Players That The LA Kings Should Look At Now Richards Is Gone
- Updated: July 3, 2015
(Photo via Twitter User @JFTC_Kings)
The big news in ice hockey this week has been the LA Kings’ decision to terminate Mike Richards’ contract following a “material breach” of contract. With the release of the 30-year-old, it remains to be seen whether the Kings will have to pay any compensation, the Californian outfit now have an extra $9 million to work with.
Richards won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, their only Stanley Cup successes to date, but his use at the club had all but diminished last season. Right now the extra cash is far more advantageous to the side than Richards.
This cash influx can be of huge benefit. If they sign the right players then expect their odds of Stanley Cup success to rapidly plummet. At the time this articles was produced, they are priced at 19.00 with betfair to reign victorious in 2016. So who should they bring in?
Francois Beauchemin – Anaheim Ducks
Previous cap charge: $3.5 million
Position: D
It is no secret that the Kings are in the market for a defenseman and they could certainly do a lot worse than Beauchemin. The 35-year-old is a solid defender on the ice and will beef up the Kings’ defense no end. Last season he was the best at what he does for the Ducks, racking up 23 points in 64 games, a plus-17 rating and a 50.51 shot-attempts percentage (SAT). On top of that, he had an impressive nine assists in 16 playoff games. Beauchemin brings experience and still has the energy reserves to be a commendable top-four defenseman for the Kings. With Kevin Bieksa moving to the Ducks from the Vancouver Canucks recently, it seems that the door is open for him to move away.
Christian Ehrhoff – Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous cap charge: $4 million
Position: D
The hockey universe has a lot of time for Ehrhoff. He is a stunning player on the ice. An aggressive defender with an eye for goal is always a hugely attractive proposition. In the right side, Ehrhoff can easily be a 30-point scoring a season defender. The fact that he is a leftie is also a big gold star. Last season is one that Ehrhoff would sooner forget. His stats were decent enough, 14 points in 49 games is alright, but what will bug him is how his season was ruined by concussion. With him just signing on for a year when he joined the Penguins, Ehrhoff doesn’t have a huge attachment to the club, and may be willing to sign for another if Pittsburgh don’t offer him the deal he wants.
Johnny Oduya – Chicago Blackhawks
Previous cap charge: $3.4 million
Position: D
Oduya was an ever present in the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup success last season and would be a sound addition to the Kings roster. If you want a player who is going to come into his own in the Playoffs then Oduya is your man. He averaged a substantial 24:45 minutes per game while his performances in the final two rounds were career defining. It would not require too much acclimatising to get Oduya integrated in to the setup.
Brett Connolly – Boston Bruins
Previous cap charge: $850,500
Position: RW
Although Connolly only moved to the Bruins in March of this year, there would not be a lot the side could do if the Kings went in for him. Aged just 23, Connolly seems destined to have a big career ahead of him on the ice so it makes sense for the Kings to come in for him early on and help him develop into the star player that people believe him to be.
Zac Dalpe – Buffalo Sabres
Previous cap charge: N/A
Position: C
Dalpe isn’t the type of player who gets you off your seat. In fact, he isn’t a player who should get too close to the ice. He has had an indifferent career thus far but with Richards gone it is important to have some more bodies in the centre of the ice. In this regard, having Dalpe as a backup certainly sounds logical. Inspired signing he is not but he can serve a purpose.
Brett Bellemore – Carolina Hurricanes
Previous cap charge: $600,000
Position: D
After three seasons with the Hurricanes it seems that Bellemore’s time in the south is coming to an end. As mentioned over and over, the Kings need defensemen and while Bellemore is hardly an a-class player, he does provide cover and when called upon will be able to do the job. He is also cheap, meaning that he can come in the backdoor with his minimal contract while the front of house use the majority of the $9 million to persuade a marquee signing to join. It is always good to have an enforcer in the side as well. Bellemore has no problem in dropping gloves and scrapping. Players like this may be lacking in skill but they make up for it in spirit.
Corey Perry – Anaheim Ducks
Previous cap charge: $9 million
Position: RW
If you want a marquee signing then Corey Perry would be the man. Yes, he will take up all of the money left in the cap but he will significantly bolster the attack of the Kings. Here is a man who will bring at least 50 points a season to the table. It is little wonder the Ducks gave him a monstrous contract back in 2013. Perry would flourish in LA, seamlessly fitting into the side and transforming a front line into the most lethal in all of North America. Admittedly it is slightly utopian to believe that he would leave Anaheim, but one can wish.
Tom McCollum
Previous cap charge: N/A
Position: Goaltender
Although the Kings recently signed a backup goaltender in the shape of Jhonas Enroth, having a young goalkeeper to be in and around the squad could be of benefit. McCollum, who entered the early NHL draft, is one touted for big things. He just needs to be nurtured by the right side.
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