The Los Angeles Kings are keeping General Manager Rob Blake around for one more season when his contract will run out. This is a big year for him to get this team into Stanley Cup contention and build them back to supremacy. However, this team has lost a lot in the off-season and Blake has done little to replace them. Will this be his last season with the Kings organization?
Kings, Blake do not make many changes
Blake has made some questionable moves over the past few seasons, which he claims were to get the Kings “back into contention.” Those moves have failed and it seems as if Los Angeles is taking a step back, at least according to the moves he has made over the past couple of months. Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois was sent packing in a surprising, but necessary, move. Forward Viktor Arvidsson was singed as a free agent by the rival Edmonton Oilers. Forward Carl Grundstrom was signed by the rival San Jose Sharks. Defenseman Matt Roy signed with the Washington Capitals. Last seasons lone all-star, goaltender Cam Talbot, signed with the Detroit Red Wings. Forward Blake Lizotte is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins ad a free agent.
Roy and Lizotte were staples on this team. Lizotte was undersized, but showed up every night and played a crucial role. Roy was one of the best defensemen on the team and did everything well.Talbot was a good signing, but played average hockey during the second half. Dubois was a massive disappointment. Arvidsson was a reliable point producer but had injuries that would not allow him to play a full season. Grundstrom was a bulldog and played his heart out on every shift.
With those players leaving, Blake had a monumental task in front of him. That task was to make this team competitive with the losses they had on the roster. Those players played important roles and were vital to the team’s success. and Blake let them walk with nothing in return (except Dubois).
Los Angeles did make some additions, but they will not fill the void left by those who will play elsewhere. Forward Warren Foegele was a nice addition, but will likely play in the middle-six. Forward Tanner Jeannot was a solid addition as he will provide toughness and grit on the fourth line. Defenseman Joel Edmundson was not a horrible signing, but the contract is one of the worst in the league. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper makes his return to Los Angeles in a trade that sent Dubois to Washington and will assume the role of starting goaltender. Defensemen Kyle Burroughs and Caleb Jones will play most of the season with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) with a call-up during the season.
Foegele, Jeannot, and Kuemper are all solid additions, but they do not make this team better or contenders. They filled voids in the lineup by position only. This team may still make the playoffs next season, but they will not be a top seed based on the teams around them making moves to better themselves. Blake missed a massive opportunity to make this team better, and failed to make more than one or two solid moves. This team is no better than last season’s team.
Blake did have some transactions away from the ice too. He re-signed forwards Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Lewis, and Akil Thomas. Goaltender Pheonix Copley was also re-signed. Byfield is the future of this team and is showing signs of leading this team and being the best center on the roster. Turcotte has to have a good season and show the Kings drafting him was not a mistake. Thomas will be a solid player on the Kings roster, as he is underrated. Lewis was also re-signed, but not sure why. Copley will likely play with the Reign to start the season.
Blake needs this team to compete for a Stanley Cup to keep his job. Los Angeles bringing him back for another season is nothing more than a prove it deal. If the Kings fall short in the playoffs again, Blake is on the way out. He has had many chances to greatly improve this team and has failed to do so. He has signed, and re-signed, players who have done well, but it has been the questionable deals that have failed this team in the long run.
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photo: oilersnation.com; Zach Laing)
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