Setting the table
With just a couple days before the draft and so many rumors floating around, it's probably a wise time to consolidate stuff here and talk about some of the comments and/or emails that have been coming in.
-- Cammalleri's name is being thrown around a lot, and I don't think anyone is surprised by that. From talking to people involved, I would say that if a trade happens with him, it will happen at or before the draft. It's significantly less likely to happen after the draft. The Pitkanen rumors have been around. They have legs, as they say. The only problem with that is, they'll had ``legs'' for a while and there hasn't been a trade. General rule...the longer something is out there, the less likely it is to get done. And several other teams are poking around, looking at Pitkanen. But if you're going to entertain yourself thinking up Cammalleri trade possibilities, think under-30 defenseman and draft pick. And...go.
-- The only other ``established'' King whose name might be out there is Visnovsky. Again, this is another one that some of you more astute readers have sniffed out. Again, it would likely be a situation that creates some depth and increased youth on the blue line. There's nothing really to say, beyond that, at the moment. Just something to keep an eye on.
-- I think there needs to be some type of understanding about the No. 2 pick. There's two sides to this. One is this: the Kings, I'm told, have already turned down about a half-dozen offers for the pick. The other side is this: Dean Lombardi has showed he's not afraid to do unconventional things. That's why I will always hesitate to say, ``This is what the Kings are thinking,'' because I'm not exaggerating when I say that it can change from day to day. That's just the reality of the situation. And it's the reality of the trade market. Things change so fast.
-- The Kings are still not interested in Ray Emery. That much I can say for certain.
-- The bottom line is this: I have a very strong feeling -- based on a combination of talking to people and my own instinct -- that SOMETHING will happen between now and about 4:15 p.m. Pacific time Friday, and given the names and situations involved here, it's likely to be a fairly large ``something.'' Of course, that sounds completely vague and unhelpful. I understand that, but there's absolutely no way to predict what will happen.
Hope to see some of you at the draft party. For those who aren't attending, I will be there blogging with live updates, quotes, etc.
39 Comments
Leave a comment
About Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Cloutier is traded in a package instead of being bought out???
That would be the biggest news that I can think of...
Cammi, 28th pick and a 2nd round pick to Atlanta for their #3 pick. Then we take Doughty and Bogosian.
Josh - then we trade Visnovsky and Tukonen for the 4th overall and select Filatov.
GIT R'DONE deano!
Cammi, 28th, 48th, 123rd overall picks to Columbus for Rusty Klesla and 6th overall. Maybe a bit hopeful, but Klesla is the type of guy I could see DL going after. I know Columbus has been a tad frustrated because Klesla hasn't developed as far as they had hoped.
He would pair very well with Visnosky, whom I hope the Kings don't trade unless its a really good trade in our favor, like a good defensemen, a young forward who projects to be a solid 3rd liner and a pick for Vis and the 28th or 32nd overall pick.
Forgot to mention that the Columbus trade makes some sense for them too. They finished 29th in Goals for, but tied for 8th in Goals against. They play a solid shutdown system, the type the kings don't have, that allows them to play well defensively without superstars and transition players in to their style... but even with Nash they have a lot of trouble putting the puck in the net.
Cammi centering for Nash could be lucrative to them and something that could lure Cammi to resign with them before he's a UFA. Columbus sucks down the middle. Peca is their highest scoring center with a resounding 34 points last season, playing 2 more games than cammalleri with his dissapointing (for us) 47. That said they might still want a defensive prospect, someone like Alec Martinez instead of that 128th for them to give us Klesla, a franchise player for them so far.
I would love this trade. Klesla is a steal at 1.45 mill for another two seasons. Columbus also has the cap room to sign Cammi to the kind of money that he'll probably want, with their cap number at only $39 mill.
The most frightening thing about the Kings is their defense.
As of right now, our D. looks like this.
Lobo
Harrold
JJ
Hickey
Preissing.
If we go ahead and draft Doughty, 4 of our D-Men are gonna be 5'11 and shorter.
Not to mention, all play a similar style and none are very physical.
The long term signing of Lubo for a rideculous amount of money was a terrible mistake.
Drafting Hickey instead Alzner (a bigger shut-down D) was a bad choice.
I hope a trade will add some size and grit to our blue line. I also hope we add another big D-man via free agency.
If DL screws up this draft, we as fans, should demand his head on a plate.
OH, Mr. Lombardi, I almost forgot.
