

[KHenry14]

I'm not trading: Byfield, Kaliyev, Villardi, Clarke, Chromiak

Can't Trade: Turcotte, Akil Thomas Both injury risks

Don't want to trade, but might consider: JAD, Spence, Fagemo, Kupari


I believe the team is at the point where it is time to trade some high valued prospects to get something big back, like for example to get a guy Chychrun (just an example)

I'd start by offering Kupari and Durzi and one of the newer prospects that aren't Chromiak or Clarke. I believe deals like the one made to get Fiala are out there.

 

[VCRW]

I'm not trading: Byfield, Kaliyev, Villardi, Clarke, Chromiak

Can't Trade: Turcotte, Akil Thomas Both injury risks

Don't want to trade, but might consider: JAD, Spence, Fagemo, Kupari


I believe the team is at the point where it is time to trade some high valued prospects to get something big back, like for example to get a guy Chychrun (just an example)

I'd start by offering Kupari and Durzi and one of the newer prospects that aren't Chromiak or Clarke. I believe deals like the one made to get Fiala are out there.

You may wish to add Kaliyev to the "Can't trade" list.. latest news is that it will be "several weeks" before Arty returns.

 

[Busted Chops]

I'm not trading: Byfield, Kaliyev, Villardi, Clarke, Chromiak

Can't Trade: Turcotte, Akil Thomas Both injury risks

Don't want to trade, but might consider: JAD, Spence, Fagemo, Kupari


I believe the team is at the point where it is time to trade some high valued prospects to get something big back, like for example to get a guy Chychrun (just an example)

I'd start by offering Kupari and Durzi and one of the newer prospects that aren't Chromiak or Clarke. I believe deals like the one made to get Fiala are out there.

You're going to need to move some cap space too - who do you add the the mix; AI, Kempe, Arvy, ???

 

[emsomaso]

If (when) we have to move one of AI, Kempe or Arvy for cap reasons that is a no-brainer for me. You trade AI before Kempe & Arvy and that isn’t even close!

 

[DryKing]

If (when) we have to move one of AI, Kempe or Arvy for cap reasons that is a no-brainer for me. You trade AI before Kempe & Arvy and that isn’t even close!

In my opinion you simply don't trade Kempe. So that leaves AI, Arvi and Moore as potentials. Hard to think either AI or Moore holds anywhere near the value for Arvi, so that would be the main driver to include him in a deal if necessary.

 

[emsomaso]

In my opinion you simply don't trade Kempe. So that leaves AI, Arvi and Moore as potentials. Hard to think either AI or Moore holds anywhere near the value for Arvi, so that would be the main driver to include him in a deal if necessary.

Agree 100% on Kempe, there is no way we should trade him. And I rather keep Arvy and Moore, both brings great value to this team, and instead add prospects and/or picks to raise the value in a trade.

 

[VCRW]

You may wish to add Kaliyev to the "Can't trade" list.. latest news is that it will be "several weeks" before Arty returns.

On NHL Radio this afternoon, Bernstein said that Kaliyev's injury is a broken foot - so it will still be a while. He also said that there is no clear timetable for Moore because the injury was a concussion.

No further word on Vilardi other than lower body and sent home for evaluation.

These are big holes in the roster and losing these guys limits the cards Blake has to deal. Glad the deadline is so late this year.

 

[jammer06]

On NHL Radio this afternoon, Bernstein said that Kaliyev's injury is a broken foot - so it will still be a while. He also said that there is no clear timetable for Moore because the injury was a concussion.

No further word on Vilardi other than lower body and sent home for evaluation.

These are big holes in the roster and losing these guys limits the cards Blake has to deal. Glad the deadline is so late this year.

That also means theres the deadline boost of returning players who also arent suffering the fit/fat issue of players in late March /April who are physically 70-80% of their October testing but whose bodies are now eating themselves. Will see what blake does but the depth to tread water at 0.610 hockey is valuable.