Sheng Peng: Teddy Purcell's Value Underrated; Kings in China? Why may LA regret waiving Purcell? Also, more news about the Kings playing exhibition games in China next season.

Purcell sucks. Glad we got rid of him. Big man that plays like a big wussy. Invisible most of the time

Look at the bright side, at least you still have the "Gootch"...

Kings put him on waivers and he goes down to Ontario. Doesn't that save them the cap space and spot for the kids to come up and prove their worth? Purcell not on the top 6 is a waste of space and we have plenty of top 6 players.

Even if you choose to believe that he's (still) a good player (which, as I argued a few weeks ago, I don't believe that he is), he's just not in the Kings' system. "Value" means nothing if the fit isn't there, because, without fit, you're never going to get the value. This organization doesn't cast players off this quickly for failing to produce. It casts them off this quickly for failing to fit. Purcell just wasn't a good fit. As I said before, I don't know why they thought that a reunion was a good idea in the first place. It reeked of desperation. They needed to replace Lucic and rolled the dice on a player that they knew, even though he didn't fit with the team the first time. It wasn't an awful deal, since it was only for one year and $1.6M, but it was a desperate one, and those don't usually work out.

I think that waiving him and assigning him to Ontario signals the start of shopping season for Lombardi. He wants to free up that cap space so that he has an idea of what he can afford to trade for from now until the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the team has played well enough that I think that Lombardi will go all-in and sacrifice the future again, especially when a few players whom he loves (Iginla and Doan) are potentially available. There may also be the hope that Purcell will prove himself in Ontario, but it sounds like they would've preferred to be rid of him (by trade or waiver claim), so reconditioning probably wasn't the primary motivation here. They'll bury him in the minors until someone gets injured, they fail to land anyone at the trade deadline (and calling up a reconditioned Purcell will be sold as an acquisition) or the playoffs start (no cap during the playoffs, aka pulling a Chicago).

I sure wish the Kings video team would make a montage for the players to watch about all the dopey passes they try to make. Esp on the powerplay.

Even if you choose to believe that he's (still) a good player (which, as I argued a few weeks ago, I don't believe that he is), he's just not in the Kings' system. "Value" means nothing if the fit isn't there, because, without fit, you're never going to get the value. This organization doesn't cast players off this quickly for failing to produce. It casts them off this quickly for failing to fit. Purcell just wasn't a good fit. As I said before, I don't know why they thought that a reunion was a good idea in the first place. It reeked of desperation. They needed to replace Lucic and rolled the dice on a player that they knew, even though he didn't fit with the team the first time. It wasn't an awful deal, since it was only for one year and $1.6M, but it was a desperate one, and those don't usually work out.

I think that waiving him and assigning him to Ontario signals the start of shopping season for Lombardi. He wants to free up that cap space so that he has an idea of what he can afford to trade for from now until the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the team has played well enough that I think that Lombardi will go all-in and sacrifice the future again, especially when a few players whom he loves (Iginla and Doan) are potentially available. There may also be the hope that Purcell will prove himself in Ontario, but it sounds like they would've preferred to be rid of him (by trade or waiver claim), so reconditioning probably wasn't the primary motivation here. They'll bury him in the minors until someone gets injured, they fail to land anyone at the trade deadline (and calling up a reconditioned Purcell will be sold as an acquisition), or the playoffs start (no cap during the playoffs, aka pulling a Chicago).
- Osprey

I said it before. That Purcell was never good. Though Peng said that Stamkos isnt a player that elevates his linemates. To which I agree. But getting free assists while skating with him boosts points and not the player itself. To much was made of him playing in Tampa.

I also really hope that DeanO doesnt sacrifice what little youth we have.

Invisible most of the time
- Ihatebrianburke

Just because a big guy plays a finesse game doesn't make him soft.

Doesn't that save them the cap space and spot for the kids to come up and prove their worth? Purcell not on the top 6 is a waste of space and we have plenty of top 6 players.
- kingsfan626

LA can bury $950K of Purcell's $1.6 mil cap hit in the minors. Kings still have to physically pay Purcell full amount, but essentially, Purcell's NHL cap hit is now $650K.

I think Purcell can also fit on a third line, but indeed, he needs to be used with other skill players. Are you sure the Kings have plenty of top-six forwards? I count five: Kopitar, Gaborik, Toffoli, Carter, and Pearson.