Good luck in trying to trade Lubo and his contract ($27.5 Million - 5 years) and his No trade clause. Especially after his Minus -18 season. I'm glad you realized your mistake though.
You're not gonna find a GM whose at your level, that's gonna want him.
Face it, you're gonna be stuck with him and Handzus (with his NTC) until it expires.
Josh,
Pass what you're smoking. That sounds like fun.
Wowzer... XM204 is announcing that Cammy and Lubo are on the block per Rich Hammond of the Daily News. getting that national pub!
I bet most of the cammy haters will be the first ones to bitch & moan once he scores 30 goals on another team.
If you're going to trade a player like cammy, it better not be for picks and/or prospects.
Anthony, Jack Johnson is 6'1" and Tom Preissing is 6' even. In terms of potential draft picks, Doughty is 6' and Zach Bogosian is 6'3".
I understand your frustration with the Hickey pick but if you had a chance to draft the next potential Aaron Miller or the next potential Scott Niedermeyer, who do you go for ?
That being said, I do agree we should get more grit and size on the blueline. I think Brooks Orpik or even Mike Commodore would fit that requirement.
Anthony
You know I can't let you get away with that...
How is Hickey a bad choice? We haven't seen him play..he's only 19. How do you know he's not the next Brian Leetch? It would be easier to understand if you just said DL had better be right with Hickey. To assume that the pick was a mistake is ridiculous.
I don't know too many of us, including you Anthony, who before last year weren't on board with the Lubo extension. Nobody could have anticipated what happened last year. Overnight, this guy went from being a Norris trophy candidate to...I can't even describe how bad he was.
If his value is low, then we should keep him and hope he reverts back to being the old Lubo.
I have no comment on Handzus. That was a brutal signing. Still, you have to hope he turns it around too.
How are we to tell whether he screws up the draft or does a great job? It takes years for things to play themselves out. Except for rare occasions, there are very few overnight sensations that come out of the draft. It takes time to develop young kids.
A friend of mune who hangs around the toyota center a lot said/claims that Luc is pushing hard to get Malkin. Any chance in hell that is accurate at all?
Forget Malkin, we'd have to start with Kopitar to get him and I don't think the upgrade is that significant. As others said, the team needs D and I'm sure that is where the front office is looking.
Mike....
I need to smoke alot, Im a Kings fan.
Agreed on giving up too much for Malkin. That and having him would put us in a similar situation as PIT where we would run into cap trouble.
Hey what about Stuart. I know Anthony hated him all season and bemoaned him as a failed signing by DL. Then all he did is step up big time during the playoffs and help the Wings win another Cup. Details, details...
I've heard talk that Detroit can't afford to resign Stuart. Not sure why that would be though as they seem to have plenty of cap space ($14 mil). They need to sign Zetterberg and Franzen to extensions next year but still seems enough room to work a deal given the way cap keeps going up.
In short I would love to see Stuart back but not sure he wants the pain of being on a rebuilding team. Maybe for some good longterm money he would consider. Once Blake is gone he would be provide some nice veteran presence.
IM TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW EVEN WITH ALL THE KIDS COMING UP NEXT YEAR IF WE CAN TRADE AND GET 1-2 GOOD DEFENSEMEN WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. THE KIDS CANT BE ANYWORSE THE THORTON WILLSIE AND EVERYONE ELSE
Bob,
Some stats say Doughty is 5'11 and some say 6'0. I'll give you the benefit.
But I'm not here to split hairs. The bottom line is that with Hickey, Lubo, And Harrold, this team's blue line is small. Our tallest D-Man is JJ at 6'1.
This is unacceptable. We have nobody that'll hit hard and put the fear of God into players like Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, Smyth. We're like rag dolls being pushed around.
Just admit it, thus far DL has done a patheic job on the blue-line. And I hope that changes soon.
My choice would either be Luke Schenn or Alex Peitrangelo. Both have size and aren't afraid to push their weight around.
But for some reason, I haven't been too impressed with Bogosian. Something just isn't right about him. I hope DL passses his mame by.
Nykingsfan,
I never said Hickey was a bad player. Just a bad choice for 4th overall. He may turn out to be a solid player.
But after last season, we needed a D-man to fit our needs. Our Blue-line was undersized and Hickey looks like a younger version of Lubo.
The representatives of the Washington Capitals team had a heart attack when they found out that Alzner was available for them.
