The Pacific Division Thread

[orpheus]

I don't like that the Sucks are rising like foam and the Kings are sinking like lead.

 

[Bollocks]

"Us" does not think that. Not all of us as I sure do not. Word is that he is not available for a reasonable return. Kraken have said they are open to trade him for an upgrade/overpayment. I mentioned this elsewhere on this board. He is not going anywhere for Foegele +, but may be had for Fiala (in some sort of deal).

The only way it makes sense for the Kings if they are in rebuild mode. Why trade Fiala for picks only to then try and acquire a young player like Wright. Just trade for Wright from the start. This is the only scenario I see Wright coming to LA. Fiala would be the top scorer on the Kraken if that were to happen.

I see. And I agree. If there was to be a rebuild that's definitely a trade you should make.

If some of the AHL centers come knocking on the door really loudly then you have assets to trade (Turcotte) or you can give up on making QB a center and you move him back to wing.

 

[Hockey53]

The Ducks hit pay dirt with Becket Sennecke. The big kid just scored his first career hat trick in Calgary and he leads all rookies in goal scoring. Jealous…

Becket Sennecke leads all rookies in scoring,with 18 goals,23 assists for 41 points.The only Kings players that are even close to Sennecke in scoring,is Adrian Kempe with 17gls,22 assists for 39 points and Kevin Fiala with 18 goals,18 assists for 36 points.Byfield is next with 28 points.And yes VCRW,it does look like the Ducks hit pay dirt with Becket Sennecke.

 

[Clif]

Huh?
KH is only here for 3 seasons.
He is not doing anything but a one season retool if that, this year.
Trading Fiala from a team starved for goals is not happening.
You have to put a decent product on the ice or risk losing revenue that could impact your franchise value.
Wright has lost value and is not a piece you go after , especially for a player like Fiala.
Upper tier FA's have not been picking the Kings.
We need to keep every single thing we have until we acquire an upgrade for that player.
You admitted Wright may not end up top 6

Holland is signed for 3 years as GM and is 70 years old. I get it. I don’t believe Holland is looking at this team and thinks to himself, “Contender.” What that means for next season no one can say, but if we’re speculating on possible avenues a retool is one if this year goes poorly enough.

Note that a retool is different from a rebuild. Kings have young talent and a decent prospect pool already, but not a great prospect pool. They have old players they can move for picks/prospects. A retool would take 2-3 years. Fiala has 3 years left and is a productive, at times dynamic, top 6 scorer. He’s by far the best of the tradable older players, and it Wright is available I could see him being the Kings only real piece coupled with a first. Kraken are not trading Wright for a prospect.

The reasons you stated make the idea of losing Fiala painful, I agree. I don’t like it but may be necessary.

And I suppose I “admitted” Wright may not be top 6 since that’s the whole reason SEA may be willing to trade him, but there’s a lot to be intrigued by in this player. A center lineup of Byfield, Wright, Turcotte, and Helenius may be unspectacular but with the right coach there’s some real potential there for a responsible, hardworking and productive group.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Becket Sennecke leads all rookies in scoring,with 18 goals,23 assists for 41 points.The only Kings players that are even close to Sennecke in scoring,is Adrian Kempe with 17gls,22 assists for 39 points and Kevin Fiala with 18 goals,18 assists for 36 points.Byfield is next with 28 points.And yes VCRW,it does look like the Ducks hit pay dirt with Becket Sennecke.

Kings have a systemic problem. The rot comes from the top. It’s time to dig it out.

 

[Bollocks]

Holland is signed for 3 years as GM and is 70 years old. I get it. I don’t believe Holland is looking at this team and thinks to himself, “Contender.” What that means for next season no one can say, but if we’re speculating on possible avenues a retool is one if this year goes poorly enough.

Note that a retool is different from a rebuild. Kings have young talent and a decent prospect pool already, but not a great prospect pool. They have old players they can move for picks/prospects. A retool would take 2-3 years. Fiala has 3 years left and is a productive, at times dynamic, top 6 scorer. He’s by far the best of the tradable older players, and it Wright is available I could see him being the Kings only real piece coupled with a first. Kraken are not trading Wright for a prospect.

