The Hockey News has an interest post on KIngs prospect

[jgs]

I believe the cap will be going up about 3 million next year maybe more. The Avs will find a way to keep Byrum. Further elite d-mans and forwards are few and hard to come by and the teams that have drafted them and paid to develop them are not inclined tot trade them during their prime. Maybe after they hit the downside of their career. I would Trade Durzi, Walker and not resign Elder and use those position to give Spence and two other D-men to show what they can bring to the Kings. If those young players pan out, the Kings would be in great shape on D for quite some time. I wouldn't trade a promising young prospect until i could see what he can do on the Kings line up. The last thing I would want to do is give away a promising prospect and to see him do great for another team and then say. Damn I had him and let him go.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

It's not unfathomable Kupari ends up having a better career than QB. He's looking really up for it.

Then there's Turcotte still, who has Vilardi redemption arc possibilities.

1C + 2C are locked up longterm.

Blake has got to be bold and get a stud or two on that backline. Could he move QB? Then you still have Spence or Grans to move for another nice piece.

Would it be somewhat akin to trading Brayden Schenn? He was about as highly regarded as QB and look how that worked out. Schenn stumbled a bit out the gate as well, interesting parallels.

 

[Clif]

It's not unfathomable Kupari ends up having a better career than QB. He's looking really up for it.

Then there's Turcotte still, who has Vilardi redemption arc possibilities.

1C + 2C are locked up longterm.

Blake has got to be bold and get a stud or two on that backline. Could he move QB? Then you still have Spence or Grans to move for another nice piece.

Would it be somewhat akin to trading Brayden Schenn? He was about as highly regarded as QB and look how that worked out. Schenn stumbled a bit out the gate as well, interesting parallels.

Yes, Kupari lighting it up with 2 points in 7 games, taking too many penalties, and winning faceoffs at a mid-40 clip is really putting Byfield to shame. Lately Kupari is also too deferential in passing up shot attempts.

Want to criticize a 20 year old project who’s been hampered by injuries then fine. There’s plenty of room there. But Kupari isn’t showing him up by any means.

 

[DryKing]

It's not unfathomable Kupari ends up having a better career than QB. He's looking really up for it.

Then there's Turcotte still, who has Vilardi redemption arc possibilities.

1C + 2C are locked up longterm.

Blake has got to be bold and get a stud or two on that backline. Could he move QB? Then you still have Spence or Grans to move for another nice piece.

Would it be somewhat akin to trading Brayden Schenn? He was about as highly regarded as QB and look how that worked out. Schenn stumbled a bit out the gate as well, interesting parallels.

There is less than a 2% chance the Kings would be willing to trade QB anytime soon, with the only exception being a deal which is too good to be true. Not only does QB have the talent, and just needs time to develop, but he helps to pull in the target demographic which the Kings are desperately trying to build market share with. QB's peak is projected at 22/23 years old (under normal, non-covid circumstances) so I don't think the Kings ownership is concerned with where his development is at this point. As far as I can see, he is in track.

Sometimes we, as fans, just expect too much too soon.

Yes, Kupari lighting it up with 2 points in 7 games, taking too many penalties, and winning faceoffs at a mid-40 clip is really putting Byfield to shame. Lately Kupari is also too deferential in passing up shot attempts.

Want to criticize a 20 year old project who’s been hampered by injuries then fine. There’s plenty of room there. But Kupari isn’t showing him up by any means.

Kupari does look more developed than QB at this point, but we should expect that. Those sleeping on Kupari are going to be surprised as he projects to be the next breakout player to follow in Gabe's footsteps. Much like Gabe did, he needs to convert to winger though so he really isn't more than a placeholder for Byfield at Center currently. Kupari / Byfield / Fiala is going to look pretty sick though if/when they emerge as a line together.

 

[Clif]

Kupari does look more developed than QB at this point, but we should expect that. Those sleeping on Kupari are going to be surprised as he projects to be the next breakout player to follow in Gabe's footsteps. Much like Gabe did, he needs to convert to winger though so he really isn't more than a placeholder for Byfield at Center currently. Kupari / Byfield / Fiala is going to look pretty sick though if/when they emerge as a line together.

Yep Kupari is a placeholder now but since he has no future there I’d much prefer to see Todd play him at wing now over Grundstrom or Lemieux and slot JAD in who is a center. Fiala is carrying that line on his back right now anyway and I don’t see a big drop-off if you do that. Could even be a defensively safer line.

