Quoting: Ross_Johnston
they don't have the cap to sign byfield to a big deal and still field a competitive team. they'll have to move one of doughty or kopitar
They have plenty of space. You make it look like they don't by going after guys the Kings aren't likely to pursue at full cap hit and by signing guys to cap hits they won't get. For example:
1) Ullmark isn't going to be an LA King. Even if the rumors weren't true and he would allow a trade, LA isn't going to spend full price on a goalie when they have Portillo ready for NHL games and have shown going cheap on goaltending works in their system.
2) Arvidsson is making 4mil now and has missed nearly a full season and a half. He' s not going to get the same cost in his mid-30s, and if that's what he's demanding the Kings will let him walk. So there's 9mil in savings there already.
4) LA won't spend 3mil on two fourth line players when they have guys like Turcotte, Akil Thomas, ****emo, Laferierre, etc all making league minimum and pushing for NHL roster spots. So that's another mil saved.
Byfield is priority #1. The Kings will sign him to whatever is necessary and let the rest of the pieces fall where they may. Even if that unfortunately means losing guys like Arvidsson and/or Roy.