Get ready for a healthy portion of mediocrity next season.
- MikeOxbyg

It's probably going to be a rough season; I agree. That could be OK if they were breaking in some young players, but the roster is now so crowded that they're probably squeezed out. The deals are portrayed as "no big deal" if they don't work out, but it sort of is a big deal. If they don't work out, the team loses a precious year off of its window with very little to show for it. The stars will be a year older and the kids still won't have much (if any) NHL experience.

Perhaps the biggest issue that I see with the team is that there's little in the pipeline. Instead of dumpster dive to add 1-year "depth," I, personally, would trade off a few select players to re-stock with young talent which, instead of being gone in a year, can grow with the team and help eventually complement or replace the established players. Inserting young players is how you keep your window open (see Toffoli and Pearson being instrumental in winning the 2nd Cup), IMO, not by reaching into the bargain bin.

At the moment, I see a team that'll have a harder time making the playoffs, won't be that difficult to shut down again in the playoffs (if they make it) and will be left with similar questions and decisions next Summer. If you're not moving the team forward, you're going backward, and that's what it feels like this team has been doing.

It's probably going to be a rough season; I agree. That could be OK if they were breaking in some young players, but the roster is now so crowded that they're probably squeezed out. The deals are portrayed as "no big deal" if they don't work out, but it sort of is a big deal. If they don't work out, the team loses a precious year off of its window with very little to show for it. The stars will be a year older and the kids still won't have much (if any) NHL experience.

Perhaps the biggest issue that I see with the team is that there's little in the pipeline. Instead of dumpster dive to add 1-year "depth," I, personally, would trade off a few select players to re-stock with young talent which, instead of being gone in a year, can grow with the team and help eventually complement or replace the established players. Inserting young players is how you keep your window open (see Toffoli and Pearson being instrumental in winning the 2nd Cup), IMO, not by reaching into the bargain bin.

At the moment, I see a team that'll have a harder time making the playoffs, won't be that difficult to shut down again in the playoffs (if they make it) and will be left with similar questions and decisions next Summer. If you're not moving the team forward, you're going backward, and that's what it feels like this team has been doing.
- Osprey

The additions to the lineup are to promote competition for roster spots at training camp. You'll work harder if you know you might not make it. It's quite possible that two of the five signings today will go the way of Adam Cracknell and not be with the club at the end of training camp. However, the roster spots that they would otherwise fill would be hard fought for.

i'm curious to see what justin schultz ends up signing for but i maintain he may be worth the short term deal. he's not getting the $3.9mm he made on his last contract. but he's a mobile right hand shot d who may benefit from being in a stronger defensive system like LA. certainly has a higher ceiling than gilbert or trotman, right?

i'm curious to see what justin schultz ends up signing for but i maintain he may be worth the short term deal. he's not getting the $3.9mm he made on his last contract. but he's a mobile right hand shot d who may benefit from being in a stronger defensive system like LA. certainly has a higher ceiling than gilbert or trotman, right?
- hiway39

I like Trotman and Gilbert is for a year. That's it. No big deal. I believe he is a great depth defender signing for the Kings. He'll be better than Greene, who has been hurt for a year and certainly better than scuderi

Just asking, what is the consensus of most about team with how roster is shaped up and having a few high priced contracts going forward? Plus any big prospects that might be able to help team within 2yrs? thx....

If you have a chart that shows Trotman is good at anything you need a new chart.

I like Trotman and Gilbert is for a year. That's it. No big deal. I believe he is a great depth defender signing for the Kings. He'll be better than Greene, who has been hurt for a year and certainly better than scuderi
- KINGS67

We also thought Ehrhoff was an upgrade last year. Or at least I did.

The additions to the lineup are to promote competition for roster spots at training camp. You'll work harder if you know you might not make it. It's quite possible that two of the five signings today will go the way of Adam Cracknell and not be with the club at the end of training camp. However, the roster spots that they would otherwise fill would be hard fought for.
- tkecanuck341

I understand why the additions were made. The issue that I see is that it's mostly competition for bottom-rung positions and the quality of prospects that might be ready is so low that even bargain bin signees could beat them out, especially with a coach who favors experience. If the team were well-oiled without any major needs, this competition around the fringes would be enough, but I think that most of us view this team as having needs and it's hard to see those being met by the current roster, regardless of how the competition shakes out.

there are just too many ifs with the current squad

there are players that fit in 3 categories in my book:

1. If they make the squad/are healthy, scares the poop out of me and destroys optimism -

Scuderi
Andreoff
Brown
Gaborik
McNaab
King
Green

2. Will be good if they try and or make the squad

Carter
Pearson
Toffoli
Clifford
Shore
Dowd
Mersche
Gravel

3. IF they are healthy, pencil them in for a good season

Kopitar
Doughty
Muzzin
Martinez
Lewis
(Could easily have Toffoli on this list too)
Quick



I really don't know how to slot the new guys and I am a big fan of the eye test so I will have to get back to you on them during preseason.

