The Los Angeles Kings have not been strangers this off-season, bringing in good, quality NHL players.
However, it is a little surprising that more than half of the moves have been on defense.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesThe moves since free agency began when the Kings signed defenseman Alex Edler.
The team also recently signed 2021 1st round pick defenseman Brandt Clarke to a 3 year, entry-level deal. The team also re-signed defensemen Kale Clague (2-year, 2-way contract), Christian Wolanin (1 year, 2-way deal), and Austin Strand (1 year, 2-way deal).
This makes almost a full defensive pairing on any NHL team. Two things stand out from these deals.
First, the longest contract handed out was to Brandt Clarke at 3 years. This tells me that it is a perform first, get rewarded second general manager Rob Blake method. He doesn’t want to commit long-term, especially with a young defensive core.
General manager Rob Blake has done a tremendous job this off-season. He filled holes on offense by signing center Phillip Danault and trading for Viktor Arvidsson. Over the last 10 days, he has transformed the defensive side by adding to the teams’ defensive depth. He still has money to spend if he chooses to. The Kings and AHL affiliate, Ontario Reign, will be scary good in the next year or so.
Do you think Rob Blake is done? If not, who would you like to see him pick up?
Look for the Kings to make another move or two.
Featured Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
