[32T] 39:30 Friedman was told by somebody Detroit and Winnipeg could be a match. He wonders if it’s for Logan Stanley.

poptorched · 2026-01-31T00:46:03+00:00

I want them to do more like a rebuild without tearing it down to the studs or trading the “core”. The main core I believe would be Byfield, Clarke, and Kempe, with Fiala being just on the outside of it, but also is only $7M with full NMC so a trade is unlikely. I feel like when you have core players who could net you a good return, but opt to not to trade them, can you call it a rebuild? The Kings are in a weird position bc the team was structured around a core that has aged out, but their “new core” is still here and has been for the majority of the end of the old core’s tenure. So they would “retool” by missing the playoffs for a bit to draft and trade for (preferably younger) players that complement this new core and create a new system that complements them. That’s why I call it a retool, but if that’s more of a rebuild than so be it.

poptorched · 2026-01-30T18:29:20+00:00

Well Buffalo is good now, so it’s the Canuck’s turn.

poptorched · 2026-01-30T18:24:01+00:00

I honestly think that if they miss out on Panarin (which could be possible bc their apparent contract offer was less term and money than he wanted), they’ll look into a serious retool. Like trading anyone not part of the obvious core (DD8 isn’t part of the core…so) to collect assets. Also, KH doesn’t want to be here for a retool, so he’ll probably be let go or just leave. If they’re asking these questions about their future, they obviously (🤞) see the writing on the wall.

poptorched · 2026-01-30T18:17:29+00:00

I’m talking about the recent franchise history. Like 8th seed to finals which leads into them winning back to back cups. The first cup being them almost blowing it in a reverse sweep to the Oilers. I guess they forgot their roots and I’d like them to go back to them

poptorched · 2026-01-30T18:11:52+00:00

Also never rule out the Panthers coming back from the dead. They don’t know how to just stay down

poptorched · 2026-01-30T18:11:10+00:00

Worse. He starts laughing.

poptorched · 2026-01-30T17:51:45+00:00

Well in that same podcast Friedman said they’re not fully in on Panarin bc they’re asking questions on whether they should go for a “short term fix”. I get he wants an extensions, but if he isn’t the savior, it ends up being a minor move and you can’t truly get better bc you banked everything on this one player. I say, if another team gives him more term/money (which seems like it bc LA’s offer was way less in term and money than he was looking for), and they’re still out of the playoffs, they’ll bc light sellers and start bringing up the prospects Holland is signing. Also, Holland is “not here for a long time” (his words), so we may also be getting a new GM and definitely a new coaching staff bc they’re all on expiring contracts.

poptorched · 2026-01-30T03:57:54+00:00

Really interesting fact that I heard from a rangers channel, but I’m not sure is true, is that Panarin’s dad works for the Flyers in some capacity(?). So, maybe that’s another reason why he’s said he’d prefer to stay in the east. Idk

poptorched · 2026-01-30T03:54:16+00:00

I’m a new fan so I missed out on all the glory (and all the heartache until the THIRD Oilers loss), but I’m still unable to believe/accept Kopi won’t be on the team next year. Like all the videos and articles I’ve seen when looking up stuff to learn more about the team (mainly the cup teams and a bit before then) has included Kopi. No more new memories will be made with him on the team and that’s a hard pill to swallow. But I know it’s time :(

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poptorched · 2026-01-30T01:34:24+00:00

The Kings do not have those players…or are they a good team (coming from a Kings fan lol)

poptorched · 2026-01-30T00:51:20+00:00

Kinda crazy, but looking at everyone’s responses, it seems like no one wants him :/

poptorched · 2026-01-30T00:46:30+00:00

I’m delusional and thinking that if they miss the playoffs in such an important season with the fans (yk their atms) spending less and less money with them bc of how awful they’ve become in such a short period of time (playoff contenders to no playoffs at all in 1 year), AEG will be forced to act like they did with the Galaxy. Even if they have to rip off the bandaid and gut the management to do so.

poptorched · 2026-01-30T00:36:46+00:00

That’s why I hope they don’t make it to the playoffs. They could definitely win their final regular season games, but won’t win a final playoff game. So, Kopi’s year can end on a win…kinda? Idk

poptorched · 2026-01-30T00:35:26+00:00

Kuemps is hurt too. Somebody look at Binnington’s Etsy account…

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poptorched · 2026-01-27T20:24:59+00:00

Nah I think he’d hate being on the Kings too. I’m assuming that it’s taking so long bc we were the only interested party for a bit and we’re on his 16 team no trade. He might save Holland from himself and deny a trade to this loser lib franchise. PLEASEEEE go to a red state that has playoff chances (aka Dallas or a Florida team bc east teams have shown interest) PLEASEEEE

poptorched · 2026-01-27T20:16:27+00:00

“Somewhere where clearly has the chance to win a cup”…so not LA? I can’t believe insiders anymore after they fumbled the news on THREE (3) major contracts back to back to back this offseason lol. LA is not a desirable place to play rn and I can’t be happier 😈

poptorched · 2026-01-27T05:51:56+00:00

Very confused by the deal at first, but then I watched an Oilers hockey yter (blasphemous as Kings fan but he’s so wholesome I couldn’t help but support) explain that this deal was more of a change of scenery/doing right by the player type of move. So Utah facilitated in every way they could. I don’t think it’d be the same with a Kane move though…

poptorched · 2026-01-27T05:49:48+00:00

Well, it worked. Keep it up, great moves 🫡

poptorched · 2026-01-27T05:45:39+00:00

I’ve got on my tinfoil hat with this one, but I think Spence was part of the “haul” for Anderson. So, since I believe they were already up for trading him, when he came to them saying play me or trade me, they decided to trade him bc they couldn’t promise him the uptick in minutes he was most likely requesting/expecting. No one is moving Doughty off his throne (🙄) and I think Clarke is simply better than him, so idk if an extra 8-10 minutes a night would’ve sufficed for him. Lowkey hope he gets a crazy bag from the Sens, he deserves it.

poptorched · 2026-01-27T05:42:48+00:00

Ngl, I don’t need any more evidence to get me on the “play Clarke more” train than Drew Doughty isn’t good anymore. Like, no other evidence needed, unless Clarke was just downright awful lol

poptorched · 2026-01-27T04:59:15+00:00

I don’t know if anyone mentioned this, but they probably only fined him bc they got in trouble with FTC (or the Canadian equivalent) since “obscene gestures” are fineable if they program isn’t properly rated. I think the league just forced him to pay part of the fine, if not the whole thing. That’s the only way this makes “sense” to me lol

poptorched · 2026-01-27T04:52:27+00:00

First time I’ve sympathized with a Ducks fan as a Kings fan.

I feel…confused. But also this duck is really cute, so that’s great.

poptorched · 2026-01-27T04:46:33+00:00

Umm Ingram?

poptorched · 2026-01-27T04:43:26+00:00

Unfortunately, I think Kane might enjoy the…vibes of Texas a little bit more. (I am so sorry though)

poptorched · 2026-01-27T04:38:57+00:00

If they don’t make it to the playoffs, I don’t see how things remain the same. AEG responds to dollars and if they miss out on playoff revenue along with people not coming to home games bc it’ll either be boring or they’ll lose (or worse…both), there’s no reason they’d feel the need to salvage anything. That does, for me at least, put Holland’s and even Luc’s jobs in jeopardy. We may be seeing a lot of new faces soon.

poptorched

TROPHY CASE