The Los Angeles Kings have added two key forwards this offseason, acquiring Viktor Arvidsson from the Nashville Predators and then signing center Phillip Danault.
After those major additions, the team's forward group should be a key focus heading into next season. Factoring in all the roster players the Kings have signed for next year, along with key prospects who will push for a spot, the team’s forward group is looking very crowded.
Right off the bat, the following 14 players – who are all under contract for next year – spent the 2020-21 season in the NHL and should be back on the roster once again: Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Viktor Arvidsson, Andreas Athanasiou, Dustin Brown, Phillip Danault, Carl Grundstrom, Alex Iafallo, Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar, Brendan Lemieux, Blake Lizotte, Trevor Moore, Gabriel Vilardi, Austin Wagner.
Then also consider Lias Andersson, who split his season between the NHL and AHL will be looking to become a full-time NHLer. Andersson will be 23 years old and given that he won’t be exempt from waivers next season, we can be pretty sure the Kings will look to keep him on the main roster.
Additionally, Rasmus Kupari got into seven games with the Kings this past season and don’t forget about Vladimir Tkachyov either, who was signed after producing well in the KHL. Even Martin Frk shouldn’t be completely ruled out, though a jump back to the main roster does seem unlikely.
Other x-factors will be the team’s top prospects, including Quinton Byfield, Arthur Kaliyev and Alex Turcotte. Though the Kings have a pretty full roster, we can expect for all of those younger players to push for spots and while Kayliev and Turcotte are AHL eligible, as of now, Byfield would have to return to the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, should he be cut from the Kings’ roster. If this remains the case, it seems likely that Byfield would be up with Los Angeles next season.
Essentially the Kings have about 20 forwards who could all fight for a spot next season. While some players are locks and others could still use more development in the AHL, the team will certainly have some tough decisions to make, when it comes to structuring their forward group for next season.
***NOTE: We've launched a HockeyBuzz Kings Twitter account! For anyone interested, you can follow @HB_LAKings for updates on articles, Kings news, etc.***
Do you expect the Kings to trade away any depth forwards this offseason, in order to make more room in the lineup?
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»