With the Kings receiving a fourth round draft pick – a third round pick if Philadelphia makes the playoffs – General Manager Dean Lombardi has continued to stockpile draft picks in the absence of a first round selection this season. At last year’s draft, Columbus chose to take Los Angeles’ first round draft pick in 2013 instead of the last overall pick of the first round in 2012, a condition built into the Jeff Carter trade. The Kings then selected Tanner Pearson with the 30th pick overall.
Gagne saw his ice time dip to a career-low 13:45 this season. 32-year-old veterans who earn 3.5 million dollars, have scored 283 career goals and have been healthy scratches in four consecutive games have a high probability of being moved. It is worth noting that the Kings acquired four draft picks – a third or fourth rounder, a fourth rounder, a fifth rounder and a sixth rounder in 2014 – for players who did not have regular spots in the lineup in Gagne, Kevin Westgarth and Andrei Loktionov. Of course, the fifth round pick acquired from New Jersey for Loktionov was flipped to Florida for Keaton Ellerby.
L.A. also swapped a 2012 seventh round pick for Dallas’ seventh round selection in 2013.
As it stands now, the Kings have nine picks at the upcoming NHL Draft:
Second Round
Third Round
Fourth Round (via Philadelphia)*
Fourth Round (via Carolina)
Fourth Round
Fifth Round
Sixth Round
Seventh Round (via Dallas)
Seventh Round
*becomes a third-round pick if Philadelphia makes the playoffs. The Flyers are currently in ninth place with a 9-11-1 record.
When Gagne starts scoring for the Flyers, please don’t be surprised, comparing the quality and styles of the Kings/Flyers, East/West. (from bottom of last thread).
[Reply]
cup4kings Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@LA_1968,
Good…I hope he scores a bunch and the Flyers make the playoffs.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
@cup4kings, I hope so too! Though the draft pool this year is not the best ever, its good, but lacks depth.
[Reply]
Renoabe Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
@LA_1968, Great trade. Getting a 3rd round pick (or at worst a 4th) for a guy who was not going to play this year for this team (Kings) and they were going to let walk (plus they save the money – which as a fan does not really matter but may allow them to take on a contract this year if needed).
Gagne’s money plus what they were under the new CAP for is going to cover the additonal money to Quick. They still have some cap room next year as they will get rid of the Penner contract and maybe the Scuderi deal which will give some flexibility.
[Reply]
Kings20 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
@Renoabe, Not sure why we need to resign Scuderi. With the development of our young guys on defense and return of Mitchell and Green I would trade him while there is value. He is very slow and not physical enough. Lately there too many guys are skating by him.
[Reply]
Z Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
@Kings20, I think we should definitely resign Scuderi if we can. Every game he makes so many great defensive plays. I love the way he blocks shots and protects the net. I know we have great young players but I dont think we have anyone right now who can fill Scuderi’s role. He is the veteran/leader in this defensive group especially with Greener out, and I think a lot of players respect him on this team.
Package a few of those and move up! Or use them and Gagne’s $3.5 million this year in a trade at the deadline. Love the flexability!
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
@cup4kings,
No one is going to take the 60th and 90th overall picks for a first rounder
[Reply]
No great loss for the Kings. Gagne’s best years are definitely behind him and he was, for the most part, ineffective. I wish the guy well but I don’t think that we’re going to miss his play (or lack thereof).
[Reply]
How many 4th rounders to you need to trade it for a First rounder? 77? Hehe
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
@LA_1968, I meant 7.
[Reply]
Weasel Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
@LA_1968,
For a 20-30th pick maybe 4? For a top 10 pick you’d need some 15 or so 4ths and a team that needed that many players?
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@LA_1968, What we get for Ellerby? Oh yeah…..depends on WHEN!
[Reply]
You build thru the draft so I like this deal alot. Plus, getting 3.5 mil off for a guy not playing is a steal in my book. Let’s face it, even if Gagne goes on a scoring rampage, his best years are WAY behind him (when he’s not hurt) & his NHL days are numbered.