The other thing that has made me grimace this off season was reading a comment from Lombardi stating he thinks the team is plenty fast and doesn't need to get any faster.

I don't know what NHL he is watching but comments like that make me think he is high AF

I agree on King, he brings twice the offense Nolan does and is somewhat sound defensively. I always scratch my head about the King hate. He is brown at half the cost with a couple extra goals thrown in.

Why didn't we or don't we take a stab at Kris Russell? He's better than anything else we've signed.

Why didn't we or don't we take a stab at Kris Russell? He's better than anything else we've signed.
- Ersberg

russell was exposed and then some in the playoffs. he blocks shots, sure, but that also means he's spending an eternity in his own end without the puck. i'm glad DL steered clear.

Just asking, what is the consensus of most about team with how roster is shaped up and having a few high priced contracts going forward? Plus any big prospects that might be able to help team within 2yrs? thx....
- Ur Not Me

Pearson Kopitar Gaborik
Mersch/King Carter Toffoli
Purcell/Mersch/King Shore Brown
Clifford Dowd Lewis

Doughty muzzin
Gilbert Martinez
Gravel McNabb
Obviously you can put a few guys in different spots like Brown King Lewis and Mersch.

Mersch should help and Kempe in the wings on offense. Defense gravel should take a big step forward this year and LaDue hopefully this year or next.

Lucic was a big loss but very happy didn't give him a stupid contract. I'm hoping the kids can start making it into the lineup (Sutter) hates playing the kids for whatever reason.

DLs contract is up this year. I'm thinking not resign him and Futa will slide into the GM spot and make some tweaks to the roster to make it a bit of his own (even though he's been a big part in shaping the team up now).

All in all I'm happy with how the roster is shaping up for the next 2-3 years even with being so very close to the cap. Could be worse could look like Chicagos lineup with a bunch of (?)
EDIT. I forgot Clifford.

russell was exposed and then some in the playoffs. he blocks shots, sure, but that also means he's spending an eternity in his own end without the puck. i'm glad DL steered clear.
- hiway39

Yeah, but they were playing the better team when he was exposed, and Dallas isn't LA when it comes to team defense. He would be more allowed to play his game here than in Dallas.

What do you guys think about Hartnell?

I love everyone talking sh*t on Brown. You can't expect him to put up decent offensive numbers when he's been banished to the bottom six with the likes of King, Lewis, ect. Put him in the top six and I'm sure he would be a better player. But it's true that no matter what line he's on... he needs to bring back his physical game. He was the first LA player to ever hoist the cup... he'll always have a special place in my heart.

Also I agree that King needs to go. It's not that I don't like him. It's that he's 6 ft 3.5 and 234lbs and Trevor Lewis seems to play more physical than him. Throw that god d*mn body around King. But according to another Kings insider there's a 85% chance he gets traded and that makes sense because I don't see the Kings resigning him with all the prospects we got looking for spots.

I love everyone talking sh*t on Brown. You can't expect him to put up decent offensive numbers when he's been banished to the bottom six with the likes of King, Lewis, ect. Put him in the top six and I'm sure he would be a better player. But it's true that no matter what line he's on... he needs to bring back his physical game. He was the first LA player to ever hoist the cup... he'll always have a special place in my heart.

Also I agree that King needs to go. It's not that I don't like him. It's that he's 6 ft 3.5 and 234lbs and Trevor Lewis seems to play more physical than him. Throw that god d*mn body around King. But according to another Kings insider there's a 85% chance he gets traded and that makes sense because I don't see the Kings resigning him with all the prospects we got looking for spots.
- ereynolds1116

Hmm, except that his numbers sucked prior to his banishment. He was doing a lot of things wrong when crossing the blue line. He needs to go.

I love everyone talking sh*t on Brown. You can't expect him to put up decent offensive numbers when he's been banished to the bottom six with the likes of King, Lewis, ect. Put him in the top six and I'm sure he would be a better player. But it's true that no matter what line he's on... he needs to bring back his physical game. He was the first LA player to ever hoist the cup... he'll always have a special place in my heart.

Also I agree that King needs to go. It's not that I don't like him. It's that he's 6 ft 3.5 and 234lbs and Trevor Lewis seems to play more physical than him. Throw that god d*mn body around King. But according to another Kings insider there's a 85% chance he gets traded and that makes sense because I don't see the Kings resigning him with all the prospects we got looking for spots.
- ereynolds1116

Brown's decline started while he was top 6 and started affecting the other 5. It's chicken and egg with brown. Was it play decline or where he was slotting with his TOI?