Free-agent frenzy « LA Kings Insider

Free-agent frenzy

Posted by Rich Hammond on 29 June 2010, 4:00 pm

With the start of the free-agent signing period coming up Thursday, it’s worth taking a look at who some of the top free agents are, by position. NHL.com did a nice breakdown of the top nine by position, with a few others listed. You’ll never guess who the top left winger is!

Free-agent left wingers

Free-agent centers

Free-agent right wingers

Free-agent defensemen

Free-agent goalies

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64 Comments

King Doughnuts says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:20 pm

How about bringing in Modano on a one year contract?

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
@King Doughnuts,
Why do we need another geriatric on our team? How about a guy who’s in their late 20′s? We either have 20 year old kids or 35/36 year old guys who are on their way down. I want guys in their prime.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
@King Doughnuts,
Why do we need another geriatric? How about a guy who is in his late 20′s, early 30′s and in their prime. No more grey hairs on the way down, we have enough of those.

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
@Tookie, I gotta agree. Modano is at least 5 years past his prime. There’s no room for him on the Kings.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
@Paul From Oxnard,

All true. But he should sign with Minnesota. It would be great for him and the league and a nice bit of closure.
Jester's Dead says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:22 pm

Frolov!!!

[Reply]
Riofan says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:25 pm

“Sources confirm the Los Angeles Kings are ready to make a “substantial offer” to Ilya Kovalchuk.
”
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37954159/ns/sports-player_news/

Rich, could you or anyone clarify how the reporting of this impending offer does not represent tampering since the Kings were not able to trade with NJ for Kovalchuk’s rights? Specially in light of Lou Lamoriello denying that the Devils’ received an offer for Ilya Kovalchuk’s rights from the Kings?

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
@Riofan, No offense, but I wouldn’t exactly call that “news”. Everyone has assumed for a year now that the Kings would make a play for him.

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Matt George Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
@Riofan,

Yeah I’m with Paul on this one.

They’re reporting what is “common knowledge” at this point.

It’s also no where near tampering due to the fact that it’s coming from PMSNBC .. not the Kings.

[Reply]
DougS Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
@Matt George,
In addition to which, the article doesn’t say that Team Kovy has received any proposal from the Kings, only that the Kings are getting their stuff together.

So yeah, it’s kind of an “NSS” story.

[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
@Riofan,

It’s not tampering because they’re pulling it out of their ***. Everyone on the planet will be extending an offer to Kovalchuk on 7/1.

[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
@Quisp,

I’ll offer to invite Ilya to our 4th of July BBQ in exchange for a game of marbles with a 5 cent a minute cap on a long term 15 minute deal.

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
@Riofan,

Despite this being a basketball reference, that’s like saying an NBA team is interested in LeBron James

[Reply]
Orphios says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Why? The man is basically a 2nd/3rd line player at this point…maybe 20 g a year if healthy and I believe we have enough of those types already. I dont know if this team needs a veteran leader and, although he is an obvious HOFer, I dont think he meets our long term needs. I think stastically we probably have several interal options that can provide similiar scoring efficiency

[Reply]
mike-e says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Frank Mahovlich?

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king_stoner says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:36 pm

saw this on another site…..

On the Sabres…

According to sources, while the Buffalo Sabres are most likely front runners for Paul Martin, they are also interested in Chris Higgins come July 1. The Sabres also like Wayne Simmonds, who I feel will be dealt.

On the Kings…

Wayne Simmonds could also be moved for Kaberle…

[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
@king_stoner, ha, that’s from HockeyBuzz.. but I also saw on twitter from Craig Custance from another reporter Kings are mulling a Simmonds for Kaberle deal… no Bueno

[Reply]
DougS Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
@king_stoner,
… And which other site would this be?

[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@DougS,

RIIIIIIIGHT!
He-he-he-he-he…

–Jim Healy, you’ve got a weak show!–

DougS:
Betcha you called that one!

[Reply]
Deader2818 Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@DougS,

Its from Eklund so you know its 100% crap.

I highly doubt the Kings have ANY interest in trading Simmonds.

[Reply]
DougS Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@Deader2818, Bako
Yeah, I kinda figured as much….

