I was thinking way ahead for next summer and how the Kings' payroll, cap space and roster may shake up and what holes will be open.
2011 UFAs: Handzus, Ponikarovsky, Williams, Harrold, Ersberg, Zeiler
2011 RFAs: Doughty, Johnson, Simmonds, Richardson, Clune, Bernier
Then you have other players on the bubble who will be RFAs which includes:
Moller, Lewis, Martinez, Fransson, Mullen, Cliche, Holloway, Elkins, Zatkoff, Campbell, Meckler.
Here is how the 2011-12 lineup may look like without any additions, with holes being filled by players under contract and RFAs who are safe bets to be re-signed:
Smyth-Kopitar-Brown
Richardson-Loktionov-(Parse)
Clifford-Schenn-Simmonds
Clune-(Stoll)-Westgarth
Mitchell-Doughty
Scuderi-Johnson
Muzzin-Greene
(Drewiske)
Quick-Bernier
I've added players on the bubble to return in parentheses, as I see the Kings possibly upgrading or making changes at those positions.
My guess is that Doughty gets a deal similar to what Duncan Keith signed, let's estimate it at $6.6M. Give Johnson an estimate of about $4M, Simmonds at $3M. Bernier will be tough to gauge seeing how he'll be in a backup role. For now, let's say he gets a short term deal at $1.5M.
That brings the Kings' payroll to roughly $55-56M. Should the salary cap go up again next season, say up to $62M, the Kings will have $6M in cap space.
I think Loktionov, Schenn and Clifford will be ready to assume full time roles by next season. The question will be whether or not players like Stoll, Parse and Drewiske will return. If they are dealt, that gives the Kings even more flexibility.
The Kings have made it clear that they are looking to increase goal scoring and are interested in a winger with the ability to finish. There is one significant sniper that will be available next summer and that is Alex Semin. He stated recently in an interview that he is only interested in resuming his career in the US and I think he will be getting long-term offers that will pay him around $6M or more.
My fantasy scenario would involve the Kings making a trade to acquire Ryan Malone in a trade involving Stoll and/or Parse and/or prospects/picks.
This would be an ideal lineup to open the 2011-12 season:
Smyth-Kopitar-Brown
Malone-Loktionov-Semin
Richardson-Schenn-Simmonds
Clifford-Clune-Westgarth
King
Mitchell-Doughty
Scuderi-Johnson
Muzzin-Greene
Hickey
Quick-Bernier
By 2012-13, the contracts for Smyth, Stoll, Parse and Mitchell will expire, giving the Kings even more flexibility to add talent up front or on defense. In hindsight, not signing Kovalchuk may present the Kings with plenty of options with the ability for the team to retain their top young players and to make any necessary additions that will turn this team into Cup contenders over the long haul.