The Los Angeles Kings have $1.9 million in cap space remaining and are in the process of negotiating a new contract with RFA defenseman Jordan Spence.
At 23 years old, Spence is actively seeking a new deal and, given the Kings' tight adherence to the cap, it's expected that both parties will explore the possibility of a bridge deal.
Should Spence opt for a bridge deal, it would likely result in a lower Average Annual Value (AAV) over a shorter duration. However, this could pave the way for a more lucrative contract in the next two to three years, contingent upon his performance.
On the Kings' roster, Spence is positioned as a third-pairing defenseman. However, over the next three years, he shows potential to rise to the top four.
It's important to note that Spence has already received a contract offer from GM Rob Blake. Upon being qualified as an RFA defenseman, he was presented with a Qualifying Offer (QO) of $813,750.
Typically, contracts see a 5% increase from the previous season, and the player has the option to accept this offer. Alternatively, both parties could agree on a new deal, which might be more advantageous for Spence.
He and his agent, Peter MacTavish and the Kings, could be exploring a contract range in the low $1 million for two seasons. However, it's unlikely that the Kings will offer more than $1,15 million for a 23-year-old with 33 points in 101 games played.
Another factor for the Kings to consider is the emergence of Brandt Clarke and its potential impact on the Kings' blue line this season. Will this shift Spence to the bench? Or will it create an opportunity for both players to continue playing?
Should the Kings believe that Spence's position could be at risk, it might influence his contract negotiations and lead him to accept the QO he was offered.
It's reasonable to expect Spence to accept his Qualified Offer or a slightly higher amount, around $1 million. Blake would aim to secure a deal below $1 million to ensure the team maintains cap space between $1 and $1.2 million.