After getting over the emotional aspect of the loss yesterday and the series, objectively, we weren't so horrible that we need to do a full rebuild.
1. Goaltending: We are fine in this department. We learned this season that Quick/Campbell can get the job done. I saw no issues that raise any concerns for me in this department. We also have Cal Peterson in the pipeline, among others.
2. Defense: Getting Phaneuf really helped stabilize our defense. Also, we have good depth defensemen in LaDue, Fantenberg etc. that can fill in if there are injuries. If by some off chance we get Voynov back, we will have a surplus of defensemen and can trade for assets.
3. Forwards: Well this is the obvious problem. I'm not crazy about Stevens, but you can't blame the coach for the Kings lack of scoring. The players have to take ownership and finish on their shots and chances. You can't teach that, its a matter of skill.
If I had to rank our forwards in tiers, I would rank them as follows:
Tier 1 - Difference Makers
Kopitar
Carter
I would not trade either of these players. Having that 1A/1B center options gives us strength. Also, Carter is on a cheap contract. If we trade him, we might as well do a full rebuild.
Tier 2 - Borderline Top 6ers
Toffoli
Pearson
Brown
I would move Brown up to Tier 1 if I knew he could perform the same way he did this season, going forward. But there are no assurances. However, it doesn't matter because Brown's contract cannot be traded. Toffoli has the pure ability to score (when he is on his game), but is starting to look like Cammareli or Gabby. If he can't finish and score, he does not bring anything else to this team as far as puck possession and driving from O to D zone. Pearson has speed and is better at driving the play, but lacks Toffoli's finish.
In the cap era, you need players like Pearson and Toffoli. However, considering that Toffoli is going to want $6 million long term when his bridge deal is up, I would look to see if there is a better option at that price in the UFA or trade market. I would keep Pearson because Pearson will likely command $3.5 - $4.5 million a year, which is fine for a player of his caliber.
Tier 3 - Top 9 Forwards
Kempe
Iafallo
Lewis
Reider
These are players that can get you between 10-20 goals in a season, but are more suitable on the third line. I am fine with keeping them on the third line as long as we don't need to trade someone like Lewis for cap reasons.
Tier 4 - Plugs
Basically, everyone else. I think for this category the key is keeping the cap low. We cannot afford to use $1.6 million a year on Cliffords. So if we can trade or not resign any player that is a plug making more than $1 million a year, I am all for it.
What to do:
Hard to say at this stage, but Blake should test the free agency market to see if he gets lucky and lands a Tavares, JVR, Kane, etc. or other legit top 6 scorer. I doubt we get lucky in free agency because of the ridiculous prices out there and the term some of these players will want. The only exception I will make is for Tavares. If we can open up cap space by trading Toffoli/Martinez for prospects and high picks to free up cap space for Tavares, and if he is interested, I would go all in and give him the $10-12 million he wants.
If we land Tavares, we can move Carter to play with Kopitar. Our top 6 will be lethal with Carter-Kopitar-Brown, Kempe-Tavares-Pearson. Then we can slot in Vilardi as our 3 C with Iafallo and Lewis or Reider (whichever one is on the team). Or if we want Vilardi to play wing, we can have him on the Tavares line, and move Kempe to 3C.
Obviously Tavares is a long shot. If we don't sign him, Blake will have to pull off a hockey trade by dealing one of Muzzin or Martinez in a package for a top 6 winger. If we want to upgrade on Toffoli, then we will have to package him for an upgrade. But I would not package Toffoli with Martinez or Muzzin, because I would want to use Martinez/Muzzin in a deal to get another top 6 winger.
