Roster situation

Interesting. Really, it is time to deal Labs or else release him. He isnt the future and I do not believe that we need a veteran goalie at this point to hold the fort. Our future isnt this year so lets get Ersie and Quick a look for the rest of the season. If one falters then lets take a look at Bernier provided he is playing well at Manchester. If it all falls apart then we can always pick up a cheap veteran for a 5th round dp or so. As for Boyle...get him up. I agree that our core players need to be sent down if they are not playing their role well but to give ice time to the calders of the world when Boyle and frankly Moulson and perhaps Meckler still needs looks is inane. I still think we need Latvis on the roster but Calder, Gauthier (who isnt awful), Richardson, and Zeiler serve little purpose. We need to transition from these players and get the next wave up when they are ready...starting with Boyle and Yes...Moulson

Labarbera
Preiessing
Armstrong
Gauthier
Calder

I wouldn't want to be any of these players.
These players are most likely to be moved.
Especially Preissing and Calder.
When JJ and Richardson return and when Boyle is recalled, the players on that list are all expendable.

Rich,
Richardsons injury? Bizarre is right.
Is it possible that they're making it sound worse than it is. Like they're not looking forward for his return.

Isn't Moulson still injured though?

I think labs and Preissing need to get off this team, which for now gives you the roster spots for Quick and Boyle. When JJ comes back, then Zeiler's got to go.

Let's also not forget about Moller coming back, which would someone else has to go. Armstrong?

But then where does Moller fit in the lineup? I guess we scratch Rat boy for a 4th line of Moller/Boyle/Purcell, which would be sweet, but I'd feel bad without Rat boy in the lineup, for his size and because he's been playing at the top of his game lately.

If Calder doesn't keep his game at the level it was at about 3-4 games ago, then I can live without him easily. He probably has the most trade value of our expendable players at this point anyways.

I guess if Purcell or Lewis stop moving their legs then they need to get sent down, which would solve a bit of this problem, but right now they are playing well and being effective, and we have to hope they only improve.

My ideal 23 man roster at the All-Star break, assuming Richardson is out for most of the season, looks like this...

1.Kopitar
2.O'Sullivan
3.Brown
4.Frolov
5.Handzus
6.Stoll
7.Simmonds
8.Lewis
9.Purcell
10.Boyle
11.Moller
12.Ivanans
13.Armstrong
14.Calder
15.Doughty
16.Johnson
17.Quincey
18.Greene
19.Gauthier
20.Harrold
21.O'Donnel
22.Ersberg
23.Quick

Sully/Kopi/Brown
Frolov/Handzus/Simmonds
Moller/Stoll/Ivanans
Lewis/Boyle/Purcell

Doughty/Johnson
Quincey/Greene
OD/Harrold
Gauthier

Ersberg
Quick

Me like. Me like a lot. Me thinks a playoff team that may just be.

That would mean labs, Preissing and Zeiler all need to get traded, waived or released. I might consider keeping Zeiler over Armstrong, but only because he's younger and Army is as good as gone after this season anyways.

What do you guys think?

Hmm, well, let's see...

() for waiver-exempt
[] for candidates for demotion

POS/Kopitar/(Lewis)
Frolov/Handzus/(Simmonds)
Calder/Stoll/Brown
[Ivanans]/(Purcell)/[Zeiler]
[Armstrong]

(Quincey)/(Doughty)
SOD/Greene
(Harrold)/[Preissing]
[Gauthier]

(Quick)
[JLB]

WJC loan: (Moller) (back 1-6)
IR: (Ersberg), Richardson, Johnson

AHL: (Boyle)

There are 27 names. Richardson will probably go on long-term IR. That makes 26. Three names must be trimmed. One when Ersberg comes off IR. One when Johnson comes off IR. And one when Moller returns (of course, if Boyle stays in Manchester, no roster move is needed).

The Ersberg situation seems pretty simple: swap out JLB.

The Johnson situation: Preissing seems pretty obviously to be the odd man out. The only question then is, trade him or waive him? Clearly, DL would like to trade him and get something back.

Boyle... Okay, now it gets interesting. I think (and I have nothing to base this on) TM feels somewhat vindicated by the formation of the Calder/Stoll/Brown line, showing faith in Calder etc.. I think he thinks his top three lines are pretty good, and would like to see them continue to improve; I don't think he wants to change them up right now. I'm betting he thinks Simmonds is on the brink of busting loose, and likes Lewis on the first line. I think the area TM wants to change things is the fourth unit.