[Reply]
Toffoli coming up??????
[Reply]
Purple Ghost Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@m_and_m, Maybe. But, with Martinez coming off injured reserve soon, the Kings could put 8 d-men on the active roster and not call up a forward.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@m_and_m,
noooope ???????
[Reply]
m_and_m Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
@number 6, Betcha! Much easier to send Campbell down since Muzz and DD are playing better.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
@m_and_m, I would like to see Muzz/Whiskey playing a tighter D then scoring and taking chances down low in the Ozone.
Haven’t seen this “D first” mentality yet from these guys.
Kings20 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
@m_and_m, Would be nice.
[Reply]
The best thing is this draft is like a bell curve. Picks 30 – 120 are close
[Reply]
Weasel Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
jet says:
February 26, 2013 at 2:17 pm
The best thing is this draft is like a bell curve. Picks 30 – 120 are close
****
Not normally. Are saying this particular draft is stocked with decent talent for those 30-120 picks? That would be cool.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
@Weasel, There are a handful of very good players, a dozen player with a few very good attributes, and dozens of players with one or two attributes. Then there are a dozen or so risk players (ex. slava and lokti).
Actually, one I’d take a late round chance on is Bereglazov. It sounds like the maturity is there to play in Manchester next year. Maybe have Voynov give him a call.
[Reply]
What will it take to get Regehr?
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@Michael J.,
Nevermind, he’s having a terrible year.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@Michael J., no worries, we all have regrehtes
[Reply]
I would like to see the Kings make a run at Jerome Iginla. The motivation to get him a cup and his connection to Sutter makes him a possiblilty in my mind. Can never have enough quality guys and or leaders in the dressing room. He’s physical and would be an upgrade to the power play.
[Reply]
fourtunato Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@HIT EM’, Calgary would want WAY too much for him.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:23 pm
@HIT EM’,
don’t think so……. ups the payroll and ups the avg age at the same time……
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@HIT EM’,
What would you be willing to give up for him?
[Reply]
Bradapiller Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
@jess, Thats what I was thinking, they dont seem to need a #1 Goalie at the moment and Bernier is the only one I can see us giving up.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@HIT EM’, maybe 10 years ago.
[Reply]
Saving the 3.5 million now is a great move, we can use the money at the trading deadline to get somebody much more productive than Gagne was.
[Reply]
It was odd-man-out for the Kings forwards and who are you going to carry, a big body who can contribute when he’s on his game (Penner), a utility forward who always brings energy and physical play when he’s in (Richardson) or a scorer who isn’t physical and seems to have lost the desire to fight for goals and so isnt scoring (Gagne). I don’t blame the guy for being a bit gun shy but the bottom line is he wasn’t contributing to the scoring and that’s all he CAN contribute.
Yes, if a top 6 guy goes down, Toffoli will get a shot. If a bottom 6 goes down, we have Richardson why can ably fill in at any position.
AND we have trade/cap room…AND a draft pick.
Excellent move.
[Reply]
Surprised that Philly did not hold out for Bordson
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
@Kenny44,
I think they asked for Mikus. No deal.
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@Kenny44,
I heard Philly wanted pavel rosa but DL said NO WAYYYY!!!
[Reply]
Off-Topic: Realignment and playoffs
The proposed realignment seems a bit skewed. With more teams in the East, you have sixteen teams playing for 8 playoff spots, while in the west, you have fourteen teams playing for 8 spots.
And it sounds like the top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs, with the fourth seeds will be open as wild cards, giving a division a chance to have five teams make the playoffs.
So in the new world, you finish in the top 3 of your division and you’re in. To make the 7th or 8th spot, you then need to look at the other non-top 3 teams in the conference and make sure you have more points than they do.