I see the promise in Kupari’s heavy hitting and elite skating, as well as his stick handling. He’s shown some more poise with the puck in moments. That said, I’m not so sold on him as others here and I’m a little surprised there’s this much hype for a guy who’s put up 16 points in 71 games compared to other players with similarly middling stats. He could well become a solid 3rd line winger. He has yet to deliver for a player said to breakout as a top 6.

 

[DryKing]

Yep Kupari is a placeholder now but since he has no future there I’d much prefer to see Todd play him at wing now over Grundstrom or Lemieux and slot JAD in who is a center. Fiala is carrying that line on his back right now anyway and I don’t see a big drop-off if you do that. Could even be a defensively safer line.

I see the promise in Kupari’s heavy hitting and elite skating, as well as his stick handling. He’s shown some more poise with the puck in moments. That said, I’m not so sold on him as others here and I’m a little surprised there’s this much hype for a guy who’s put up 16 points in 71 games compared to other players with similarly middling stats. He could well become a solid 3rd line winger. He has yet to deliver for a player said to breakout as a top 6.

Good points, though I have to admit I have an extremely high opinion of Kupari and see him as a future top 6 forward (winger). I do agree that leaving him at center long term doesn't make a whole lot of sense if his future plan is at wing. Likely it depends on how fast Byfield can get ready to come back up - if more than 4-6 games I think we see the Kings shake up who centers the 3rd like, possibly with JAD filling the role. Lemiuex and Grundstrom are needed physical presences right now so I don't think they get shelved, and likely Kupari will develop as a winger in the AHL rather than NHL (much like Gabe did). Kupari has the potential to be a physical, elite skating power winger but he has a ways to go to get there, to your point.

Side note: I would much rather see JAD centering the 4th line than Lizotte and I'm still hoping the Kings move Lizotte to the wing (he'd be a solid 3rd line winger imo).

 

[Clif]

Good points, though I have to admit I have an extremely high opinion of Kupari and see him as a future top 6 forward (winger). I do agree that leaving him at center long term doesn't make a whole lot of sense if his future plan is at wing. Likely it depends on how fast Byfield can get ready to come back up - if more than 4-6 games I think we see the Kings shake up who centers the 3rd like, possibly with JAD filling the role. Lemiuex and Grundstrom are needed physical presences right now so I don't think they get shelved, and likely Kupari will develop as a winger in the AHL rather than NHL (much like Gabe did). Kupari has the potential to be a physical, elite skating power winger but he has a ways to go to get there, to your point.

Side note: I would much rather see JAD centering the 4th line than Lizotte and I'm still hoping the Kings move Lizotte to the wing (he'd be a solid 3rd line winger imo).

Totally fair. We all have our prospects we get high on, so I’m hoping you’re more right on him than I am. I will say he had a good game vs. DET. Not only the opening assist but his puck possession was noticeable in later shifts. Around the 7 minute mark of the second he took the puck from a DET player in the Kings zone and carried it up the ice and it lead to a shot on goal. And like his assist, he did a good job carrying it with speed and using his skill to maneuver through the opposition. It’s definitely what I want to see from him and if they can rely on him for zone entries man what a deeper team with Fiala and Kempe already excelling in that area.

My main question on the top 6 is who does he leapfrog when this team is contending - Kempe, Fiala, Vilardi, or Kaliyev? Don’t see that happening but to that end I don’t think he needs to. The good teams have a top 9 and Kings are definitely moving in that direction after not having a serviceable 3rd line in a few seasons.

 

[DryKing]

Totally fair. We all have our prospects we get high on, so I’m hoping you’re more right on him than I am. I will say he had a good game vs. DET. Not only the opening assist but his puck possession was noticeable in later shifts. Around the 7 minute mark of the second he took the puck from a DET player in the Kings zone and carried it up the ice and it lead to a shot on goal. And like his assist, he did a good job carrying it with speed and using his skill to maneuver through the opposition. It’s definitely what I want to see from him and if they can rely on him for zone entries man what a deeper team with Fiala and Kempe already excelling in that area.

My main question on the top 6 is who does he leapfrog when this team is contending - Kempe, Fiala, Vilardi, or Kaliyev? Don’t see that happening but to that end I don’t think he needs to. The good teams have a top 9 and Kings are definitely moving in that direction after not having a serviceable 3rd line in a few seasons.

Yeah I think you are right in regards to top 6. I could see him swapping with Kaliyev depending on the match up but I don't see him beating any of those 4 out for a spot full time. I'd add Moore to that equation too. I also agree that cup contending teams have 3 capable scoring lines and he'd be a good future fit on a more physical 3rd line.

