On the surface, the Los Angeles Kings appear to be content with the status quo. After being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third year in a row, ownership is retaining general manager Rob Blake and promoting interim head coach Jim Hiller for the 2024-25 season. LA is also publicly refuting speculation that it will buy out the hefty contract of the struggling Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Despite the organization's commitment to the plan it has implemented, the Kings know changes are necessary. This is a pivotal offseason for Blake, one that must culminate with a renewed vision and intensity on offense. NHL free agency could be their best path to completing that vitally important objective in the coming months.
LA's concerns go beyond just supplementing its roster, however, as the squad might also be forced to replace some viable contributors. The contract status of Viktor Arvidsson has been discussed at length, and now it appears that fans have their answer regarding the veteran winger's future in the City of Angels.
“Now that he’s healthy and feeling great, I think Viktor is ready for the next chapter in his career,” Arvidsson’s agent Kurt Overhardt said, per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. “He just looks forward to helping a club succeed. Guys don’t become free agents that often in their careers. He gets to navigate through all the opportunities and see where the best fit is.”
Although the 31-year-old Swede has yet to issue a formal goodbye to the franchise, this statement seemingly implies he is interested in finding a new home, perhaps one that is in better position to contend for a championship. Arvidsson and the Kings have until July 1 to work out an extension before he officially becomes a free agent.
Kings have some tough decisions ahead
It is possible that Overhardt is just applying pressure to the Kings brass in an effort to gain his client the asking price he desires. Maybe both sides will come to terms on a new deal and render this whole statement invalid. The question is, though, should Los Angeles willingly try to reunite with Viktor Arvidsson and a few other players, or is it time to press the reset button?
LA is obviously not ready to brave a full rebuild, but management might be inclined to do some refurbishing. Despite the team's defense remaining near the top of the league, the current model is not working. A healthy Arvidsson could have made a difference in 2024-25, though.
He missed most of the campaign with a back injury and was later sidelined for a lower-body issue. The former fourth-round pick recorded 15 points in 18 regular season games and added three more in the Stanley Cup Playoffs versus the Oilers. If executives can get past his concerning medical history, Arvidsson should attract his fair share of interest on the open market.
He is not the only key player who may depart the Kings. Defenseman Matt Roy is another talent who might test the waters. LeBrun does not believe much progress is being made in negotiations, but things can always pick up as the deadline draws nearer. Roy's market value might complicate matters, however. He tallied a career-high 197 blocks, 152 hits and 12 takeaways in 81 games played, which could compel the Detroit, Michigan native to cash in.
The LA Kings have a plethora of stressful items to tackle on their offseason chore list, and by summer's end, fans desperately hope to feel genuinely excited about their hockey team.
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