The LA Kings have some decisions to make over the next 10 days leading up to July 1st and the start of free agency. However, one of those decisions appear to be made and one player from the last season's team won't be back.
According to Russell Morgan of Hockey Royalty, Tanner Jeannot is expected to test free agency and won't be returning to the Kings. Jeannot joined the Kings last summer when Los Angeles traded with the Tampa Bay Lightning for a package of draft picks, including this year's second-round pick.
Tanner Jeannot delivered what the LA Kings expected they were getting with him this past season
Last offseason, the Kings wanted to get bigger and more physical with their forwards and Jeannot was a big part of achieving that goal. He would spend most of the season on the team's fourth line and led the Kings in hits with 211 while averaging about 11 minutes of ice time per game.
Unfortunately, Jeannot suffered an injury towards the end of March and would miss the rest of the regular season and the first round playoff series with the Edmonton Oilers. His physical play was definitely missed in the series against the Oilers.
During the season, the Kings had discussed a contract extension with Jeannot, but nothing really materialized. The fact that Jeannot is expected to leave could be because the Kings are not willing to meet his contract demands, or because they have a new general manager in Ken Holland.
At the time a contract extension was discussed, Rob Blake was general manager, so Holland could have a different vision for the roster that didn't include Jeannot.
It will be interesting to see how Holland plans to replace Jeannot and if he is looking for a player that can still deliver that physical play but provide more in the offensive zone.