The LAKings missed out on the biggest fish of the free agent market in Brad Richards. He ended up with the Rangers, back with Tortorella. Good luck with that. I'm only bitter since I know that Lombardi and company made a pretty good push to get him.
But new acquisitions are Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. Out going are Handzus (Sharks), Simmonds and Brayden Shenn. Richards and Gagne are both ex-Flyers, who the Kings seem to love. Philly traded away Richards and Carter in a bit of a roster shake-up. They now have Jagr of all players!?
Upside: Richards has a proven ability to play the game hard and is able to up the intensity in the playoffs. A character guy and a leader. Lots of intangibles. Solid and skilled. Gagne is the skilled winger the Kings has been looking for. Gagne was a 40-goal man, twice, with the Flyers.
Downside: Simmonds will turn out to be an All Star power forward and Shenn will somehow lead the league in scoring next year. Richards is rumored to be a locker room problem. Gagne hasn't seen an injury free season in some time; there are head injuries in his past.
Reality: Ultimately I think Richards will be a guy the Kings fans grow to love. I'm thinking a Dustin Brown, but with more scoring touch. Simmonds may or may not blossom. Shenn seems destined to be yet another player that Kings fans will lament losing. I wouldn't want to take any bets on both Williams and Gagne playing 82 games. But I've got my fingers crossed.
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