Are you completely insane, or just a closeted Duck fan?
- yzermaneely

I think Jason banned him for that comment.

Jason what are your thoughts on Weal pushing for a roster spot? Do you think he has a legit shot or possibly end up being traded like Vey?

just buyout richards so we can sign him already you guys ruined him

Should be a very interesting summer to say the least. The league, with its incredible amount of parity, is unleashing its wrath on the Kings at the moment. Teams generally have a 3 to 5 year window in todays NHL in which they can compete consistently with their core for championships. luckily for us, we've managed to grab two of them in the last 3 years. if you're being completely objective about it, the Kings -as currently constructed- have another 2 or 3 years to push for more. Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, and Carter are more or less the backbones of this organization moving forward. Hopefully Toffoli remains a King and falls right in line with the aforementioned players. Having said all that, so long as Lombardi continually supplements his core players with solid complementary players, that window can continue to be extended. I think it's called the "Detroit Model". that team has consistently qualified for the postseason for over 2 decades. So, it can be done... just remarkably difficult to maintain that kind of success. Rid ourselves of Richards contract as well as the Voynov fiasco and- as you've pointed out in your blog- things begin to look surprisingly positive in a hurry. the 2014-2015 Kings season should be looked upon as a disappointing yet necessary step backwards before the inevitable 2 steps forward. Can't win it every year. And whether you like to admit it or not, it's the way it should be. ( Can you imagine having to watch ANY team win 3 consecutive or more championships in a row? ) thankfully for me, i wasn't around for the Oilers, Islanders or Canadians dynasties. would have been excruciating to watch for any fans outside those fanbases. So parity serves its purpose.

just buyout richards so we can sign him already you guys ruined him
- 2Real

We'll take Simmonds back in exchange for Richards... sound good? Ok , fantastic.

The kings have already found someone to take Richard's contract in a trade. Its just waiting on two other trades to be completed first. They will be able to afford Williams if they want to re-sign him.

Should be a very interesting summer to say the least. The league, with its incredible amount of parity, is unleashing its wrath on the Kings at the moment. Teams generally have a 3 to 5 year window in todays NHL in which they can compete consistently with their core for championships. luckily for us, we've managed to grab two of them in the last 3 years. if you're being completely objective about it, the Kings -as currently constructed- have another 2 or 3 years to push for more. Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, and Carter are more or less the backbones of this organization moving forward. Hopefully Toffoli remains a King and falls right in line with the aforementioned players. Having said all that, so long as Lombardi continually supplements his core players with solid complementary players, that window can continue to be extended. I think it's called the "Detroit Model". that team has consistently qualified for the postseason for over 2 decades. So, it can be done... just remarkably difficult to maintain that kind of success. Rid ourselves of Richards contract as well as the Voynov fiasco and- as you've pointed out in your blog- things begin to look surprisingly positive in a hurry. the 2014-2015 Kings season should be looked upon as a disappointing yet necessary step backwards before the inevitable 2 steps forward. Can't win it every year. And whether you like to admit it or not, it's the way it should be. ( Can you imagine having to watch ANY team win 3 consecutive or more championships in a row? ) thankfully for me, i wasn't around for the Oilers, Islanders or Canadians dynasties. would have been excruciating to watch for any fans outside those fanbases. So parity serves its purpose.
- Woodysdemise

Have not seen RFA compensation numbers for 2015-16 but adjusting (5%) on last year my guess is that any team would have to give up a 1st and 3rd if they stayed in the $5.7m range on a long term deal. There are some very good, up and coming young teams that can justify making an offer sheet as it will likely be a low 1st round pick.

I think you have to give the kid his money today and move some older players.

I don't see Toffoli signing for anything less than 3.25-3.5 million per year on a two or three year deal, do you?

I don't see Toffoli signing for anything less than 3.25-3.5 million per year on a two or three year deal, do you?
- Hossa1881

That is probably the more realistic target. If they were to get him on a 2-3 year bridge for less than I would be surprised. Expectations I would say are near the 4 million mark.

just buyout richards so we can sign him already you guys ruined him
- 2Real

It's not going to help you any, your team sucks either way.

The kings have already found someone to take Richard's contract in a trade. Its just waiting on two other trades to be completed first. They will be able to afford Williams if they want to re-sign him.
- sniper11

Who have the Kings found to take Richards? Unless we are taking another questionable contract back I really do not see this happening.

just buyout richards so we can sign him already you guys ruined him
- 2Real

2 cups is not ruining a player.

It's good to see you're here. I'm glad you could pull yourself away from your "real" job to read tonight.

BTW, you should respect people for working. I saw an old dude in NV a few months back sweeping up the parking lot at a gas station. He was proud of the job he was doing, and he knew it was important to bring value to his employer. That he did. That lot sparkled! Show some respect to people who actually work for a living, unlike me, and I would guess you too.

PS I'll count you as a real Kings fan now who should be respected for it. You should hear no more bandwagon talk from me.
- yzermaneely

No kings fan needs a duck fan to tell them if they are bandwagon or not.

You constantly try and start arguments on here.

You are one of the worst duck commentators on here.

Grow up kid.

Are you completely insane, or just a closeted Duck fan?
- yzermaneely

honestly, was asking a question. Don't know much about Jones other than he seems like a good young goalie with potential.

Working on the fringes with a richards buyout and a Tofolli bridge deal won't fix the kings problems ... just kicks the can down the road. In 3 years, they'll likely be in a much worse situation if they do the both of those things.

