January 10, 2024 | 12:31Pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

SALARY CAP MAY PREVENT MAJOR KINGS MOVES

Viktor Arvidsson, forward

With very limited salary cap space to play with, the Los Angeles Kings are not expected to be overly active between now and the March 8 trade deadline, sources have told TFP.

Kings GM Rob Blake will do his due diligence, explore the market and make and take trade-related calls, but he and the club are hamstrung by the cap and barring a deal that falls into their lap, Los Angeles may stay on the sidelines over the next two months.

The Kings will, however, regain some firepower next month when winger Viktor Arvidsson returns to the lineup from injury.

Arvidsson, who is in the final year of his contract, has been recovering from his second back surgery. According to a team source, he is expected to join the club on its first roadtrip after the All-Star break.

Speculation picked up over the weekend suggesting the Kings could re-enter the goalie market after it had been announced that backup Pheonix Copley would miss the rest of the season after undergoing ACL surgery.

However, David Rittich has assumed the backup role behind starter Cam Talbot, and a team source has told TFP the Kings are not actively exploring the market for another goaltender and are expected to play out the season with their current tandem.

The Kings have been linked to Montreal Canadiens netminder Jake Allen, who has one more year left on his contract, but he no longer seems to be an option for them.