It isn't a done deal that Viktor Arvidsson will start next season with another team, however, all signs are pointing in that direction.
Arvidsson's agent made it clear that they were going to test free agency and it's unlikely the Kings can, or should, match whatever offer he gets on the open market.
-“Now that he’s healthy and feeling great, I think Viktor is ready for the next chapter in his career. He just looks forward to helping a club succeed. Guys don’t become free agents that often in their careers. He gets to navigate through all the opportunities and see where the best fit is.” - Arvidsson’s agent Kurt Overhardt, (From "Rumblings on Guentzel, Kane, Stamkos, Lindholm, Bertuzzi and more as NHL free-agent market heats up," Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic)
This leaves Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake in a difficult spot. He has to replace someone who's scored at a 60-point pace when healthy and has been a major player on the Kings' power play.
That, "When he's healthy," caveat plays a big part in letting Arvidsson walk, but they still need to try and replace his impact.
They do have internal options, particularly in Alex Turcotte and Akil Thomas, however, neither of those players are guarantees to stick in the middle six.
Realistically, they also need two middle-six wingers too. Trevor Lewis started the postseason as the RW3, with everyone healthy, and that can't continue.
You could promote Turcotte or Thomas, whoever has the better camp, into that spot and find an external option to replace Arvidsson.
Fortunately for the Kings, there are a handful of good options out there. For the sake of this article, I'm also narrowing the list down to right-shots only, because the Kings are in desperate need of righties.
Option One: Phillip Tomasino:
When I wrote about a potential Kings and Nashville Predators trade this summer, I didn't like the idea of Tomasino coming back the other way.
However, the more I've sat on it, the more I think it could work. It only works if the Kings are high on Tomasino and think he can replace Arvidsson though.
They can't bring Tomasino in to play him in a checking role, it won't work.
In a more offensive role, Tomasino is a dynamic skater with high-end puck skills. He can play off the rush too, which is a big boost for the Kings.
The one question mark is his lack of physicality. Blake said this team needs more "desire to win" and Tomasino isn't the first player to pop in your head when you think of the type of player who fits that role.
Of course, there's more to that "desire to win" than just throwing your weight around, and Tomasino is a hard-working player if not a physical one.
He would replace the speed and high-end skill the Kings will lose in Arvidsson and could find new heights offensively alongside Trevor Moore and Phil Danualt.
Tomasino could also be moved around the top nine, as he has the skill to play with top-end players.
Option Two: Ty Dellandrea:
Another pending RFA, Dallas Stars forward Ty Dellandrea would be a good option for the Kings.
Dellandrea struggled to find a consistent role with the Stars last season and played in just six of their 19 playoff games.
With players like Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque pushing for a roster spot, the Stars don't have much room for Dellandrea and might be willing to move him.
I don't think he has the same offensive upside as Tomasino, Dellandrea is more of a good at everything great at nothing kind of player.
Of course, the Kings have shown a lot of love for those players in the past. Dellandrea is a responsible two-way player and has shown the ability to kill penalties in the past.
If the Kings want to shift the Danault line into more of a shutdown, matchups kind of line, Dellandrea could fit the mold.
He isn't devoid of offense either. He's shown decent playmaking at the pro level and is willing to get into the dirty areas of the ice and throw his weight around.
He'd fit more into the "desire to win" mold but lacks that offensive upside of Tomasino.
Dellandrea is also a versatile player who can play both wing and center.
Option Three: Oliver Wahlstrom:
I've talked about Oliver Wahlstrom at length before, so I'll keep this short.
If the Kings are still believers in the toolkit, a big-bodied forward who's willing to throw his weight around and has an above-average NHL shot, Wahlstrom could thrive in LA.
He could also be a fit on the power play if the Kings tweak some things to get Pierre-Luc Dubois in front, necessitating a one-time threat righty.
Wahlstrom is probably the least like-for-like replacement for Arvidsson here, but the upside on his goal-scoring is the highest.