Reality is, something progressive needs to be done to address the kings cap woes. Trading a high salary player back for a few lower salary but better value pieces is that progressive solution to me. If Jones is not ready to take over, to me Carter is the guy that should be traded.

honestly, was asking a question. Don't know much about Jones other than he seems like a good young goalie with potential.

Working on the fringes with a richards buyout and a Tofolli bridge deal won't fix the kings problems ... just kicks the can down the road. In 3 years, they'll likely be in a much worse situation if they do the both of those things.

Reality is, something progressive needs to be done to address the kings cap woes. Trading a high salary player back for a few lower salary but better value pieces is that progressive solution to me. If Jones is not ready to take over, to me Carter is the guy that should be traded.
- Tumbleweed

Add lower priced pieces with a Carter move OR move one of the bad contracts (Richards or Brown) along with Carter. That would pretty much remove the core pieces from the 2011/2012 trades because if you moved Brown under the second option, then Richards would be bought out. The only player that would be missed would be Carter which would be an enormous loss. But, it would allow for a ton of cap relief, Kopi's signing would be easy as would signing Toffoli.

Interesting idea.

Who have the Kings found to take Richards? Unless we are taking another questionable contract back I really do not see this happening.
- Kingsfanyme

The kings are taking a contract back. It is an overpriced contract, but not near the level of Richards and he's a good player. Plus, it is a position the kings need help in. I'm sure fans will be happy with the trade for more than just cap reasons.

The kings are taking a contract back. It is an overpriced contract, but not near the level of Richards and he's a good player. Plus, it is a position the kings need help in. I'm sure fans will be happy with the trade for more than just cap reasons.
- sniper11

Dion is that you?

The kings are taking a contract back. It is an overpriced contract, but not near the level of Richards and he's a good player. Plus, it is a position the kings need help in. I'm sure fans will be happy with the trade for more than just cap reasons.
- sniper11

I assume he's talking about Jake Gardiner, who's under contract for another 4 years at just over $4M. I've heard those rumors also. I think this was a possibility when Nonis was still the GM, but anything that was possibly in the works went out the window when Nonis was fired last month.

We'll take Simmonds back in exchange for Richards... sound good? Ok , fantastic.
- Woodysdemise

hah nice one we dont' want you to ruin him as well

honestly, was asking a question. Don't know much about Jones other than he seems like a good young goalie with potential.

Working on the fringes with a richards buyout and a Tofolli bridge deal won't fix the kings problems ... just kicks the can down the road. In 3 years, they'll likely be in a much worse situation if they do the both of those things.

Reality is, something progressive needs to be done to address the kings cap woes. Trading a high salary player back for a few lower salary but better value pieces is that progressive solution to me. If Jones is not ready to take over, to me Carter is the guy that should be traded.
- Tumbleweed

Dustin Brown has way more toxic of a contract than Carter for what he contributes.

Dustin Brown has way more toxic of a contract than Carter for what he contributes.
- Jason_Lewis

Maybe he meant Carter would net more in return than Brown. But significantly weaken the center position.

Dustin Brown has way more toxic of a contract than Carter for what he contributes.
- Jason_Lewis

Brown's remaining contract scares me the most. More so than even Richards... and that's saying something. Reason being eventually the Kings will be able to move Richards. But i think Lombardi will be incredibly hesitant to ship out the King who has been here the longest and captained the franchise to its first 2 cups. There's a loyalty factor in play here that Lombardi has a track record of giving to his players. and while it's easy to understand from an emotional standpoint, it's not a way to conduct your business when confronted with tough choices. I love Brown and all that he has given this organization, but you need to make choices based on the stats and facts. and Brown's career trajectory seems to be pointed in a pretty negative direction. players that make a living out of playing such a 'heavy' game tend to fade away as the physical toll on their body adds up. Unfortunately, Brown is no exception.

Maybe he meant Carter would net more in return than Brown. But significantly weaken the center position.
- hiway39

Maybe he hit his head and has been asleep for 10 years and is talking about ANSON Carter???

Brown's remaining contract scares me the most. More so than even Richards... and that's saying something. Reason being eventually the Kings will be able to move Richards. But i think Lombardi will be incredibly hesitant to ship out the King who has been here the longest and captained the franchise to its first 2 cups. There's a loyalty factor in play here that Lombardi has a track record of giving to his players. and while it's easy to understand from an emotional standpoint, it's not a way to conduct your business when confronted with tough choices. I love Brown and all that he has given this organization, but you need to make choices based on the stats and facts. and Brown's career trajectory seems to be pointed in a pretty negative direction. players that make a living out of playing such a 'heavy' game tend to fade away as the physical toll on their body adds up. Unfortunately, Brown is no exception.
- Woodysdemise

I only hope that BUF will do DL a solid and let the Kings trade him so he can go out to pasture at home in NY... Brown needs to go like yesteryear.

I am down for this scenario.

A couple changes in the D dept is what I would do.

1. DL trades danger prone Muzzin & slow Green (2 for 1 deal)
for a stud all star D to play with Drew all season.

2. Derek Forbort & Colin Miller(all star) can play for the 6th & 7th D respectfully.
Both are ready for the jump, not just one of these guys. Kings just
got faster and younger and less danger prone and slow.

3. If Williams bails, use the remaining on a free agent that
we need, or pull another trade.

My Opinion. GKG