Jason Lewis: Kings and Lucic Can't Reach Deal, Lucic to Become Free Agent

Word around the campfire is Looch wants Kesler type deal - both money and term wise -

I have a feeling that whoever signs Lucic is gonna really regret it within 2 seasons. I haven't been impressed with him since 13-14. I really hope Hexy agrees with that, seems like someone Homer would've been in love with.

I am glad he didn't sign - he had some real lazy moments although he did contribute numbers wise.

Dumb question: why can't we trade his negotiating rights? everyone know what he wants. that's no big secret. I just saw a deal like this go down. why would the kings just let him walk after giving up colin miller and marty jones?

I am much more ok with letting versteeg and schenn walk, and I do agree we should be heavily shopping for a #2 D, a high pick and a serviceable top 6 forward.

one thing is for sure, this time of the season is usually pretty quiet for the Kings, however this year it won't be.

*edit - I would get in on the Malkin race but I'm crazy

I am glad he didn't sign - he had some real lazy moments although he did contribute numbers wise.

Dumb question: why can't we trade his negotiating rights? everyone know what he wants. that's no big secret. I just saw a deal like this go down. why would the kings just let him walk after giving up colin miller and marty jones?

I am much more ok with letting versteeg and schenn walk, and I do agree we should be heavily shopping for a #2 D, a high pick and a serviceable top 6 forward.

one thing is for sure, this time of the season is usually pretty quiet for the Kings, however this year it won't be.

*edit - I would get in on the Malkin race but I'm crazy
- MikeOxbyg

With how little time there is right now I don't think that's a very fruitful trade offer for anyone.

Martin Jones for nothing. Best deal ever.

Martin Jones for nothing. Best deal ever.
- Ajdx4

Colin Miller was the real loss.

With how little time there is right now I don't think that's a very fruitful trade offer for anyone.
- Jason_Lewis

I can't even wrap my head around this, what the hell do the kings do to come out not looking like suckers in this situation? can we target other UFA's? is that even a thing DL is considering at this point or he just going to hunker down and take a post unwanted sex shower?

For 6 @ 6 let him walk and laugh at the team that ponies that up!

Colin Miller was the real loss.
- Jason_Lewis

Yes, but he's not playing for the Sharks.

It's time for Dean to stick to the farm system and restock the shelves. Lucic was a good addition but the ask is too much[/img]

Bullet dodged.

I don't like it. Not. one. bit.


Lucic was EXACTLY the type of player the Kings needed and look for, and isn't exactly easy to replace. He played really well with Kopitar (also not easy to replace,) was one of the few players if not one of the only players that crashed the net, and he brought back the toughness and grit that we now most likely have to play against in Vancouver how ever many times a year. Why couldn't we get rid of someone like King who does NOTHING and free up some cap space? Looch needed to get signed. Not happy with this one

Jason Lewis: Kings and Lucic Can't Reach Deal, Lucic to Become Free Agent
- Jason_Lewis

Dammit, why couldn't you guys have just locked him up? I have a horrible feeling it will indeed be Edm or Van regretting that contract in 2 years.

Fingers crossed for you Van.

Dammit, why couldn't you guys have just locked him up? I have a horrible feeling it will indeed be Edm or Van regretting that contract in 2 years.

Fingers crossed for you Van.
- Beergu

I could see Calgary as well. Which scares the hell out of me. Please be edmonton please be edmonton

I don't like it. Not. one. bit.


Lucic was EXACTLY the type of player the Kings needed and look for, and isn't exactly easy to replace. He played really well with Kopitar (also not easy to replace,) was one of the few players if not one of the only players that crashed the net, and he brought back the toughness and grit that we now most likely have to play against in Vancouver how ever many times a year. Why couldn't we get rid of someone like King who does NOTHING and free up some cap space? Looch needed to get signed. Not happy with this one
- Deadmau55

You'll be happy with it in about a year or two when you don't have 6M invested in a player who is a shell of his former self. Think about how (frank)ed you would have been if Mike Richards didn't like his pain killers so much, that same scenario is likely to happen with Lucic (minus the free out due to legal charges).

For 6 @ 6 let him walk and laugh at the team that ponies that up!
- coffee junkie

Flyers.....please be the flyers. Haha

You'll be happy with it in about a year or two when you don't have 6M invested in a player who is a shell of his former self. Think about how (frank)ed you would have been if Mike Richards didn't like his pain killers so much, that same scenario is likely to happen with Lucic (minus the free out due to legal charges).
- Girouxsalem90

I'd say in about year or two our window to win is shutting anyway so it shouldn't matter. Kings are in win now mode. And I would much rather have lucic than trevor lewis. Thats obvious.

Word around the campfire is Looch wants Kesler type deal - both money and term wise -
- dozerD10

You're correct, that is essentially what the word has been up to this point. 6-6.5 is what I've consistently heard. Probably closer to the upper end. And this is precisely the problem I've had with his contract demands from the start. First off, you can't compare a winger (even one as unique and effective as Lucic) with a quality center like Kesler. The center position is exponentially more critical than the position Lucic plays. That's just a fact. I've loved Lucic and his game from day 1. And wish they could have gotten something done. But I've probably been in the minority of Kings fans from the start of these negotiations that felt strongly about not giving into the reported demands. The only thing worse than giving up what we gave up to get Lucic and not retaining him would be to give a 6 year contract to a player who throws his body around with abandon and is by definition more likely to eventually decline much faster and/or experience longer term injuries that impact quality of play. Dustin Brown anybody? (Don't anticipate Lucic will become Brown, but the potential does exist as Lucic nears his mid 30's with that style of play)

I'd say in about year or two our window to win is shutting anyway so it shouldn't matter. Kings are in win now mode. And I would much rather have lucic than trevor lewis. Thats obvious.
- Deadmau55

This is where it definitely makes more sense for LA than Edm, Van or Cal. It just doesn't make sense for a team that isn't in win-now mode to sign him.

This is where it definitely makes more sense for LA than Edm, Van or Cal. It just doesn't make sense for a team that isn't in win-now mode to sign him.
- Beergu

A team could sign him to his ask, not include a NMC, then expose him next yr. A team like LA, if only they werent so desperate to get Brown picked next yr.

While my heart doesn't like it, my brain knows there was no other way. He wouldn't take a hair cut (and rightfully so, especially with a 1st round exit) and he knows this might his last big contract.

It was fun while it lasted (except for that dozen or so times he couldn't get the puck out of the zone with only 3-5 ft from the blue line in round one), Milan Lucic, we hardly knew ye.

While my heart doesn't like it, my brain knows there was no other way. He wouldn't take a hair cut (and rightfully so, especially with a 1st round exit) and he knows this might his last big contract.

It was fun while it lasted (except for that dozen or so times he couldn't get the puck out of the zone with only 3-5 ft from the blue line in round one), Milan Lucic, we hardly knew ye.
- Stu17

exactly this. I know it wouldn't be good for our cap situation. But now what? Who can bring what he did? No one in the minors, and certainly not anyone on the current roster. He was unique. And he will missed. badly.

Flyers.....please be the flyers. Haha
- kgrpitt

lol

I have a feeling that whoever signs Lucic is gonna really regret it within 2 seasons. I haven't been impressed with him since 13-14. I really hope Hexy agrees with that, seems like someone Homer would've been in love with.
- Girouxsalem90

Benning and the Nucks.....