Confirmed Signing with Link: [LAK] Sean Walker signs extension (4 years, $2.65M AAV)

[Rorschach]

Kings fans, between Walker and Roy, who do you prefer and why?

Walker is our 2nd pairing RHD. Roy is our third pairing RHD. Walker has a stronger resume for longer period. Roy is just getting started. I value Walker higher, significantly higher.

 

[go4hockey]

Wow that's so weird. This forum is so good at telling LA fans what they need I just assumed everyone would be locked in on who Walker is.

Good deal for Walker, imo. Versatile guy can play up and down the D roster and in various situations. Having him as a 3rd pairing guy due to RD depth is a luxury. Spent some time next to Doughty and held his own for a bit, ideally would be #4-#5, but CAN drive even a 2nd pairing. Voynov-lite. Kind of a righty Martinez if folks need a reference.

Shhh keep quite if they learn about Walker or Roy they will start threads offering us a 3rd rounder and when King fans say no thanks they will tell us how the player sucks anyways. Lol

 

[regulate]

Walker is our 2nd pairing RHD. Roy is our third pairing RHD. Walker has a stronger resume for longer period. Roy is just getting started. I value Walker higher, significantly higher.

Couldn't disagree with you more. Walker played the last half of the season with MacDermid on the 3rd pairing. Walker finished -12 after a strong first half. I'll concede some of that has to do with being paired with MacDermid, but Walker had plenty of D coverage gaffs as the season wore on. Roy played in the 2nd pairing as the season wore on. According to Kings assistant coach Trent Yawney, Roy was the best defensive player on the team last year. “He was probably, and arguably with the coaching staff, our best defenseman. I was looking for more minutes for him. He could’ve handled more minutes towards the end, getting him into the 20-range.” Roy was also voted the Kings defensive player of the year by the LA hockey media over Drew Doughty (first time in anyone's memory). Roy finished the season at +16 on a terrible team. For the season as a whole, among defensemen with at least 60 games played, Roy’s 56.0% SAT% was fourth best in the NHL, while his USAT% at 56.9% ranked second best the league with the same parameters. The Michigan Tech product was one of three defensemen (in the league) with a +200 differential in shot attempts and a +250 differential in unblocked shot attempts.

 

[AnThGrt]

Regulate said it well and have to agree crazy hearing Walker is "significantly higher"

 

[Ghetty Green]

Kings fans, between Walker and Roy, who do you prefer and why?

Roy ainec

The guy who said walker is significantly higher is completely out to lunch

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kings fans, between Walker and Roy, who do you prefer and why?

Roy, but Walker is underrated in his own right. Roy is mostly quietly effective, a shutdown D who isn't particularly excellent at any one thing with some underrated offensive instincts and a pretty hard, quick shot. Walker is a bit more of a puck lugger and offensive mover, more agile skater, sneakier wrister, and imo a little more versatile. But on this year alone, Roy would be a complementary #2-#3, Walker more of a #4-5 imho.

That being said Walker had a stint next to Doughty playing 20+ minutes and looked really good doing that too, so next year is huge for both guys cementing who they are with consistency.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Roy and Walker are very different.

I'd consider Walker to be the more mobile and offensive D while Roy is more of a shut down guy.

They're both currently #4/5 with potential of being a #3.

 

[Sparky206]

Walker better with the puck, Roy better without it

 

[Lt Dan]

I swear every year 3 or 4 guys just appear on the Kings that I've never heard of and half of them sound like members of a mafia family. Most of them end up to be solid players as well.

Yes

The Gambinos, Genoveses, Bonannos, and Colombos all knew that the Walkers were really in charge

 

[Osprey]

I'm not really sold on Walker and think that it's an overpayment for essentially one good season. That's going to happen when you buy UFA years, though, and Blake must've felt that he had to do it because the organization is really hurting for defensemen, especially in the 25-29 age range, and will be for the next 4 years. Also, I suppose that the deal would've gone to Forbort, otherwise, so there's that.

Couldn't disagree with you more. Walker played the last half of the season with MacDermid on the 3rd pairing. Walker finished -12 after a strong first half. I'll concede some of that has to do with being paired with MacDermid, but Walker had plenty of D coverage gaffs as the season wore on. Roy played in the 2nd pairing as the season wore on. According to Kings assistant coach Trent Yawney, Roy was the best defensive player on the team last year. “He was probably, and arguably with the coaching staff, our best defenseman. I was looking for more minutes for him. He could’ve handled more minutes towards the end, getting him into the 20-range.” Roy was also voted the Kings defensive player of the year by the LA hockey media over Drew Doughty (first time in anyone's memory). Roy finished the season at +16 on a terrible team. For the season as a whole, among defensemen with at least 60 games played, Roy’s 56.0% SAT% was fourth best in the NHL, while his USAT% at 56.9% ranked second best the league with the same parameters. The Michigan Tech product was one of three defensemen (in the league) with a +200 differential in shot attempts and a +250 differential in unblocked shot attempts.

