LA Kings: Three UFA wingers to pursue on bridge deals

The LA Kings need more scoring from their second line. These three unrestricted free agent forwards would be great additions to achieve that goal.

Let’s just come right out and say it. The LA Kings need more scoring from their second line. Honestly, outside of the team’s first line, the team could use a boost in several spots on the bottom-nine forwards.

Of course, a few prospects are expected to step into those roles next season, but the fans and some of the players are starting to get a little restless.

Drew Doughty made it evident that if the organization does not make any big offseason splashes this summer, he will not be happy with the direction of the franchise. The 31-year-old former Norris Trophy winner has never been one to mince words, so when he says something of this importance, it should get the attention of general manager Rob Blake.

While we enjoy the playoffs, especially the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning series, we would only be so fortunate if that one went seven games. The LA Kings will have to wait until July 28, when the free agency period opens. When it does, these three UFA forwards should be atop their list.

1. Brandon Saad

Originally a second-round pick of the Blackhawks back in 2011, Saad was traded to Columbus when Chicago was up against the salary cap after the 2015 Stanley Cup run. However, he was reacquired in the Artemi Panarin deal a couple of seasons later.

In November 2020, with the Blackhawks in transition, Saad was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. He proceeded to score 15 goals with nine assists in 44 games, backed behind a career-high 22.1 shot percentage.

Of course, how much stock goes into his numbers playing on a high-powered team like the Avalanche? Consider this. Saad put up 21 goals and 33 points a year ago on a Blackhawks team that would have otherwise missed the playoffs if not for the expanded playoff bubble format.

Evolving Hockey sees the 28-year-old left-winger getting a four-year deal at a $5.1M AAV cap hit. If the LA Kings aren’t committed to a four-year deal, perhaps a higher AAV and one less year would be an attractive deal for Saad. The Pittsburgh, PA native is sure to have plenty of suitors this offseason, though.

Colorado will have approximately $19M in available cap space during the offseason. Still, they have a number of unrestricted and restricted free agents to re-sign, including captain Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Cale Makar.

2. Blake Coleman

While the Tampa Bay Lightning look like legitimate threats to repeat, thanks to having a healthy Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov returning to their lineup for the postseason, it’s no secret that they’ll have some serious financial restrictions this offseason.

As it stands, Tampa is projected to exceed the $81.5M flat salary cap next season by just over $5M, and that’s without re-signing any of their free agents. They wiggled their way out of the salary cap last season, but I don’t see how they do it again this offseason, meaning they’ll have to part with at least a couple of players, perhaps more.

Blake Coleman will turn 30 years old in November, but he’s a versatile winger who can play on both sides. Added, the man can score. The former third-round put up 14 goals and 31 points, and a +15 in 55 regular-season games in 2021.

He’s projected to get a four-year deal at a $4.7M AAV. While his age is likely outside Rob Blake’s target zone, he’d be a perfect stopgap until a prospect is ready for a full-time role. That said, Coleman is another player who likes to shoot the puck, registering an 11.5% shot rate this past year.