While the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland were one of the busier teams in free agency this summer, they also avoided handing out any consequential, expensive long-term contracts.
A recent report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast indicates that Holland and the Kings not giving out any long-term, expensive contracts might not be a coincidence.
Friedman's idea is that the Kings are trying to keep "maximum flexibility" so that the front office can take a big swing if an "LA-type move" becomes available in the future.
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There wasn't anything in this report from Friedman that specifically mentions any player by name. But it does suggest that the Kings are positioning themselves so the franchise can capitalize if a superstar talent becomes available.
The Kings and Holland still haven't made that blockbuster move this offseason that many fans expected the team to make on the trade block. If the Kings are waiting to make that potentially franchise altering move by landing a rare superstar, that could shift the whole direction of the organization in the near future.
Of course this type of report from Friedman will spark a lot of discussion in the media and on social media regarding any potential future moves the Kings could do on the trade block or in free agency.
A piece from The Hockey News interpreted Friedman's report with the meaning that the Kings could try to appeal as a destination to a top superstar talent such as Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews or Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid if either player ever comes available on the open market.
While this idea from The Hockey News is based purely in speculation, it still remains with the underlying idea that the Kings are preserving cap flexibility for a big future move.
Every signing Holland and the Kings have made this offseason in free agency was with the idea that they come with reasonable cap hits and low financial commitments. The Kings signed wingers Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry to one-year contracts. And centers Erik Haula and Scott Laughton were signed to reasonable contracts between two and three years for the Kings.
By avoiding any long-term financial commitments this offseason, the Kings have at least maintained the flexibility to explore a blockbuster opportunity, including hypothetically getting McDavid or Matthews in the future, should one ever arise.
It's impossible to know right now if the Kings will be able to have the opportunity to land a superstar talent like Matthews or McDavid. But the bigger idea from Friedman is interesting. Holland and the Kings don't look to be sacrificing future cap flexibility for short-term gains in the roster lineup. And if a franchise-altering talent like McDavid or Matthews does become available, the Kings could be one of the teams positioned well to make a serious bid.
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