Prospects sticking together

Prospects are cool, what about Zherdev? I know he could fit somewhere on a 1 yr deal. perhaps traded at the deadline in a package for something greater? (heatley, Kovalchuk) Thoughts?

Dear God NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Zherdev has no work ethic whatsoever. No thanks.

I agree about Zherdev. A one year deal could NOT hurt us in any way, but I'm not sure Zherdev would go for it. Our top 3 lines would be SICK...

Zherdev-Kopitar-Frolov
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Brown-Handzus-Simmonds

oops....I'm meant to say Zherdev would NOT go for a one year deal...

no no no!

Brown, Kopitar, Williams
Smyth, Stoll, Purcell
Frolov, Handzus, Simmonds

Who's with me on these three scoring lines.

NO!

He is complaicant. He is a ghost in the playoffs. He is a "me" first kind of guy, and there are reports that he is not fond of living in North America. Mark my words...he is KHL bound.

I say start the season with what we have, and towards the deadline, press hard for Kovalchuk.

Sure we can stay with what we have, but don't complain when we miss the playoffs again. Kovalchuk will not be available at the deadline, all reports are pointing towards him signing an extension soon...

No Zherdev. We don't need another inconsistent player, i.e., Frolov. The first two lines are solid, and I like Stoll as our second line center and Handzus as our third.

KINGKRAZY,

Frolov and Smyth are the first two left wingers. Brown is a right winger, and Purcell is not going to crack the line-up, nor should he. DL should go after some character and middle weight toughness- CARCILLO!

Smyth-Kopi-Williams
Frolov-Stoll-Brown
CARCILLO-Handzus-Simmonds
Clune-Moller-Westgarth

You're back!!!

tantrum 4...I wouldn't complain if we missed the playoffs again actually. I'm a DL believer. He won't go for Zherdev just like he didn't go for Heatley. Its a character issue. The team has enough to start the season right. But...if we were to add another piece, I agree with KINGCRAZY that it should be Carcillo. The kid is skilled enough to play hard nosed and still contribute.

Frolov isn't inconsistant. He had to two glaring defensive mistakes last season. Other then that, you can't complain about 30+ goals.

There are people in this industry that are comparing Zherdev to Jagr in terms of skill level, as well how they were both semi-lazy very early in their careers. I'm not suggesting Zherdev has Jagr's skillset, but I am saying he could end up shaking that laziness and become the player he was meant to be. He's still young at 25.

Would Zherdev fit with the Kings? It's possible. He may not have liked playing for CO or NY, so it's possible those were factors in his overall play.

TB,

I believe you agree with me, not KINGCRAZY...

Zherdev? Really!?!

I suggest anyone who wants this guy on the Kings roster look for highlights of the Ranger's last playoff run because obviously you missed watching them play.

I would prefer the Kings sign a cloud. It would check harder and actually take a hit or two.

Why all this love for Carcillo? Everyone was mad when Ivanas would take stupid penalties, Carcillo takes even MORE stupid penalties. Plus Ivanas can actually win a fight once in a while. And it's not like Carcillo can produce on the score sheet, he had 3 goals and 14 points last year.

Pass on Carcillo, let Clune take the middleweight spot on the team....

Why the love for Clune? This is a guy who has never played a single NHL game (for starters), wasn't glaringly great in the AHL once he recovered from his broken boob, and had one decent training camp.

He was a low level prospect for the prospect starved Stars!

Clune is a Zeiler, boarderline NHLer at best.

As for Carcillo, yes, he does take stupid penalties, but he can do one thing Ivaness cannot. He can skate, and skate WELL.

As for Zherdev...he is the laziest player in the NHL. Ask Ken Hitchcock if you would like. The man doesn't even know what the word backcheck means. He has million dollar hands and a peso for a heart.

mrbrett7,

Does it really matter if Clune was a low-level prospect for the stars? The Stars are not one of those teams that value toughness, and thats why they traded him. Clune will make the line-up as the fourth line left wing along with Westgarth, while Carcillo, traded for a 3rd round pick, will play on the third line along with Handzus and Simmonds.

mrbrett -- i saw, in one game, where he skated into his own zone, both skates, fully across the blue line.

He would need to go to a team where the vets demand a full effort every game. I just do not see a team like that with cap space. Maybe the Wings can steal him for 700k. I can not see him getting 4M.

We have enough prospects on the edge of breaking through. I would like to see them battle it out and be rewarded.

jet,

Do you honestly think we need another inconsistent forward??

Do you think we need a top six forward??

I could understand DL acquiring a first/second line center, not a wimpy, heartless, bum player like Zherdev.

Kozun is an exciting prospect with a great attitude. I love the quote where he wants to turn critics into fans. I'm looking forward to watching his growth.

welcome back, rich...:)

No way do I want to see Zherdev in a Kings uniform and I can't see anyway DL would go for a lazy bum like him.
He's a 20 goal scorer who plays no defense and has no heart. There are plenty of AHL guys like that.
He's 25 and will be playing on his 3rd team this year. That sends up major red flags.
He completely disappeared in the playoffs for the Rangers.

Without being stereotypical...he's the typical Russian player...show him the $$ and he'll show you nothing.
I also agree that he'll be playing in the KHL this year.

Jet....I remember that game as well...He thought someone dropped a dollar bill over the boards and was going to check it out to see if it was real.
It was a mistake on his part and he never did it again!

So...Raitas...a team, with a team captain by the name of Brendan Morrow does not value toughness...okay.

Clune is being pencilled in, great...I hope he can play. He hasn't shown any reason to change my mind and say he can.

Jet...I never said I wanted Zherdev...I wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole. He will be in the KHL next year, making 4 million/season, happy as a clam, never having to put forth any effort.

mrbrett7,

Yes, it is true that Morrow is the captain of the Stars, but, so what? I can't even recall how long its been since the Stars had an enforcer... The Stars lack toughness on the blue line, toughness on the wing, with the exception of Morrow. Having one tough guy doesn't mean you value toughness...

Zherdev, yeah, right. That will solve all our problems. Also, Daigle. I think he's available, too.

as far as nicky blue shirt is concerned....

eh...no...!

peeps...

some of you guys out there in virtual land are so quick to try and gobble up any remaining free agent, regardless if that player is a good fit or not...

there is no way in the world that any of yoots can convince me that zheredev is good for this team...and especially at 3.9 mil...no friggin' way (squared)...!

the team we have is probably 95-98% set...and our training camp is going to be one of the most competitive ones we've had in years...perhaps the most exciting one ever...

the kids are alright...let them battle it out and we'll see which ones rise to the top...

Rat & mrbrett -- I agree with you guys. My comment on Z was a joke referring to his willingness to avoid contact.

Tell him the rules have changed. We are now allowed to have 5 guys play defense.

The coach never told him there is ice behind the goals.

He had to do a mapquest to find his own zone.

He once got spun around at center ice and skated over his own blue line.

Tell him there is a playmate behind his goal with "Big Z" on her tanktop.

He is the best 80 foot player in the league.

They are jokes, well sort of jokes. I don't want him and DL would never sign him.

Yes, Raitas...because enforcers win championships...

Tell me...who is Pittsburgh's enforcer? How about Detroit's? How about Chicago's? How about New Jersey's? How about Washington...oh wait...they dumped him, and he barely played the entire playoffs.

Enforcer's have their place...but they also need to be able to play the game.

Moreover, in the last 10 years or so, especially since the new rules came into effect, the role of the enforcer has become less and less. I'm all for TEAM toughness, but an enforcer...worthless.