Interesting stuff.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
@vplaza, West has the handicap of having to play in Edmonton and Calgary.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
@jet,
True. And now the East has Columbus, so the Atlantic Division must be salivating.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
@vplaza, They are talking about using a wild card in the east or a single game playoff. The better chance in the west is offset by much worse travel than the east.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@KC23,
I guess there can’t be a system that is perfect. Just seems odd to me to have one conference have two more teams that the other. Smells like expansion time in the West. But where and is it even feasible? Seattle or Portland?
[Reply]
Basically, I’m not happy everytime any King traded away but I trust DL’s judgement. Good luck and thank you, Gags.
[Reply]
PK Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
@goldielocks, exactly. This team was built by DL. Lets continue to be patient as fans and let our award winning front office run the show. IN DEAN WE TRUST!
[Reply]
Gagne’s old body wasn’t suited for Sutter’s style of play.
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
@Osaka, age is no excuse. Scuds is 2 yrs his senior and is taking a beating in damn near every game with guys trying to shove him into a hole in the boards that doesn’t exist. And yet, Scuds keeps coming back and producing quality game every night
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
@Shiny, Well, they are too different players. Gagne was never that kind of player, especially now.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:52 pm
@Shiny, Scuds doesn’t have concussion issues, too.
[Reply]
If Richards was centering the second unit power play instead of playing the point on the 1st, I could see a good reason for keeping Gagne. He’s got a great one-timer, AND he’s a hell of a post-season performer when he’s healthy. This scenario MIGHT have played out if the blueline got healthy at somepoint, but oh, well. Doubt Lombardi was going to re-sign him anyway with Taffoli lighting up the AHL… Good for Gagne.
[Reply]
Here’s my story on Gagne’s departure. I’d love to hear why you believe he was moved.
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/49-games-and-gagne/
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), didn’t bother scanning the comments on here already, eh?
[Reply]
Mik3ysfv Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
@Shiny, smooth. +1
[Reply]
Just realized – the return on Westgarth was 2 draft picks (including a 4th), for Gagne just 1 4th round pick…. never would have predicted that Westgarth would bring more in a trade.
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
@LB, Westy brings more to the table, I guess. He’s young and a good enforcer. Gags is probably at the end of his career
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
@LB, Gagne will be a UFA, he is a rental. Oh, and age is a factor.
I was surprised we got so much for Gagne.
[Reply]
mask0425x Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
@LB,
We also had to take Stewart’s salary. I like both deals, btw…
So, AM is supposed to be coming back soon, Campbell goes back. Greene & Mitchell – who the heck knows the ETA on either one (Jon, are you there???) One open spot for the time being, can we get a look at Stewart?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@mask0425x, Greene is supposed to be by the end of the season. No idea about Mitchell.
[Reply]
mask0425x Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@KC23,
I thought that Greene’s recovery period was supposed to have changed to ~8 weeks after the original reports of missing the rest of the season. Has that changed again?
The only bad thing about this trade is if someone gets hurt Richardson will be playing. Who is the worse player on the Kings roster. He wont be back next season. He making just over little million dollars this season.
[Reply]
kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
@Downsy89, i don’t think he’s the worst, he deserves to be in the lineup over fraser and this years dwight king at least!
[Reply]
Downsy89 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
@kings714, Fraser is a better center than Richardson. Fraser percentage on face offs is much better.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
@kings714, Nah, I’d take King and Fraser over Richardson.
[Reply]
kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
@KC23, richardson was playing very well in playoffs until they put gagne in his place. King has been horrible this year, but he’s one for the future. Fraser has been bad and is no prospect so i don’t see why richardson can’t get thecall a few nights
PK Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
@Downsy89, Don’t worry about Richardson we have a bunch of kids in Manch who are just about ready for a call up in Toffoli, Vey, Stewart (not a kid)
[Reply]
Good luck gagne! I believe you were the most skilled offensive players the kings had, but your talents are probably a better fit out east. Still, it’s sad to depart with someone like gagne when you feature guys like fraser, penner, and king. Bon chance mon ami!
[Reply]
Good luck Gags! Thanks for everything and I hope a return to Philly is good for you. Always wanted to see you healthy before I saw you play with the Kings. Remember, it’s just a game, so stay healthy.