"Value" means nothing if the fit isn't there, because, without fit, you're never going to get the value. Purcell just wasn't a good fit.

He wants to free up that cap space so that he has an idea of what he can afford to trade for from now until the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the team has played well enough that I think that Lombardi will go all-in and sacrifice the future again, especially when a few players whom he loves (Iginla and Doan) are potentially available.
- Osprey

I agree that value doesn't mean much without fit, but I still maintain they didn't give Purcell enough time to fit in. But yea, regardless, the Kings obviously aren't believers.

You bring up an interesting point about Lombardi's angle in all this. Historically, he's been very aggressive adding to his playoff teams -- while last season, he was more reserved, he made an all-in move (Lucic) over the summer.

But yea, I think that at this point, LA is closer to fringe Cup contender than a team that should be all-out sacrificing its future. The emergence of Dowd gives me some hope -- LA's forward depth was my biggest question going into this season -- but he's just one heavily-sheltered albeit skilled rookie.

I also really hope that DeanO doesnt sacrifice what little youth we have.
- poisondhearts37

I'd be surprised if Dean stands pat. I think the question is more likely, is he more reserved with assets like last season or does he go all in? The difference between trading Weal/third-rounder or a first-round pick/Kempe. I think the system is still bare enough, he leans toward more reserved. That said, Kempe has struggled so far in Ontario this year, so who knows?

I didn't think Purcell sucked. I've seen him make some excellent passing plays and score some nice goals in the NHL. I had some hope for him coming into the season on a line with Kopitar.

But alas, Kopitar and Gaborik had injuries and was off to a slow start as it was. Purcell had the apparent injury as well. I could see Purcell throwing out some nice passes and cleaning up the garbage for those two.

OT: Do the Kings pluck Enroth of waivers if they can?

yeah when you are outplayed on the top line by trevor lewis,

TP played on the top lines and did nothing at all. Don't pee on my back and tell me it's raining. We have seen TP play and honestly he had enough time so show any signs of promise and he just didn't even deliver a whiff of hope.

I don't mind lewis on the top line, they are crushing it together

what sucks is King on the 3rd line. Bring Gooch back and put king on the 4th line where he belongs. I don't care if they have to do a 3 winger rotation between Cliffy, Nolan and King, it's better for the team to have a function top 9

But alas, Kopitar and Gaborik had injuries and was off to a slow start as it was. Purcell had the apparent injury as well. I could see Purcell throwing out some nice passes and cleaning up the garbage for those two.
- verwustung

We have seen TP play and honestly he had enough time so show any signs of promise and he just didn't even deliver a whiff of hope.
- MikeOxbyg

Good thing is, we may still see Purcell up here doing good things. We'll see, the later that we get into the season, the more likely teams will be able to absorb his cap hit, so he might not make it through waivers again.

Once again, I don't agree that Purcell got a good look in LA. 12 games, a couple to start the season hurt, five games with Kopitar, Kopi gets hurt, then five games with mostly Lewis/King. So that's five healthy games with a skilled player that you're basing your opinion on. Five games versus six years of pretty consistent production. Not to mention that he averaged under a minute of power play time, a player whose skills are definitely accentuated on the power play and who had previously averaged 2:31/game on the PP over his career.

OT: Do the Kings pluck Enroth of waivers if they can?
- Stu17

I prefer him to both Zatkoff and Budaj, but I don't think the Kings pull the trigger. Budaj has certainly played adequately and the Kings probably want to see what they have in Zatkoff.

Teddy Purcell > Benoit Pouliot

And it's not even close

I prefer him to both Zatkoff and Budaj, but I don't think the Kings pull the trigger. Budaj has certainly played adequately and the Kings probably want to see what they have in Zatkoff.
- Sheng Peng

So far, Zatkoff does not seem to be the back-up he was on PIT. And isn't Enroth much less expensive?

Teddy Purcell > Benoit Pouliot
- Jakes_91

They're both kind of in the same boat...I think they're both good, useful players if you can accept their flaws.

So far, Zatkoff does not seem to be the back-up he was on PIT. And isn't Enroth much less expensive?
- Stu17

We're in agreement. I would've claimed Enroth. I was stating that I don't think the Kings would though.