Kempe is likely not for sale. He's worth more to this team than what anyone would be willing to pay. He's pretty much the only reason why the power play had any success this season, as he's the only one that can gain zone entry (just watch footage of the train wreck of a power play in 2018-19). If someone wants him, they're going to have to give up a 1st and a quality prospect.

Lizotte can likely be had for much cheaper. The Kings like him, but the problem is that due to the 1 game he played back in 2018-19, he requires protection in the expansion draft next summer. There are others that the Kings would like to protect (Grundstrom, Wagner, or one of Walker/Roy) that they wouldn't be able to protect if they used a slot on him. The price for him would be a good (but not great) expansion-draft exempt prospect and a 3rd or 4th round pick. If we're talking Leafs, I would say the price would be SDA and a 3rd.

Great feedback! Thanks for the reply

Oh I missed your other part of the question for Kempe. He was exclusively a C until a couple months ago. Played most of his time in the AHL and everything in the NHL until halfway through this season at C, but never really got his offensive game together. He's also TERRIBLE at face-offs (I think he was 28% in his first season, has since improved to 40ish %). He's an exceptional defensive forward if you play him at 3C, but I think the Kings wanted him to take the next step and become a top-six point producer. They moved him to LW and his offensive zone play dramatically improved.

Yeah, I was wondering about him as a 3C option, but I figured it was kind of a reach. The acquisition cost would be a little too rich for the Leafs blood, imo. Thanks for the info.

Everything tke said was spot on. Was going to say something but I’d just be repeating what he said

Great. Even just another person affirming what someone said is helpful. Thanks

In general leafs dont need Kempe he is good but with Robertson being ready in 2 years and the fact we got Mikeyv and Hyman he can stay for the kings rebuild

Lizotte on the other hand is perfect for us, 925k for a team like us is good. Sure its for a year but Dubas can probs get a cheap extension out of him. Overall hes a perfect target for us as kings got alot of center prospects ready for the NHL

I was viewing Kempe as a 3C option as well. If the acquisition cost wasn't too high, he would be awesome, but he won't be moved for cheap at the word of the other two commentors.

I'd expect them to start working on an extension with Lizotte ASAP if they acquired him. 2-3 years at sub $2m would be good.

i remember a kings fan telling me u dont want him as a center as he is a significantly better LW.

I would say if Dubas Acquired Lizotte on arrival 3 year 2-2.5mill extension.

$2.5 is way too high on arrival for me. The guy's had one 'full' season and he put up 6 goals and 23 points. I'm willing to take a bet on him due to the Leafs cap situation, but not that big a bet. If it they were to negotiate the contract before he ever played a game for the Leafs, $2m would probably be my max.

You have to remember the team he plays for. 23 points is a lot for a bottom six forward on the Kings.

Compare his numbers now to the bottom six on the Kings two years ago when Kopitar won the Selke and got a Hart nomination, Doughty got the Norris, and the Kings were in the playoffs. Iafallo, their top line LW, had 9 goals and 25 points. Nick Shore, their 3C at the time, got 4 goals and 15 points, and this on a relatively good team.

Lizotte is the best bottom six center the Kings have had since Jarret Stoll left in 2015 IMO.

It's still only a 65 game sample size. The reasons you mentioned (along with his low cap) are why I'm willing to acquire him in the first place, but to sign him for 3 years at $2.5 per before he ever plays a game for the Leafs is just too premature for me.

I'm not suggesting that you should pay him that much, just trying to offer some perspective of why you can't just look at raw point totals for Kings players.

Yes, of course. I wasn't trying to discredit him by referencing his point totals, just giving reason why I wouldn't sign him to too much until he has played with the Leafs.