The Los Angeles Kings met the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs twice before this past season. And Los Angeles was tired of falling short against them. Connor McDavid and the Oilers beat them in each of those playoff matchups. But the Kings believed 2024 was going to be different. Or, moreover, they were determined to ensure things would be different.
The Kings made some interesting moves during the 2023 offseason. Their biggest, though, was a trade with the Winnipeg Jets. Los Angeles acquired center Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Jets for a big package including former first-round pick Gabe Vilardi. It made sense as Dubois was coming off two straight 60+ point seasons.
Early on, the trade has not worked out. Dubois recorded just 40 points this year after signing an eight-year contract extension. Furthermore, the team struggled from time to time during the season. In fact, they fired head coach Todd McLellan due to the poor performances.
The Kings had their chance at revenge, though. They made the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the coaching change. And they drew the Oilers in the first round once again. This was their chance to prove that they had taken another step despite the struggles. Unfortunately, they lost the series in five games.
The Kings are headed back to the drawing board this offseason. And they have big decisions ahead of them. But what exactly can they do to get past the first round in 2025? Here are two moves the Kings must make this offseason.
Kings need to add a star goalie
The Kings knew they needed to improve their goaltending last summer. And they had two options to do so. They could either splash the cash for one of the top market options like a Tristan Jarry. Or, they could go bargain bin hunting. They chose the latter and signed veterans Cam Talbot and David Rittich.
To be fair, the Kings did see an improvement in goal. Their team save percentage rocketed up from an .892 in 2022-23 to a .912 mark this year. Talbot and Rittich were impressive during the season, each having a save percentage north of .910. In the playoffs, though, things fell apart quickly. In fact, they had the second-worst team save percentage of qualifying teams, only beating out the Washington Capitals.
Los Angeles took a gamble that didn't necessarily blow up in their face, but didn't exactly pay off either. Now, they have to add a legitimate star in between the pipes. They need to shop at the top of the market if they wish to have a chance at curtailing the likes of Connor McDavid next season. And there's one prime option for the team to consider.
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros took a bit of a step back overall in 2023-24. But he had a strong second half of the season to help his team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also kept the Predators in their first-round series with the Vancouver Canucks. Saros currently has a career save percentage of .917 after 350 career games.
Adding Saros would go a long way toward improving the team next season. It gives the Kings a goalie with a successful track record and the skill needed to stop the game's biggest stars. Los Angeles needs a goalie that fits that bill if they want to go on a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Los Angeles should try moving Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Kings took a big chance on Pierre-Luc Dubois last summer. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Nothing went the French Canadian's way during the 2023-24 campaign. And it does not appear that things will get better moving forward.
That's an unfortunate development for Los Angeles. As mentioned, they signed Dubois to an eight-year contract extension after the trade with the Jets. It certainly wasn't a cheap deal, either. In fact, Dubois takes up nearly 10% of the team's available salary cap space just by himself.
The Kings need to examine their options with Dubois this summer. Quinton Byfield showed a ton of promise this season after early career struggles of his own. As a result, they could entrust him to replace Anze Kopitar as the team's top-line center long-term. This frees up an opportunity to trade Dubois if anyone is willing to take on the contract.
Of course, they won't recoup the value they lost for the Quebec native. But they can make some creative moves and address some of their needs. For instance, perhaps they can re-engage the Boston Bruins in trade talks for Linus Ullmark. Ullmark and Dubois were part of a rumored deal between the two sides at the NHL Trade Deadline that eventually fell through.
Moving Dubois gives Los Angeles a chance for more salary cap space this summer. This would allow them to potentially make multiple needed upgrades to their roster. And that certainly puts them in a better position to do well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season.
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