I know way to early but just my brain trying to work things out given the state of the team.
BLuc will need to make some changes this summer obviously. I'm guessing they stick it out with Hiller which doesn't bother me too much. I think Sturm may get some consideration if he wins the Calder but they promoted Hiller over him once already.
UFAs-I just think they are gone. Young guys are ready and cap space is greatly needed. Clarke is ready to step in and they seem hesitant to play a righty on the left. I think there is a need for an upgrade over Englund but they seem to double down on his need. At one more cheap year I don't see anything changing.
Anderson Doughty
Gavrikov Clarke
Englund Spence (Spence stays with Englund cause I don't think Clarke is a good fit there)
Moverare
*LHD still seems like a glaring need
I expect Thomas and Turcotte to take spots. I'd be shocked if Helenius and Lee don't get long looks given their size component. LA has been very small the past few years. If any UFA does come back it may be papa Lewis and his mentorship program but I hope not honestly. Fagemo seems to be a very specific tool that LA can't seem find a place for but I'm hoping he gets a shot. I still think he can play but the previous system is not conduecive to his game it seems. That would have to change. Atu Jameson could be an outside shot but likely ends up in the AHL imho. Not sure if any more college guys can pull a Laferriere this upcoming year. I do want to see Byfield (I think he gets paid too) move to the center and PLD move to wing but who knows what happens with that. Kopi's minutes should be reduced if Byfield is moved to center. Fiala is such a wild card. I like him with Danault and Moore better than anywhere else in the lineup. Kempe is a first line winger but they could spred the wealth and keep him with Kopi as a pair. I imagine the forward group as something like this:
Dubois Byfield Kempe (Wing for Dubois just seems like a neccesity at this point)
Fiala Danault Moore
Turcotte Kopitar Fagemo
Laferriere Helenius Thomas
Lee
*A UFA power forward type seems like a need
*Not opposed to an RV return on a one year deal if at all possible
This line up is still small and rather rookie dependent. It would be cost effective tho and maybe allow for the pursuit of a solid goalie. I do think they will look but I guess they run back two of Copley/Talbot/Rittich. Of the three I think Rittich is the most solid honestly.
Rittich
Copley
Talbot -maybe a team is willing to pay more than LA.
In the end I think LA runs a cheap tandem in hopes Portillo is on the rize and can step in sooner than later.
Now a run through the Pacific teams-
Oilers: Still have McD and I'm guessing Draisatl stays too. They are not a cup contender in my eyes but they are likely a top 3 yearly Pac team.
Vegas: Some pieces likely moving out but still a competitive good team. Top 3 in Pac.
Vancouver: They go as Demko goes. They have more high end skill than LA. Can they repeat this past year. I think so, Tocchet is a good coach.
Calgary: Seems like they have shot themselves in the foot a lot lately. They are on par with LA in my mind and depending on injuries and they could be close to LA in the standings.
Seattle: Lost some key pieces from two years ago. A full year of Daccord could go a long way. Not sure where they slot in but they are probably in the LA tier group.
Anaheim: I know I'll get slammed for this but I think they are closer to the playoffs next year than they are a 1st overall. Dostal is a good goalie and they have young qualities scorers and dmen coming in. Cutter Guether is another big add. Zellweger is a stud too. Not sure they get to the playoffs but they may not be a team LA can easily feast on either.
San Jose: I really like Mackenzie Blackwood, wish LA had snagged him. Cellebrini and Smith with help them be a bit more fun to watch at least. Still think they are in the bottom of the Pac. They will probalby steal a game or two from LA.
My Prediction if injuries don't play a major factor:
Top three in whatever order:
Oilers
Vegas
Vancouver
Fighting for wild card:
LA
Calgary
Seattle
Anaheim
Last:
San Jose
LA season will come down to system and players taking bigger steps. QB and PLD will need to have really good years. (Like 20 points at the least improvements)
Fiala and Kempe: Can they reach 90 points with a more open system?
Goaltending: Can they make a deal for a legit upgrade? Or is it more of the same?
Can the the rookies step in and improve upon or maintain the play of the departed UFAs?
Clarke-Will he be able to make an impact? Will the organization let him?
Will the power play once again be predictable and stagnant?
Yes it is way to early for this but I think LA is 50/50 as we currently sit for the playoffs. The skill is there to be really good. But the weaknesses haven't really been rectified or seem likely to be. Are they just a bunch of mid tiered skill guys that need to win 2-1 games or can they be more?
