|
|
Bloggers 
My HockeyBuzz
 Hockeybuzz on Versus
Cap Central
Fantasy
Forums
Store
Chat
RSS
|
Season Ticket Login Free Registration! |
Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 |
 |
|
Los Angeles Kings Blogger •
As far as the Kings are concerned...
I still say Travis Moen is a King July 1st -
I also think Samuelsson comes over to play with Simmonds and Handzus - - that is unless Dertoit DOESN'T sign Hossa or Cammalleri and DOES re-sign all of the players that actually GOT them to the finals.
The Kings will try and move Brad Richardson, who failed to make an impression and whom assistant GM Ron Hextall said "didn't fit in".
They also have to try and find a sucker...er... taker for Manchester bound Tom Preissing who was impressive in Ottawa, but miserable in L.A. and surpassed by guys like Peter Harrold and Davis Drewiskie. Good luck getting rid of THAT contract.
The Kings need a veteran presence (other than Sean O'D) in the back, so look for a 2 year "bridge" player with some grit - I think Ohlund will be asking for too many years and the way Komisarek acted in the playoffs I'm sure turned off Lombardi for good.
They also need scoring, but Lombardi has already stated "it has to be the right fit" - Could Lehtonen be the answer as a "filler"? Not for 4 million, but maybe if he wants 2 years at 6. It's not Fedotenko. Trust me on that one.
One player Lombardi may take a look at is Joel Ward from Nashville - He's gritty, he goes into the corners, he does all of the "little things" Lombardi likes, he's got a decent shot, and he's affordable.
I also expect Brad May's agent to call Lombardi. His family is still in Newport Beach, he loves it here, and could be the skating "peacekeeper" Ivanans has failed to be.
If Lombardi DOESN'T address his scoring needs and his admitted need for a top 4 D-man, will Kings fans be disappointed? Especially when other teams like Dallas and San Jose will be bolstering their rosters -
I think this is the year Kings fans EXPECT Lombardi to make a splash, and by this time next week, we will have our answer....
As for the rest of the league......
How stupid will teams be?
Will teams be handing out dumb 8-12 year deals? OF COURSE THEY WILL!
Sedin's
Atlanta has been, and will continue to be wanna-be's. So what's to stop them from handing the Sedin's 12 year deals at the price they want? - Certainly enough to entice Kovalchuk to stay, wouldn't you say?
Could the blondes handle the pressure of Montreal? HELL YEAH! Talk about getting back into the mix, ESPECIALLY with all of their own free agents that they WON'T retain! It just seems like a perfect fit.
Or, could they surprise everyone and go their separate ways?????
Hossa/Cammalleri
Wherever Hossa decides to lay his hat, will decide who signs Cammalleri - I can only PRAY the midget doesn't wind up where he's always wanted to play, Detroit. But that MAY happen if Hossa bolts. Cammy has also expressed a desire to play in Toronto but with one oompa-loompa already on the team, I don't expect Brian Burke to be dishing out a 6 million dollar a year contract for a guy who scores in bunches in the regular season, then disappears in the playoffs.
So, Hossa didn't win in Pittsburgh... Hossa didn't win in Detroit... so that means he'll take a one year deal to play in Chicago or San Jose? How about Philadelphia? (LOL) Unlikely. I wonder if Hossa is thinking "What would it be like to play with Tavares?" or "What would it be like to play with Stamkos and Hedman?" I can't really picture Hossa playing in a city like Minnesota or Columbus, but stranger things have happened.
Gaborik
Which team is going to be dumb enough to give this guy a 3-5 year deal? Phoenix? Colangelo (if he buys them) needs a playmaker to go with Doan and the youngsters. Does he indeed bolt for Vancouver when the Sedin's leave?
I personally believe Heatley winds up in Phoenix for 1st round picks and a squadron of good young prospects. But I didn't hear that from any former NHL owner or anything! I didn't even hear that from the Gretzky camp either!
Havlat
He's in L.A. with his agent - this means Lombardi and Murray can wine and dine him. Havlat as a replacement for the soon to be retiring Selanne would be a fantastic addition. The Ducks ARE going to make a splash. I have a feeling, Havlat is the answer.
Tanguay
Severely overpaid for the numbers he put up... which means some poor GM will overpay yet again (hello Rangers!). Left wingers are hard to come by and several teams need an upgrade. Does anybody really WANT this guy???
Beauchemin
He's looking for a 5 year deal and Montreal will give it to him and you'll be happy. I was hoping he'd fallen in love with the L.A. area and try his luck with the Kings, but that is just this writers pipe dream and the Kings will wind up with DeVries (did Nashville really pay him 2.75 million last year?)
