The Los Angeles Kings have a lot of decisions to make with pending free agents this summer.
Matt Roy and Viktor Arvidsson present the biggest decision, ignoring Quinton Byfield's contract because there is no decision, he's being re-signed.
However, Blake Lizotte sits just behind Roy and Arvidsson on the priority list.
Lizotte has established himself as a solid bottom-six option for the Kings who can kill penalties produce positive results.
His numbers were down, scoring just 15 points in 62 games, but the underlying numbers still looked good.
He posted a 3.2 GAR and 0.6 WAR. Lizotte also finished as a +11 and was a major part of the Kings' improved penalty kill.
That success presents the biggest problem for LA. Lizotte is a good player and might require a pay raise next season.
He's so arbitration eligible this summer, meaning he has more leverage in this contract negotiation.
He made $1.65 million on his last contract and will likely move closer to $2 million this summer. A small bump, but one the cap-strapped Kings might have to avoid.
Especially for a fourth-line center. We've seen Lizotte succeed at 3C, but given the Kings' center depth he'll remain a 4C moving forward.
Paying $2 million-plus for a 4C would be tough for the Kings.
Of course, if they let him walk, how do they replace him with an equal caliber player?
Akil Thomas and Alex Turcotte are both young players that have shown they can perform at the NHL level, but the Kings shouldn't keep forcing their skilled prospects into fourth line roles.
Samuel Helenius' name has been thrown around a lot, but I have serious doubts about him being NHL ready,
Leaving you with less than ideal options. Either you pay Lizotte a raise you really can't afford, put players who don't really fit the role at 4C or gamble with a prospect who probably isn't ready.
The Kings could also search for a deal in free agency, but anyone making less that Lizotte is likely a downgrade.
In a perfect world, the Kings would find a big 4C with some snarl who makes less than Lizotte does now, but we don't live in a perfect world.
If I had to guess, the Kings will let Lizotte walk and replace him with Thomas or Turcotte.
Not the worst option, but not the best for their development either.