The Los Angeles Kings were busy adding to their defense this summer with the free agent signings of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin. However, even with the moves, there was still some hope, as unlikely as it could be, that general manager Ken Holland wasn't finished and could still add some talent to their blue line.
One of the popular names around the league on the trade block was Bowen Byram, and he was reportedly even a player the Kings were trying to acquire. Last week, the chances were even more limited when the Sabres elected to go to arbitration with Byram.
In this case, with the team electing arbitration, it would be up to the player to decide whether it was a one-year or two-year deal. However, if he selected a two-year deal, then Byram could become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract. Again, the chances were diminishing for the Kings if they were still pursuing Byram, but any hope ended this week when the two sides agreed to a two-year deal with an average salary of $6.5 million.
Can the LA Kings even make any changes to their defense before the season?
This is the big question and based on some of the contracts they have given out, it is hard to really see a way for them to do it. The Kings would sign Ceci and Dumoulin to multi-year deals while Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson are under contract for the next few seasons.
Clarke is set to be a restricted free agent after this season but he is clearly their future and it doesn't make sense to move him. This really only leaves Joel Edmundson but he is tough to trade with his contract as he still has three years remaining.
If the Kings wanted to make a change, Edmundson is likely the player they move but they would need to retain some salary in any trade. In the end, the Top 6 for the defense is pretty much locked in at this point.