Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season: Nikolai Prokhorkin

Prokhorkin had a decent enough season that warrants a follow-up. If he does come back, then I see him getting Luffs roster spot and Grundstrom's spot in the lineup:

Without Prokhorkin:
Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown
Kempe-Vilardi-Frk
Grundstrom-Amadio-Carter
Moore-Lizotte-Wagner
JAD
Luff

With Prokhorkin:
Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown
Kempe-Vilardi-Frk
Prokhorkin-Amadio-Carter
Moore-Lizotte-Wagner
JAD
Grundstrom

The question is what kind of contract are the Kings willing to offer him? A 1 year deal makes him a UFA next summer, allowing him to sign with any team in the NHL if he is unhappy with his usage in LA. A longer term deal retains his services for longer, but would likely necessitate a higher AAV, and comes with the risk that he doesn't improve.

If I were Prokhorkin, I'd be pushing for a 1-year deal to open my negotiation options for next summer, even if that meant taking a league minimum salary.

I thought that he was already gone and returning to Russia. I guess that I just assumed that from the news of his KHL team trying to sign him. I don't see a future with the team for him and figure that the only reason why it makes any sense for him to pass up a high profile role in the KHL for another season like last year in the NHL is to become a free agent next summer, as tkecanuck suggested.

I wouldn't mind seeing him back if it's in place of Luff, but I don't think that it'd be wise at all to play him instead of Grundstrom. Grundstrom is much younger, can be part of the team's future and, based on his stint at the end of 18-19, might put up Prohorkin's production if given the opportunity.

I'll say he goes to KHL

I thought that he was already gone and returning to Russia. I guess that I just assumed that from the news of his KHL team trying to sign him. I don't see a future with the team for him and figure that the only reason why it makes any sense for him to pass up a high profile role in the KHL for another season like last year in the NHL is to become a free agent next summer, as tkecanuck suggested.

I wouldn't mind seeing him back if it's in place of Luff, but I don't think that it'd be wise at all to play him instead of Grundstrom. Grundstrom is much younger, can be part of the team's future and, based on his stint at the end of 18-19, might put up Prohorkin's production if given the opportunity.
- Osprey

Grundstrom took a pretty giant step back last year. I've posted a few times on the coaching staff's comments in regards to how he was shooting himself in the foot by trying to do too much. He fell so far as to have gone from a "legit NHL prospect" in Pronman's prospect rankings before last season, to a "player who doesn’t project as a useful NHL player" in his expansion draft prediction article a few months ago.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be ecstatic if Grundstrom could get his act together and live up to his potential, but unless something changes, he's destined to be one of the extra forwards when the season restarts in December.

Grundstrom took a pretty giant step back last year. I've posted a few times on the coaching staff's comments in regards to how he was shooting himself in the foot by trying to do too much. He fell so far as to have gone from a "legit NHL prospect" in Pronman's prospect rankings before last season, to a "player who doesn’t project as a useful NHL player" in his expansion draft prediction article a few months ago.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be ecstatic if Grundstrom could get his act together and live up to his potential, but unless something changes, he's destined to be one of the extra forwards when the season restarts in December.
- tkecanuck341

He took a major step back because a new coach came in, put him in the dog house and then didn't give him enough opportunity. When he did get opportunity, he probably tried to do too much because he was desperate to impress a coach who didn't seem to think much of him. He shares blame, but it's the coach's job to get the most out of him, and McClellan got much less out of him than the last coach did.

What do you mean? This was his first year in the NHL... regardless, I agree with those who think he isn’t part of the King’s plans for the future. He maybe gets one more year in the show but, if he can’t put it together, that’ll be it for him. He’s been jumped by too many prospects already. Also, just because I enjoy the exercise, here is my ideal lines for next year.

Iafallo- Kopi- Kaliyev/Brown
Kempe- Vilardi- Frk
Carter - Byfield - Kaliyev/Brown
Moore - Lizotte - Wagner
Extras: Prok/Grundy and Amadio; maybe JAD, if Prok doesn’t come back and Grundy isn’t cutting it but, I really haven’t been impressed with JAD thus far. More likely Grundstom and Amadio are the extras.

Doughty - Bjornfot
Walker - Roy
Hutton - Clague/Andersen
Extra: MacD


Edit: My fault. In re-reading your post I realize you were talking about Grundy and not Prok. And I agree somewhat, Grundy was much more productive the year before last.

He took a major step back because a new coach came in, put him in the dog house and then didn't give him enough opportunity. When he did get opportunity, he probably tried to do too much because he was desperate to impress a coach who didn't seem to think much of him. He shares blame, but it's the coach's job to get the most out of him, and McClellan got much less out of him than the last coach did.
- Osprey

You don't arbitrarily make it into the doghouse of a new coach. He had a poor training camp and firmly established himself in the doghouse. He was given every opportunity to make it last September and was beat out by players like Lizotte and Wagner, both of whom had quality camps.

He was sent down to the AHL with an assignment of things to work on, started out strong with 5 goals and 7 points in his first 4 games, then scored only 2 goals and 9 points in his next 24 games. He was starting to figure things out before the season was suspended, so hopefully he can build on that when camp opens in November. He'll have to earn his spot on the team and will have some tough competition.