The reasons you stated make the idea of losing Fiala painful, I agree. I don’t like it but may be necessary.

And I suppose I “admitted” Wright may not be top 6 since that’s the whole reason SEA may be willing to trade him, but there’s a lot to be intrigued by in this player. A center lineup of Byfield, Wright, Turcotte, and Helenius may be unspectacular but with the right coach there’s some real potential there for a responsible, hardworking and productive group.

The upside is the Kings have a few wingers too many, especially with the recent&deent showing of Ward and Lee, and return to health for Moore and Perry.

Maybe the Kings should forget about relying on one very skilled, but somewhat inconsistent player with poor decision making and try to win with hard working, gritty wingers lead and mentored by Perry. Planting @sses in front of goalies instead of trying to outdeke everyone. The only issue is not many blueliners can shoot the damn puck...

 

[Clif]

The upside is the Kings have a few wingers too many, especially with the recent&deent showing of Ward and Lee, and return to health for Moore and Perry.

Maybe the Kings should forget about relying on one very skilled, but somewhat inconsistent player with poor decision making and try to win with hard working, gritty wingers lead and mentored by Perry. Planting @sses in front of goalies instead of trying to outdeke everyone. The only issue is not many blueliners can shoot the damn puck...

Well I don’t expect Perry will have interest in returning next year, but I am all for that approach to the game. The blueline is another story. I don’t know what mobile defensemen are going to be available to trade for or sign as UFAs. Feels like we may to wait that solution out a bit and hope Bruschetta really is an NHL talent.

The Kings are not doomed for years in the wilderness if Holland is given a greenlight for meaningful changes. The Blake Plan got to enjoy its death rattle this season. It’s all the justification Holland needs.

 

[Clif]

Shane Wright update per Pagnotta on the Jeff Marek podcast:

-SEA still believes in this player but is looking for star power
-Wants a player in mid-20s who is controllable
-Kyrou (27) and Thomas (26) examples
-Lots of interest in Wright

Means Fiala is minimum if that’s the even desirable to SEA. He’s 29 but with 3 years left not bad, but I’d bet another team would outbid the Kings.

 

[DryKing]

Shane Wright update per Pagnotta on the Jeff Marek podcast:

-SEA still believes in this player but is looking for star power
-Wants a player in mid-20s who is controllable
-Kyrou (27) and Thomas (26) examples
-Lots of interest in Wright

Means Fiala is minimum if that’s the even desirable to SEA. He’s 29 but with 3 years left not bad, but I’d bet another team would outbid the Kings.

Zero chance that Wright (projected at 29 points this season) is worth Fiala, Kyrou or Thomas. If SEA were to ask that, they would be dreaming.

 

[symbology]

Zero chance that Wright (projected at 29 points this season) is worth Fiala, Kyrou or Thomas. If SEA were to ask that, they would be dreaming.

This could be one of two, or three or more things......

#1) they are willing to move him for an overpayment. (not sure I see this happening.)
#2) they are willing to move him + ? for an upgrade/established top 6 forward.
#3) who knows......

 

[DryKing]

This could be one of two, or three or more things......

#1) they are willing to move him for an overpayment. (not sure I see this happening.)
#2) they are willing to move him + ? for an upgrade/established top 6 forward.
#3) who knows......

Agreed - most likely it falls into bucket #2 (more like a Moore-type player who has established himself and can help now).

Normally I could see #1 but they have been dangling his name out there too heavily while consistently saying they have confidence in him - which usually means they have lost a good deal of confidence in him becoming a top line, or perhaps even top 6, center.

As another member here pointed out, he is in the vein of Kakko but has a bit more value as he is a center and still could turn a corner. His age is also draws allure.

 

[Clif]

Zero chance that Wright (projected at 29 points this season) is worth Fiala, Kyrou or Thomas. If SEA were to ask that, they would be dreaming.

As another member here pointed out, he is in the vein of Kakko but has a bit more value as he is a center and still could turn a corner. His age is also draws allure.