This season, Alzner was named WHL's best D-Man And best player. At the same time, Hickey's stats wasn't that much better than his previous season.
MstrB,
I am at TSC all the time. There is no truth to the Malkin rumor.
Hey guys what about this draft day trade....
Cammi, 28th pick, 2nd round pick and a 3rd round pick in 09 to minnesota for gaborik?
Hey Anthony, you do know Visnovsky's no trade clause doesn't kick in till July 1st right? Obviously you didn't, like so many other things. This thing with size on the defense is so over blown by a lot of people. You don't always need size. In fact, here's a list of the d-men of a certain team that was successful in the playoffs:
6'0"
5'9"
6'1"
6'3"
5'10"
6'2"
You know which team that is? It's the Red Wings. They are not a big, overly physical defense core. They play a smart, positionally sound game. That's what good teams have.
Hey Rich,
I'll see you at the party, I'm rollin with "Bob Miller's Hair". The suspense is mounting, can't wait till Friday. Hot Dogs, Nachos and Popcorn on the Kings (for a change).
well said Petey
Its about discipline and playing positional hockey. Having more mobility is an asset, not a flaw.
Some people will never understand that.
Anthony,
Fine about splitting hairs about height but keep this in mind. Jack Johnson was held back A LOT by Marc Crawford. He plays a physical style of game but MC wanted him to learn to play solid defense first and then work his checking game in later. Next year, if the reins come off, he could be a monster hitter.
Luke Schenn brings no offense to the table. If you want him then trade down. Not sure why you do not like Bogosian. He is the physical, competitive guy you say you want. Alex Pietrangelo is an interesting prospect and has size. He is also supposed to have the most upside of all the defensemen in this draft. I will go ahead and credit you for a wise statement. Have a Lubo-cookie.
chewy rock .. I don't mind Cammy scoring 30 goals for another team as much as I mind him (1) not passing to the open man (2) taking shots from inside the blue line before any play can develop (3) being a mediocre (at best) back checker (4) getting knocked off the puck like an 80 year old, one legged grandmother, and most of all (5) thinking that "1" decent season means that he is a superstar and should be paid as one - this last one is very telling of where his mind is at and where the "team" falls on his priority list.
Sorry Cammy ... its been fun, but don't let the door hit you where you end up every freakin' game! Its time to build a "real" team.
JUST GET SCHENN AND PIETERANGELO AT THE DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!
But dude...I took the Kings to the Cup with Ray Emery on NHL08.
And I got him for beach ball :P
i thouight the draft party was a buffet?? are drinks free??? i dont want stadium food i want a brisket of beef and some good seafood damn it!!
somebody let me kow if its not a buffet like last year...
http://kings.nhl.tv/team/console?type=fvod&id=19154&catid=334
kings new video from their website
nykingfan & petey,
Good points. Precisely why I think the Blue Jackets can afford to give up Klesla. Jan Hjeda managed a plus 20 on a team that couldn't score goals to save their life. They play that smart system and need the offense badly. Klesla would give us size at 6'3, 220, he's that perfect age at 25, and as I see it, expendable if you consider the Blue jackets strengths / needs.
I just can't imagine too many other teams wanting to bother with Cammi. Sure I think many teams would love to sign him as a UFA, but only a team like Columbus could I see giving up something good for him a trade, especially a defensemen.
As far as Visnovsky goes, I really think he just had an off year and I expect him to bounce back and return to form. He's too talented not to. I can't believe people want to run him out of town after one bad season... a season when nearly everyone was bad except for Brown / Kopitar / O'Sullivan. Even Frolov had a bit of an off year. Sure, Visnovsky looked AWFUL this past year, and I wanted to slap him around, but the dude has been too good for too long to simply write off at this point. A repeat performance would warrant a trade. But right now would be the absolute worst time to trade him.
Anthony, while you think his extension was a mistake, trading him now would be a bigger one. You have to at least let Hickey play for a season with the Kings before you give up Lubo if they are the same type of D-man.
I wouldn't mind having Stuart back, but I just don't see it happening after he wins a cup... it's not like he has history here he cares about. He'll have pleanty of other offers, so the only way DL could get him is to sign him to a big contract that once again would piss everybody off.