He's talked all year about wanting to roll four lines. We've seen his desire to empower the line, by putting POS, Boyle, Harrold, Moller and now Purcell on that line...and not JUST for punishment's sake; he geniunely wants to see if he can get that unit going. He also has been trying to get Ivanans involved offensively. Strangely (maybe not so strange, but ironically given how much heat Ivanans takes here), Ivanans has two game-winners of late. So, where three weeks ago I would have said TM might be happy to let Ivanans go to Manchester under certain conditions, now, with Ivanans the scoring machine, I think TM might feel like he's onto something.

One obvious line is Purcell, Boyle, Moller. That is a killer line. Purcell and Boyle have chemistry from their year together last year. Moller is a play-maker and a finisher. Just the idea of that line as our fourth unit makes me giggle. But then who does that leave off?

Ivanans
Armstrong
Zeiler
Richardson

Now, Richardson is on the IR, so we don't have to worry about him. Armstrong is a swiss army (ha!) knife, and if they waived him he would be scooped up in a second. He is an insurance policy in case of inj**y, so I don't think they're going to want to lose him. To me, that means, you would have to waive one of Ivanans or Zeiler.

And I think that's a pretty tough decision, frankly. I know many of you/us have derided these two in the past, but I think Zeiler is useful; on the other hand (or is it the same hand), I think TM is seeing some hope in terms of his Ivanans experiment. Does DL see things the same way? Remember DL likes guys like Zeiler. Remember DL's response to Zeiler's suspension ("every gang needs its criminals" or whatever it was). It was a very "Philly" kind of old school response.

So I just don't know which way they'll go on this one. If they think Purcell is not cutting it, they could send him down again and keep Zeiler and Ivanans (putting one or the other into the line-up to skate next to Boyle and Moller). But Purcell has been playing well. He had a lull after his first two games, but lately he's been great, I think. He's averaging about a half-point a game, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Maybe DL can trade Zeiler for a pick. (I actually think he's more attractive to other teams than others here do.) Maybe they wait a week or so to see how Boyle continues (or not) to do his "homework."

The thing is, Purcell/Boyle/Moller is basically a top-six unit in a slightly unripe state.

The more I think about it, the more I think a small trade is coming. A Zeiler for a pick kind of trade. And/or Preissing for a pick. I just don't think DL wants to lose these guys and get nothing back. It's not in his nature.

POS/Kopitar/Lewis
Frolov/Handzus/Simmonds
Calder/Stoll/Brown
Purcell/Boyle/Moller

Quincey/Doughty
Johnson/Greene
SOD/Harrold
Gauthier

Quick
Ersberg

Damn.

I see a bigger dilemma when Moller comes back. If Boyle is playing well in the AHL, and teddy purcell has been playing well the last three games, and lewis hasnt looked out of place, who do you demote? I see Purcell going back down, eventhough i think he belongs on the first line over lewis. I see lewis going down as well to save room for Quick. I think JLB gets waived twice before being sent down/moved. If he clears waivers twice, he's not required to clear re-entry waivers, or the Kings arent required to pick up half his salary on the way back up. Something like that.

Ivanans is too valuable to let go. His presence, even if it is only 3 minutes a game is enough to keep our rookies from getting squashed. And that is half the team. Similar to Eats comment on O'Ds play since he took a shot off the foot, I think Moeller's play has dropped somewhat since Fingers crushed him a few weeks ago. There are not too many players who want to go with a 265 pounder and I am sure that is a comforting feeling to all of the rookies. Hey, add 4 or 5 goals a year and it is like playing with the house’s money.
Labs will not have any value until March. No team would put him in a regular season game with meaning. The other team would play for a tie. It would be like starting the game down a goal. He will have value as a backup in the playoffs where there are no shootouts.
Pressing's contract is too rich to receive any offers. Unfortunately, his game does not fit into the Kings style of play.
Gauthier is your typical playoff run pick up. The game is more physical and his presence would be invaluable. This is why I'd like to see him stay. He is a perfect #6 or #7 during the season who would see more time in the playoffs. I also worry less about EE when he is on the ice.

Get rid of Zeiler, Barbies, Tommy.. keep Armstrong, Harrold, Quick....and add Brady on IR list...

Lets make the playoffs and win the cup.....so I can win my 8K......the kings were 80/1 before season started...

For One I dont think Ivanans is going anywhere and I am glad. We need his presence even if its for 5 minutes a game. TM was in philly last year and they had Cote and he played in 70 games and had 1 goal. I think TM wants a enforcer in the lineup and I think he likes Raitis and so do I(plus he has 2 goals, both game winners).

