Looks like the Kings are very close to wrapping up things with two of their three major free agents this offseason.
Word out there is that talks between the Kings and Marian Gaborik have progressed and a deal looks fairly close to happening. However, things are still being worked out.
There have been various reports on term and AAV, ranging from three years to five years and from $5MM to $6MM.
The positive thing though is that it seems to be making progress.
Gaborik was absolutely key in the Kings playoff run, and his pairing with Kopitar worked wonders on allowing Kopitar to open up some offensive doors in his game that he hadn't been able to open in a while. No doubt Lombardi was already number crunching in his office as Gaborik scored his post-season leading 14 goals.
The 32-year old Gaborik is coming off a season where his contract was costing the Blue Jackets $7.5MM. The Kings getting any kind of discount on the aging, yet still prolific goal scorer, would be of great benefit in giving the team a top-level offensive threat.
For as low-scoring a team as they were in the regular season (2.42 G/g), the Kings finished up with a 3.38 goals for per game in the playoffs.
The only real concern with Gaborik is, of course, his health. Any contract with Gaborik is definitely going to be approached with the question of, "Can he stay healthy?"
After two seasons in 2011-12 and 2012-13 where Gaborik didn't miss a single game, he missed ample time this past season with a broken collarbone.
Nonetheless, Gaborik proved his value in the playoffs with the Kings and it was widely talked about that Lombardi made a move on Gaborik at the deadline because their was high hopes he would re-sign. More will come out in the coming days for certain.
Meanwhile, another impending free agent seems poised to wrap things up.
This one is interesting.
Word has yet to come out on what the AAV would be, but a 4-year deal to Matt Greene likely means that Willie Mitchell will be available once free agency opens. That is, however, if Mitchell decides to continue playing.
Greene, who is still just 31, has had his fair share of health problems and struggles over the past two seasons. From back problems to press box visits, it hasn't been as straightforward a year as Greene had hoped. Nonetheless, the Kings seem ready to commit to the rough and tumble defenseman for a few more years.
Also take into consideration that we don't know what the cap ceiling is going to look like moving forward. That plays a major factor obviously.
It's all about the money though when you break it down. If it's four years at a low cap hit then it's a completely workable deal from a cap standpoint. If it's four years at Willie Mitchell money ($3.5MM) then things might get a little dicey in the future. There has already been a little bit of a worrying outcry from people on twitter, but most if it has to do with future assets and less to do with the actually quality and intangibles that Greene brings. Honestly, how many teams would have Matt Greene as a 6/7 defenseman? There aren't many. He would be playing 3-5 on a number of teams in the NHL right now. Greene brings a very physical and hard to play against style that has been a major part of the King mentality and rebirth.
As it currently stands, it makes sense in the depth chart also. Brayden McNabb is poised to be the Kings 7th defenseman this season, but the big
left shooting blue liner isn't in line to take Greene's job. He is in line to challenge Robyn Regehr.
| RH | LH |
|---|
| Doughty | Muzzin |
| Voynov | Regehr |
| Greene | Martinez |
| Ebert | McNabb |
| LaDue | Bodnarchuk |
| C. Miller | Forbort |
| Gravel |
| Leslie |
| Schultz* |
| Campbell* |
| Mitchell* |
*Impending FA's
The Kings, like many other teams nowadays, like to preserve a RH/LH balance on the blue line. Matt Greene is the third and final RH blue liner the Kings have. In fact, the Kings have a startling number of LH defenseman both on the active roster and in the pipeline. If they want to preserve that balance it is going to be with Matt Greene or another free agent Dman. Why would you not opt for Greener in that situation?
There is also the leadership factor that Greene brings and the familiarity he has with the Kings locker room and system. You really can't put a price on that when you get down to it.
However, with Greene you have all the classic complaints. He takes too many penalties, he is slow, and he can make some awful mistakes in his own zone.
Sheng Peng over at The Hockey Writers did a pretty solid breakdown of Greene when it comes to some of those complaints.
Check it out.
Personally, a one-year deal would have made sense in my eyes, maybe a two. A four is a different beast though. Especially when you take into consideration his recent injury troubles. It also all depends on the hit. If the cap hit is low enough it could make sense and be workable into a future that has both Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez coming up for contract in the same year. There are a lot of "What If's" in that long term outlook though. What happens to Regehr? What about King or Nolan or Clifford? Maybe the Kings move a player. Maybe they buyout someone. Who knows. There is a lot up in the air.
One thing is a certainty though; The Kings are about ready to lock up this guy.
Whenever he draws ink this offseason the quota for on-ice blood will be fulfilled.
This news on Greene and Gaborik, combined with the
no Richards buyout news has to have some of you cap geeks spinning the wheels.
More will come out in the coming days I'm sure, and if Greene is in fact re-signed within the day I will update with more.
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Also, big ups to Rob Blake who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame today.
I will definitely be writing a more comprehensive article in the coming days. Boo if you must, but the former King is now a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Congrats to Rob!
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