Clarke got into a couple fights this year. Not mature enough to face Mark Stone yet (hopefully never, really), but he’s 6’2” and has a feisty side.
The second pair is a conundrum. I don’t want to see Blake/new GM pay Gavy anymore than he’s making, and since he’s only on a two year deal he’ll look for a raise. At that point I’d rather trade him and pay Roy. I floated the idea of trading Spence for Chychrun in that scenario as I believe that would get it done. Add-ons would be minimal.
I like it as it adds a puck mover on the left. Problem is of course what Chychrun demands next contract just one year from now. Also Spence is more of a successor to Doughty in style than Clarke. Spence and Clarke both in their prime will be an impressive right side.
Again, this team was simply not ready for the big push forward. A top-down approach with management and a coach who understands that is crucial. Perhaps Blake learned his lesson this year, but PLD feels like strike 3 regarding his judgment after Kovalchuck and Peterson.
A lot of this is correct I think.
Gavrikov and Roy have not been good in this series. But both were good during the season.
I’m not sure how much I value Spence moving forward. His lack of size and strength are concerning. I do like that he is mobile.
So much of the off-season depends on who the GM is. Is it an overhaul or just nipping around the edges.
Re PLD, I have felt all along that strategically it was a bold and smart move to have depth at C. I think I understand why Blake made the trade.
It has not turned out well. It’s like in baseball where they sacrifice or hit & run, and it doesn’t work out. The strategy was sound, the execution was the issue.
I like Hiller. I think he’s committed and clear-eyed. I think Blake has made several good moves. I don’t care whatsoever if either return or are let go.
I see a lot of the “Fire Blake!” And “Get rid of Luc!” I laugh, particularly with Luc—He’s not there for his hockey knowledge, he’s there for the PR and relationships with people and groups the Kings work with.
I don’t know what happens between now and next year. A full rebuild while Kopi & Doughty are still here seems unlikely. Getting rid of dead weight seems obvious.
What I suspect will happen is an attempt to move PLD in a trade. I’m hopeful that perhaps a deal for Chychrun is possible with PLD as the centerpiece.
I hope Arvy can stay. He’s hard to replace.
I think Roy is worth retaining but not on a foolish contract. Clarke has to be in the lineup and either Roy or Spence will be gone.
I think and hope we have seen the last of Grundstrom, Lewis, Talbot, Lizzotte (respect his play but he’s gonna get killed someday), and Kaliyev.
If trading PLD creates some needed cap space the Kings can get better.
As I said I’m not tied to Blake or Hiller. My main concern is what happens if they are fired? Who replaces Blake? Who is brought in to coach? I don’t want to see Hiller fired to bring in a recycled coach.
These are the hard parts. Fire Blake! Is the easy part. Replacing him is the trickier part and that’s what bothers me about the situation.
You should have started making these move at the deadline. We could have received something back for Roy and Arvy. Some much needed draft pics, and/or top prospects. Oh well.