I would say they likely don’t want to move him, but would be willing to if brought back a good player. Your second comment is why there would be interest. Phil is washed and brought back a high second. And in what has apparently been confirmed, CAR would have sent back Kotkaniemi. How many 22 year-old centers taken in the first 5 overall become available?

 

[DryKing]

I would say they likely don’t want to move him, but would be willing to if brought back a good player. Your second comment is why there would be interest. Phil is washed and brought back a high second. And in what has apparently been confirmed, CAR would have sent back Kotkaniemi. How many 22 year-old centers taken in the first 5 overall become available?

Yeah I could see Wright fetching a mid 1st round pick, or perhaps a previous 1st round prospect/player who is struggling, but my initial point is that a player like Fiala would go for quite a bit more than that. If Wright were having an up season, he would obviously go for a lot more. Currently, though, he's not even a 4th line center in most lineups but, unlike Danault, still has a lot of upside (despite lack of points, Danault actually has been the better of the two players this season).

It's very possible I am wrong, but the way I read Seattle's veiled comments I feel they secretly want to move him pretty desperately but do not want to do so from a perceived position of weakness.

 

[Clif]

Yeah I could see Wright fetching a mid 1st round pick, or perhaps a previous 1st round prospect/player who is struggling, but my initial point is that a player like Fiala would go for quite a bit more than that. If Wright were having an up season, he would obviously go for a lot more. Currently, though, he's not even a 4th line center in most lineups but, unlike Danault, still has a lot of upside (despite lack of points, Danault actually has been the better of the two players this season).

It's very possible I am wrong, but the way I read Seattle's veiled comments I feel they secretly want to move him pretty desperately but do not want to do so from a perceived position of weakness.

It’s definitely an interesting scenario. Freidman echoed SEA wants a dynamic forward back. So this trade only works with teams like StL or NYR who are failed playoff teams now taking a step back. Kings haven’t committed to that category yet, if they even will at all.

I’d see a team looking to rebuild/retool as being more willing to give up a player than a first round pick. Maybe it’s SEA who actually has to add a second or later pick. That makes sense too. I believe there will be interest but I’m afraid Kings won’t face reality in time soon enough to get involved.

 

[DryKing]

It’s definitely an interesting scenario. Freidman echoed SEA wants a dynamic forward back. So this trade only works with teams like StL or NYR who are failed playoff teams now taking a step back. Kings haven’t committed to that category yet, if they even will at all.

I’d see a team looking to rebuild/retool as being more willing to give up a player than a first round pick. Maybe it’s SEA who actually has to add a second or later pick. That makes sense too. I believe there will be interest but I’m afraid Kings won’t face reality in time soon enough to get involved.

Agreed and at some point the Kings need to realize how bad their need to add an NHL center really is. I just hope that when that day comes, the also realize it's time to retool the current roster (moving vets) instead of giving up what few prospects we have to acquire another late stage player or rental.

 

[Clif]

Agreed and at some point the Kings need to realize how bad their need to add an NHL center really is. I just hope that when that day comes, the also realize it's time to retool the current roster (moving vets) instead of giving up what few prospects we have to acquire another late stage player or rental.

With you all the way. Way I see it this team has Byfield, Clarke, Laf, Turcotte, Helenius and Lee. It has leadership in Kempe and Anderson. Then there’s a pair of potentially elite goalies who will get pro games as early as next season. Then Greentree.

Wooley and Bruschetta sound like they have what it’ll take.

Some possible NHL potential in Ziemmer, Dvorak, Kirsanov, Connors, and Cihar but some of these guys need to be traded because not all of them will prove to have it. It’s possible none of them will.

If the two of Moore/ Foegele/Fiala, one of Edmundson/Dumo, can be traded for young players or picks, a reasonable retool can take place. Someone like Wright would fit perfectly into this scheme. All of this is predicated on finding the right coach or course. Clarke needs freedom and minutes and Byfield needs new direction.

 

[The Nuts]

I am not sure I am understanding what you are saying. When you say "buy a star" are you talking trade, or UFA? It seems like you are talking trade, and I agree. However, if they do not start a rebuild, Ken is adding something by the deadline.

Missing the playoffs? Probably.

