An early look at free agency for the Kings: Who stays and who goes?
Last offseason was easy for Dean Lombardi. Sure, he had to part ways with heart-and-soul defenseman Willie Mitchell, but that's about it -- relatively easy compared to what he's facing right now.
The savvy Los Angeles Kings' general manager has some tough decisions ahead of him as the NHL Free Agency rapidly approaches, and the salary cap still has yet to be finalized. Even more difficult for Lombardi, he might have to part with key players who helped the Kings win two Stanley Cups.
For a GM who runs a team based on loyalty, the emotional aspect is almost as tough as the numerical equations. And the numbers aren't adding up the way he would like.
"It's probably the biggest science project as we've ever had," he said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "You've got about four templates on the board, but then each one of them is run through three different numbers, and then those three different numbers, depending on how we start moving things around has its own effect."
Here's a look at who is about to hit free agency on July 1.
Unrestricted free agents: Any player at least 27 years old whose contract has run out or has at least seven years of NHL service time can declare for free agency, negotiate and sign with any other teams.
RW Justin Williams
Mr. Game 7 turned Mr. Conn Smythe still is remarkably productive at age 33. Chemistry with Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik has often landed him on the top line, and he's been one of L.A.'s most steady contributors in the regular and postseasons. He recently told Canada's Sportsnet that it's not all about the money, but he's likely to command more than the Kings can afford under the expected cap.
Lombardi describes it as a domino effect.
"To make that happen, that would be your domino. That would be one of the things we're looking at here," he said. "There are like four or five things you're looking at, and if something comes up you like -- the options you look at when you're talking to other GMs -- you kind of have an idea of what you'd like, so it depends what comes around first."
Lombardi looking to get #Kings back on track after troubled season, writes @AbbeyMastracco. http://t.co/67e58G4hC2 pic.twitter.com/LIKOwImR7P
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D Andrej Sekera
With Robyn Regehr's retirement and the unlikely re-signing of UFA Jamie McBain, signing Sekera should be a higher priority. A strong puck-handler with a hard shot, he's a top-four defenseman in a group that will only have four under contract come July. A good friend of Gaborik dating back to their days in Slovakia, the trade deadline acquisition was injured in the final month of the has expressed a desire to stay in L.A.
Lombardi said the parameters for a deal are in place and that his number is work-able, but they're in the preliminary stages.
"He'd like to stay here, and so by virtue of that, he ends up in some of your schematics," Lombardi said. "Now, have we been countered with an offer yet? No. That's all I can say on that one now."
C Jarret Stoll
This is a tricky one for Lombardi or any GM, for that matter The hearing for Stoll's drug arrest is slated to take place on July 1 -- the day NHL free agency opens. The two-way center's offensive production has decreased over the last few seasons -- he scored only six goals in 73 games this season, tied with his career-low - but his defensive contributions have still been solid.
Lombardi didn't mention any ongoing negotiations with Stoll in his Tuesday call, only that the meeting he had after his arrest was one of the most "gut-wrenching" meetings he had ever had with a player.
Restricted Free Agents: Players with expiring entry-level deals without enough service time to become an unrestricted free agent. Offer sheets can be presented by other teams and the current team can match it or let the player go. Lombardi said these young players are the priority dominoes.
#Ducks have many burning questions looming as offseason begins, writes @AbbeyMastracco. http://t.co/ZPLjpz3Ouh #NHL pic.twitter.com/6ulsToJKfm
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C Tyler Toffoli and G Martin Jones
With 37 goals and 83 points in just under three seasons played, the Toffoli is a very, very high priority. It's absolutely possible that a rebuilding team with deep pockets could overpay for a 23-year-old with a scoring touch. His linemate, Tanner Pearson, already came to terms with the team before the season ended and Lombardi wants to lock up Toffoli and backup goalie Jones next to keep a young core in place long-term.
"What we're working toward is signing Toffoli and Jones," Lombardi said. "That's not a domino, because that's been our priority. You saw, during the season, we were fortunate to get (Jordan) Nolan done and (Kyle) Clifford done and (Alec) Martinez and (Jake) Muzzin and Pearson. We want to finish that off, with those seven or eight players that are not even in their prime yet, to keep them in the fold.
"That's not a domino. That's something that we're actively pursuing."
C Nick Shore and LW Andy Andreoff
Lombardi didn't touch on these two, but with only a handful of NHL games for both players, they should be cheap to lock up if the Kings decide to do so.
