3 Los Angeles Kings Not Expected Back Next Season
The Los Angeles Kings were once again eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and now GM Rob Blake will look to make some adjustments in the offseason.
Blake tried hard to find a goaltender before the March 9 trade deadline and unfortunately couldn't convince Linus Ullmark to leave the Boston Bruins. Blake hasn't been shy to make bold moves throughout his tenure in charge, so expect to see the Kings in the mix for some big names.
Here's three Kings who aren't expected back next season:
Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Kings aren't happy with Dubois since the blockbuster trade with the Winnipeg Jets to acquire him and look for Blake to try and make a splash this summer, getting Dubois off the books. A team in Utah could be interested in giving Dubois another change of scenery. Dubois recorded just one goal in five playoff games after posting only 40 points in 80 regular season games. He's signed through the 2030-31 season at $8.5 million AAV and does hold a full no-movement clause that kicks in July 1. Blake will try and rid himself at the NHL Entry Draft in June while there's still time.
Matt Roy
Roy is a pending free-agent and will be priced out of LA as the right-handed defenseman will be of interest to a number of teams. Blake has almost $21 million in cap space to work with but finding a 1-A goaltender will be at the top of his list. With Jordan Spence arriving and Brandt Clarke ready for NHL minutes, Roy will be shown the door in LA this summer.
Cam Talbot
Speaking of goaltenders, the Kings don't have any signed for next season and don't expect them to be interested in bringing back Talbot. The veteran netminder couldn't get the job done when the games mattered the most and was leap frogged by David Rittich to end the playoffs. Talbot posted a .861 Sv.% in the playoffs and was one of the reasons why the Kings couldn't get the job done. Talbot should sign on somewhere on a one-year deal to be the backup next season.
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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