Makes no sense for DL to even consider trading a young F who is currently a roster player with a relatively low cap hit. He doesn’t have those in abundance. He does have prospects (especially D prospects) and draft picks to spare, so if there is a deal for Kaberle, I expect that that’s what he would give up. Maybe with a spare part from the roster. Otherwise, no dice.

DL’s track record with the Kings suggests that he doesn’t make big trades carelessly. So if you hear a trade rumor that seems to make no sense from the Kings’ point of view, I think it’s safe to assume that DL isn’t that stupid.

LAownsALL Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@king_stoner, that’s from Eklund, and his Rumor % is about 0.1%. If you hear it from him, you know its not true. DL would be crazy to make that trade with TOR for Kaberle. I go to Ek’s site for the message boards, not his waste of breath.

[Reply]
quisp Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Simmonds would not be traded by Lombardi unless it was for Sydney Crosby straight up. People report Simmonds (or Frolov, or Hickey, or Schenn) because these are the names they know.

No one is untouchable, but for all intents and purposes, Simmonds is untouchable.

And Kaberle? Please. I seriously doubt Lombardi has any interest in him.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
@quisp,
Not true about the untouchables. Evidently there is a deal in the making Dustin Brown And Simmonds to the Hawks for Brian Campbell!!
I heard it… I um heard it ….’ in my head ‘!
I think this stuff gets me a bit giddy. So why not just throw stuff out there, right Quispy?

Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
@LAownsALL,

Glad to see ya makin the rounds.

Kovie for Simmonds never happened. No way it’s happening for Kaberle, despite what Leaf fans may want to think.

[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
@king_stoner, There is no front runners for Martin other than NJ. Thats just because nobody other than NJ can talk to Martin/his agent until July 1. If someone is then they could be penalized for tampering. This is all rumors, it could be a leak that a team will pursue a UFA, but outside of that there should be no substance to these rumors. I think that is maybe the level we should be going for the Willie Mitchell, Martin, Mickalek, Morris, etc. We need a #4 not a #2 or #3 unless we are trading someone. If OD retires then we will need a #6, but that may be a prospect or combo like Drewiske/Franson one plays the other rests/reserve.

[Reply]
Galen says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Because the salary cap is rising by $3 million to $59 million, plenty of teams will have the chance to sign Mr. Kovalchuk. But he will most likely look for a contender, like the Los Angeles Kings, who covet the All-Star, if he leaves the Devils.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704212804575333074023937904.html

[Reply]
Cup B4 I Die says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:50 pm

I’ve always been a big fan of Rafi Torres’ game. I think he’d be a great 3rd or 4th line winger.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,
I had the same thoughts at the trade deadline last year. Thought he’d be a good fit there. I guess it would depend on the contract though, wouldn’t want to give him too much.

[Reply]
Mike L Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,

Happen to notice what he did in Buffalo? He was benched. He was overweight, bad work ethic and he wants to go to Toronto to play at home..

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@Mike L,
I did notice that, that’s why you get him cheap. Could be one of those things where it’s a fresh start, begining of the year, a team with a lot of upside. Who wants to really go to Toronto anyway. Could get him back on track. Not REALLY advocating for him, but if you get him cheap and he get’s back to playing like he can he could be a pretty good 3rd/4th line guy.

OR he chubs it up in Toronto with Burke’s money and then you double finger Burke while giggling to the playoffs again.

[Reply]
Daniel says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Just wanna give some props to Quisp, who got name dropped in the ESPN NHL Rumors column today:
“For a look at which teams have the best shot, salary cap-wise, of making a Kovalchuk signing work within their own financial constraints, we refer you to the work of Quisp, writing for Los Angeles Kings blog Jewels from the Crown.”
http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/features/rumors#3443

[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@Daniel,

That’s well-deserved props, right there!

[Reply]
Kings Fan in Buffalo says:

June 29, 2010 at 4:54 pm

I think the Kings should sign one or two wingers and one D-man. Obviously we should definetely nab Kovalchuck but I would actually like to see Salanee on the Kingers. He proved he can still score and he only costs 2 mil.

As for D, we should sign either Tallinder, Volchenkov, Sutton, or Hamhuis. I know alot of fans say that we have Hickey or Voynov to fill those empty spots but you know in an 82 game schedual some of our defensmen will get injured. I say all that we need is one more NHL callibar D-man to compliment DD and JJ.

