Ben Shelley: Projecting the Kings’ lineup next season: Defense/Goalies

Spot on with the goaltending. Assuming Quick can maintain the level of play he showcased for the last two months, I think the starting job is still his. I think Quick gets 55-60 games next season, 40-45 games in 2021-22, and 20 games or so in 2022-23 as Petersen eases his way into the starting role. If Quick plays like he did in October & November, then his push to the backup role will be accelerated.

For defense, I think we see Bjornfot stay in the AHL for two reasons:

First, he has another year on his ELC slide. He might get 9 games in the NHL, but I don't think the Kings want to burn a year off his contract.

Second, all the guys that will be his future teammates (Turcotte, Madden, Kupari, Thomas, Dudas, etc.) will be playing in Ontario. I think that Bjornfot will eventually wear the "C" on his sweater in LA, and this is a good chance for him to further establish that leadership role in the AHL.

I think Clague and MacDermid rotate at the 3LD spot depending on their opponent. For opponents requiring speed and skill, Clague will get the call. When toughness is required (I'm looking at you Calgary), then MacDermid will enter the lineup.

I don't think Hutton will return. He was serviceable last season, but I don't think he looked good on Doughty's pairing, which is where the Kings would need him to play. My guess is that they go the UFA route.

An Arizona fan posed an interesting trade proposal on CapFriendly the other day, sending Hjalmarsson to LA along with Grabner as a cap dump in exchange for a mid-round draft pick. Hammer is exactly the type of defenseman the Kings need to bridge the gap while the defensive prospects that will eventually take over are marinating in Ontario. They have a combined cap hit of $8.35M and are both UFAs in 2021. The Kings could easily fit that in their payroll. Arizona is tight against the cap and could very much use the relief to either re-sign or replace Taylor Hall.

Spot on with the goaltending. Assuming Quick can maintain the level of play he showcased for the last two months, I think the starting job is still his. I think Quick gets 55-60 games next season, 40-45 games in 2021-22, and 20 games or so in 2022-23 as Petersen eases his way into the starting role. If Quick plays like he did in October & November, then his push to the backup role will be accelerated.

For defense, I think we see Bjornfot stay in the AHL for two reasons:

First, he has another year on his ELC slide. He might get 9 games in the NHL, but I don't think the Kings want to burn a year off his contract.

Second, all the guys that will be his future teammates (Turcotte, Madden, Kupari, Thomas, Dudas, etc.) will be playing in Ontario. I think that Bjornfot will eventually wear the "C" on his sweater in LA, and this is a good chance for him to further establish that leadership role in the AHL.

I think Clague and MacDermid rotate at the 3LD spot depending on their opponent. For opponents requiring speed and skill, Clague will get the call. When toughness is required (I'm looking at you Calgary), then MacDermid will enter the lineup.

I don't think Hutton will return. He was serviceable last season, but I don't think he looked good on Doughty's pairing, which is where the Kings would need him to play. My guess is that they go the UFA route.

An Arizona fan posed an interesting trade proposal on CapFriendly the other day, sending Hjalmarsson to LA along with Grabner as a cap dump in exchange for a mid-round draft pick. Hammer is exactly the type of defenseman the Kings need to bridge the gap while the defensive prospects that will eventually take over are marinating in Ontario. They have a combined cap hit of $8.35M and are both UFAs in 2021. The Kings could easily fit that in their payroll. Arizona is tight against the cap and could very much use the relief to either re-sign or replace Taylor Hall.
- tkecanuck341

I always like getting these detailed replies, thanks for that!

I really like the idea of bringing in Hjalmarsson for the year. You're right, he'd be the perfect fit to bridge the gap. Obviously not crazy about taking on Grabner in the process but the Kings have the space and he could be in the press box.

My big concern, however, is only getting a mid-round pick back as a return. My reasoning here is cap space, especially with the cap not rising, is a huge asset and if the Kings are giving that up for a one year worth of help and taking on a bad contract in the process, that's probably not a great move. They could get a far greater return than a mid-round pick for taking on an expensive contract, or even two, from another team in a crunch. So to me, the Kings would need more back or it may be more worthwhile to take on a different contract and get back a first-round pick or top prospect.

I always like getting these detailed replies, thanks for that!

I really like the idea of bringing in Hjalmarsson for the year. You're right, he'd be the perfect fit to bridge the gap. Obviously not crazy about taking on Grabner in the process but the Kings have the space and he could be in the press box.

My big concern, however, is only getting a mid-round pick back as a return. My reasoning here is cap space, especially with the cap not rising, is a huge asset and if the Kings are giving that up for a one year worth of help and taking on a bad contract in the process, that's probably not a great move. They could get a far greater return than a mid-round pick for taking on an expensive contract, or even two, from another team in a crunch. So to me, the Kings would need more back or it may be more worthwhile to take on a different contract and get back a first-round pick or top prospect.
- Ben Shelley

They'll still have plenty of space to acquire another contract. They could always buy out Grabner's contract this summer (his contract was backloaded so the buyout cap hit is under $1M this season). As for the $5M for Hjalmarsson, they'd have to spend money on a UFA defenseman anyway, and I'd much rather pay a quality guy a bit more than pay $2M to someone like Hutton.

