What options remain for the LA Kings after missing out on a fourth-line forward in Vinnie Hinostroza?
Despite a busy first day of the NHL’s free agency period, the LA Kings did nothing at the NHL level. I had to turn on a select few accounts’ Twitter notifications to keep up with the madness, but it looks like many teams made moves to improve their respective clubs. The move that, for lack of a better phrase, bothered me, was Bobby Ryan signing with the Red Wings on a one-year, $1M deal.
That is nothing for a guy who could have helped the Kings score more goals this season while allowing more time for the kids to develop. LA has approximately $13.6M in cap space after acquiring Olli Maatta, but they were reportedly in the mix for the services of former Blackhawks’ and Coyotes’ forward Vinnie Hinostroza.
He could have been a solid addition to the team’s fourth line, but Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito indicated that they had signed Hinostroza. Which now raises the question. What’s next for the LA Kings?
Here are three options that I see.