The core, for me (and that differs among NHL fans) is a stud goalie, an elite defenseman a dominant Ppg #1 center and solid 2 way #2 center, the four columns on which a contender can build upon. That is the recipe I've seen over my many years of watching this game that is the one that is the most fruitful
For the Kings that would be Quick, DD, Kopi and Carter.
Quick - he's only 31 , good paper and good numbers. No reason to trade him. What they need to do is start drafting goalies, at least 1 this year and have a good crop out there so if 3 years, one of those young'uns can be his backup for a year or 2 and then take over.
DD- 28 next year and at least 8 more ahead as a top d, given his IQ, vision, physical game , leadership (in spades) and other assets. 2 yrs left on his deal, so not this year. but next summer he's going into his last year. So he'll be 30 when a new deal starts. By next summer the Kings GM should have an idea from DD's agent what he's looking for. And as has been mentioned, if DD wants to move on (no secret he loves Toronto and by then they look to be one of the better teams trending up) and indicates he won't sign, that would be the time to trade him, with 1 yr left. They'd get a boatload back. The path is up to him.
Kopitar- going nowhere , esp with 7 more yrs at 10M
Carter- tough call, he's been one of the most consistent and reliable goal scorers in the NHL over the last decade. Since coming to LA, he's changed a lot, matured ,redefined his game. He's a vital piece of this teams successes, esp this year, without him they are looking up at the Coyotes. But he'll be 33 next yr and not unlike Iggy in his early 30's, it's tough to separate the emotional attachment to the business side. Where he'd fit best for me, would be a contender who is very close, has the other pieces in place, esp goaltending, to win a cup in the next 2 -3 years. That would be a good fit for him, he'd bring the numbers and the leadership, experience. And depending on the team and how many GM's value centers, you could get overpayment. What they should get, a top center/winger 23 or so, a top prospect and a top pick. Teams that could use him, the Habs, the Sens, the Preds and the Flames. When (for me not if) the Caps fail again this year, the GM last yr said if they didn't win the cup, there would be major changes. Depending on who moves out, he might look at JC as a piece that would make a difference. Of even the Leafs, who could move Bozak (not to the Kings, a separate move which has been rumored) and JC brings them the vet. leadership they need and he's played for Babs before. leafs have enough pieces they could move and they want a defenseman, maybe the Kings could package JC with Muzzin.
For all we know, GM's might have called, most of them do, and DL didn't want to do that. But a new GM might have different ideas of where he wants this team to go and who he wants on the roster to do it. The might be going younger. And as with most GM', they want their own coach.
And maybe he sees Kempe as that #2 , a talented kid who needs minutes and experience, stability with the same linemates, such as TP and TT. That would be a good young line to build on.
I think they can refocus, retool and reshape into a new vision. But that requires a really good GM who had to lead the way and a coach who can give the team a system that will flourish in the current and future NHL
