Ben Shelley: Four prospects who could fight for a spot with the Kings next season

With Kopitar Byfield Turcotte Kupari, who do you see as the one to get traded to upgrade on the wing? Where does Kupari project? Middle 6 center?

With Kopitar Byfield Turcotte Kupari, who do you see as the one to get traded to upgrade on the wing? Where does Kupari project? Middle 6 center?
- nyrangers9479

Both will likely end up playing Wing in the NHL.

I think the Kings will look to move some of the aging players at the trade deadline In February. Kopitar would certainly garner a return from a team close to the Cup, There Is a team that Is on the cusp but needs a number 2 center however the Knights are In the same division with the Kings, Not sure If the Kings would want to make that deal.

Both will likely end up playing Wing in the NHL.
- poisondhearts37

I noticed Kupari is pretty decent at draws, over 50% when he got called up. Would it make more sense to trade him rather than move him to wing?

I think the Kings will look to move some of the aging players at the trade deadline In February. Kopitar would certainly garner a return from a team close to the Cup, There Is a team that Is on the cusp but needs a number 2 center however the Knights are In the same division with the Kings, Not sure If the Kings would want to make that deal.
- Shady1962

Kings are done doing that. They will start moving picks and prospects to add a piece or 2 to start being competitive.

The Knights need a number 1 and number 2 center. Not just a number 2.

I noticed Kupari is pretty decent at draws, over 50% when he got called up. Would it make more sense to trade him rather than move him to wing?
- nyrangers9479

Trading a player has nothing to do with moving a player to the wing or having them at center. Kings are just kind of deep down the middle. So some of these guys are gonna end up on the wing. Im not saying Kupari wont be traded. Just that having him on the wing instead of center doesnt mean you should trade him.

I think the Kings will look to move some of the aging players at the trade deadline In February. Kopitar would certainly garner a return from a team close to the Cup, There Is a team that Is on the cusp but needs a number 2 center however the Knights are In the same division with the Kings, Not sure If the Kings would want to make that deal.
- Shady1962

If LA trades Kopitar to Vegas it better be for a return that he would garner a few years back.

So in other words F Vegas

The poll question is a little tricky. Byfield is the most likely to have a full-time role with the Kings, but it'll be regardless of whether he earns it. The other players will have to earn it because they'll be the AHL if they don't.

With Kopitar Byfield Turcotte Kupari, who do you see as the one to get traded to upgrade on the wing? Where does Kupari project? Middle 6 center?
- nyrangers9479

With kopitar,byfield,turcotte,kupari, vilardi and Dolan anderson it is an embarrassment of riches down the middle if you ask me.with the exception of kopitar,all are young enough to transition to playing wing and become more valuable in case of injury or slump.so why would we want to trade any of them.

Having too many centers is such a nice problem to try and solve; like having to find a bigger wallet to hold all of your cash.

In the end, I think performance will dictate where these players line up on the ice -- you sort out who are your best centers and fill in everyone else from there. I can envision the Kings packaging one of those young players (Not Byfield) with a 1st round pick to get an impact player -- but personally I love watching the players develop, so I hope we stand pat and see what happens.

The Kings may soon see a depth chart that looks something like:
Turcotte - Kopitar - Arvidsson
Kempe - Byfield - Kaliyev
Iafallo - Vilardi - Kupari

Sort out the lines however -- the depth at each position looks pretty good there. Although to be fair, I am not sure if Kaliyev is better suited from LW or RW -- I've seen him listed as both but don't have any real knowledge on the subject, except for the WJ Tournament where Zegres centered Turcotte and Kaliyev -- which was a wonderful line to watch play hockey.

Having too many centers is such a nice problem to try and solve; like having to find a bigger wallet to hold all of your cash.

In the end, I think performance will dictate where these players line up on the ice -- you sort out who are your best centers and fill in everyone else from there. I can envision the Kings packaging one of those young players (Not Byfield) with a 1st round pick to get an impact player -- but personally I love watching the players develop, so I hope we stand pat and see what happens.

The Kings may soon see a depth chart that looks something like:
Turcotte - Kopitar - Arvidsson
Kempe - Byfield - Kaliyev
Iafallo - Vilardi - Kupari

Sort out the lines however -- the depth at each position looks pretty good there. Although to be fair, I am not sure if Kaliyev is better suited from LW or RW -- I've seen him listed as both but don't have any real knowledge on the subject, except for the WJ Tournament where Zegres centered Turcotte and Kaliyev -- which was a wonderful line to watch play hockey.
- Cabbages and Kings

Kaliyev almost exclusively played RW in his junior career. I wouldn't mess with what works.