Breaking down the Los Angeles Kings ahead of NHL Free Agency.
Updated: Sunday, June 30
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 6 | Restricted: 6 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”la” season=”2013″]
Kings overview
The Los Angeles Kings have won two of the last three Stanley Cups — and they may not be done. Much of the team’s core is young and locked up for the foreseeable future. Captain Dustin Brown is under contract through 2021-22, as is Jeff Carter who was instrumental to not only the Kings winning the Cup but Team Canada winning Olympic gold in Sochi. Another irreplaceable piece for both Team Canada and the Kings, Drew Doughty, is signed through 2018-19. And Jonathan Quick, whose 2.07 goals-against average was second among Western Conference starting goalies this season, has them all beat with a contract that extends into the 2022-23 season.
That’s as solid of a team nucleus as you’ll find in hockey and the Kings supplement it with solid depth players up and down the lineup like Justin Williams, Jarret Stoll, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Clifford and Slava Voynov. That’s not to mention youngster Tanner Pearson, who was impressive for the Kings as a 21-year-old in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs and could have the makings of a superstar.
In all, the Kings already have 20 players under contract for 2014-15 and will likely be returning much of the same roster that won a championship this year.
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| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
Frankly, there aren’t many weaknesses on this team. It’s built solid up front with big, talented forwards, while important role players fill out the lines. The defence is dependable and Quick’s goaltending is unquestioned, which doesn’t leave much for Kings general manager Dean Lombardi to tinker with come July 1st.
Lombardi’s biggest job this summer was re-signing unrestricted free agent Marian Gaborik, which he accomplished well before Canada Day even arrived. His attention will likely now turn to finding a way to ink Kopitar to an extension as the 26-year-old has just one year remaining on his deal. What makes matters tough is that after the Gaborik deal, the Kings aren’t left with a tremendous amount of cap room to play with. Lombardi recently denied rumours that the team would use a compliance buyout on Mike Richards, who has six years left on his contract at a cap hit of $5.75 million. If that’s the case, he will have to get creative.
Past that, Lombardi could look to add some depth to his defence. Veteran Willie Mitchell might not return, although Derek Forbort and Nick Ebert are waiting in the wings to be promoted from within the system. Similarly, the Kings have forward depth with players in house like Jordan Nolan, Linden Vey (UPDATE: Kings trade Vey to Canucks) and Valentin Zykov who are ready to contribute more if needed.
Possible signing targets
Marian Gaborik (LW): Re-signing Gaborik is by and far the Kings’ top priority this off-season. | UPDATE: Kings re-sign Gaborik to seven-year deal
Thomas Vanek (LW): If they can’t re-up Gaborik, Vanek could be a consolation prize.
Brooks Orpik (D): He could replace the strong veteran defensive presence of Willie Mitchell, if his time with the Kings is up.
