- 1st line: Byfield gets a 2 year bridge-deal until Kopis 2 year deal ends. I think the bridge deal will be in the range of $5M-6M. QB has shown his potential, but also still has to improve in some areas and needs to produce more consistently, Therefore a bridge-deal might be beneficial for both sides, until there is a bit more cap flexibility in a couple of years. Eventually, QB will move back to Center, when Kopi retires, but for now the Kings need him more on LW.
- 2nd line: As shown in my previos ACGM, Kuznetsov can be a perfect fit for the Kings, as he is a rather cheap option, but you know that you get a player in him, that can produce and has the offensive skillset and sense that is needed to diversify the Kings offense. They need a truly skilled player and the 2nd line looks really, really good to me like that. A 3rd rounder in return to the Canes should do the deal.
- 3rd line: As for the 3rd line, the Kings need to replace Arvidsson. He likely won't be back with the Kings, as they need a reliable winger in terms of health. Arvidsson was unfortunately never really healthy throughout his 3 years with the Kings and just missed a ton of games. Therefore, the chances are pretty slim, that he's going top be back. Maybe if he accepts a very low team friendly deal, but its unlikely. Therefore, the Kings shall bring Tyler Toffoli back home, who has proven with several teams, that he is a very good sniper/goalscorer in the NHL. He could be a perfect replacement for Arvidsson. He also won't need any time to acclimate himself back in CA with some familiar faces.
- 4th line: I'd risk a new 4th line with the kids, that deserved to play there now. These guys are Akil Thomas, Samuel ****emo and Alex Turcotte. All have a lot of potential. The question is, who is playing which amount of games and which exact role. That is why Grundstrom and Laferriere are in that fight for the 4th line spot, as well. Now Grundstrom would be the Veteran around these guys and I think that being said, the 4th line can be a good one, if the management is willing to risk a touch of youth.
- Goalies: Take Stolarz and offer him the starter role after a phenomenal season as the Panthers back-up and build a good tandem with Rittich (who has just re-signed for a year). Stolarz is in his best age, has proven to be a solid (last year great) back-up and probably is looking to sign with a team that can offer him a starting position. Maybe that works out just perfectly with the Kings. After the Kings re-signed Rittich, I think it's rather unlikely, that they re-sign Talbot, although he would have liked to stay with the team, as he said in his interview.
-Defense: Gavrikov may be a nice dude and important for the locker room vibe, but I think he is not what the Kings need in their defense. The almost $6M in cap are too much for him to be carried by the Kings this year. The Kings shall trade him for some mid picks to a team he would waive for and a team that is in need for a defensive-minded LD (it doesn't necessarily have to be NYI). If Chychrun works out well with the Kings, they should re-sign him longer term after that year. Clarke should play a full time role next year, as well as Spence needs to be brought back.
I get banking on Kaliyev's potential, but a 2nd is a little rich for a player who wasn't always in the lineup and scored at a 24 point pace when he was. There's definitely interest, but I'd expect on-ice results closer to his 22-23 season for a 2nd.
I'd be interested in Gavrikov if he'd waive for Pittsburgh, though.
I get banking on Kaliyev's potential, but a 2nd is a little rich for a player who wasn't always in the lineup and scored at a 24 point pace when he was. There's definitely interest, but I'd expect on-ice results closer to his 22-23 season for a 2nd.
I'd be interested in Gavrikov if he'd waive for Pittsburgh, though.
Quoting: SydBarrett
Pens definitely pass. Sorry but he is not worth a 2nd to the pens. Maybe another team would bite though
Maybe a 2nd is a bit too rich, that is why I tried to balance it out with a 6th rounder. Lets see, maybe another team bites at a 2nd.
Definitely a deal that involves Gavrikov, if he waives, and Kaliyev would be interesting for the Kings and the Pens, as they can make some cap space available and get a bunch of picks in return for that. Could be a win-win situation
Canes probably pass. Kuzy has been great thus far in the playoffs, so it’s unlikely the Canes move him without an overpayment, as long as he isn’t forced into being a cap casualty.