The other X-factor is Arvidsson and where he falls in future state. Personally I think the Kings will need to trade him in order to resign Vilardi, Moore and Anderson next season.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Would you all trade QB for Bowen Byram? I would, and without any hesitation or second thought

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Yep Kupari is a placeholder now but since he has no future there I’d much prefer to see Todd play him at wing now over Grundstrom or Lemieux and slot JAD in who is a center. Fiala is carrying that line on his back right now anyway and I don’t see a big drop-off if you do that. Could even be a defensively safer line.

I see the promise in Kupari’s heavy hitting and elite skating, as well as his stick handling. He’s shown some more poise with the puck in moments. That said, I’m not so sold on him as others here and I’m a little surprised there’s this much hype for a guy who’s put up 16 points in 71 games compared to other players with similarly middling stats. He could well become a solid 3rd line winger. He has yet to deliver for a player said to breakout as a top 6.

You'd rather see Kupari play over Grundstrom? The same Grundstrom who manages to find the back of the net while playing minimal minutes on the 4th line, and also has a penchant for physical play? I understand the sentiment, and that Kupari's skills ON PAPER sound appealing, given his size strength and speed.. but the kid continues to make boneheaded plays regularly, ending up in the box, blowing coverages, losing faceoffs, etc. Carl Grundstrom, meanwhile, seems like a steady eddy, incredibly low to non existent maintenance type player who has a knack for picking corners with his shots.

I never thought i'd be saying this, but i cannot wait for Alex Iafallo to return from the IR, given the pace he started the year at.. either say he can play and contribute, or up his trade value, or BOTH.

 

[Clif]

You'd rather see Kupari play over Grundstrom? The same Grundstrom who manages to find the back of the net while playing minimal minutes on the 4th line, and also has a penchant for physical play? I understand the sentiment, and that Kupari's skills ON PAPER sound appealing, given his size strength and speed.. but the kid continues to make boneheaded plays regularly, ending up in the box, blowing coverages, losing faceoffs, etc. Carl Grundstrom, meanwhile, seems like a steady eddy, incredibly low to non existent maintenance type player who has a knack for picking corners with his shots.

I never thought i'd be saying this, but i cannot wait for Alex Iafallo to return from the IR, given the pace he started the year at.. either say he can play and contribute, or up his trade value, or BOTH.

You’re highlighting one comment out of a much larger conversation between Dry King and me about Kupari and his present/future. I don’t like him at center at all, not even as a placeholder until Quinton gets back, and I actually pointed out the same things you did in my reasoning for that. What I was getting at is if you gotta play him I’d take swapping him with Lemieux or Grundstrom at wing some games vs. putting him in at center.

Agreed in Iafallo. I believe Moore is making him expendable in the long run and I still think AI gets traded, but I was wrong in thinking that would be a good move this soon. He would really have made the team a bit more responsible these past few games. Imagine a goal or two saved vs. CAL and WPG.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Would you all trade QB for Bowen Byram? I would, and without any hesitation or second thought

No. Byram is still a work in progress. If you're trading a prospect like Byfield you don't acquire another prospect.

Would anyone trade Eric/Jordan Staal for Jake Muzzin? No.

If you're the Kings, you provide the maximum amount of coaching possible on and off the ice to unlock the full potential in Byfield and you celebrate the fact that you have a dependable 1st line Center at the age of 23.

 

[jammer06]

No. Byram is still a work in progress. If you're trading a prospect like Byfield you don't acquire another prospect.

Would anyone trade Eric/Jordan Staal for Jake Muzzin? No.

If you're the Kings, you provide the maximum amount of coaching possible on and off the ice to unlock the full potential in Byfield and you celebrate the fact that you have a dependable 1st line Center at the age of 23.

The more research I do about development arcs of players QB's size, the more clearer it is that a generational player might hit at 20 or below, but 23 really is when you would know for sure if you're going to have something. Basically get used to the idea that he might take a while, within that though the idea that he could be as good as Raantanen is very much there.

 

[Statue4Deano]

The more research I do about development arcs of players QB's size, the more clearer it is that a generational player might hit at 20 or below, but 23 really is when you would know for sure if you're going to have something. Basically get used to the idea that he might take a while, within that though the idea that he could be as good as Raantanen is very much there.

What’s funny and not all that surprising is we’ve got a guy who is a prime example of why patience with special prospects pays off in Gabe Vilardi but people just choose to ignore the results of trusting the development process. Or they attribute his late bloomer status primarily to his injury history. The effort he put into rehabbing his back can’t be ignored but he’s had large chunks of multiple seasons where he was 100% healthy and he looked ineffective and over his head at the NHL level.

