New Look Kings Ready For Future-Is Future Now?
Mar 24, 2024 10:24:44 GMT -5
NJDevilsGM and Winnipeg GM like this
Post by LAKingsGM on Mar 24, 2024 10:24:44 GMT -5
Los Angeles, Ca.-- There was no one busier this season 'on the phones' than GM Nathan Kopsack. After the Kings dropped 13 of 15 early in the season, the veteran general manager was tasked with re-tooling the storied franchise. The task at hand was positioning the franchise to acquire and solidify a younger core and to continue the excellence that has given this franchise an NsHL Cup and 19 playoff appearances in 20 years. Not an easy task, but one that GM Kopsack was excited to get started on.
At the start of the season, the Kings average age was 30 years old on their pro roster. Let's breakdown who has gone:
GONE:
Chris Kreider
Joe Pavelski
John Gibson
Kris Letang
Devin Shore
Pius Suter
Denis Malgin
Markus Nuutivaara
James Van Reimsdkyk
David Savard
Kevin Shattenkirk
INCOMING:
K'Andre Miller
Dylan Samberg
Kaapo Kahkonen
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yegor Chinakhov
Jack Quinn
John Beecher
Ville Heinola
Ivan Prosvetsov
The Kings also had a net gain of 9 draft picks in future drafts added to continue to retool the franchise through various transactions this season. Our average age on our roster is now a much younger 26 years old.
"As one of the oldest franchises in the NsHL and faltering mightily in the standings, the writing was on the wall for us this season." said GM Nathan Kopsack. "So we tore the bandaid off and, as painful as that can be, the hope is that our fans realize that the sooner we did that, the sooner we can get back to winning." continued Kopsack.
Some very important pieces were moved this season including Chris Kreider, John Gibson, and Kris Letang. "We've known these players for a long time. They were a big part of our heritage and history of winning. They love winning. They want to win. So when we chose to deal these players, our attempt was to send them to a franchise that is winning and has a chance to win it all. We owe that to them." said GM Nathan Kopsack.
The re-tool has been promising. The team has played well and is at .500 currently after beating the NJ Devils last night 5-0. "We certainly are playing well right now and are very optimistic that this process won't take very long." said GM Nathan Kopsack. "We were hopeful to compete this year and we have done so. We're right in the thick of things at the moment and our young players are playing well."
"We have a lot to be optimistic about. Our young players are coming along well. We have a plethora of draft picks in this and future drafts, and still have a fast and talented roster on the ice. Change is hard but necessary." concluded GM Kopsack.
This is IP Freely for LA Kings Hockey
At the start of the season, the Kings average age was 30 years old on their pro roster. Let's breakdown who has gone:
GONE:
Chris Kreider
Joe Pavelski
John Gibson
Kris Letang
Devin Shore
Pius Suter
Denis Malgin
Markus Nuutivaara
James Van Reimsdkyk
David Savard
Kevin Shattenkirk
INCOMING:
K'Andre Miller
Dylan Samberg
Kaapo Kahkonen
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yegor Chinakhov
Jack Quinn
John Beecher
Ville Heinola
Ivan Prosvetsov
The Kings also had a net gain of 9 draft picks in future drafts added to continue to retool the franchise through various transactions this season. Our average age on our roster is now a much younger 26 years old.
"As one of the oldest franchises in the NsHL and faltering mightily in the standings, the writing was on the wall for us this season." said GM Nathan Kopsack. "So we tore the bandaid off and, as painful as that can be, the hope is that our fans realize that the sooner we did that, the sooner we can get back to winning." continued Kopsack.
Some very important pieces were moved this season including Chris Kreider, John Gibson, and Kris Letang. "We've known these players for a long time. They were a big part of our heritage and history of winning. They love winning. They want to win. So when we chose to deal these players, our attempt was to send them to a franchise that is winning and has a chance to win it all. We owe that to them." said GM Nathan Kopsack.
The re-tool has been promising. The team has played well and is at .500 currently after beating the NJ Devils last night 5-0. "We certainly are playing well right now and are very optimistic that this process won't take very long." said GM Nathan Kopsack. "We were hopeful to compete this year and we have done so. We're right in the thick of things at the moment and our young players are playing well."
"We have a lot to be optimistic about. Our young players are coming along well. We have a plethora of draft picks in this and future drafts, and still have a fast and talented roster on the ice. Change is hard but necessary." concluded GM Kopsack.
This is IP Freely for LA Kings Hockey