Commodore on the other hand, is someone I can see the Kings being able to grab. While I would love Orpik more than anything, I don't see that happening either. Commodore however, can not only be lured with money, but with the luster of Los Angeles. He's also been in that early exit from the playoffs mode for so long, that unless he can sign with a team that has won recently or projects to win very soon, I can see him going to a team that he sees as coming up strongly. People do percieve the Kings to be this way at the moment, so I think we have as good a chance of signing Commodore as anyone. Although I can also see Edmonton trading Pitkanen and pushing REALLY hard to get Commodore.
Now something that has only been whispered, but not really speculated upon is trading Frolov. Personally, I would hate to see Frolov go. However, I do think he has a higher value than Cammi. Many of these trades that are a stretch with Cammi attached sound much more reasonable if you switch in Frolov. The Columbus trade wouldn't do it, but as they need a center, but Atlanta could use him, the Islanders could definately use him (although they may be burnt out on Russians, or just planning to take Filatov).
Anyone see my beloved Fruit Loop (Frolov) leaving town this summer?
I agree we need to get bigger, or more physical at least, not only on defense, but also on the team as a whole. Adding physical play does affect the outcome of a game and/or season. It's the only thing that counters a more skilled or experienced team. We have young players and no defense. YES we need some PHYSICAL players on D
You also need to remember that Detroit had two players who not only scored, but were up for defensive forward of the year. Thats huge! That will make your defense look great.
I for one think Lubo is a fantastic player. What happened last year was a combination of absolute crap def, crap positioning by both def. and off. players and the fact that everyone on this team is 20. When Modry looks like a decent defensman, you know your in trouble
There is talk that the Kings are looking to package a roster player and the #28 and #32 overall picks to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defensemen Jay Bouwmeester who is a RFA. Aparently, contract negotiations with the Panthers have stalled and the deal is contingent upon Bouwmeester signing a new contract with the Kings.
Now that would be a deal getting Bouwmeester.
Someone please tell me something about Bouwmeester. What kind of player is he? Do we want him?
Bouwmeester is in my estimation a pretty full package. Big, strong skater with a reasonable offensive upside. I know he can hit, and I think he is atleast a decent puck handler... not sure about how slick his passing is or how well he moves up the ice. I've never heard a big knock on any area of his game really.
He definitely is not the straight up shut down defensemen we want/need. But he is easily a #2-3 defensemen. I would love to have him, but I think we would still need a strictly defensive defensemen at #4-5 for the defense to really improve, even with Bouwmeester.
Have not had a chance to follow up on Bouwmeester but during his draft year he was touted as a potential franchise defenseman. He is smart, young and physical from the little I have seen. I think he was rushed into NHL action by the Panthers and did not really get a chance to spend any time properly developing in the AHL. If we do acquire him that would be a coup for Dean Lombardi.
If this is an Ecklund rumor then it is a given this will NOT happen.
JDM,
How could anyone consider trading Fro? seriously, unless its for ovechkin or crosby or someone like that, which is never going to happen! Fro can be THE dominant player on the ice at times. I think he just needs to stay injury free (IE- good off season training program mixed with some good luck) and he will be in the top ten in scoring next year (you heard it here first). I will be very dissappointed if he is traded, but I have faith that DL wont screw up like that.
lakingzfan,
I agree. I would be very disturbed if Fruit Loop was traded. He is my favorite player on the Kings and has been since I first saw him dipsy doodle his way in the corners. I think you are totally right that he has the potential to be atleast a top 20 scorer. He's improved on aspects of his game when asked to (ie: shooting more) he just needs to have the right guy centering his line. Cammi sadly does not compliment him too well... and armstrong... well, lets just hope they never appear on a line together again.
Great commentary everyone, nice to see hockey is back and alive in LA...in June! Josh, that was a brilliant trade, thank you! You give all of us fans hope....
Rich, I've gotta believe you're right....Something big will happen in the next 48 hours with the Kings. My guess is that they won't pick with the No.2 but will trade down and maybe work out a 2-1 trade, landing two very good defensemen instead of one great one....
Lubobashers...Give the kid a break. He had an off season, period. He'll be back. I think the burden of the hefty contract, new wife, etc messed up his head. He'll be fine, just don't mess with his head. He was a great player until last season.....
Hickeybashers (and there's only a few), damn...The kid hasn't even played up in the AHL yet! Yes, I liked Alzner better but DL knows what he's doing. Stick around and watch this draft unfold. Does anyone give DL credit for stockpiling 15 draft picks in the deepest draft in years? Coinidence? I think not....