Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
You are essentially basing this on Phaneuf being a bigger improvement over Ryan than Neal is over Kovie (which was a huge backpedal, BTW). Yet IMO Phaneuf didn't move the needle much for LA (who also lost Gaborik and Shore in the deal). Carter returning was bigger IMO.their record with and without Carter is pretty significant. The Kings were 28-23-4 without him, which is 89 points in 82 games. 17-5-4 with him. 12-5-3 from when he went back in after injury.
You have also discounted the Czarnik addition as zero. It's unknown, but it's more than zero, even if pushes Mangiapane or Foo.
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Was it really a big backpedal?
I said its a decent bet that Kovalchuk would have a season on par with Neal.
I still think that, and I don't think its an outrageous opinion to hold.
Kovalchuk was always a great player. He did well in the KHL. It's pretty likely he still has some game left in him.
I do discount the Czarnik addition because he has not proven anything about his NHL ability. I mean the Kings could add Michael Amadio to their team full time next year. He was ppg in the AHL as well.