Secondly J. Quick has definetly earned a few more starts and I think Barbs needs to go(once again I do believe he has value as a backup for a playoff team). He can also go back to the AHL and become an all star so we could trade him for something better?

Better yet lets trade Barbs to Metallica(since he loves them so much) for a signed cd.

Me, re "who do you demote" when Moller comes back:

Zeiler or Ivanans. My choice, with some reservation, would be Zeiler.

The 23 man roster would then be:

POS/Kopitar/Lewis
Frolov/Handzus/Simmonds
Calder/Stoll/Brown
Purcell/Boyle/Moller
Armstrong and Ivanans

Quincey/Doughty
Johnson/Greene
SOD/Harrold
Gauthier

Ersberg
Quick

That's 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, 2 goalies. 23.

Subtractions are JLB, Preissing, Zeiler. Richardson on IR.

Quote: anthony said:
Labarbera
Preiessing (sic)
Armstrong
Gauthier
Calder
I wouldn't want to be any of these players.
These players are most likely to be moved.
------------------------------------------------

Really anthony?
I see your point, but I would love to be able to play in the NHL at any capacity. You would not?

Quisp, I like your commentary and I think you're close...

Lababs & Preissing are gone, probably Army too. Boyle will probably come back which puts Richardson on long-term IR. Where this gets sticky is when Oscar & JMFJ come back. Basically, you've got five rookies, Simmonds, Moller, Purcell, Lewis & Boyle vying for what....three spots? Someone is going to have to go down. I'm pretty sure you can plan on Simmonds & Moller staying which leaves....Lewis. Naturally DL & TM are waiting for some healthy competition to fix this good problem. I'd have loved Boyle to play the way he did towards the end of last season but that didn't happen. If Boyle comes back to LA and plays the way he is capable of, it's a no-brainer. If not, my guess, Lewis stays. He's played well and he's been the most consistant.

One other thing....No way Ivanans is going anywhere. TM & DL are both old school when it comes to enforcers. Matt Green & John Zeiler are both middleweights. The Kings need someone to protect this young up and coming team. Ratis has played well and filled the bill as a bonified heavyweight. He stays.

Does DL let go of some of his young talent for picks? Hpoefully not. Stay tuned, it should be a most interesting week. One thing....I'd perfer to be in this situation, too much young talent than the way it's been the past few years....not enough.

Calder? Nice try, Anthony. He's been one of the best Kings' forwards the last five games. His chance of heading out is the same as Quick's chance of being demoted.

I got a laceration across my achilles about 15 years ago that kept me off the ice for over a month. Any time I wore my boot I had intense bleeding all over my socks. I dealt with it at first, then stopped when I realized I was not only making the cut worse, but it was getting infected. I was playing daily at the time. sucks to be sidelined by something so week.

Unfortunately, it seems like the writing is on the wall for LaBarbara. He seems to be headed out on the shame train to Manchester, where he'll (more likely than not) get to caddy for Bernier. Or...he'll get the opportunity to caddy for someone elsewhere after a ride on the waiver wire. Unless...The Hockey News' (so-called) New Year's Resolution for our Kings rings true - i.e. to not get good too fast to lose our chance at drafting Tavares or Hedman...then by all means, LaBarbara can have his starting job back. I like the first two options. Maybe LaBarbara will take Zeiler, Preissing, and Armstrong with him...doubtful, but hope springs eternal.

"The more I think about it, the more I think a small trade is coming."

Agreed. There will be an excellent opportunity to make a trade in a month or so...maybe even a couple of trades? I can't imagine ALL of our AHL contingent will stick around. We'll likely have to give up more than just the "unwanted" to get anything worth while. I also doubt we will see a seamless move made where we get rid of ALL the odd-men-out in one fell swoop. In other words, there will probably be a surprise or two in terms of trades. Maybe Boyle goes? Maybe JLB sticks around for now? Hmmm.

As for the lineup changes expected shortly, I'm thinking it is more likely that our AHL contingent, including Quick, will continue to revolve through the AHL door than it is trying to send JLB down or ship him off. I hope I'm wrong, but it's been proven a few times this season already that DL and Murray will stick with JLB long after all of us have called for his head.

So in a month or so, is this all of the TRADE BAIT?

Armstrong
Calder
Gauthier
Preissing
Harrold
Ivanans
Zeiler
Boyle
Lewis
Purcell
JLB
Quick

As much as I like some of these players, I wouldn't be sad to see them go IF we can upgrade on D or in net or even maybe get an elite forward that fits into "THE PLAN."

