Episode 59 – Los Angeles Kings Roundtable Discussion, Part 3

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Justin Kendrick THCS and kingscast, Dennis Bernstein. Dennis Bernstein said: RT @kingscast: Talking Ilya Kovalchuk and should the #LAKings sign him on Part 3 of our Roundtable discussion. http://bit.ly/9uJXUN [...]

[...] 59 – LA Kings Roundtable Discussion, Part 3 May 18, 2010 — Gann Matsuda In Overtime Episode 59 – Los Angeles Kings Roundtable Discussion, Part 3, Keith Korneluk and Chris Kaliszewski asked some of the local media covering the Kings about what [...]

The Kings definitely need to make a play for Kovie. There is no one on the free agent market who can provide the Kings with that game breaking move and one time shot when the game is one the line. Even though Marleau is also a free agent, he is not the answer. Besides, he is older and is another former draft pick of Deano’s. We already tried that move with Stuart and failed. If there are character issues with Kovie, I agree with Keith and some of the other writers that there is enough leadership and character in the locker room in order to prevent that from getting out of hand. If Michael Jordon and company can get Dennis Rodman and all of his quirks to mesh for the good of the team, why can’t both Brownie and Greener and even Smitty do the same? The Kings already lost out on the Hossa and Gaborik sweepstakes. They need to step up and take the chance. They cannot afford not to. Besides, their most recent run and commitment to winning should bring more offers and looks. A situation the Kings have not been in for quite some time. That is why I believe Hossa jumped to Chicago when he did. They already had the building blocks in place and a solid group of young kids and veterans.

As for Frolov, we let him walk unless he is willing to take a huge pay cut. His numbers no longer reflect a pay raise. He is awesome when he wants to be, but lately he has been off his game and I see no need to retain his rights. If we need to replace his scoring numbers, Tomas Plekanec would be a suitable replacement (free agent) or even Patrick Sharp since Chicago is going to be in cap trouble after this season. Heck, I would even be willing to accept Modin back…at a discounted price of course!

Great job once again! This off-season is going to be a good one for the Kings and for the first time in a long time, I honestly believe the Kings have a chance of landing a prize free agent and another second-tier defenseman that can play behind both Jack and Drew…Collector Joe out!!

A lot of great points made once again…great job guys.

That said, I'm still not sold on Kovy. Money and term aside, let's talk about his playing style. Is he a 50-goal scorer because he's THAT talented, or because he played on a team (Atlanta) where he was the bona fide superstar and everyone around him fed him the puck because he was the STAR?

So he goes to NJ, you put him in a principally defensive minded system (which the Kings are), and his production dries up. How is he going to respond on the defensive side of things? Will he be able to work in the Dean Lombardi/Terry Murray system? My answer is I JUST DON'T KNOW.

And am I willing to spend the kind of money he'll be asking for “I just don't know?” That's a big NO.

I think Kovalchuk could be a fifty goal scorer on the Kings every year. Why? He hasn't had a solid, consistent center feeding him the puck in Atlanta. In Los Angeles, it would be Kopitar. That's a huge upgrade.

New Jersey is a defensive team but Los Angeles is a great deal more offensive. Yes, we're responsible in our own zone but Terry Murray loosened the leash a bit this year. Trust me, Kovalchuk would be money on the Kings.

Would I be disappointed if we didn't spend the money on Kovalchuk? Absolutely.

Joe, I *love* the Dennis Rodman/Michael Jordan reference. However, I don't know where everybody is getting it in their head that Ilya is a malcontent. He was the Captain of the Thrashers and has been an alternate in international play. He will fit in the room.

The Kings do not have a bonafide superstar 50-goal guy in their prospect pool. And, for once in a long while, there is one about to hit free agency. The Kings are stupid not to sign him. And, no, I don't think Kovie will ask for more than $10M per season.

I'm fine with Frolov walking. If he wants to sign a $2M contract to play on the third line, though, I'm fine with that.

I say “NO” to Kovy. Why? All the skills in the world, yes, but he seems to lack the intangibles that are needed to be a real threat when it really counts! Until he gets that I would never pay him what he is looking for. Just ask the Devils what he brings to a team. Sorry to all the Kovy fans out there.

I don't think Kovalchuk was terrible for New Jersey. Let's remember that the Flyers owned them all season long. They did a great job of shutting them down. They're also one of the most defensive-minded teams in the league. Imagine for a moment that Ovechkin landed in Atlanta and it was Kovalchuk on Washington. I think we'd be saying the same thing about Ovie. You can't deny that Ilya can score and, on the right team, he's a game breaker. That team, my friend, is the LA Kings.

[...] the majority of the games next season? If you missed a segment, check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. var [...]

[...] think the Kings need to make that next step? If you missed a segment, check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. var [...]