Roy was sheltered. I can post the graph if I need to, but he had the most offensive zone starts and faced the weakest quality of competition of all of the team's defensemen after MacDermid. He still did very well and deserves credit for that, but we shouldn't get carried away, IMO.

 

[Gurglesons]

Decent enough deal for a bottom pairing D you hope can hit a top pairing role if it turns out alright.

So begins the LA Kings and Chicago Blackhawks ascent back to greatness. 2026 WCF is gonna be a doozy.

 

[Telos]

Nobody heard of Martinez or Muzzin really when LA signed them to their long term deals. Defensemen can be tricky and when you find an excellent skating solid #5 with 3-4 potential signing him cheaply for a decent amount of time can pay off handsomely. This deal will be a steal in a year or two.

 

[Osprey]

Nobody heard of Martinez or Muzzin really when LA signed them to their long term deals. Defensemen can be tricky and when you find an excellent skating solid #5 with 3-4 potential signing him cheaply for a decent amount of time can pay off handsomely. This deal will be a steal in a year or two.

Martinez and Muzzin both got their long-term deals in the Summer of 2015. Everyone in the league knew all about them by that point, since Martinez had been on two Cup-winning teams (and, memorably, clinched the second one) and Muzzin had been on one and was Doughty's partner. Martinez had also been with the team for over 5 seasons and Muzzin for over 3, and neither had made more than $1.1M per year. Remember that Lombardi was super stingy and wouldn't reward players before they won anything. Walker is getting 2.5x the money per year of either for being on the team less than half as long and not winning anything. You could be right that it'll pay off and maybe even be a steal, but it's a very different path than Martinez and Muzzin took to get their long-term deals.

Alec Martinez - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps
Jake Muzzin - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[crowi]

Great deal for the Kings (f***!).
So funny to read these replies that show utter ignorance.

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

Literally never heard this dude's name even once and now he's making 2.65M per year.

Hah, about the same

Reading the trade board was the first time, I actually had to google him

Shows how little I watch the Kings I guess....

 

[Rorschach]

Couldn't disagree with you more. Walker played the last half of the season with MacDermid on the 3rd pairing. Walker finished -12 after a strong first half. I'll concede some of that has to do with being paired with MacDermid, but Walker had plenty of D coverage gaffs as the season wore on. Roy played in the 2nd pairing as the season wore on. According to Kings assistant coach Trent Yawney, Roy was the best defensive player on the team last year. “He was probably, and arguably with the coaching staff, our best defenseman. I was looking for more minutes for him. He could’ve handled more minutes towards the end, getting him into the 20-range.” Roy was also voted the Kings defensive player of the year by the LA hockey media over Drew Doughty (first time in anyone's memory). Roy finished the season at +16 on a terrible team. For the season as a whole, among defensemen with at least 60 games played, Roy’s 56.0% SAT% was fourth best in the NHL, while his USAT% at 56.9% ranked second best the league with the same parameters. The Michigan Tech product was one of three defensemen (in the league) with a +200 differential in shot attempts and a +250 differential in unblocked shot attempts.

Roy ainec

The guy who said walker is significantly higher is completely out to lunch

So, you feel from a small sample size and playing a limited and sheltered role during garbage time (mostly when the Kings had no shot making the playoffs), that Roy is significantly more valuable than RHD PMD Walker? (Both are young RHD).
Then you’re saying you would pay Roy at least 3 to 3.5 mil per year for four years if you had to re-sign him today?

 

[Richard88]

Couldn't disagree with you more. Walker played the last half of the season with MacDermid on the 3rd pairing. Walker finished -12 after a strong first half. I'll concede some of that has to do with being paired with MacDermid, but Walker had plenty of D coverage gaffs as the season wore on. Roy played in the 2nd pairing as the season wore on. According to Kings assistant coach Trent Yawney, Roy was the best defensive player on the team last year. “He was probably, and arguably with the coaching staff, our best defenseman. I was looking for more minutes for him. He could’ve handled more minutes towards the end, getting him into the 20-range.” Roy was also voted the Kings defensive player of the year by the LA hockey media over Drew Doughty (first time in anyone's memory). Roy finished the season at +16 on a terrible team. For the season as a whole, among defensemen with at least 60 games played, Roy’s 56.0% SAT% was fourth best in the NHL, while his USAT% at 56.9% ranked second best the league with the same parameters. The Michigan Tech product was one of three defensemen (in the league) with a +200 differential in shot attempts and a +250 differential in unblocked shot attempts.

