As the Los Angeles Kings’ offseason continues, it’s becoming increasingly clear what issues need to be addressed. The team doesn’t have a single problem, but they need to evaluate their core forward and defense, as well as their goalscoring tandem if they want to improve next season. While not all of these problems can be solved through free agency, there are some holes that should be looked at to solve.
How to Fill Forward Core
The Kings have plenty of strong strikers. The mix of veterans like Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault complements the youngsters like Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere. Despite planning the team well, development did not go as general manager Rob Blake had hoped. This is especially true of the right wing, and the strength of the program. With the exception of Laferriere, the front spine is almost always left-handed. While this isn’t a huge problem, adding a right-handed impact player who can play physically is an issue the team needs to address.
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Another idea is to add a top scorer. When Amakhosi got Pierre-Luc Dubois, they were hoping to add a goal scorer with 35 points and more, and 75 points and more to control their top line; what they found was nothing but disappointment. Although Dubois’ game is improving under interim coach Jim Hiller, he will need to step it up next season to stay healthy.
The Kings aren’t expected to have much cap space, but adding a quality scorer would be a great way to address their scoring woes. The top free agent is expected to be Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. He scored a career high 57 goals in the regular season. Although he is unlikely to repeat this level of success, he could be a great addition to the team. He is also right-handed, which helps to correct that problem. In addition to Reinhart, there are a ton of right fielders in this free agent class, so the Kings should discuss all options.
Complete Defense in House or Free Agency?
The Kings have perhaps done the best job of preparing defensemen in recent seasons. As of 2019, they have drafted Jordan Spence, Helge Grans, Brock Faber, and Brandt Clarke. They also developed Mike Anderson and Sean Durzi into a capable back four. Despite this, their defense has not been very impressive.
The team’s defensive struggles can be attributed to coaching inconsistencies, but there is a clear need to unify the defense. Looking ahead to next season, it looks like five spots have been set aside. On the left, Anderson and Vladislav Gavrikov are expected to remain. The right side will have Drew Doughty and Brandt Clarke, and one of Spence or Matt Roy. Both are free agents and the front office will need to decide between the two. Sixth place is up for grabs.
The most likely option is to stay in the house, both Spence and Roy and play one of them in their offseason, or play one of Andreas Englund or Jacob Moverare fully. If the team looks to shake up the defense, they will look to add a left back to the third pairing. This is likely to be a defense-oriented defenseman who can play a physical game while handling the puck in the midfield. It could also be an experienced player who could help a young defender like Clarke or Spence develop.
Are There Any Strikers?
There is no hiding that the Kings have grown frustrated with their strikers Cam Talbot and David Rittich. Although both had good seasons, it is clear that the team needs to add a better goaltender to be a serious contender. It is difficult to analyze the tandem due to the lack of quality options.
Rittich had a career season, finishing eighth in goals saved above expectations, according to Money Puck. However, he started the season in the American Hockey League (AHL), so there is clear reason for concern going forward. Talbot was incredibly disagreeable, and couldn’t save the net if his life depended on it. Other than that, he has been inconsistent but he is 37 years old to start next season.
Both Talbot and Rittich are good secondary options in tandem, but neither can be a starter. The Kings also have Erik Portillo in the AHL who finished with impressive numbers in his first professional season. Although he has great talent, going into next season with him as a backup would be a big risk. The biggest problem with all of this is that there are no quality starters scheduled to hit free agency. The top options are comparable to Rittich and Talbot, so making a change for the sake of it would be reckless.
With free agency starting on July 1st, we still have plenty of time to explore the free agent market. Not only Amakhosi still have to decide what to do with all the players who are still waiting, but other teams will start negotiating to take them personally.
For a detailed list of players the Kings could pursue in free agency, be sure to check out the Hockey Writers Substack.
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