Adding in FA is not a great plan this year, as there are not many top tier UFA's. Some have already been resigned, if I recall correctly.

No matter what Ken does, or does not do this year at the deadline the team will probably be worse next year. Kings need help today and will need more help next year after Kopi is gone.

I get it that the Kings will keep trying to put a patchwork team together and try and stay relevant. They have been doing that for years. Well, 4 first round exits and one of the worst prospect pools in the league is all they have to show for it. Kings have some good goalie prospects, one kid in the OHL that has a chance to be a top 6 player, the rest are looking like bottom 6'rs. IMO, the Kings are running out of duct tape to try and hold it together. It is going to crumble, whether that starts to happen this year or the next. It is inevitable IMO.

If this team does not make a good showing in the playoffs this year, I cannot see any quality player wanting to sign up to a franchise destined to fail / rebuild.

Right now indicates a trade as you can't sign but a few players in season.

Plenty free agents, top tier players are not picking LA lately.
If you trade for one , he won't resign here or will ask for a trade.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/available/_/year/2026/position/c/type/ufa

The Kings need help but if we maybe miss playoffs , why buy during pre deadline when prices are high and a record number of teams are in the race?

If the team even makes the playoffs advancing would be a miracle.

The Kings have a shot at being better next year.

But we agree on a lot

 

[The Nuts]

Holland is signed for 3 years as GM and is 70 years old. I get it. I don’t believe Holland is looking at this team and thinks to himself, “Contender.” What that means for next season no one can say, but if we’re speculating on possible avenues a retool is one if this year goes poorly enough.

Note that a retool is different from a rebuild. Kings have young talent and a decent prospect pool already, but not a great prospect pool. They have old players they can move for picks/prospects. A retool would take 2-3 years. Fiala has 3 years left and is a productive, at times dynamic, top 6 scorer. He’s by far the best of the tradable older players, and it Wright is available I could see him being the Kings only real piece coupled with a first. Kraken are not trading Wright for a prospect.

The reasons you stated make the idea of losing Fiala painful, I agree. I don’t like it but may be necessary.

And I suppose I “admitted” Wright may not be top 6 since that’s the whole reason SEA may be willing to trade him, but there’s a lot to be intrigued by in this player. A center lineup of Byfield, Wright, Turcotte, and Helenius may be unspectacular but with the right coach there’s some real potential there for a responsible, hardworking and productive group.

That's why given the teams poor performance this year compared to last, is the opportunity for Ken to do a one year retool and do something before he retires.

The Kings without Fiala and with Wright are unlikely to even make the playoffs.
Ken is not doing that.
They will look back at 105 points last year, get a new coach, and hope this year is a mulligan.

 

[Bollocks]

It’s definitely an interesting scenario. Freidman echoed SEA wants a dynamic forward back. So this trade only works with teams like StL or NYR who are failed playoff teams now taking a step back. Kings haven’t committed to that category yet, if they even will at all.

I’d see a team looking to rebuild/retool as being more willing to give up a player than a first round pick. Maybe it’s SEA who actually has to add a second or later pick. That makes sense too. I believe there will be interest but I’m afraid Kings won’t face reality in time soon enough to get involved.

Of course not. In some post I read today someone reminded us that Ken is 70+ on a 3 year contract. He won't start a rebuild unless the team collapses horribly, which I can't see happening this season.

Agreed and at some point the Kings need to realize how bad their need to add an NHL center really is. I just hope that when that day comes, the also realize it's time to retool the current roster (moving vets) instead of giving up what few prospects we have to acquire another late stage player or rental.

The Kings almost 100% won't rebuild yet, and in this case they want a borderline 1st line C or an established 2nd line center that could step in the 1A/1B situation with the Kings immediately, and Wright is not that player. Or they go big and take a gamble with Elias.

At this point Wright is only slightly more useful to improving the Kings short-term winning chances as Kenny Connors or Nikita Alexandrov are, and they are cheap. So, why bother losing assets?

 

[Bollocks]

I don't like that the Sucks are rising like foam and the Kings are sinking like lead.

The sucks are good and fun, but they will get pummeled in the playoffs.