Youth Movement

Change Akil to Kaliyev and drop the 4th.

Kings can't afford another seven-figure bottom six forward. Make the return future considerations and still no.

The Kings need someone under $3M to help fill Arvidsson's departure. Smith is one year removed from a 26-goal season on a pacific division rival and is defensively responsible. He could play an Iafallo role on the top line allowing Byfield and Fiala to wing PLD.

The Kings have already been rumored to be circling around this player.

They can't afford it.

Also, Arvidsson hasn't left yet. Because he missed so much of this season with injuries, Arvidsson is eligible for the Connor Brown contract with games played bonuses. This allows them to defer all but the league minimum salary to 2025-26 when the cap will be $92.1M.

I think we were gifted Byfield somewhat slumping to the end of the season in regards to his contract, but Gavrikov's game has made me incredibly worried about moving forward without Roy. If Roy walks we will need to get not only a shutdown defenseman, but better defensive forwards to offset his loss.

If Arvidsson returns under such a contract, I am totally ok with most of the Kings forward group, and Arvy does seem happy here, but he is also 31. Trying to be an unbiased fan, he should be chasing his 3-4 year most guaranteed money contract with his injury history. But if he gifts us that type of contract, I would be over the moon.