Roy, but Walker is underrated in his own right. Roy is mostly quietly effective, a shutdown D who isn't particularly excellent at any one thing with some underrated offensive instincts and a pretty hard, quick shot. Walker is a bit more of a puck lugger and offensive mover, more agile skater, sneakier wrister, and imo a little more versatile. But on this year alone, Roy would be a complementary #2-#3, Walker more of a #4-5 imho.

That being said Walker had a stint next to Doughty playing 20+ minutes and looked really good doing that too, so next year is huge for both guys cementing who they are with consistency.

Interesting discussion on this page.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys think Rob Blake would entertain offers for Roy this offseason? And if so, what would his price be?

As a defensively solid RHD with a really low caphit at $700k he'd be a pretty nice addition for a number of teams.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Interesting discussion on this page.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys think Rob Blake would entertain offers for Roy this offseason? And if so, what would his price be?

As a defensively solid RHD with a really low caphit at $700k he'd be a pretty nice addition for a number of teams.

I can't imagine he would, as we've been trying to fill the "Voynov hole" since 2015, and we just now sorted out the right side of our D with no one really in the system close (Jordan Spence few years out at least, Durzi probably still a year or two, Austin Strand is a longshot). But you're right, he'd be a valuable add at that price, definitely would take a premium, especially this year. I honestly can't think of a remotely fair offer, this would be a 'make me move' scenario. Same with Walker but to a slightly lesser degree.

 

[Richard88]

I can't imagine he would, as we've been trying to fill the "Voynov hole" since 2015, and we just now sorted out the right side of our D with no one really in the system close (Jordan Spence few years out at least, Durzi probably still a year or two, Austin Strand is a longshot). But you're right, he'd be a valuable add at that price, definitely would take a premium, especially this year. I honestly can't think of a remotely fair offer, this would be a 'make me move' scenario. Same with Walker but to a slightly lesser degree.

Would 2021 COL 2nd + Mutala for Roy (50% retained) make you move?

 

[KingsFan7824]

Seems like a solid deal for the kings and a horrible deal for walker. Guy seems to be a #5 with potential to be a 3-4

Walker is going to be 26 in Nov, and was never drafted. He spent a full year in the AHL on an AHL contract. He went to Bowling Green, same place Blake(and Nelson Emerson, also employed by the Kings) played college hockey, so it might've been a situation where lets give a kid from our old school who can skate a little a shot. Not sure Walker was ever thinking he'd be making $2m per season, let alone $3.35m in the last year of the deal.

Plus he's been on a bad and irrelevant team. You never know how players will play when they get into actual competitive environments at the pro level. For a guy like him to get the security of a 4 year contract, I'm not sure you can call that horrible for him. What was his option? He was an RFA.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Would 2021 COL 2nd + Mutala for Roy (50% retained) make you move?

I wouldn't even blink, sorry. LA needs more blue chip, not more depth, we're going to be scraping the contract limit as-is and with so many picks this year and next that wouldn't really move the needle imo. It's not an unfair offer value wise in a vacuum though.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Walker is going to be 26 in Nov, and was never drafted. He spent a full year in the AHL on an AHL contract. He went to Bowling Green, same place Blake(and Nelson Emerson, also employed by the Kings) played college hockey, so it might've been a situation where lets give a kid from our old school who can skate a little a shot. Not sure Walker was ever thinking he'd be making $2m per season, let alone $3.35m in the last year of the deal.

Plus he's been on a bad and irrelevant team. You never know how players will play when they get into actual competitive environments at the pro level. For a guy like him to get the security of a 4 year contract, I'm not sure you can call that horrible for him. What was his option? He was an RFA.

Also a really good nuanced point. Never know if a guy will melt under the pressure of team expectations rather than being free on a shit squad.

He acquitted himself well next to Doughty for a while though so hopefully he'll have another good contract after this one.

 

[Richard88]

I wouldn't even blink, sorry. LA needs more blue chip, not more depth, we're going to be scraping the contract limit as-is and with so many picks this year and next that wouldn't really move the needle imo. It's not an unfair offer value wise in a vacuum though.

How about something like COL 2021 1st + prospect for Roy + LAK 2021 3rd? Similar deal to the Goodrow to Tampa deal.

 

[HookKing]

How about something like COL 2021 1st + prospect for Roy + LAK 2021 3rd? Similar deal to the Goodrow to Tampa deal.

Kings won't be making deals like this anymore. They want to start competing this season. If they traded Roy it would be to a cap-strapped team that needs to unload a star D in return. Upgrades only at this point.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Kings fans, between Walker and Roy, who do you prefer and why?

This is like Muzzin vs. Martinez.

Muzzin like Walker is prone to making mistakes. Marty & Roy are worse offensively but more steady in their own end.

At first this was an easy choice but Roy came up big in the end. I also prefered Martinez over Muzzin.