Arguably the biggest offseason need remaining for the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland to address is to find a new No. 1 center in the post-Anze Kopitar era.
The Kings have addressed a multitude of other positional and roster needs in free agency this offseason, but finding a true No. 1 center has eluded Holland and the front office this summer.
One potential option for the Kings on the restricted free agent market to find a new No. 1 center going into the future concerns the speculation surrounding Columbus Blue Jackets center and restricted free agent Adam Fantilli.
Adam Fantilli would fill the Los Angeles Kings' biggest long-term need
David Pagnotta reported this week that other teams around the league have started considering whether a big offer sheet for Fantilli could force the Blue Jackets' hand late this summer. Since Fantilli is one of the best remaining restricted free agents on the market this offseason, having scored 24 goals and 59 total points this past regular season, he is an appealing option to other teams looking for a No. 1 center for the future.
And while the Kings haven't been directly linked to Fantilli, he still fits a big need in the middle of the lineup this offseason.
If Fantilli's contract situation opens the door potentially for other teams to get involved, should the Kings at least kick the tires on sending him an offer sheet?
Considering that Fantilli is still just 21 years old and he's coming off a 20-goal season, he theoretically could be that No. 1 center of the future that the Kings have been looking for this offseason. Fantilli is already producing offensively at a top-line level and he has the two-way skill set that's needed to be a true franchise center if he continues to develop the way he has in the last couple of years on both ends of the ice.
His combination of size, speed, and offensive skill definitely gives Fantilli the upside to be a long-term true No. 1 center in the league. Fantilli would give the Kings something that they don't have right now, unless Quinton Byfield can fill that role this upcoming season as the top-line center in Los Angeles.
The potential of the Kings having a 23-year-old Byfield and Fantilli in the middle of the lineup would also give the franchise two young and talented centers to build around.
At 21 years old, Fantilli wouldn't just give the Kings a short-term solution in the middle of the lineup. He could potentially give the Kings a foundational piece at the center position to build around throughout the post-Kopitar era.
Why an offer sheet remains unlikely
Even though the scenario makes sense on paper for the Kings to get involved in the possible discussions to send Fantilli an offer sheet, there are some hurdles that make this pretty unlikely to happen. First, the Blue Jackets have made it known that they will prioritize matching any offer sheet that other teams offer for Fantilli in restricted free agency.
Don Waddell and the Blue Jackets also still have a good amount of cap flexibility to have the means to match any Fantilli offer sheet this offseason.
The cost to the Kings would also be pretty steep to get involved in any offer sheet and/or trade possibilities to get Fantilli from Columbus. Holland and the Kings are already tight on cap space, and the cost of the draft pick compensation would also be steep.
Not only would it cost the Kings likely north of $12 million in average annual value to sign Fantilli from restricted free agency this offseason hypothetically, but it would also carry a maximum penalty of four first-round draft picks.
Even in the scenario that Fantilli doesn't reach free agency and Columbus ultimately signs him to a long-term contract extension late this summer, the speculation surrounding his future with the Blue Jackets highlights what remains the Kings' biggest positional need. The Kings have done a good job of reshaping the roster this offseason, but finding a true No. 1 franchise center to succeed Kopitar remains the final piece of the puzzle.
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