Sean Walker an early candidate to play on left side in 2022-23

The LA Kings may have found a temporary solution in terms of their opening on the left side of the defense as well as the log jam on the right side.

According to general manager Rob Blake, who spoke with the media following Kevin Fiala’s team introduction on Tuesday, Sean Walker is an early candidate to play on his off side next season.

Per Kings GM Rob Blake, LAK will move one of their RD to left side to create more depth next season.

Sean Walker, assuming he is fit off ACL surgery is the candidate, has player left side before.

Doesn't sound like a straegy to trade to for Jakob Chychrun 😎

— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) July 5, 2022

Walker, 27, was limited to just six games last season after suffering a torn ACL in late October against the St. Louis Blues.

The former undrafted product out of Bowling Green was expected to have an integral role along the blueline last year after finishing the shortened 2021 season with eight points over the final eight games.

However, it was Sean Durzi who took advantage of the rash of injuries at the back end. Without a clear path to the NHL, the 23-year-old stepped in admirably in place of Walker, potting three goals and 24 assists for 27 points in 64 games.

Going into the 2022-23 campaign, the Kings are lopsided in terms of talent on the right side of the defense. Drew Doughty, Matt Roy, and Durzi are the foregone starters, but the left side is left (no pun intended) open to interpretation.

Mikey Anderson appears to be the only lock there, with both Olli Maatta and Alex Edler set to become UFAs.

On that note, Blake indicated that he’d like to have one of Edler or Maatta back next year in a depth role, but Walker and Tobias Bjornfot would seem to round out the left side of the defense.

Of course, much depends on how Walker responds to his recovery. When the season commences, he will be nearly a year removed from ACL surgery, and Blake indicated that he’s received the “all clear” to begin preparations for training camp in the fall.

Walker has some experience playing on the left side, but the Kings still have a log jam on the right side. Notably, 2021 eighth overall pick Brandt Clarke could have a say in a roster spot after putting up a Barrie Colts-high 59 points last season while serving as the team captain.

It will be interesting to see how the Kings approach the second and third rounds of the 2022 NHL draft on Friday. The left side of the defense still appears to be an organizational need even if Walker slots over there for this season.

However, the Keswick, Ontario will be entering the final year under contract in 2023-24 at a very reasonable — and tradeable — $2.65 million cap hit.