As long as we sign Kovalchuck we will be serious cup contenders. If we don’t do anything on Thursday, I’m not confident we would even make the playoffs. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
@Kings Fan in Buffalo,

[Reply]
chuckrocks says:

June 29, 2010 at 5:17 pm

I heard a rumor that by the end of next year duck fans will finally learn what offsides means. thats an E5 according to hockeybuzz.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
@chuckrocks,
ALSO, just up on that sight that they are expected to know what cross checking is. That ones only an E3 though.

[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
@chuckrocks, What type of person chooses a team of Men that was named after a fictional team of 9 year olds, where the Goalie had a crush on the Center? Then follows the team as they shorten the name to just a fowl that has no teeth that does nothing, but SUCK to sustain it self?
Things that make you go Hmmm?

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
@luc20rules,
no, no, no, you have it all wrong. See, like 90% of the fans didn’t start following until after the year they won the cup. They were already “Ducks” by then.
The fans that were there when they were “mighty” have blocked that out, like I blocked out the time I walked in on my parents.

[Reply]
TYLER Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 8:39 am
@Tookie, AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA this is too funny

Luc20rules Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
@Tookie, Can’t really argue to much, but I think you are discounting the fans that jumped on the bandwagon when they took a 3-1 lead in the Final Series verse Ottawa, but of course no merchandise was to be bought until the series was won. After all we all know how Duck Fans like to dress up for a pride march.
DougS says:

June 29, 2010 at 5:26 pm

No question that the Kings ought to add a proven top-4 D this summer. Volchenkov and Hamhuis are both attractive because the Kings need a physical, shutdown D more than they need another puck-mover (with all due respect to Tallinder). But they won’t come cheap; they’ll be more expensive than Scuderi.

But I think it’s unduly pessimistic to say that the Kings won’t make the playoffs if they don’t make a big acquisition this summer. Doughty, Kopitar, Johnson and Simmons should all be better next year than they were this year, just by the natural progression of young quality players. And the goaltending will be stronger with the addition of Bernier. Even if Frolov walks, I think they’ll still be good enough to make they playoffs next season.

Adding Kovalchuk and a top D would make them a serious Cup contender, but they’d still be plenty competitive without them.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
@DougS,You are right about getting astay at home d man to replace Odonnell and signing Kovi but for the love of god stop it already with Hamhuis ! He is not physical , and we have plenty of puck movers in this organization. The guy that is best suited to take OD’s position is Willie Mitchell. The guy is a locker room leader and besides Pronger, the best shut down d man in the game. If you dont believe me then go look at the plus minus, he is a plus player every season except 1 and at 6″3 210lbs he will be a pain in the ass to play against like he always is. Hamhuis couldnt carry Webber or Suter’s jock and didnt !

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
@puck73,

If a deal could still be swung for Tim Gleason, since his name was kicked around a bit during the trade deadline, I would love to see him back in LA. Solid shutdown guy in his prime. And the Canes kinda suck currently

[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
@Traded for a Pick, 2nd that motion wouldn’t mind seeing TIMMY! back. The main thing is that we get a solid D-Man that can fill top 4 D minutes, and hope for continued development from JJ with better consistancy. That said I think JJ has come on and will be a top 3 D-Man for sure if not a top 2.

DougS Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
@Traded for a Pick,
He was a good ‘un, and I hated to see him go. He should be in his prime right now. He would be useful, for sure.

DougS Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
@puck73,
The only thing about Mitchell, AFAIAC, is that he’s coming off of a bad concussion. The Kings’ history with guys recovering from bad bonks to the head hasn’t been all that good.

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard says:

June 29, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Speaking of frenzies, I’m sure this will start one. Pierre LeBrun reports that the Oilers have bought out the contract of Patrick O’Sullivan. Ok all you Sully lovers! Here’s your chance!

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 10:41 am
@Paul From Oxnard,

Heard he may be getting a Coyotes jersey today.

