The Los Angeles Kings are probably not going to want to waste any time beginning their search for their next general manager. On Monday, the team announced that Rob Blake would not be returning as general manager, a role he has held since 2017.
There was certainly a chance of this as Blake was in the final year of his contract, and after a fourth straight season with a first-round exit, it was described as the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.
The big question will be how Luc Robitaille approaches this search and if he will go with a candidate he is familiar with who has been with the franchise, or look for someone new who can bring a new approach.
These are five candidates who might be considered to be the next general manager for the Los Angeles Kings.
Marc Bergevin
The candidate who might be considered the favorite at these early stages would be Marc Bergevin, who was general manager for the Montreal Canadiens for eight years. In those eight seasons, the Canadiens made the playoffs five times, reached the conference finals once and the Stanley Cup Finals once.
Shortly after he was fired early in the 2021-22 season, the Kings would hire him as a senior advisor to the general manager. He has been in that role since January 2022 and knows this roster and organization well.
There likely would not be much change if he were named the new general manager, but that might not be what the Kings need. After four consecutive first-round exits, it might be time to shake things up and find someone outside the organization who could be a better fit.
If the Kings do hire Bergevin, it likely would be rather quick as he is a candidate for the New York Islanders to replace Lou Lamoriello.