The Trade Deadline Thread

[Pickle_Pucks]

The PLD deal will hamstring this team for the next 2-3 years without question. Seems there is a very reasonable buyout option after 3 years I believe (I pray...) but anyone who still holds out hope that he will "turn it around", is delusional.

This team is no shape to contend or battle with the big boys of the West, especially with injuries mounting as they did last year.

Portillo will be given every chance to be the 1b guy next year, the Kings need his cheap contract more than anything. Who 1a in goal will be, who knows? But it's going to be another random bargain veteran. Could be any one 12-15 guys. The Kings are in NO position to give up assets for a goalie when they have shown time and time again over the years how just about any 'tender will at least be above average in their system.

We are absolutely cooked for the next 2-3 years at least. Time to sell off what we can, although that is very little. Roy, Spence, Kaliyev, maybe Lizzo has some value? Yikes, that's not bringing back much.

Best Kings can hope for is for QB to continue his incredible trajectory, Clarke + Turcotte somehow reaching close to their ceilings, Laff continuing to develop and improve, and have ONE single prospect, just one (!) come through that surprises and exceeds expectations. Then you pair that with Kempe, Phil, Moore (resigned to a slight discount hopefully...) and Fiala, and somehow try to fill in the gaps, but that would be a solid foundation if you had the right GM to fill in the gaps. Blake certainly is not that person.

The futures of Doughty, Kopi, and PLD are highly unpredictable. For being so competitive this team is still in QUITE a mess. I think there are some teams in the East that would be very interested in Doughty (maybe with a little salary retained) and would be willing to part with some valuable assets. Blake would never though. That would take him being fired and someone new + ruthless coming in. Kopi isn't going anywhere and he's on a fair contract IMO, but he's not a #1 center anymore. QB is going to have to get a look at somepoint down the middle. PLD, I don't know what in the world you can do with him. This team would be better with him just gone and a healthy Lizzo playing as the 3rd line center, I am 100% convinced of that. That speaks volumes. Hopefully the PLD buyout rumors I've read are true and we can bite the bullet in a couple years. Otherwise, this team is in even more trouble.

We need someone with the right vision for a 2-3 year rebuild at this point, it is painfully obvious. It doesn't have to be full tank mode, but the right moves need to be made, and I negative zero confidence in Blake being able to do that. GKG.

 

[Bill Hicks]

IMO, QB & Clarke are untouchable.
Everyone else can be moved.

In the off season, I'd start with Kopi & Drew.
Someone (not Blake) has to have the balls to really start over without their presence and influence around.
Because, well, their wishes have been met by short circuiting the re-build and what did that accomplish?

 

[symbology]

IMO, QB & Clarke are untouchable.
Everyone else can be moved.

In the off season, I'd start with Kopi & Drew.
Someone (not Blake) has to have the balls to really start over without their presence and influence around.
Because, well, their wishes have been met by short circuiting the re-build and what did that accomplish?

Hard to argue with the bottom part. This team has maybe a 2 year window with Kopi and Drew and this year has not been going great due to cap issues and injuries etc..... Next year is not looking much better.

Not saying Kopi and Drew are not helping the team. It is just that the team on a whole does not appear to be a contender. With that Dubois contract and his play so far as a King, the non existent cap space. The slow mediocre D and the average Goaltending, well this team is not good enough. With the cap issues the only way to accomplish anything over these next few years is to waste assets now. That is going to really hurt this organization in the near future.

Dammed if you do, dammedif you don't. It is the bed that Mr. Blake has made and needs to sleep in.

 

[LAKingSteve]

Kings Reportedly Interested In Tyler Toffoli

After spending the first eight seasons of his career in Los Angeles, Devils winger Tyler Toffoli could return to Southern …

www.prohockeyrumors.com

Just read this as well on another page. I don't see it happening, but I don't really have any clue what the kings will do anymore.

 

[kingnut]

IMO, QB & Clarke are untouchable.
Everyone else can be moved.

In the off season, I'd start with Kopi & Drew.
Someone (not Blake) has to have the balls to really start over without their presence and influence around.
Because, well, their wishes have been met by short circuiting the re-build and what did that accomplish?

Kopi not going anywhere w that salary.

 

[LAKingSteve]

Kopi not going anywhere w that salary.

Kopi has a No Trade/Movement Clause as well I believe. Could he waive it and the Kings retain some of the $7MM each of the next 2 years. I don't think he goes anywhere though. He'll see a reduction in minutes in what might be his final 2 seasons and then retire.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Why would Kopitar not be worth his 7m cap hit next season? He certainly does more than collect points.

