May 2, 2024 | 10:40am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

KINGS OFF-SEASON PLANNING SET TO BEGIN

Cam Talbot, goaltender

With their season now complete, the Los Angeles Kings head into the summer with several decisions that need to be made.

Who will lead this team in net next season? Who will coach this club in 2024-25? What type of contract will Quinton Byfield command? How will the blueline shape up? Who will lead this team in net next season? Can they re-sign energy forward Viktor Arvidsson?

These are just five of many questions that will need to be answers over the next two months, at least.

With $20.9 million in salary cap space next season, Kings GM Rob Blake has some flexibility moving forward, assuming he remains in his post – he has one more year left on his contract.

Byfield will command a hefty price tag, but that figure could be lower than expected if he signs a short-term, bridge contract, which would help the Kings in the rest of their planning.

Blake explored the goaltending market during the season and was reportedly close to acquiring Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins ahead of the trade deadline. The Kings also tried to acquire Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators two years ago, as first reported by TFP’s David Pagnotta. Both Ullmark and Saros have one-year remaining on their respective contracts and are expected to be in play this summer.

Kings goalies Cam Talbot and David Rittich, who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents July 1, have expressed their interest in staying in Los Angeles, but that may come in a backup role if Blake lands a new No.1 netminder.

In addition to Arvidsson, defenceman Matt Roy is also on an expiring deal and like Talbot and Rittich, both can become UFAs this summer.

Roy’s agent Rich Evans told TFP prior to the trade deadline that contract talks were put on hold until the end of the season, and those discussions are expected to pick up in the near future. It’s believed the Kings have had very preliminary talks with Arvidsson’s agent this season, and those conversations are also expected to resume shortly.