Joe Patarino 
LA Kings General Manager Rob Blake has had a busy few days. First, swinging a three-team deal to open up some much-needed cap space, then using some of that to re-sign Vladislav Gavrikov.
With Cal Petersen and Sean Walker out and Gavrikov in, the Kings currently have 17 players signed with a little over $7.3 million in available cap space (per CapFriendly). Over $7 million in space may seem like a decent amount of money, but when you consider the team has a lengthy list of Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) to sign, and oh-by-the-way, they need another goaltender – that $7 million will go quickly.
One of those RFAs is Gabriel Vilardi, who is likely to eat up around half of that available cap space. Vilardi is coming off a career year, netting 23 goals and 41 points in 68 games. He should be getting a good raise.
Other RFAs that are due contracts: Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Rasmus Kupari, Zack MacEwen, Samuel Fagemo, and Tobias Bjornfot. There are several AHL RFAs as well, but those are the bunch that I think would compete for a spot on the roster in training camp.
After making some assumptions on RFA contracts for Vilardi, Kupari, Anderson-Dolan, and Bjornfot, I have put together a rough outlook of what the LA Kings’ roster could look like:
The elephant in the room (or, maybe more accurately, not in the room) is the goaltending. Only Pheonix Copley is under contract, and there is one roster spot left and, as you see, barely $200,000 to work with. That clearly won’t be enough to bring in a netminder.
Also, I have made a couple of assumptions about roster slots. For the forwards, I wouldn’t go too crazy there, we’ve seen Quinton Byfield have success on the top line, and maybe he returns there, though I’d like to see him become an impact player down the middle. But more-or-less, that could be what it looks like.
On the back end, the top four seems destined after Gavrikov was brought back. The questions are on the bottom pair. As much as I’d like to see both Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke on the roster, we’ve seen Blake play things slowly with his prospects, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Clarke start in Ontario. Bjornfot is no longer waiver exempt, and while I don’t think there’d be an issue sending him through, he could be a good 7th defenseman option and give a different look should Spence or Sean Durzi struggle.
What comes next?
This is a fascinating thing to consider because the LA Kings could really go in a few different directions. Clearly, they need a goaltender. Whether they acquire someone via free agency or in a trade, it will require money going out.
Another question that I have is whether or not Blake feels comfortable with a defense group that has that type of youth on the third pair. I am not ruling out the Kings considering an option for a veteran third-pair defenseman (likely a left-shot). But as with the goaltender, money has to go out.
Lastly, while I know a more hard-to-play-against bottom-six forward would be intriguing, could Blake take a swing at another impact forward in the top six? I certainly think he could. And yes, again, money would have to be moved out.
Who is out?
So who has to go out in order to open up more space?
Viktor Arvidsson
Arvidsson’s name is the one that has been mentioned the most. The Kings have a bundle of middle-six-type forwards, and Arvidsson has one year left on his deal that pays him $4.25M. He’s been a valuable piece to the LA lineup, but it makes sense why his name is being mentioned.
Alex Iafallo
If Arvidsson is available, I’d submit that Alex Iafallo is available as well. The 29-year-old has two years left at a $4M AAV, and while he’s been a solid two-way forward for the Kings, he doesn’t provide quite as much offensively as Arvidsson does.
Carl Grundstrom
There is a bit of a logjam at the bottom of the forward roster for LA, especially considering I did not include Samuel Fagemo in the above roster projection. Carl Grunstrom has one year left at $1.3M and is team controlled as an RFA at the end of it.
Sean Durzi
After trading Brock Faber in the deal to acquire Kevin Fiala last summer and Helge Grans in the cap dump to Philadelphia earlier this week, the depth on the right side of the defense in the LA system has taken a hit. That said, with Drew Doughty and Matt Roy locked into their lineup spots and Brandt Clark and Jordan Spence knocking on the NHL door, perhaps Durzi is an attractive trade piece.
Matt Roy
No, I don’t necessarily think Matt Roy is going to be traded. But when I consider his one year remaining at $3.15M with the young (and cheap) trio of Durzi, Clarke, and Spence pushing for NHL spots, what better partner for one of those young offensive defensemen than the steady Gavrikov?
What the LA Kings look to do could determine who goes out. If the team is looking to add a depth, veteran defenseman, it seems conceivable that Durzi could be on the way out. If the Kings look to make a big swing in net or up front, they’d almost have to be moving out someone like Arvidsson, Iafallo, or perhaps Roy, given their cap numbers.
Let the fun begin in LA!
(Main Photo Credit: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Thanks Joe for this article. At this point, I would like a trade for Saros, which has been rumored that the Kings had talks with his team in past year. A trade to get Saros or Sorokin would be huge, as was seen in 2012 when Quick stole the Cup that year, and in 1993 when Roy stole the Cup. I would ve ok with trading for Helleybuck though I’d rather have Saros or Sorokin. I’d be ok signing Korpisalo for $2.5m for 2 yrs also.
Thanks for reading! I think Saros is as good as they come, but without a 1st in 23 that would be tough to do. Perhaps a 24 first and a bundle of prospects would get it done, but the ask will be sky high.
Lou won’t be dealing Sorokin anytime soon
Honestly I think it’s time to consider the worthiness of Kopitar that would free up a few bucks for a goal tender and maybe a younger faster center ice man. I feel the game has gotten to fast for Kopitar. Don’t get me wrong I think he’s been great for the kings but Father Time is starting to rein him in!
Father time gets us all but it hasn’t gotten Kopitar yet. He was still very good last season and this will be the last year of his double digit cap hit.
I don’t see Gabe going for quite that much. It’s only been one year of 20 goals. I’m thinking they sign him for closer to 2.5. Also I’d think you leave Byfield on the top line. Them Move Rasmus up to 3c. We can’t have Lizotte their again. I’d really like to see Rasmus with Vilardi and Fiala. QB will be a center. But first he needs to learn to score.
We definitely have a huge cap problem until next year once Kopitar contract is up. Then with added cap in the next two years. Things should get a bit better. Do can they convince Vilardi to take another prove it contract? 2.5mil is a nice raise. Even at 2mil he doubles his salary. Make it a year like Anderson’s deal and extend him during the season if he’s on pace for 20 at least. Some players have to want to be here and take the cut. Gabe’s exit interview didn’t seem to encouraging but we’ll see.
Yeah the Gabe contract I’m not sure how it ends. I’m not so sure he will be as willing to go the Mikey route if only because he’s had lengthy injury history and may prefer to try and get some security. But he doesn’t exactly have much leverage. Admittedly I went with what I think could be on the higher end.
The lineup positions I expect to fluctuate. Agree with how QB played on top line and he could very well start there.