Kings Blake Discusses Unsustainable Roster, Arvidsson, Trades & More

The Los Angeles Kings' roster situation is complicated and hard to work out at times, but we had a chance to talk to the man with the plan on Tuesday.

General manager Rob Blake talked to the media on Tuesday about a handful of topics, starting with the sustainability of the Kings only being able to carry 21 players. Whether he thinks the Kings can make this work for 82 games.

"I don't even think we'll be able to start with 21 players, so, the answer's no, it's not sustainable for 82 games," said Blake. "We knew the situation we were in, there are a handful of teams that are in it and have been in it the last couple of years and everything. You make do with it. We experimented with 11 and seven the other day. We'd prefer 12 and six at times, you saw today, we're one less forward with Arvidsson. He's questionable, we're hoping he can play, but if he can't we will be in that situation tomorrow."

Blake then confirmed that Arvidsson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury he suffered at practice on Tuesday.

Blake also touched on the decision to send David Rittich down and the plan for him moving forward.

"We're not in a position to carry three (goalies)," said Blake. "We did it for a day just because we could and the rosters came in after. The way it's played out, we wouldn't be in a situation to do that. Even if we had the cap room to carry 23 players, not a lot of teams carry three goalies, we've never done it here in the years I've been here."

We all know that the waiver eligibility of players plays a big role in who goes down and who stays up. Something Blake addressed directly on Tuesday.

"Waiver eligibility plays in a lot of times in different situations," said Blake. "When you mention the two players, Spence and Clarke, not needing that. When we get into situations when we get to six, the original plan would have been, most likely, 12 forwards and seven defensemen. Knowing that if you did have in injury you could dress seven. It's hard for four to play back on defense. Our situation kind of unfolded with a suspension, that is treated very similar to an injury with no cap relief, but with Arvidsson also, we'll have to adjust if he's not ready to play."

Blake then confirmed that the plan is for Alex Laferriere to make his NHL debut on Wednesday.

"He'll get his opportunity tomorrow, it's really nice to see," said Blake.

One of the ideas that has been floated by several people is keeping Arthur Kaliyev in Ontario for the time being, delaying his suspension until the Kings figure things out. Blake didn't seem keen on that idea though.

"The plan would be to bring him back on days of the game to serve that suspension," said Blake. "Just the roster flexibility because he doesn't need waivers. Yes, being on the Ontario roster during an NHL game doesn't count as a game. So, the idea would be, bring him back tomorrow to start serving that suspension."

Blake was then asked where the Kings are looking for potential breathing room in regards to the cap. Particularly in situations where they aren't at home and don't have immediate access to their AHL roster.

"The breathing room is, if we're healthy, there's an extra player," said Blake. "So, you always have that extra player. We chose to put the money on the players that would have been the 12 and six playing and not so much in the three extra players you're able to carry. If you look at rosters, I think there's a lot in similar situations. We'll see how it goes. Would I have said we're going to start this way? We were hoping not to with an extra player available but then there's a suspension and an injury on an off-day that can add to that. You can get into that situation where you play a man short and now you're in an emergency situation we have a lot of players eligible in Ontario that would come up and play that. There will be multiple player transactions, even on off-days and different things trying to create cap space and accrue during the season." 

One of the ways several people have suggested for creating some of that breathing room is via trade. Moving out one of the current NHL players who makes a decent amount of money to create space. Blake was quick to shut this idea down.

"No, we like the roster we set forth here from the summer on," said Blake when asked about potentially making trades. "Pretty much the team that went to Australia, I know there was a few extra players, but you envision using them in different injuries and times during the season, but we were comfortable with that roster."

Of course, Blake said last summer he planned on having Cal Petersen start on the NHL roster and then traded him not long after. But, I think Blake is honest in that assessment, I don't expect them to explore a trade anytime soon.

It's going to be an odd couple of days — and season — as the Kings try and manage their cap situation. As Blake pointed out, the current setup isn't sustainable. Now it's time to find a solution.