Quoting: MauriceArthur15
By the time young guys are ready, which is 1-2 season out at most, it makes hardly any sense to keep the older player. Get value now vs get value later. Even if you LAK made the playoffs against Calgary, Vegas, Edmonton or Colorado do y’all really have a chance? It’s better to take steps but miss the playoffs rather than give a false sense of hope. LAK currently doesn’t have any game breakers as yet in their young core. They’re coming but not yet.
Oh boy, lots to unpack here. The kings are just trying to get into the playoffs at this phase, winning isn't the point at this phase, it's getting these young players to understand how playoff games can be won from vets who won 2 cups and made deep runs. The compete window opens in a few years for a cup, but this team needs playoff experience to get to that level. Strong defense is the way for this team historically. Matt Roy is 26, signed to 23-24 to a team-friendly contract and 3rd in ice time for the Kings. Not exactly an old player and there is no one I see on the Kings who can take that role from him until 2-3 years from now in Faber.
I don't know what more value you want the Kings to have, their UFA signings have been strong, they draft efficiently (Matt Roy was a 7th rounder), they have a really deep prospect pool at nearly every position (except elite tier LD), do you honestly think the Kings are better off losing Roy to get Dermott, Miettinen, and a low 1st in a weak draft. Why would the Kings do this?
The Kings have been built specifically to play teams like Edmonton and Vegas, top-heavy teams need to go up against Selke caliber (Kopitar, Danault) centers to leave the fight for the game on depth scoring to the young guns in Byfield and Kaliyev.
I get that you want Matt Roy, but I don't think you understand the direction or current position of the LA Kings.