The Los Angeles Kings exceeded expectations in 2021-22. Considered a rebuilding club entering this season, they overcame a roster riddled with injuries to clinch their first playoff berth since 2018. They also threw a scare into the Edmonton Oilers during the opening round before falling in seven hard-fought games.
That improvement earned general manager Rob Blake a three-year contract extension. After building up the roster with promising youth, Blake could face pressure this summer to augment this roster with some skilled veterans.
The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman featured Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Sean Durzi among her list of potential Kings’ trade candidates. She also didn’t rule out Blake listening to offers for promising Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev but doesn’t anticipate they’ll be moved. She also doubted the Kings will move their 2022 first-round pick.
That pick, however, might have to be part of any deal for a first-line winger or a skilled defenseman. ESPN.com’s Greg Wyshynski wondered if Blake will revisit his earlier interest in the Arizona Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun.
Cap Friendly shows the Kings with $61.8 million committed to 14 players. Their priority signing is 35-goal scorer Adrian Kempe, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.Â
Following the Kings’ first-round exit, the Los Angeles Times‘ Helene Elliott suggested Blake needed to upgrade his defense corps’ size and muscle, a view shared by blueline stalwart Drew Doughty. She also believes they need a legitimate first-line left winger.
Blake listened to calls last summer from team leaders like Doughty to add some experienced talent, signing center Phillip Danault and acquiring winger Viktor Arvidsson from the Nashville Predators. Elliott pointed out the Kings GM has sufficient salary-cap space and depth in prospects to make meaningful moves during this off-season.