Ask me who your team will get and I'll take a wild stab based on nothing more than my active imagination.
Cheers
Matt
I still say Travis Moen is a King July 1st -
I also think Samuelsson comes over to play with Simmonds and Handzus - - that is unless Dertoit DOESN'T sign Hossa or Cammalleri and DOES re-sign all of the players that actually GOT them to the finals.
The Kings will try and move Brad Richardson, who failed to make an impression and whom assistant GM Ron Hextall said "didn't fit in".
They also have to try and find a sucker...er... taker for Manchester bound Tom Preissing who was impressive in Ottawa, but miserable in L.A. and surpassed by guys like Peter Harrold and Davis Drewiskie. Good luck getting rid of THAT contract.
The Kings need a veteran presence (other than Sean O'D) in the back, so look for a 2 year "bridge" player with some grit - I think Ohlund will be asking for too many years and the way Komisarek acted in the playoffs I'm sure turned off Lombardi for good.
They also need scoring, but Lombardi has already stated "it has to be the right fit" - Could Lehtonen be the answer as a "filler"? Not for 4 million, but maybe if he wants 2 years at 6. It's not Fedotenko. Trust me on that one.
One player Lombardi may take a look at is Joel Ward from Nashville - He's gritty, he goes into the corners, he does all of the "little things" Lombardi likes, he's got a decent shot, and he's affordable.
I also expect Brad May's agent to call Lombardi. His family is still in Newport Beach, he loves it here, and could be the skating "peacekeeper" Ivanans has failed to be.
If Lombardi DOESN'T address his scoring needs and his admitted need for a top 4 D-man, will Kings fans be disappointed? Especially when other teams like Dallas and San Jose will be bolstering their rosters -
I think this is the year Kings fans EXPECT Lombardi to make a splash, and by this time next week, we will have our answer....
As for the rest of the league......
How stupid will teams be?
Will teams be handing out dumb 8-12 year deals? OF COURSE THEY WILL!
Sedin's
Atlanta has been, and will continue to be wanna-be's. So what's to stop them from handing the Sedin's 12 year deals at the price they want? - Certainly enough to entice Kovalchuk to stay, wouldn't you say?
Could the blondes handle the pressure of Montreal? HELL YEAH! Talk about getting back into the mix, ESPECIALLY with all of their own free agents that they WON'T retain! It just seems like a perfect fit.
Or, could they surprise everyone and go their separate ways?????
Hossa/Cammalleri
Wherever Hossa decides to lay his hat, will decide who signs Cammalleri - I can only PRAY the midget doesn't wind up where he's always wanted to play, Detroit. But that MAY happen if Hossa bolts. Cammy has also expressed a desire to play in Toronto but with one oompa-loompa already on the team, I don't expect Brian Burke to be dishing out a 6 million dollar a year contract for a guy who scores in bunches in the regular season, then disappears in the playoffs.
So, Hossa didn't win in Pittsburgh... Hossa didn't win in Detroit... so that means he'll take a one year deal to play in Chicago or San Jose? How about Philadelphia? (LOL) Unlikely. I wonder if Hossa is thinking "What would it be like to play with Tavares?" or "What would it be like to play with Stamkos and Hedman?" I can't really picture Hossa playing in a city like Minnesota or Columbus, but stranger things have happened.
Gaborik
Which team is going to be dumb enough to give this guy a 3-5 year deal? Phoenix? Colangelo (if he buys them) needs a playmaker to go with Doan and the youngsters. Does he indeed bolt for Vancouver when the Sedin's leave?
I personally believe Heatley winds up in Phoenix for 1st round picks and a squadron of good young prospects. But I didn't hear that from any former NHL owner or anything! I didn't even hear that from the Gretzky camp either!
Havlat
He's in L.A. with his agent - this means Lombardi and Murray can wine and dine him. Havlat as a replacement for the soon to be retiring Selanne would be a fantastic addition. The Ducks ARE going to make a splash. I have a feeling, Havlat is the answer.
Tanguay
Severely overpaid for the numbers he put up... which means some poor GM will overpay yet again (hello Rangers!). Left wingers are hard to come by and several teams need an upgrade. Does anybody really WANT this guy???
Beauchemin
He's looking for a 5 year deal and Montreal will give it to him and you'll be happy. I was hoping he'd fallen in love with the L.A. area and try his luck with the Kings, but that is just this writers pipe dream and the Kings will wind up with DeVries (did Nashville really pay him 2.75 million last year?)
Ask me who your team will get and I'll take a wild stab based on nothing more than my active imagination.
Cheers
Matt
Join the Discussion:  |
 |