Drew Doughty and his 11m cap hit on the other hand…

 

[VCRW]

Why would Kopitar not be worth his 7m cap hit next season? He certainly does more than collect points.

Drew Doughty and his 11m cap hit on the other hand…

Kopi could have taken a better home town discount for a cap-strapped team. Think about how much he has already made - well over $100 million. Wouldn't $5 miilion/year been enough?

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

Kopi could have taken a better home town discount for a cap-strapped team. Think about how much he has already made - well over $100 million. Wouldn't $5 miilion/year been enough?

Kopi's contract isn't the problem and I think it's more than fair for his production. The problem is every coach we have had is intent on running him into the ground. Take him off the PK for starters!

 

[VCRW]

Kopi's contract isn't the problem and I think it's more than fair for his production. The problem is every coach we have had is intent on running him into the ground. Take him off the PK for starters!

Can't agree with you. The criteria for judging the relative value of a player who will be 37 and 38 years old during those contract years is different than the ruler for assessing the value of a contract given to a player in his mid-twenties. How much $$$ is enough? Is Kopi trying to buy Slovenia?

But I do agree his minutes need to be cut down. But I believe it has as much to do with Kopi's habits as it does with coach's decision. He often stays out on shifts way, way too long - even when he has a chance to change he keeps on chugging. He isn't alone. Drew needs to be more disciplined about exceeding his useful shift lengths as well.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

Can't agree with you. The criteria for judging the relative value of a player who will be 37 and 38 years old during those contract years is different than the ruler for assessing the value of a contract given to a player in his mid-twenties. How much $$$ is enough? Is Kopi trying to buy Slovenia?

But I do agree his minutes need to be cut down. But I believe it has as much to do with Kopi's habits as it does with coach's decision. He often stays out on shifts way, way too long - even when he has a chance to change he keeps on chugging. He isn't alone. Drew needs to be more disciplined about exceeding his useful shift lengths as well.

The "how much money does one person need" argument is moot. There is almost no precedent for any player to take a ridiculously low salary just bc they've made "X" amount in a career. Look at Kobe's last deal with the Lakers for starters (50 million for 2 years when he was relatively washed), and he made WAY more than Kopi could ever dream of. There are so many factors involved, but pride is one of them. There was no way Kopi was taking 5 million a year. Other teams on the cusp would be lining up to give him 7.5-8 for a couple years. I know we see 50, 60, 70 million dollar deals and our jaws drop, but take home pay is probably less than half of that after taxes, agents, management, and the Manhattan Beach mortgage doesn't pay itself. I don't think his wife works, would she be happy taking 2.5 million less just because "loyalty"? I doubt it! Rumor has it Gustl won't eat anything less than A5 Wagyu, cost of living is not cheap at the top. I know I know, woe is the life of an elite athlete.

it's just one example for sure, but would you rather have Tavares next year at 11 million or Kopi at 7? The Leafs would be salivating to make that swap I'd imagine. I could see teams like NJ, Philly, Detroit, all being interested in Kopi as a 3rd line centremen. Hubuerdeau at 11.5? Ovi at 10? Stone at 9.5? Backstrom at 9.5? Couture at 8? Kuznetzov at 8? I think 7 for Kopi is more than fair. And he definitely has trade value (NMC aside...). Now, will the Kings do him like that? Certainly Blake won't, but I would 100% put out feelers at the deadline next year if things continue as is.

He's not really a player you can see dropping off a cliff either. He's always been slow. Yes, he's slower now, but his hockey IQ is through the roof and I expect him to be able to justify his contract. If nothing else, I think there are plenty of teams on the cusp that would be lining up to try and make a trade for him, let's say next year at the deadline. Especially if the Kings can retain 1.5-2 million. And again, TAKE HIM OFF THE PK, and throw QB into the fire at 1C. Kopi at 3C.

 

[VCRW]

The "how much money does one person need" argument is moot.

No, it's not. It's a question of greed vs. accomplishment. If it's all about winning another championship according to Drerw and Kopi, and you've already made well over $100 million, then put your money where your mouth is and help the Kings sign championship calibre players by taking a smaller slice of the pie.

 

[hokiecat]

Kopi could have taken a better home town discount for a cap-strapped team. Think about how much he has already made - well over $100 million. Wouldn't $5 miilion/year been enough?

No. Dom overvalues players IMO but he's the Kopi card.

If I was Kopi, I wouldn't take a discount. He's playing like a 7.5M player according to Dom's card. Dom overvalues slightly IMO but Kopi is signed for a reasonable amount. If he didn't have the "injured" stretch, he'd be worth more. Kopi is making market value.

