Dr. Tran
Super Star
I think I was being facetious.
Spence Traded for Picks to Ottawa
- Thread starter HeadInjury
- Start date
Bollocks
Top Forward
I know you were, but I was just trying to elaborate on this topic further.
Size does matter...to an extent. Small D need to be high end offensive catalysts (which Spence isn't), and huge D must be mobile enough so they're not pylons. And neither can be too soft.
Illegal_Stick
Super Star
I’m fine with him being traded. I just don’t get doing it at the draft for very little when we may need to make trades soon and he could’ve been a piece in those trades. I don’t understand the urgency of making that move.
Birdman
TEAM LGK
Here is the thing, he got traded for what he is actually worth. He wasn’t going to be a “Key piece” in a blockbuster deal. If anything, he’d have been a throw in.
He’s a 6th or 7th defenseman, meaning he’s going to play at best 12 minutes a night, and would probably sit in the press box for at least 20 games a season. The return we got matched his value.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
He played over 16 minutes per night last season. He was statistically one of the most productive defensemen to suit up for the Kings last season. I’m talking traditional counting stats not even delving into the analytics. His 28 points were #2 on the team for d-men. Not sure where you’re getting 12 minutes a night at best.
All this begs the question why trade him now at this lowest value? There’s no better option internally. There’s no better value option on the free agent market. Where’s the harm in keeping a 24 year old insurance policy on the team?
Did he request a trade? Big deal. Lots of guys do that. Trading a productive NHL caliber right shot defensemen for 3 lotto scratchers is bad risk and asset management.
symbology
TEAM LGK
In the '24 playoffs where the Kings were practically swept. Spence was one of the better D for the Kings. Played 15-16 minutes a night and finished with a +/- +2.
I think this is a combination of Spence wanting out because he wanted to play and the Kings wanting to change things up on the backend. I think the Kings would have been fine to keep him as a 7th D, worse case. Spence was not going to be happy with that.
From what I can tell, this is the same kind of tension between player and coach that led to Holloway and Broberg jumping at the chance to sign offer sheets. It did not work out well for the Oilers Probably will not work out well for the Kings either.
DryKing
Power Forward
I think Spence wanting out in a false narrative. The determining factor, in reality, is that Hiller wanted him out. I really think we are giving this coach too much power to dictate who stays and goes by showing an unwillingness to play the 4th line and bottom pairing.
The Org seems to be in a state of chaos right now.
McSorleyFan
3rd Line Winger
Or it could be that Spence wanted more quality minutes and Hiller didn't want to give them to him. Which he showed in the playoffs last year. While Spence may have never said "trade me", he was forcing Holland/Hiller's hand with his demands for more playing time. Which to your point was Hiller's unwillingness to play the bottom pairings.
Clif
Super Star
He doesn’t need to be a key piece in a blockbuster deal, but Holland couldn’t use him and a pick for a fourth liner? I find that hard to believe.
Hague was also 3rd pair d, had worse stats, lower time on ice average, and was a -2 on a division winning team. He just pulled in another 3rd pair D and a fourth line center. Granted, he’s huge. So if size is dictating value right now in its own right, once again we held onto a player for way too long.
Bollocks
Top Forward
What if the problem is DD not willing to give up his minutes and Clarke's development requiring more minutes? Spence has played 3 minutes/game less than he did in his rookie season. When DD was injured it was Gavrikov who moved to RD1, too. I can totally see him not being happy between an aging DD and his ego and an up and coming projected heir apparent needing more minutes...and I don't think Hiller "wants him out". I think Hiller is as much a "victim" of the team built for him as Spence is of the team he is part of.
Why are we so hanged up on receiving a roster player in return?
Picks are flexible and their value does not "expire" before they're used. Why would the Kings have to trade Spence for a roster player now if they can get (what they consider good) value in the form of picks?
Maybe Ken wants to wait how UFA frenzy plays out before committing to players for the 4th line/3rd pairing. Or do we think what Hague netted vegas isn't worth a 3rd, 4th and 6th round pick if the selling team is open to trading for picks?
After the UFA frenzy and the big names are signed they will also know how much they can afford to spend on a 4th liner/3rd pairing D.
And someone else also pointed out the possibility of an offer sheet, in which case stockpiling some picks to offset the cost of an offer sheet is also an option...
DryKing
Power Forward
Could be, but nothing I heard pointed that way. What Ken said is that Spence wanted the opportunity to play every night - this, to me, is a clear indication that he wasn't happy to not being playing come playoff time. I don't think it speaks to wanting key minutes, but simply minutes.
The first team I got drafted by were the Champions coming into the season. I came in as a forward and was converted to defense due to size / fill a need. After playing all season at D, buying into the system and working overtime to catch up at the position, we found ourselves in a do or die championship game (having dropped the previous game to our opponent 6-5 after being up 4-1 going into the 3rd). For whatever reason, the coach dressed me but I didn't get any ice time that game. I just sat on the bench and watched like a fan... We ended up winning and took the Cup, and I went on to have a pretty good run, but almost 30 years later I still can't shake that feeling. To a passionate player like Spence, I can somewhat imagine what he must have felt (or perhaps I am projecting).
Either way, I don't think he was asking for much.
Clif
Super Star
I’ll speak for myself here but this team needs to change the lineup. I understand moving Spence out because the fit isn’t here anymore. I’d still prefer to use him as an asset for a player who could help now, not a third round pick who is 89% likely to never help. And if it ever does, it’s in 5 years or so. A sixth round pick? Forget it.
Bollocks
Top Forward
But picks can, in fact, be traded for roster players. Especially 4th liners.
Better than a bag of pucks!
JETS GARAGE
Triple Crown Line
Good Luck Jordan! Thank You!
hokiecat
Super Star
Exactly! What is the logic behind trading one of your top 6 D a couple days before July 1 with your #1D going on the market? It would be different if we got a first round pick for Spenny. But a couple of mid-round scraps? Why not hold him and trade him in a week to a team which is desperate for roster players? (Which looks like that could be us in 24-48 hrs).