[Reply]
luc20rules says:

June 29, 2010 at 5:37 pm

Hockey Overload. Off the vet. UFAs, but the Kings should try to sign undrafted giant Viktor Svedberg as a project. I doubt it would cost much and if we can develop his skating ability the 6’9″ 223 lb kid could turn into a monster. Little risk, big reward. Manchester could use the size, so could Ontario for that matter.

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
@luc20rules, I love really big players like that. Plant them in front of the goalie and watch the sparks fly. Here’s the hockeysfuture.com report on Svedberg, for what it’s worth: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/5841

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
@Paul From Oxnard, Good job you beat me to it.When I saw luc’s post thats exactly where I went.I came back to post the link,and you nailed it.

[Reply]
number 6 says:

June 29, 2010 at 6:45 pm

You’ll never guess who the top left winger is!

Rich, you aren’t serious!! Come on…. I’ve heard of exclusives on this blog before but this is too much. Since When is Luc making a comeback? The extraordinary never stops here…. at lakingskinsider.

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
@number 6,

My mistake. Thought he meant Higgins. That was a close one.

[Reply]
jujubee says:

June 29, 2010 at 7:56 pm

Mason Raymond moved on Doughty in the playoffs…send him a qualifying offer, he’s worth the picks, and the price he’ll sign for.

[Reply]
Stuart says:

June 29, 2010 at 9:10 pm

What does a Lehtinen cost a team nowadays? I always liked his game and I think he would be solid in the playoffs…

[Reply]
Ari says:

June 29, 2010 at 10:06 pm

Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk.
Tic Toc. Tic Toc. Tic Toc. Tic Toc. Tic Toc. Tic Toc.
… Exciting time to be a Kings fan… It will happen. I believe!!

[Reply]
KFAN says:

June 29, 2010 at 11:19 pm

I really really doubt that DL would trade Simmer..We don’t need Kaberle, we have enough d-men,but a Tallinder,Martin or a Mitchell pickup would a great add on…. Kovi,we all want Kovi,but at what price?… If the price is right?.. Yeah!…I see Modano may want to come here?.. You know what?.. Yes, called me crazy but I would love to see Modano retire as a King… He would bring experience to the team and why not pick up Ray Whitney and put him with Modano?..Come on!.. You wouldn’t want to see those guys play in a Kings uniform?And what about an Armstrong,Shawn Thorton or Burish?..

[Reply]
USCG Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
@KFAN, yeah lets pick up two old guys and miss the play offs. Some people here seem to forget that the King’s problem is speed, not OLD PEOPLE!

[Reply]
Marc says:

June 30, 2010 at 12:59 am

With this years crop of free agent forwards, I’d say get Kovalchuk or get nothing. Most of them I wouldn’t even want on the Kings. And the ones I might, like Whitney, are going to have their values skyrocket because so many other teams will be bidding on their services. We’d actually be better off going after a defenseman. At least there’s a good selection available, which will hopefully make their salaries more reasonable.

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 9:07 am
@Marc,

They better get Kovie. Draft went by and nothing happened. Sure, it’s still early but that was the point to make a big move I thought since picks held a lot more value.

[Reply]
MacSwede says:

June 30, 2010 at 2:31 am

What about Modin? No one talks of resignin him. I think he did a good job for the Kings on the left side of Handzus..

[Reply]
Arthur says:

June 30, 2010 at 3:48 am

Now I hear Lombardi is deciding whether or not to trade Simmons for Kaberle?!? One guy is cheap and just getting started, and the other is 32 years old, has only one year left before free agency, and while talented is one of the most uninspiring players you can see. He’ll be happy to pick up his assist in a 3-2 win or 7-4 loss and seems to not be affected by winning or losing. Hell he DOESN’T want to leave a horrible Maple Leaf team. Doesn’t scream winner to me. This deal would make Burke look good, something no other team has done for him since he got to Toronto. If it happens, yet another page in the Lombardi is not a genius, and Taylor gets credit for this team scrapbook.

[Reply]
Traded for a Pick Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 9:04 am
@Arthur,

Stay off of hockeybuzz. That site will rot your brain.

Kings won’t trade a young prototypical third line winger for an aging puck moving defender when the team needs a shutdown defender and can’t afford to give up forwards unless they got some serious offense in return.

That rumor is bull on a whole lot of levels.

[Reply]

Free-agent frenzy

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