If you want to send back salary to Arizona, or not take on Grabner's contract, you're going to have to include a quality asset to pull Hammer out of AZ. There's not really anything worth more to them than cap space at the moment.

Here's a link to what the salary would look like:
https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/1721038

They'd have just over $8M in cap space to go out and look for an expensive contract to buy.

They'll still have plenty of space to acquire another contract. They could always buy out Grabner's contract this summer (his contract was backloaded so the buyout cap hit is under $1M this season). As for the $5M for Hjalmarsson, they'd have to spend money on a UFA defenseman anyway, and I'd much rather pay a quality guy a bit more than pay $2M to someone like Hutton.

If you want to send back salary to Arizona, or not take on Grabner's contract, you're going to have to include a quality asset to pull Hammer out of AZ. There's not really anything worth more to them than cap space at the moment.

Here's a link to what the salary would look like:
https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/1721038

They'd have just over $8M in cap space to go out and look for an expensive contract to buy.
- tkecanuck341

The buyout could potentially make it worthwhile to take on Grabner. I'm personally not set enough on Hjalmarsson to give up any assets (or moreso, get fewer assets back for taking on a bad contract) just because to me it seems like losing out on future assets to benefit in a year where you're not trying to compete doesn't make sense long-term. That's why I'd probably prefer a UFA, just my opinion though!

The buyout could potentially make it worthwhile to take on Grabner. I'm personally not set enough on Hjalmarsson to give up any assets (or moreso, get fewer assets back for taking on a bad contract) just because to me it seems like losing out on future assets to benefit in a year where you're not trying to compete doesn't make sense long-term. That's why I'd probably prefer a UFA, just my opinion though!
- Ben Shelley

Consider it a tryout for Hjalmarsson, who is only 32. If he does well, he can re-sign in LA for a few more years. Makes it less of a risk if one of Bjornfot, Clague, or Anderson doesn't work out. Not to mention that it helps having another proven winner on board to help mentor the young kids (of which there will be many next year).

I've looked at the UFA market for defenseman and there just aren't any good options. Edmundson is fine I guess, but he's likely going to get offered a fairly long term deal by someone. None of the other guys available are capable of playing big minutes. Maybe Bouwmeester if he's healthy enough to return next season and St. Louis decides not to re-sign him?

Spot on with the goaltending. Assuming Quick can maintain the level of play he showcased for the last two months, I think the starting job is still his. I think Quick gets 55-60 games next season, 40-45 games in 2021-22, and 20 games or so in 2022-23 as Petersen eases his way into the starting role. If Quick plays like he did in October & November, then his push to the backup role will be accelerated.

For defense, I think we see Bjornfot stay in the AHL for two reasons:

First, he has another year on his ELC slide. He might get 9 games in the NHL, but I don't think the Kings want to burn a year off his contract.

Second, all the guys that will be his future teammates (Turcotte, Madden, Kupari, Thomas, Dudas, etc.) will be playing in Ontario. I think that Bjornfot will eventually wear the "C" on his sweater in LA, and this is a good chance for him to further establish that leadership role in the AHL.

I think Clague and MacDermid rotate at the 3LD spot depending on their opponent. For opponents requiring speed and skill, Clague will get the call. When toughness is required (I'm looking at you Calgary), then MacDermid will enter the lineup.

I don't think Hutton will return. He was serviceable last season, but I don't think he looked good on Doughty's pairing, which is where the Kings would need him to play. My guess is that they go the UFA route.

An Arizona fan posed an interesting trade proposal on CapFriendly the other day, sending Hjalmarsson to LA along with Grabner as a cap dump in exchange for a mid-round draft pick. Hammer is exactly the type of defenseman the Kings need to bridge the gap while the defensive prospects that will eventually take over are marinating in Ontario. They have a combined cap hit of $8.35M and are both UFAs in 2021. The Kings could easily fit that in their payroll. Arizona is tight against the cap and could very much use the relief to either re-sign or replace Taylor Hall.
- tkecanuck341

Hammer would be amazing. But im sure a load of teams would line up for him. Would be a huge mistake for Arizona to trade him. But boy would he be a nice piece in a rebuild. But again. A contending team would be all over him.

The buyout could potentially make it worthwhile to take on Grabner. I'm personally not set enough on Hjalmarsson to give up any assets (or moreso, get fewer assets back for taking on a bad contract) just because to me it seems like losing out on future assets to benefit in a year where you're not trying to compete doesn't make sense long-term. That's why I'd probably prefer a UFA, just my opinion though!
- Ben Shelley

If hammer was even available. The only real concern about him the past couple of years is his health. He seems to be getting hurt alot. But hes a the guy who blocks everything thrown at him. And Chicago made a huge mistake with trading him.

I want to see Quick play no more than 50 games.. he is getting older, is injury prone, and we need to get Petersen in net more often. When he becomes the starter, it will be hard to expect him to play 60 games when he only plays 20-25 games a season.