The Los Angeles Kings are preparing for another season after unfortunately having another first-round playoff exit. The moves didn't generate much buzz and probably are not going to see any significant changes to the roster between now and October.
However, general manager Ken Holland needs to make sure that he is looking past this season because the Kings could find themselves in a very tough spot with their center position.
It starts with Anze Kopitar, the long-time captain of the Kings, as he reportedly will not sign a new deal this summer and could be looking to call it a career after this season. If he does, that creates a pretty big hole, regardless of which line he is on.
The Kings do have a suitable replacement as Quinton Byfield took that next step in the second half last season and looks poised to finally have that breakout season many envisioned when he was the second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
What do the Los Angeles Kings do if Anze Kopitar retires after this season?
If he moves into that top line and Kopitar retires, then Phillip Danault would be the next player up on that second line. Danault has had some good seasons and has been serviceable but his best years are behind him.
The Kings also have Alex Turcotte, a former first-round pick, who flashed some last season and if he puts it all together, it would be a huge boost for the position. However, that is far from being a guarantee and the Kings shouldn't be planning for that.
Samuel Helenius is another center on the roster that has looked good but he is best suited on the fourth line. Regardless, the Kings have a hole at the position and what makes it worse is that they don't really have any center prospects that don't seem to be close to ready to play at the NHL level.
This group includes Kenny Connors, Jack Hughes and maybe Kaleb Lawrence but he probably is better suited on the wing. This means that Holland and the Kings should be prepared to make a big splash in free agency to help soldify this position.