Austin Wagner signs a three year extension. Grundstrom also signs for 2 years! Update: Walker signs
- Thread starter Lt Dan
- Start date
It's a solid deal, for a kid that can chip in on the bottom 6. I would love it if he had a career arc similar to 10 goal/20-30 point Grabner.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
That's a great deal. During the course of that contract he'll either prove himself to be a solid contributor in a bottom six role or be expansion draft fodder.
And that also takes care of the only significant RFA forward to sign. The only other RFA of note to lock up next will be Sean Walker.
The rest of the RFAs are mostly minor league talent, with Carl Grundstrom and Matt Luff headlining that group.
And that also takes care of the only significant RFA forward to sign. The only other RFA of note to lock up next will be Sean Walker.
The rest of the RFAs are mostly minor league talent, with Carl Grundstrom and Matt Luff headlining that group.
Even if he doesn’t score on most breakaways, he took 23 penalties but drew 84 last season.
That there is worth money.
That there is worth money.
jfont
Registered User
Plus, he's got a little bit of grit in him to make the other team take notice.
Ollie Weeks
the sea does not dream of you
- Feb 28, 2008
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saintsnsoldiers
GO KINGS GO
Awesome, love Wagner. He is a great spark plug. Speed kills, gets the other team on their heels and a great forchecker. Hopefully scoring comes along. Whats the numbers?
Seems like a good teammate. I think he's more of the 12 goal guy than the 6 he had this last season. Thumbs up.
Bandit
Registered User
Nice deal, plus he fills the void that Kyle Clifford left of "guy who's contract we can complain about even though he's making barely more than league minimum."
cyclones22
Registered User
tny760
Registered User
- Mar 12, 2017
- 19,536
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i like this
he's getting more comfortable for sure, seems like last season he was more willing to get involved in the rough stuff too which is nice to see from a player of his type
never gonna see me complaining about a ~$1M contract
he's getting more comfortable for sure, seems like last season he was more willing to get involved in the rough stuff too which is nice to see from a player of his type
never gonna see me complaining about a ~$1M contract
Lt Dan
F*** your ice cream!
Clifford was reportedly a real leader in the locker room .
I don't know how the other player view The Ging, hopefully he is like EF Hutton
fivehole32
Kicking rebounds to the slot
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BigKing
Blake Out of Hell III: Back in to Hell
I've already pumped him up before but I'll put it out there again:
- Led the team in hits while averaging the lowest minutes per game of any regular besides Clifford (4 second difference).
- I like Clifford, but Wagner had 55 more hits in 12 more games. Wagner averaged more than one hit per game more than Clifford.
- The forwards with more shots were 77/23/73/9/19/11. All guys with more minutes and PP time. This is a good thing.
- That also means he had the worst S% of any regular forward at 4.8%. That's bad.
- Season before, he was at 17.9%. Amazing. Unsustainable.
- League average is like ~9%. That would put him in the 10 goal range based on his 2020 totals. That's good.
- He can legit challenge anyone in the league to a fastest skater competition. That is a special skill.
- He has good size to go along with that special speed and will also scrap. These are all things the team lacks except for good size.
We can joke about his poor breakaway results from last year but he also had 12 goals the year before. The mere fact that he can get a breakaway should be applauded when looking at the roster the last few years. He isn't great in the defensive zone but I feel that he doesn't get hemmed in there too much. When he gets to play with some other speedsters, I feel like the puck is going the right way most of the time and he is getting in on the forecheck.
I'd hate to lose him in the expansion draft as I really like the idea of him being a good 4th line LW once this team is good again. His combination of grit and breakaway speed is a real nice thing to have on a 4th line. He'd be even more valuable if he could turn into a strong PK guy with his breakaway speed.
Good signing. Good number on the contract.
- Led the team in hits while averaging the lowest minutes per game of any regular besides Clifford (4 second difference).
- I like Clifford, but Wagner had 55 more hits in 12 more games. Wagner averaged more than one hit per game more than Clifford.
- The forwards with more shots were 77/23/73/9/19/11. All guys with more minutes and PP time. This is a good thing.
- That also means he had the worst S% of any regular forward at 4.8%. That's bad.
- Season before, he was at 17.9%. Amazing. Unsustainable.
- League average is like ~9%. That would put him in the 10 goal range based on his 2020 totals. That's good.
- He can legit challenge anyone in the league to a fastest skater competition. That is a special skill.
- He has good size to go along with that special speed and will also scrap. These are all things the team lacks except for good size.
We can joke about his poor breakaway results from last year but he also had 12 goals the year before. The mere fact that he can get a breakaway should be applauded when looking at the roster the last few years. He isn't great in the defensive zone but I feel that he doesn't get hemmed in there too much. When he gets to play with some other speedsters, I feel like the puck is going the right way most of the time and he is getting in on the forecheck.
I'd hate to lose him in the expansion draft as I really like the idea of him being a good 4th line LW once this team is good again. His combination of grit and breakaway speed is a real nice thing to have on a 4th line. He'd be even more valuable if he could turn into a strong PK guy with his breakaway speed.
Good signing. Good number on the contract.
Ray Martyniuk
Registered User
- Mar 13, 2019
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He'd be one of the players Seattle will mull over taking for certain as he won't be protected unless he scores 20 goals which is slim to no chance and Slim just left the building
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
We started to see some of his peskiness last season as well, which is a part of his game I hope we get to see more of next season.
I don’t expect him to intimidate anyone, but getting under the opponents skin and irritating them with his constant buzzing and fore checking is what this team needs more of.
Even Kempe seemed more engaged in the post whistle scrums this season. It’s a welcome attitude that this team needs more of, and something that’s been missing since losing out on guys like Richardson and Stoll who were great at that aspect of the game.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Maybe a mod can edit the thread title to also add this signing:
Lt Dan
F*** your ice cream!
Sleeping Dog
Fan Since ‘68
Blake/team have been busy getting these deals done. Also sets the price for some upcoming RFAs that might be comparable to Wags or Gunds. Get these guys on “prove it” deals, then if they keep progressing, they’ll get the next deal/higher salary.
cyclones22
Registered User
Walker's contract is going to be telling. It'll let us know if he's a candidate to be protected or unprotected in the expansion draft. Although conceivably, he could play his way off the list during the season.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Walker had a hot start to the season but cooled off quite a bit as the season progressed and had some struggles in the latter half. Whereas Roy had a rough start and then got better as the season progressed, and he'll be due for a new contract next year.
Also, Walker is already 25 and will be turning 26 by the time next season starts, which has me thinking the Kings may try to get him to sign a three-year deal in the $2M range.
BigKing
Blake Out of Hell III: Back in to Hell
I know I am probably by myself on this one, but I'd rather lose Walker than Wagner.
regulate
Registered User
Grundstrom struggled with Todd's system last year early on. He needs to improve his defensive coverage, his main issue. He has good structure to his game, and should be a solid 3rd of 4th line LW in the NHL. He's almost a sure thing on the roster this year since he's no longer waiver-exempt. Congrats on his new deal. Kings will have to make a decision or two on which forwards will be protected in the expansion draft at the end of the season. It will be interesting. Big year for a lot of the 22-24 year olds.
KopitarFAN
Reno Sucks!
DoktorJeep
Expediency x Sentimentality = Mediocrity
The Lizotte Wagner Kempe line was a good one last season. If those guys can play 13-15 minutes a night, I like the Kings third line next season.
