Ben Shelley: Will the Kings continue stockpiling draft picks as part of their rebuild?

The Kings don't have any replacement players for Iafallo. Turcotte is still at least a full season away from the NHL, and likely 2+ seasons away from a top-six role. Kempe is not a top six player. Unless the Kings are able to snag a 1LW/2LW via trade or free agency, Iafallo isn't going anywhere. They'll likely sign him to a 2-3 year extension before next summer. They'll probably consider trading him as a rental before that contract expires.

Unless the Kings can find a taker for Jeff Carter, or if Dustin Brown asks to be moved to a contender for a Cup run at the trade deadline in 2022, the Kings are out of players to sell (aside from fringe NHLers like Frk, Amadio, Luff, etc).

Loui for a 1st and more?

Loui for a 1st and more?
- General Mokus

I can't imagine Vancouver will explore that option anymore. They don't have any more contracts to sign and only have to clear 1.5M from the roster. They'll get a significant amount of cap relief by burying Baertschi and Eriksson in the minors.

They'll need cap space next summer to resign Hughes and Demko, so they might consider moving him then, but one year of Eriksson's contract will be significantly cheaper to move than two.

I can't imagine Vancouver will explore that option anymore. They don't have any more contracts to sign and only have to clear 1.5M from the roster. They'll get a significant amount of cap relief by burying Baertschi and Eriksson in the minors.

They'll need cap space next summer to resign Hughes and Demko, so they might consider moving him then, but one year of Eriksson's contract will be significantly cheaper to move than two.
- tkecanuck341

Even with the cap crunch coming for them next year?

Even with the cap crunch coming for them next year?
- General Mokus

Yes, but why overpay a team now to take 2 years of Eriksson's contract when they can move him next summer and only have to pay for them to take 1 year?

I don't see anyone wanting to take on Kopitar, Carter or Quick's contract. No one wants Carter or Quick in general. Both are done. I personally wish they would get bought out. I know Carter only has 2 years left and Quick has 3, but they won't be doing much for how much cap hit they have.

Brown has been playing decent I feel the past couple of seasons where he only has 2 years left but could draw interest. Won't fetch much and likely the Kings will need to eat some of the salary but if they find a taker I hope they take it.

I was going to say Lewis but I believe his contract is up?

I feel though the Kings could bring in some top 6 younger vets though (wings) to help. They have gotten a lot of picks over the past couple of years and obviously most won't be NHL ready yet (especially their top draft picks this year and last years) but we'll see.

I don't see anyone wanting to take on Kopitar, Carter or Quick's contract. No one wants Carter or Quick in general. Both are done. I personally wish they would get bought out. I know Carter only has 2 years left and Quick has 3, but they won't be doing much for how much cap hit they have.

Brown has been playing decent I feel the past couple of seasons where he only has 2 years left but could draw interest. Won't fetch much and likely the Kings will need to eat some of the salary but if they find a taker I hope they take it.

I was going to say Lewis but I believe his contract is up?

I feel though the Kings could bring in some top 6 younger vets though (wings) to help. They have gotten a lot of picks over the past couple of years and obviously most won't be NHL ready yet (especially their top draft picks this year and last years) but we'll see.
- Bojangle

Brown has been best winger on the Kings and has earned every dollar of his contract in each of the last three seasons. He'll finish his contract in LA and will likely retire a King. I wouldn't be adverse to bringing him back on another smaller money contract once the current one expires. The type of game he plays is well suited to the 3rd or 4th lines.

Quick had a rough start to last season, but from January 1st on, he played quality hockey with a .923 SV% and 2.27 GAA, well above the league average. There's no reason to suspect he can't continue that level of play going forward.

Carter hasn't been great, but they like his presence in the locker room. If someone is willing to take his contract, I'm sure the Kings will consider moving him, but they're not going to pay to dump him or retain heavy salary.

Kopitar might not be a top 3 player in the NHL anymore like he was 5 years ago, but he's still an exceptional 2-way player and will earn several more Selke nominations before his career is over. If the Kings put him on the trade block, there would be numerous suitors. They might have to retain a small percentage of his salary to make the numbers work, but he's certainly not negative value.

From all reports, the Kings have been looking at young(ish) middle six wingers via UFA. They were reportedly in on Hinostroza and Kahun, but they both chose to sign elsewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a flyer on Athanasiou on a 1 or 2 year deal, but I don't think they'll make a bigger splash than that.

I don't see anyone wanting to take on Kopitar, Carter or Quick's contract. No one wants Carter or Quick in general. Both are done. I personally wish they would get bought out. I know Carter only has 2 years left and Quick has 3, but they won't be doing much for how much cap hit they have.

Brown has been playing decent I feel the past couple of seasons where he only has 2 years left but could draw interest. Won't fetch much and likely the Kings will need to eat some of the salary but if they find a taker I hope they take it.

I was going to say Lewis but I believe his contract is up?

I feel though the Kings could bring in some top 6 younger vets though (wings) to help. They have gotten a lot of picks over the past couple of years and obviously most won't be NHL ready yet (especially their top draft picks this year and last years) but we'll see.
- Bojangle

Quick has a cap hit that's 2.3mm above his salary this year, 2.8mm next year and 3.3mm in his final year. Carter's cap hit is 3.2mm above his salary for the final two years of his contract. In a flat cap world, these are ideal contracts for a rebuilding team like the Kings. Additionally, the vets will be at camps and in the line-up nightly to influence the kids who come up. Those contracts are win-win.

As for the other vets and brining in "top 6 younger vets": what's that going to help? Sure, jettisoning older players might help a bit and bring a few extra points, but this roster needs too much of an overhaul to make the wildcard, let alone compete for a Cup. The team has a direction: stink, acquire picks, build, and then compete. Changing that plan now, in the least desirable climate imaginable, makes no sense.