Ben Shelley: Analyzing Austin Wagner’s new contract

Wagner is a 4th line physical forward. He brings speed, grit, and toughness. Any scoring is welcome, but supplemental. The Kings don't have many of those guys in the system. Grundstrom is the only other prospect that even remotely resembles that.

If prospects are coming up and getting a shot on the roster, it's not going to be at 4RW. Unless the Kings re-sign Lewis, I don't think there's a single player in the system right now that will contest him for that spot over the next 3 seasons.

No prospect coming up has the speed Wagner has. Wagner is by far the fastest player on this team. He needs to learn to score on break ways though, he’s like the new Lewis but much faster.

All flash and no finish, now he's got 3 years to learn how to score.

Wagner is a 4th line physical forward. He brings speed, grit, and toughness. Any scoring is welcome, but supplemental. The Kings don't have many of those guys in the system. Grundstrom is the only other prospect that even remotely resembles that.

If prospects are coming up and getting a shot on the roster, it's not going to be at 4RW. Unless the Kings re-sign Lewis, I don't think there's a single player in the system right now that will contest him for that spot over the next 3 seasons.
- tkecanuck341

- poisondhearts37

Is that a disagreement? Wagner is a big body and uses his speed to race in and crush defensemen on the forecheck. If not for this aspect of his game, he would be a league washout if he couldn't figure out his scoring touch. However, due to the fact that he does have this aspect of his game, he's a valuable player, even if he only does manage 5-7 goals per season.

I see him as a mainstay on the Kings 4th line for years.

No prospect coming up has the speed Wagner has. Wagner is by far the fastest player on this team. He needs to learn to score on break ways though, he’s like the new Lewis but much faster.
- LAkings96

I'd go so far as to say that Wagner is the fastest straight-line skater in the league, McDavid included. However, if he has to do anything other than skate in a straight line, things don't go so well. He can't turn at top speed like McDavid can, and his brain can't keep up with his feet.

If he could somehow learn to get pulled down on breakaways in a way that awards the Kings with a power play rather than a penalty shot, then the Kings would be in great shape.

If he could somehow learn to get pulled down on breakaways in a way that awards the Kings with a power play rather than a penalty shot, then the Kings would be in great shape.
- tkecanuck341

Maybe it'd be better for him to slow down on breakaways so that the defensemen can catch him and hook him for a penalty shot. He's not going to score on the breakaway, anyways. That said, he's not likely to score on the penalty shot, either.

First this goal reel got me pumped up for Kings hockey next year. I'm excited to see how the team progresses and who makes the roster out of camp.

I think this is a good deal for the Kings and Wagner. Yes a 3 year deal may handcuff the Kings but at $1M year he could easily get flipped for a pick down the road if we really have too many kids that need to play. For Wags he gets the stability of a paycheck for the next three years.

I'm also thinking that either he or Amadio may get snatched in the expansion draft next summer.

I love the kids speed and grit. I do think if he gains a little more confidence and consistent playing time he could hit 10-15 goals / yr.

First this goal reel got me pumped up for Kings hockey next year. I'm excited to see how the team progresses and who makes the roster out of camp.

I think this is a good deal for the Kings and Wagner. Yes a 3 year deal may handcuff the Kings but at $1M year he could easily get flipped for a pick down the road if we really have too many kids that need to play. For Wags he gets the stability of a paycheck for the next three years.

I'm also thinking that either he or Amadio may get snatched in the expansion draft next summer.

I love the kids speed and grit. I do think if he gains a little more confidence and consistent playing time he could hit 10-15 goals / yr.
- KingsFan67

I think it might be wishful thinking if you think Seattle will take Amadio. I would be ecstatic if they did. More likely it will be one of Grundstrom, Wagner, or Lizotte. Younger and more upside.