The cap killer is PLD making 8.5 while contributing 2.4 of value. Or Gavrikov making 5.9 and contributing 4.9 (and quietly getting worse and worse since we acquired him).

 

[hokiecat]

No, it's not. It's a question of greed vs. accomplishment. If it's all about winning another championship according to Drerw and Kopi, and you've already made well over $100 million, then put your money where your mouth is and help the Kings sign championship calibre players by taking a smaller slice of the pie.

Please name two (or even one) 35+ players who are performing at a high-level on a team friendly deal.

 

[DryKing]

Personally don't see Kopi going anywhere, nor should we attempt to move him. He has earned his right to retire as a King.

I agree the $7m AAV is an overpayment and if he truly wanted to win he could have taken a team friendly, or at least a bit more reasonable, deal - but he has been one of the most consistent players in Kings history and though his skill will likely fade over the next two seasons his effort will not. Still would have liked to see him sign around $5m, though, which is around where his impact for the next two years projects to be.

Drew on the other hand....good player but I'd like to see him moved (with salary retained) as his contract is simply ridiculous. I doubt the Kings would ever do it, though, and ultimately he has, and continues, to contribute a lot to this franchise. Still, I'd like to see a player like Anderson have the chance to emerge as a leader and I just don't see anyone in the D core getting the chance as long as Drew is on the team.

 

[DryKing]

No. Dom overvalues players IMO but he's the Kopi card.
View attachment 8750
If I was Kopi, I wouldn't take a discount. He's playing like a 7.5M player according to Dom's card. Dom overvalues slightly IMO but Kopi is signed for a reasonable amount. If he didn't have the "injured" stretch, he'd be worth more. Kopi is making market value.

The cap killer is PLD making 8.5 while contributing 2.4 of value. Or Gavrikov making 5.9 and contributing 4.9 (and quietly getting worse and worse since we acquired him).

A reasonable amount today is not necessarily a reasonable amount 1-2 seasons from now though. Based on his age his skills project to diminish significantly over that time.

Additionally, according to that chart we are paying him $2.5 million too much this season so why not make it up to us the next two j/k

 

[hokiecat]

How little is Kopi supposed to sign for? 5 million was never sensible. We all projected his extension in the off-season. I was high but most were too low. Should he make less than PLD? Less than Fiala? Less than Gavrikov? Less than Danault and Kempe? That is where 5 M slots him in compensation.
We all know players get paid for past performance more than future performance. That is why rookies and early career players are a better value than late career players.

 

[VCRW]

Please name two (or even one) 35+ players who are performing at a high-level on a team friendly deal.

Patrick Kane. And both Tampa Bay and Boston built their salary structures around home town discounts that were taken for the good of the team in order to win championships.

Once again, Drew and Kopi demanded the full rebuild be interrupted so that they could chase a Cup one last time. If that's the goal, then do the right thing by the team. $5 million in cap space gets you a far better player than $3 million.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

How little is Kopi supposed to sign for? 5 million was never sensible. We all projected his extension in the off-season. I was high but most were too low. Should he make less than PLD? Less than Fiala? Less than Gavrikov? Less than Danault and Kempe? That is where 5 M slots him in compensation.
We all know players get paid for past performance more than future performance. That is why rookies and early career players are a better value than late career players.

There has definitely been a shift over the last decade with a lot of the top tier RFA is getting paid for predictive performance, buying into their UFA years a bit. In any case, I generally agree with you here, and if I recall correctly, predicted Kopitar’s extension within a half million dollars.. I’m pretty sure I said 7 to 7.5 per was what he was going to get(and worth, in my opinion)

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Patrick Kane

Mercenary. That’s a little different. Also coming back from major surgery, after a relative span of down seasons(comparatively to his past performance anyways). Kopitar signed his extension while he was in the midst of his career average points scoring rate, and still doing his two way thing.

If you want to talk about guys getting paid too much, let’s focus on Drew Doughty. He’s never been worth 11m cap hit, when guys like Fox, Josi, Hughes, Makar all getting around 9m. Of course, the market at the time he signed was high, and they had every indication the cap would keep going up steadily, but the Covid blip derailed that. I’m pretty sure even Drew feels a bit guilty, given his comments last off season about wishing he could get some of it back when they were desperate to sign Gavrikov to an extension.

I understand what everyone’s saying about, wish he would’ve taken the hometown discount, but I just don’t think that was ever going to happen. It would be interesting to see what happens in the case of Drew doughty, but given the length of his remaining term, he might not even be serviceable by the time is current contract expires.