Jason Lewis: Ehrhoff on Waivers, Kevin Gravel Call-up + Scouting Report

Sutter is A Hockey God. He will prove as much when the Kings win the Cup again

They list Gravel at 185 lbs. , Is he heavier since the draft? Thanks for the update.

They list Gravel at 185 lbs. , Is he heavier since the draft? Thanks for the update.
- Gretz2Kurri

He's lanky, but not skinny. I'd say he is probably closer to 195-200 now. In noticeably good shape.

Glad the kid is getting a shot. I know it was a numbers game, but I thought it was a bad sign that he didn't get a contract. Perseverance pays off.

Question: if Ehroff clears waivers and goes to Ontario, is his NTC still in effect?

With Ehrhoff going on waivers and Pearson being a healthy scratch, I wouldn't be surprised if Pearson gets traded for defensive help tomorrow after Ehrhoff either clears or gets claimed. Pearson skated as an "extra" during today's practice as reported by LAKI.

Blue: Lucic-Kopitar-Brown
Yellow: King-Carter-Toffoli
White: Gaborik/Pearson-Lecavalier-Lewis
Purple: Clifford-Andreoff/Shore-Nolan

It's possible that Lombardi and another GM have agreed to a trade, and they are waiting a day or two for the Kings to get their roster in order before pulling the trigger.

Question: if Ehroff clears waivers and goes to Ontario, is his NTC still in effect?
- Only_A_Ladd

Yes. The only time a player's NTC gets voided is if the player is traded to another organization, not if he's loaned to an affiliate.

With Ehrhoff going on waivers and Pearson being a healthy scratch, I wouldn't be surprised if Pearson gets traded for defensive help tomorrow after Ehrhoff either clears or gets claimed. Pearson skated as an "extra" during today's practice as reported by LAKI.

Blue: Lucic-Kopitar-Brown
Yellow: King-Carter-Toffoli
White: Gaborik/Pearson-Lecavalier-Lewis
Purple: Clifford-Andreoff/Shore-Nolan

It's possible that Lombardi and another GM have agreed to a trade, and they are waiting a day or two for the Kings to get their roster in order before pulling the trigger.
- tkecanuck341

I'd say Pearson gets another year in L.A. before any kind of deal is made in that regard. He has showed a desirable "Route one" kind of game that the Kings need on the bottom lines. Probably won't find that for much cheaper elsewhere.

Also depends on what Gravel does. If he is very good or at least serviceable, I think they hold off on dealing assets for defensive help until the offseason.

Glad the kid is getting a shot. I know it was a numbers game, but I thought it was a bad sign that he didn't get a contract. Perseverance pays off.
- Only_A_Ladd

Honestly, I highly doubt we'll see Gravel in an NHL game this season. He's cheaper than the NHL ready defensemen (Ehrhoff, Schultz, and Forbort), and he's waiver exempt unlike the other NHL-close Ontario defensemen (LoVerde). I think this move is purely about gaining cap space for a trade.

I'd say Pearson gets another year in L.A. before any kind of deal is made in that regard. He has showed a desirable "Route one" kind of game that the Kings need on the bottom lines. Probably won't find that for much cheaper elsewhere.

Also depends on what Gravel does. If he is very good or at least serviceable, I think they hold off on dealing assets for defensive help until the offseason.
- Jason_Lewis

I don't disagree that Pearson deserves another year, but if the Kings are going to make a run at a top-four quality rental defensemen (Yandle if we are to believe anything Eklund says), we're going to have to send back something quality in return. I think Lombardi would trade Pearson before he decided to deal Kempe or Zykov, especially since the $650K he'd save by replacing him with Mersch is an extra $650k he can offer to Lucic next season.

Based on the reports from LeBrun about how hard the Kings were going after Byfuglien, I think the Kings are absolutely making a run at a rental defenseman.

Honestly, I highly doubt we'll see Gravel in an NHL game this season. He's cheaper than the NHL ready defensemen (Ehrhoff, Schultz, and Forbort), and he's waiver exempt unlike the other NHL-close Ontario defensemen (LoVerde). I think this move is purely about gaining cap space for a trade.
- tkecanuck341

Could be. Could very well be. I think they give him a look before pulling the trigger though. They have done this in past seasons with King/Nolan/Toffoli/Pearson etc.

See what you have internally that can help before dealing for a rental/outside help that will ultimately cost homegrown assets.

Sutter will like Kris Russell.

Sutter will like Kris Russell.
- shoestring

What are we talking here? Russell, rights to Jankowski, pick(s) for...?

Sutter will like Kris Russell.
- shoestring

We'll give you Mcbain, straight-up.

Good report Jason. I agree with your assessment of Gravel. It will be very interesting to see how his game transitions. Gravel is noticeably thinner than Forbort, but the lack of hesitation and moxie brings what Forbort has been missing on a consistent basis. We'll see if we get the "I'm afraid to make a mistake playing for DS player" or the player the Reign have been seeing.

Good report Jason. I agree with your assessment of Gravel. It will be very interesting to see how his game transitions. Gravel is noticeably thinner than Forbort, but the lack of hesitation and moxie brings what Forbort has been missing on a consistent basis. We'll see if we get the "I'm afraid to make a mistake playing for DS player" or the player the Reign have been seeing.
- Regulate

Thank you!