There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the Los Angeles Kings over the last few days and the potential of them missing the playoffs.
Now that the free-agent period has cooled off, fans and analysts have brought the question to the forefront: could the Kings take a step back this season and potentially miss the playoffs?
Well, let's talk about it.
It is no secret that the Kings lost a few key members of their team. Both Matt Roy and Viktor Arvidsson signed elsewhere. This has left a large hole in the blue line and an opportunity for a younger forward to move up.
Truthfully, replacing Arvidsson is doable, especially after last season, when he missed most of the season due to injuries. There are a few forwards that can move up and take that role, just like they did last year, including newly signed forward Warren Foegele. The type of player that shows up in big moments for his club.
The Kings also acquired Tanner Jeannot, who will go to the ends of the earth to defend his teammates. If the Kings can help him find his game and he can return to his Nashville Predators days, he and Foegele can easily replace Arvidsson's grittiness and point production.
It is Roy's departure that hurts the team more than anything. He is a solid blue liner who helped the team in all situations and chewed big minutes. Yes, they signed Joel Edmundson, who will chew the minutes and kill penalties, hit and block shots but he isn't on the level of Roy.
However, with that said, the Kings have big-name prospects ready for the NHL. Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke need to play in the NHL and progress their careers. They can be options for Jim Hiller to help chew minutes and even play in the top four.
So, did Blake make the right decision?
Allowing the younger, NHL-ready defensemen a chance to play at the next level for a lesser cap hit is the most logical option. Especially when you factor in the potential of the younger players.
The Kings were never going to pay Roy $34.5 million over six years to eventually be passed on the depth chart by the same younger players who are replacing him now. So why not take the risk? Blake can always acquire another defenseman if needed if things don't go as planned with both Spence and Clarke.
The Kings sort of did that this off-season by trading for Kyle Burroughs and signing Caleb Jones as insurance policies.
Yes, Blake has been at the helm of the organization for the last seven seasons. No, they haven't had a playoff series win in that time. However, the way he and his staff have built this team this year is similar to 2012 and 2014. They are bigger, more physical, and ready to battle for the crest on the front, not the name on the back.
Some would look at the changes made to the roster and suggest they are built to wear down a speedy-skilled team. I think we all know one of those who has gotten the better of the Kings three years in a row.