LA Kings: Getting creative with the cap

As the 2023-24 NHL season approaches, the Los Angeles Kings find themselves facing an intriguing challenge. They need to manage their cap space effectively while making crucial roster moves. With the need to sign talented young forward Gabriel Vilardi and secure a reliable starting goalie, the Kings will have to demonstrate their creativity and strategic planning to maintain competitiveness.

The LA Kings are stuck with a whopping 16 restricted free agents and only two unrestricted free agents. Now that Vladislav Gavrikov has been signed to a two-year extension that carries an AAV of $5.875 million, the LA Kings have addressed their urgent need for defensive structure. Now they must focus on finding ways to prop up their fourth line. They also need to find a starting goaltender for the 2023-24 season.

The LA Kings currently have $7.33 million in cap space. To find a new starter, fix their bottom six, and lock up RFAs like Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Gabriel Vilardi, they’ll need to get creative with the cap space and find ways to work around the restraints that they’ve been given.

General Manager Rob Blake has already been active. He’s done a tidy piece of business shipping Sean Walker and Cal Petersen out of LA and into Philadelphia. We were all aware of how Cal Petersen’s performance in comparison to his struggling season wasn’t fit. The Kings were lucky enough to move him out without any retention. As for Sean Walker, he struggled greatly in the 2022-23 season. With there being relatively no space on the defensive core, moving him and his $2.65 million deal turned out well.

The Gabriel Vilardi Factor

Gabriel Vilardi, the Kings’ promising young forward, has shown immense potential since joining the team. Only now has he finally reached it? Heading into the 2023-24 season, signing Vilardi to a new contract extension becomes a priority for the Kings.

Vilardi had a breakout 2022-23 NHL season that showcased his immense skill and potential. His exceptional performance throughout the campaign not only solidified his place as a key contributor to the team but also made a compelling case for a deserving and lucrative contract extension. The former first-round pick went berzerk and tallied 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games this season. He proved himself as a key contributor to LA’s incredible powerplay. It’s also important to note that Vilardi is eligible for arbitration, so that could fall in his favor.

However, with limited cap space, the Kings must exercise creativity to strike a balance between rewarding Vilardi for his contributions while ensuring financial flexibility to address other team needs. This might involve structuring the contract in a way that front-loads signing bonuses or includes performance-based incentives. Could we see the LA Kings go low on term and look to give Gabe a bridge deal as they did for Adrian Kempe before? By doing so, the Kings can maximize Vilardi’s potential while minimizing the immediate impact on the team’s cap space. But it all depends on if Vilardi’s willing to bank on himself and if he’s confident in producing like he did last season.

It’s hard to predict what contract Vilardi will end up earning. But it’s fair to assume that the LA Kings will have to go with a bridge deal to keep the deal at a cheaper rate. Even though the term of the deal won’t be ideal, it’s the only option Rob Blake has. Unless, somehow, Vilardi miraculously agrees to a long-term deal at an incredibly cheap value.

Finding a Starting Goaltender

Another crucial aspect for the Kings in the 2023-24 season is solidifying their goaltending situation. A reliable starting goaltender is paramount to a team’s success. A goalie provides a stabilizing presence between the pipes and instills confidence in the entire roster. The goaltending in the 2022-23 season was beyond horrid for the LA Kings. Looking back at it, it’s hard to envision how fans dealt with a Cal Petersen – Jonathan Quick tandem.

Thankfully, Alaska native Pheonix Copley came in and saved the season for LA. While his save percentage wasn’t outstanding, he still provided a bit of stability in the net. Then, it was Joonas Korpisalo who joined the LA Kings after the Gavrikov deal. In LA, he put up a terrific regular season. He started the playoffs hot but settled a bit toward the end of them. Now, there is doubt that he’ll return.

With the hiring of Mike Buckley as the new goaltending coach, there have been suspicions of Tristan Jarry joining the LA Kings as a free agent. Buckley worked with Jarry from 2013-2021. Jarry may not have the greatest stat line (.909 save percentage in 2022-23), but he will look to cash out in free agency as he’s a popular name. If the LA Kings do try to sign him, they should be ready to pony up at least $4.5 million.

Back to goaltending issues.

To address this need, the Kings may need to explore various avenues. They could target an established goaltender in free agency, albeit one who fits within their cap constraints. Alternatively, the organization may choose to promote from within its system, placing faith in the development of its goaltending prospects. The new addition of Erik Portillo is incredible. But it’s not likely that he’ll be ready for the NHL right away. So although the addition will help the LA Kings down the line, they’re still in quite a predicament in the net. It will be interesting to see how Rob Blake tackles this issue, seeing how goaltending is arguably the most important position in hockey.

Cap Space Creativity

Given the salary cap limitations that all teams face, the Kings’ front office will need to demonstrate ingenuity and resourcefulness when managing their cap space. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of the roster and prioritizing key areas for improvement while adhering to the constraints imposed by the league.

One approach the Kings could take is to explore potential trades that balance their roster and provide cap relief. By identifying players who may not be meeting expectations or whose contracts are burdensome, the team can potentially make moves that free up cap space while addressing positional needs. This strategic maneuvering would require careful negotiation and a deep understanding of the trade market.

Could we see the Kings move one of their forward pieces? Viktor Arvidsson‘s name has been mentioned a few times in trade talks. Although he carries a cheap $4.25 million contract, the money is urgently needed. Also, it’s not likely the Kings extend him once the contract ends. Another possibility is Alex Iafallo and his $4 million deal. While it would be optimal to keep both players, one of them might likely be traded eventually.

Furthermore, the Kings can benefit from leveraging the AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, as a talent pipeline. This allows the team to integrate cost-effective, young players into their lineup while managing their cap space efficiently. Players with lighter contracts can be sent down to the AHL, and their contracts wouldn’t count against the cap. This won’t help that much. But it serves as a reminder that even some young players on ELCs may not make the team even though they deserve to. The no-waiver rule will come into play multiple times.

It’s not certain which cap gymnastics the Kings will use in the summer, but it’s certain LA will need to play their cards right and make sure they find ways to not only extend their needed players but also improve their team.

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Kings find themselves in a challenging situation with limited cap space. However, by prioritizing the signing of Gabriel Vilardi and strategically addressing their goaltending needs, the Kings can navigate these constraints effectively. Through creative contract structures, exploring the trade market, and utilizing their AHL affiliate, the Kings can maximize their cap space while maintaining a competitive roster. The road ahead will be challenging. Hopefully, Rob Blake works his magic, and the Kings will find a way to avoid these hurdles with cap space.

Cover image courtesy of TheHockeyNews