In a season marked by uncertainty and cap constraints, the Los Angeles Kings find themselves in a complex predicament as they approach the start of the new NHL season. The team’s management has been forced to make some tough decisions, and the clock is ticking. Let’s delve into the key takeaways and explore the various options they’re considering.
Key Takeaways:
- The Kings are yet to publicly announce their roster for the upcoming season, adding to the intrigue surrounding their cap situation.
- Forward Alex Laferriere’s call-up for practice on Monday suggests he may be on the roster for opening night, complicating the cap issues further.
- With Arthur Kaliyev serving a suspension, the Kings face the choice of running 11 forwards and seven defensemen, an option not favored by coach Todd McLellan.
- Several potential scenarios include sending players back to Ontario, waiving goalies, or even keeping three goalies on the roster to address their cap challenges.
The Kings’ dilemma centers around finding a balance between cap compliance and the ideal roster setup. One possible route is keeping Laferriere in Ontario, calling up Jordan Spence, and temporarily waiving one of the goalies. This would allow them to return to the traditional 12 forwards and six defensemen setup when Kaliyev is back.
However, if Coach McLellan seeks an alternative to the 11/7 alignment, they could opt to retain Spence in Ontario, send a goalie down, and keep Laferriere on the roster. This would maintain the standard 12/6 configuration but pair Tobias Bjornfot and Andreas Englund as defense partners, which is not the first choice.
In an unusual but feasible scenario, the Kings might retain three goalies on the roster to prevent the Tampa Bay Lightning from claiming one. While this would mean starting the season with one less skater, it would provide flexibility in the goaltending department.
Another option involves waiving either Englund or Bjornfot to make room for 12 forwards on the opening night roster. This approach allows Spence to stay with the NHL club and Laferriere to replace Kaliyev for the initial games. Additionally, they can call up Jaret Anderson-Dolan, ensuring Spence remains in Ontario.
General Manager Rob Blake may also contemplate trading a player to free up cap space, although this seems less likely at this point.
In summary, the Kings have a multitude of options to consider as they strive to navigate the cap maze before the season opener. Expect to see some strategic moves and paper transactions in the coming days as the team works to field the strongest possible lineup.
To shed light on this intricate situation, LAKingsInsider Zach Dooley offers some insightful words: “In a cap-constrained environment, the Kings are tasked with juggling talent and finances, and the next few days could reveal their innovative solutions.”
