September 23, 2024 | 12:15pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
KINGS TO EXPLORE CENTRE MARKET?
Kings GM Rob Blake
Training camps across the NHL got underway last week and some teams are already evaluating their rosters and getting an early determination on where they may need to add from outside the club.
The Los Angeles Kings may be one of the teams already in the market for a depth forward, as GM Rob Blake may be on the lookout for a fourth-line centre.
According to TFP’s Dennis Bernstein, the Kings centre position is “in flux” and Blake may be ready to look “outside (the) organization for additional options.”
Kings start preseason sched with 4C position still in flux.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) September 23, 2024
Hiller had Thomas/Lewis/Turcotte as group on Saturday, all have played C but who is pivot is TBD.
Tho Sam Helenius looks good so far, wouldn't surprise me if GMRB looked outside organization for additional options.
The Kings have just over $1.271 million in available salary cap space, according to PuckPedia, but could free up additional space if they send defenceman Brandt Clarke ($863,334) down to the AHL, as he doesn’t require waivers, though he is expected to push for a fulltime spot on the blueline this season.
Young forward Arthur Kaliyev, who signed a one-year, $825,000 contract last week, is expected to miss at least three months of action after fracturing his clavicle on Friday after being hit hard in practice by blueliner Kyle Burroughs.
It is unclear if the Kings will pursue a centre by the start of the regular-season or wait to see if a surprise option internally emerges.
As Bernstein noted, Turcotte, Akil Thomas and Trevor Lewis have played the position before, while Samuel Helenius is getting a look in camp.