BLuc will need to make some changes this summer obviously. I'm guessing they stick it out with Hiller which doesn't bother me too much. I think Sturm may get some consideration if he wins the Calder but they promoted Hiller over him once already.
UFAs-I just think they are gone. Young guys are ready and cap space is greatly needed. Clarke is ready to step in and they seem hesitant to play a righty on the left. I think there is a need for an upgrade over Englund but they seem to double down on his need. At one more cheap year I don't see anything changing.
Anderson Doughty
Gavrikov Clarke
Englund Spence (Spence stays with Englund cause I don't think Clarke is a good fit there)
Moverare
*LHD still seems like a glaring need
I expect Thomas and Turcotte to take spots. I'd be shocked if Helenius and Lee don't get long looks given their size component. LA has been very small the past few years. If any UFA does come back it may be papa Lewis and his mentorship program but I hope not honestly. Fagemo seems to be a very specific tool that LA can't seem find a place for but I'm hoping he gets a shot. I still think he can play but the previous system is not conduecive to his game it seems. That would have to change. Atu Jameson could be an outside shot but likely ends up in the AHL imho. Not sure if any more college guys can pull a Laferriere this upcoming year. I do want to see Byfield (I think he gets paid too) move to the center and PLD move to wing but who knows what happens with that. Kopi's minutes should be reduced if Byfield is moved to center. Fiala is such a wild card. I like him with Danault and Moore better than anywhere else in the lineup. Kempe is a first line winger but they could spred the wealth and keep him with Kopi as a pair. I imagine the forward group as something like this:
Dubois Byfield Kempe (Wing for Dubois just seems like a neccesity at this point)
Fiala Danault Moore
Turcotte Kopitar Fagemo
Laferriere Helenius Thomas
Lee
*A UFA power forward type seems like a need
*Not opposed to an RV return on a one year deal if at all possible
This line up is still small and rather rookie dependent. It would be cost effective tho and maybe allow for the pursuit of a solid goalie. I do think they will look but I guess they run back two of Copley/Talbot/Rittich. Of the three I think Rittich is the most solid honestly.
Rittich
Copley
Talbot -maybe a team is willing to pay more than LA.
In the end I think LA runs a cheap tandem in hopes Portillo is on the rize and can step in sooner than later.
Now a run through the Pacific teams-
Oilers: Still have McD and I'm guessing Draisatl stays too. They are not a cup contender in my eyes but they are likely a top 3 yearly Pac team.
Vegas: Some pieces likely moving out but still a competitive good team. Top 3 in Pac.
Vancouver: They go as Demko goes. They have more high end skill than LA. Can they repeat this past year. I think so, Tocchet is a good coach.
Calgary: Seems like they have shot themselves in the foot a lot lately. They are on par with LA in my mind and depending on injuries and they could be close to LA in the standings.
Seattle: Lost some key pieces from two years ago. A full year of Daccord could go a long way. Not sure where they slot in but they are probably in the LA tier group.
Anaheim: I know I'll get slammed for this but I think they are closer to the playoffs next year than they are a 1st overall. Dostal is a good goalie and they have young qualities scorers and dmen coming in. Cutter Guether is another big add. Zellweger is a stud too. Not sure they get to the playoffs but they may not be a team LA can easily feast on either.
San Jose: I really like Mackenzie Blackwood, wish LA had snagged him. Cellebrini and Smith with help them be a bit more fun to watch at least. Still think they are in the bottom of the Pac. They will probalby steal a game or two from LA.
My Prediction if injuries don't play a major factor:
Top three in whatever order:
Oilers
Vegas
Vancouver
Fighting for wild card:
LA
Calgary
Seattle
Anaheim
Last:
San Jose
LA season will come down to system and players taking bigger steps. QB and PLD will need to have really good years. (Like 20 points at the least improvements)
Fiala and Kempe: Can they reach 90 points with a more open system?
Goaltending: Can they make a deal for a legit upgrade? Or is it more of the same?
Can the the rookies step in and improve upon or maintain the play of the departed UFAs?
Clarke-Will he be able to make an impact? Will the organization let him?
Will the power play once again be predictable and stagnant?
Yes it is way to early for this but I think LA is 50/50 as we currently sit for the playoffs. The skill is there to be really good. But the weaknesses haven't really been rectified or seem likely to be. Are they just a bunch of mid tiered skill guys that need to win 2-1 games or can they be more?
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