Tough decisions loom if LA Kings wish to improve

Frustration and disappointment clouded a dim locker room on an eerie Sunday morning where the LA Kings‘ exit interviews took place. Captain Anze Kopitar foreshadowed a somber mood, describing the team’s emotions just 12 hours after a Game 6 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. “Pissed off as we should be, losing is not fun.”

It’s a different vibe exhibited from the 2022 exit. Last year’s surprising Kings team, exceeded expectations turning the page from ‘rebuild’ to ‘playoff contenders’.

The 2022-23 LA hockey club though, envisioned a lengthier postseason run. And if not for running into the NHL’s best team since March as their first-round opponent, they may still be playing.

Yet, it’s no excuse. The Kings had a chance, once again, to vanquish their division rival. Up 2-1 in the series and 3-0 in the first period of Game 4, yet they couldn’t get it done.

Ending their Stanley Cup hopes in another disheartening first-round exit contemplating what could have been. However, even with the abrupt ending, this season shouldn’t be documented as a failure.

The Kings’ 104 points on the year came one shy of their franchise record. Adrian Kempe eclipsed the elusive 40-goal mark, Anze Kopitar showed he’s got plenty left in the tank, Kevin Fiala proved to be a premier addition, young players made great strides, and the power play vastly improved.

But it’s time to take the training wheels off. LA’s Stanley Cup window is open now. And General Manager Rob Blake has some tough decisions to make this summer if they truly are ready to contend.

Up against the cap

The playoff series against Edmonton only amplified the glaring holes in the LA Kings lineup. There’s a need for a left-shot defenseman (maybe two), better goaltending, and some size up front. Unfortunately, money is tight.

Heading into the summer the Kings have around $7.5 million in cap space with 18 players signed on the roster heading into next season, according to CapFriendly.com.

Most of that money will go to re-signing restricted free agent Gabriel Vilardi, whose breakout season will earn him hefty a pay raise.

Evolving Hockey recently released their contract projections and show Vilardi’s new deal to come around the $4 million mark. I expect it to be a two-year bridge deal to preserve his RFA status.

That leaves Rob Blake with roughly $3.5 million in space left to sign any of the remaining restricted free agents including Rasmus Kupari, Zack MacEwen, Jarret Anderson-Dolan, Samuel Fagemo, Tobias Bjornfot, as well as a few others. Although not all will impact the salary cap.

Alex Edler, Joonas Korpisalo, and Vladislav Gavrikov compile the short list of unrestricted free agents for the Kings heading into the summer.

While I don’t expect Edler or Korpisalo to return, Gavrikov fills a vital role in LA’s long-term plans.

With Evolving Hockey projecting Vlad’s next deal around $4.7 million, Rob Blake must get creative to keep a player the Kings desperately need and make it worth the first-round pick traded away.

Shedding salary

So what salaries could be dealt away to fill the roster’s needs as we head into the summer? Well, an easy place to start would be the plethora of right-shot defensemen on the roster.

A move from this position would not only alleviate cap space but open up a badly needed roster spot for one of the dynamic young faces in Jordan Spence or Brandt Clarke to become full-time NHLers next season.

The Seans

One trade that feels inevitable is dealing away Sean Walker who has one year left on his deal at $2.65 million.

He wouldn’t generate much in return, a fifth to seventh-round draft pick, but the cap relief alone is a win for LA. And judging by his comments at the exit availabilities, he sees the writing on the wall.

Sean Walker said he knows about the young prospects coming up on the right side of the defense.

“Organization has got to do what it’s got to do.”#GoKingsGo

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) April 30, 2023

I’ve seen a few people mention trading away Sean Durzi as well. I don’t see it. Even though the defenseman struggled mightily at times toward the end of the season, he brings versatility to the lineup and his cap hit is extremely low at only $1.7 million.

Although, I could see him included in a package deal to acquire a more established left-shot defenseman.

Now the Walker deal alone won’t be enough to fit in Gavrikov’s contract, another move needs to be made. This might be controversial for some, but I’d look at trading Viktor Arvidsson.

Viktor Arvidsson

Arvidsson has been tremendous in his time with the LA Kings. He’s coming off his best year with LA, posting 59 points in 77 games, and was arguably one of the Kings’ better forwards in the playoffs. But he’s dealt with injuries in the past and with one year left on his deal why not sell high?

Losing Arvy’s production would be tough to replace, but shedding his $4.25 million cap hit to fill more desperately needed holes is something Blake should consider. Young forwards like Arthur Kaliyev, Samuel Fagemo, Alex Laferriere, Alex Turcotte, and Akil Thomas would love a chance to thrive if given the opportunity.

Not only could you re-sign Gavrikov if Viktor is traded, but you could also bring in that veteran gritty forward with the extra space to help out the bottom six. Corey Perry anyone??

A Cal-sized problem

Even though the moves mentioned above are good options, the best thing Rob Blake can do is find a way to get out of Cal Petersen’s contract.

Petersen has two years left on his deal at a cap hit of $5 million. He’s coming off a season that started horribly with the Kings and didn’t get better when demoted to the AHL.

While some have suggested buying out the struggling netminder, the financials don’t make sense in that case. Trading him would be the best option. While the cost would be excessive, likely including a high pick or top prospect for a team to take on the goaltender, the cap space created is worth it.

However, unless he’s playing coy when speaking with Blake at the exit interviews, he made it seem like Kings fans should get accustomed to the idea of Petersen and Copley as the two goalies to start next season. Which…uhh…doesn’t sound like the best idea. But, who knows? Maybe Cal can find his game again representing Team USA at the upcoming World Championships.

Rob Blake on the plan moving forward with Cal Petersen:

“We got to get Cal to be an NHL goalie.”#GoKingsGo

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) April 30, 2023

It’ll be an adventurous offseason for Rob Blake and the LA Kings. While summers of the past have been more straightforward in terms of bringing on new talent, this one should be tougher to navigate.

(Photo Credit: NHL.com)