5 Free Agents Expected To Be Purged By LA Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have a busy offseason ahead. A lot of the rumblings and toughest decisions involve goaltender Cam Talbot, disappointing trade acquisition from last summer Pierre Luc-Dubois, and Matt Roy.

But Eric Stephens of The Athletic has presented a number of other decisions that he feels should be a bit easier for the Kings front office. He expects them to let all five of the following free agents go:

Viktor Arvidsson

Coming off a 7-year, $29.75 million ($4.25M AAV) deal, he was only able to play 18 games this season, and with his history of serious injury troubles, it's quite possible the Kings will let the veteran forward walk as a UFA.

Arthur Kaliyev

This one is no state secret. The 22-year-old RFA has clearly and quickly worn out his welcome in LA, and while they've been trying to trade him, there is certainly the possibility that the Kings may simply non-tender him as his entry-level contract comes to an end.

Carl Grundström

As another restricted free agent, Grundstrom is arbitration-eligible, but with a qualifying offer set at $1.3 million, it's likely the Kings can find better uses for those funds, and could non-tender him as well.

Pheonix Copley

After tearing his ACL back in December, the backup goaltender was surpassed on the depth chart by David Rittich, and once fully recovered, Copley will have to look for a new gig. He performed admirably in his first season in LA in 2022-23, but it won't be enough to save his job with the team going forward. He's a UFA.

Trevor Lewis

This one, as Stephens notes, will be the toughest call to make for Kings' management, due to the sentimental value. Lewis, now 37, made his way back to LA this season after a few years away, and while it was a nice reunion for the two-time Kings' Cup champ, they might be able to make better use of his roster spot.