Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 1:33:39 GMT
A new-look bottom six forward group has been a weakness for the Los Angeles Kings this year. They improved that area in a big way this week with two significant trades.
First, the Kings acquired star centre Jordan Staal from the Vancouver Canucks for a major package of draft picks, prospects and roster players. The Canucks had just gotten Staal from Pittsburgh.
The Kings gave up top prospect Roope Hintz, forwards Patrik Berglund and Charlie Coyle, and first round picks in 2017 and 2019, as well as a fourth in 2017.
"We hated to give up our best prospect and the first rounders, but guys like Jordan Staal aren't available often and he fills a need," said GM Josh Lewis. "A good defensive centre on the third line is important. Last year we had Mike Richards to do that. This year, Berglund just wasn't getting the job done despite putting up good offensive numbers. Coyle was also struggling from a developmental aspect."
Staal, 27, is widely considered one of the best defensive forwards in the world. He has 36 points in 50 games this year with Pittsburgh and Vancouver. He is also dominant on faceoffs, winning 60% of his draws this season. The Carolina Hurricanes were also reportedly in the running for his services.
"Staal is a guy you win with. He's going to be a huge addition in all aspects. He's a phenomenal defensive forward and will be getting tons of PK time, as well as some time on the power play. He's the kind of guy who can put you over the top and we hope that's the case."
In their second trade, the Kings acquired right winger Guillaume Latendresse and defence prospect Roland McKeown from the Hurricanes in exchange for left winger Michael Mersch and centre prospect Allen Burke.
Latendresse, 28, has 19 points in 48 games with the Canes this year and, like Staal, is a defence-oriented player. He'll join Staal and Dwight King on the Kings' third line.
"Gui is a big addition too. Pascal Dupuis did a good job in that spot last year. We tried Coyle and Michael Frolik there this year but they're nowhere near the calibre of Latendresse. He's a very physical player who will wear down opposing stars."
Lewis said addressing the third line was a major priority, as the team's rookies and off-season acquisitions weren't getting the job done.
"Of the new guys in our bottom six group, Mersch is the only one who has really done a good job, and we hated to give him up. Berglund and Coyle put up good numbers but weren't playing well defensively, which is the role they were in. Marcantuoni has been, to be quite frank, terrible. Frolik is OK but he's more suited to the fourth line. Getting Staal and Latendresse allows us to play those guys where they belong."
With the trade deadline about six weeks away, the GM said he will add a top four defenceman if possible, but there are no other items on his wish list.
Here is the Kings' current lineup:
JVR-Kopitar-Toffoli
Gaborik-Matthias-Brown
King-Staal-Latendresse
Marcantuoni-Stoll-Frolik
Ex: Lewis
Doughty-Kronwall
Bouwmeester-Seidenberg
Coburn-Ekholm
Ex: Sbisa
Quick
Berra
First, the Kings acquired star centre Jordan Staal from the Vancouver Canucks for a major package of draft picks, prospects and roster players. The Canucks had just gotten Staal from Pittsburgh.
The Kings gave up top prospect Roope Hintz, forwards Patrik Berglund and Charlie Coyle, and first round picks in 2017 and 2019, as well as a fourth in 2017.
"We hated to give up our best prospect and the first rounders, but guys like Jordan Staal aren't available often and he fills a need," said GM Josh Lewis. "A good defensive centre on the third line is important. Last year we had Mike Richards to do that. This year, Berglund just wasn't getting the job done despite putting up good offensive numbers. Coyle was also struggling from a developmental aspect."
Staal, 27, is widely considered one of the best defensive forwards in the world. He has 36 points in 50 games this year with Pittsburgh and Vancouver. He is also dominant on faceoffs, winning 60% of his draws this season. The Carolina Hurricanes were also reportedly in the running for his services.
"Staal is a guy you win with. He's going to be a huge addition in all aspects. He's a phenomenal defensive forward and will be getting tons of PK time, as well as some time on the power play. He's the kind of guy who can put you over the top and we hope that's the case."
In their second trade, the Kings acquired right winger Guillaume Latendresse and defence prospect Roland McKeown from the Hurricanes in exchange for left winger Michael Mersch and centre prospect Allen Burke.
Latendresse, 28, has 19 points in 48 games with the Canes this year and, like Staal, is a defence-oriented player. He'll join Staal and Dwight King on the Kings' third line.
"Gui is a big addition too. Pascal Dupuis did a good job in that spot last year. We tried Coyle and Michael Frolik there this year but they're nowhere near the calibre of Latendresse. He's a very physical player who will wear down opposing stars."
Lewis said addressing the third line was a major priority, as the team's rookies and off-season acquisitions weren't getting the job done.
"Of the new guys in our bottom six group, Mersch is the only one who has really done a good job, and we hated to give him up. Berglund and Coyle put up good numbers but weren't playing well defensively, which is the role they were in. Marcantuoni has been, to be quite frank, terrible. Frolik is OK but he's more suited to the fourth line. Getting Staal and Latendresse allows us to play those guys where they belong."
With the trade deadline about six weeks away, the GM said he will add a top four defenceman if possible, but there are no other items on his wish list.
Here is the Kings' current lineup:
JVR-Kopitar-Toffoli
Gaborik-Matthias-Brown
King-Staal-Latendresse
Marcantuoni-Stoll-Frolik
Ex: Lewis
Doughty-Kronwall
Bouwmeester-Seidenberg
Coburn-Ekholm
Ex: Sbisa
Quick
Berra
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 