As for Raitis "I must break you" Ivanans, I still imagine him as being a GREAT defensmen. I can't recall a situation where this has happened. I doubt it will, but I wonder if anyone else can imagine how cool this would be? I love his fire and commitment, but he is just not talented enough to be a long-term forward.

"The Kings have been very impressed with Brian Boyle's play in Manchester..."

How can that be, he is no Corry Perry.. (smirk)

JDM,

I agree with you on the 23 man roster. We have some tweaking to do with the lineup but we're solid with the roster.

As for the leftovers: Army, Preissing, Labs, Richardson and Zeiler, I would like to make one sweeping move and waive them all but that is unlikely so, here's my thinking.

Zeiler although not a fan of his, he's obviously put on some weight and toughness over the offseason. For him to drop gloves against Lappy and Carcillo, he's shown that he's added another dimension to his game and might be worth keeping around.

Army, he's basically an insurance for our young team. He knows his reduced role and is a good locker room guy so, I would also keep him around.

So, basically, that leaves Richardson (what a waste of 2nd round pick) Preissing and Labs. I do think there's a market for all three of these guys. I'm sure we'll get shortchanged in the transaction but onward and upward I always say.

JDM,

I agree with you on the 23 man roster. We have some tweaking to do with the lineup but we're solid with the roster.

As for the leftovers: Army, Preissing, Labs, Richardson and Zeiler, I would like to make one sweeping move and waive them all but that is unlikely so, here's my thinking.

Zeiler although not a fan of his, he's obviously put on some weight and toughness over the offseason. For him to drop gloves against Lappy and Carcillo, he's shown that he's added another dimension to his game and might be worth keeping around.

Army, he's basically an insurance for our young team. He knows his reduced role and is a good locker room guy so, I would also keep him around.

So, basically, that leaves Richardson (what a waste of 2nd round pick) Preissing and Labs. I do think there's a market for all three of these guys. I'm sure we'll get shortchanged in the transaction but upward and onward I always say.

Rich,

Could you clarify who's currently on the active roster? LAkings.com shows Cliche is on there.

lakings.com shows cliche is on injured reserve.

Cliche is on the active roster, because he never got assigned to Manchester before his shoulder injury in training camp. He's still on injured reserve.

Moondoggie, re "Where this gets sticky is when Oscar & JMFJ come back. Basically, you've got five rookies, Simmonds, Moller, Purcell, Lewis & Boyle vying for what....three spots? Someone is going to have to go down."

POS/Kopitar/Lewis
Frolov/Handzus/Simmonds
Calder/Stoll/Brown
Purcell/Boyle/Moller
Armstrong and Ivanans

subtractions: Zeiler, Richardson (IR)

I don't think it gets sticky. Of course, if any of the rookies (e.g. Purcell, Lewis) lose their drive, they can be sent down, but I choose to believe they are only going to improve. Therefore, the "sticky" choice is between Zeiler and Ivanans. If it were me, I would attempt to trade Zeiler to someone looking for a poor-man's Avery (Rangers?).

DL could also trade Calder and retain Zeiler. I'm not arguing for this, but I can see why DL might do it, especially since Calder's stock has to have gone up over the last month (and DL knows Calder ain't coming back next year -- at least, I think he knows this...).

Part of what I read between the lines of your comment about five prospects vying for three slots (where I see five slots) is this: the team can't possibly sustain itself on the backs of...how many rookies is it...I've lost track...

Lewis
Simmonds
Purcell
Boyle
Moller
Doughty
Quincey*
Ersberg
Quick

Okay, that's nine rookies. Although (*), Quincey -- having played 6 games in each of the two previous seasons -- is technically no longer a rookie. Nine rookies is a lot. But, hey, even if you send a couple of them down, seven rookies is still a lot of rookies. Bottom line: none of these kids is going down unless they play their way out of a job.

Rich,

I and a couple of other season ticket holders are wondering why nobody in the media (for the Kings or otherwise) has even mentioned Bernier as a possible starter for the Kings. Murray himself was saying that he wasn't sure he could start Quick because of a lackluster performance in preseason, yet he did.

We were sold on the fact that Bernier was going to be the future for the Kings. He was even featured at the draft party as an up-and-comer.

Personally, I'm okay with the goalie situation of Ersberg and Quick if that is where we are going. I'm just curious why everyone seems to have been so quiet about Bernier. The lack of media almost seems to be done with purpose.

My direct question is, "Is there a problem with Bernier?" and if not, "Can someone explain why we haven't even considered him?"