What we’re seeing with Vilardi this year at age 23 is a young man who is healthy AND finally prepared to compete at the NHL level. The time and effort it took to get him to this moment was a combination of the work he put in and the work the organization put in. Now the Kings suddenly have one of the most exciting young forwards in the league and if he keeps it up all season there isn’t a chance in hell they’ll let him go because you just can’t get players like him at his age in a trade.

Is Byfield a 1:1 comparable to Vilardi? Of course not. He’s his own player but what’s really exciting is he’s very likely better than Vilardi. So no you don’t cut bait on Byfield any time soon unless you as an organization feel like he’s not worth the time and effort.

 

[jammer06]

What’s funny and not all that surprising is we’ve got a guy who is a prime example of why patience with special prospects pays off in Gabe Vilardi but people just choose to ignore the results of trusting the development process. Or they attribute his late bloomer status primarily to his injury history. The effort he put into rehabbing his back can’t be ignored but he’s had large chunks of multiple seasons where he was 100% healthy and he looked ineffective and over his head at the NHL level.

What we’re seeing with Vilardi this year at age 23 is a young man who is healthy AND finally prepared to compete at the NHL level. The time and effort it took to get him to this moment was a combination of the work he put in and the work the organization put in. Now the Kings suddenly have one of the most exciting young forwards in the league and if he keeps it up all season there isn’t a chance in hell they’ll let him go because you just can’t get players like him at his age in a trade.

Is Byfield a 1:1 comparable to Vilardi? Of course not. He’s his own player but what’s really exciting is he’s very likely better than Vilardi. So no you don’t cut bait on Byfield any time soon unless you as an organization feel like he’s not worth the time and effort.

Tage Thompson really got me started on doing a look around the league after I watched one of his games. I'll admit when Buffalo signed him to that extension I laughed like everyone else and made the Jeff Skinner jokes but holy cow that guy is dripping with skill that only can be done as a 6'-7" height. If you look at his production though the story is very similar to others. 1-2 years of cup of coffee, total lack of production, then production with a huge minus number, followed by a real breakout where they aren't tanking the team while they learn on the job. Q's bigger hurdle is that this organization can't afford him that space out there to have the 40 point year where he's also a minus 17. More than happy to consider that aspect of him if they decide he needs more A time or if he's going to be forced into a Kaliyev arc.

 

[drums4dmf]

The more research I do about development arcs of players QB's size, the more clearer it is that a generational player might hit at 20 or below, but 23 really is when you would know for sure if you're going to have something. Basically get used to the idea that he might take a while, within that though the idea that he could be as good as Raantanen is very much there.

Yeah we all knew QB was going to be a projec and you can see clearly his potential. That being said I can’t help but think we should have picked Stutzle instead…

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Vilardi, Kaliyev, and Moore are top five in points on the Kings roster, which bodes well for the future, but not so well for cap implications since these guys are all due raises in the next two years. It would be optimal if the bulk of the scoring came from the guys who are already getting PAID, such as Kopitar, Fiala, Danault, Arvidsson, Kempe.. I guess it’s a good problem to have, but hopefully it does not result in a guy like Moore, who is an upcoming UFA, to price himself off the roster.

 

[DryKing]

Vilardi, Kaliyev, and Moore are top five in points on the Kings roster, which bodes well for the future, but not so well for cap implications since these guys are all due raises in the next two years. It would be optimal if the bulk of the scoring came from the guys who are already getting PAID, such as Kopitar, Fiala, Danault, Arvidsson, Kempe.. I guess it’s a good problem to have, but hopefully it does not result in a guy like Moore, who is an upcoming UFA, to price himself off the roster.

Yeah we need to free up some cap space by the end of year for sure. Trade a couple vets such as Arvidsson and Walker and we should be set for next year (Anderson also should be due for a significant raise). $1m also falls off from Phaneuf at the end of the year. Kaliyev is less of a concern as Kopi's $10m deal expires at the same time.

Also, just for the record, Fiala, Kempe, Arvidsson, Danault and Kopi are all in the top 5 in scoring (with a couple of the group in a 3-way tie for 5th) so they really are amounting to the bulk of the scoring but your point is nonetheless valid.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Interesting note.. on TSN, they have multiple articles posted about the Kings and their glut of RH D-men..
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/arizona-coyotes-jakob-chychrun-may-heat-up-nhl-trade-market-1.1880078

Rob Blake, jamming up the trade market? Hopefully he is slow rolling everyone and letting them stew a bit, as to crank up the return. Especially if it's Spence or Durzi, as both of these guys are padding their totals in the respective leagues they're playing in. Even Sean Walker looks like he is slowly returning to form, and I suspect he could play 3rd pair right side for just about anyone in the league if they're short on RHD men.