[Reply]
Somewhat off-topic: Lots of defensemen up for UFA or RFA at the end of the season. Scuds and DD2 are UFAs, while Slava, AMart, Muzz, and Ellerby are RFAs. The only D-men locked up for next year are DD, Mitchell (will he play again?), and Greene.
So, lots of scenarios in the mix. Does Scuds come back at a discount? What type of raise does Voynov get? How about AMart?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
@vplaza, I got a feeling Scudes will stay at a discount. We’ll let DD2 go. Slava is gonna cost us, AMart and Muzz should be a reasonable price. Ellerby, no idea, but knowing DL he might get a bargin. Voynov gonna be interesting. I’d like to see a 5 year contract worth about 2 mil a year, but he’s worth a bit more than that probably.
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@KC23, Ellerby’s situation depends on what his contract with Florida was.
Last year, I know Nolan and King were signed to 2-way NHL/AHL contracts and I thought it was for 2 years. Don’t know about DD2 or VMFV
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@KC23,
Would be nice if Scuds stays at a discount. AMart making $737K on his current contract, Muzz makes $577K on his. Both will most likely see a bit of a raise.
Ellerby is making $700K on his.
DD2 makes $616K, which, for a serviceable defenseman, is actually not horrible. To me, he’s just a good insurance policy/temporary filler for the times you need him. But if we have someone from Manchester come up to fill this role, so be it.
[Reply]
Wow, guess Lombardi gave out a ton of info during his conference call over the past half hour or more
AMart healing on schedule, will be coming back soon.
Deano looking at 8 Dmen instead of 2 extra forwards and no one coming up from Manch.
[Reply]
If the LA Kings will get Patrick Kane next because Simon Gagne is gone with the Flyers and we need the LA Kings and Dean Lombardi will discuss with Patrick Kane to join with the Kings to wear # 12 for the Kings
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
@Adam M, doubt Kane will leave Chi-town, he loves it there
[Reply]
Adam M Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
@Shiny, first of @shiny is Patrick Kane should sign with the Kings if Simon Gagne is gone so here is the lines for LA Kings if we get Patrick Kane are
1 Kopitar Carter Kane
2 Richards Brown Williams
3 Penner King Richarson
4 Stoll Fraser Clifford and put Nolan a day off rest so what do you think the lines for the LA Kings and do not send a Nasty comments about me please if you do you will be punished me for good so send a nice comments about the kings and the lines
[Reply]
We’ll be very close to the cap next season, especially with the kind of seasons our RFAs are having thus far. We’re projected to be $15M under the cap. Question is, how much of that $15M do Clifford, Lewis, Nolan, Voynov, Martinez, Muzzin, and Bernier take up? How much will be left over for signing UFAs? (Penner, Richardson, Drewiske, and Scuderi are all UFAs.)
Although Dean’s been told he can spend to the cap this season, it’ll have to be on an expiring contract unless salary goes the other way and I doubt that’s happening. (Unless someone’s willing to try out this cap space trade.) Brown ought to be getting an extension soon with a significant pay raise as well.
I’d think the mid-level guys like Williams, Mitchell, Greene, and Stoll would be buyout targets as the RFAs begin to take up a bigger piece of the pie.
[Reply]
Kings20 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, Hope Lewis and Scuderi be traded. Troy Broweur available in Washington. Bernier probably will be traded…..he did ask for a trade to be a starter somewhere else. Toffoli finally makes the team.
[Reply]
Overall a great trade for the Kings.
More room for Toffoli to get his fee t wet with the big club.
More cap space ($3.5 mill)) for DL to trade or re-sign roster players.
Better opportunity for Gagne to get some ice time.
Less dead weight for the Kings.
Good luck Gagne! You got your name in the Cup, even though you did not do much to earn it.
[Reply]
I hope Gagne can breathe some life back into the Flyers. Good luck Simone.
[Reply]