MUST READ: Kings Should Look Internally for Improvements at Forward This Summer

Although they don’t anticipate a lot of roster turnover this summer, the Los Angeles Kings will probably need to find a forward to replace Viktor Arvidsson.

It seemed inevitable that Arvidsson would depart, and a new rumor from Pierre Lebrun indicates that Arvidsson will use his right to free agency.

“Now that he’s healthy and feeling great, I think Viktor is ready for the next chapter in his career. He just looks forward to helping a club succeed. Guys don’t become free agents that often in their careers. He gets to navigate through all the opportunities and see where the best fit is.” – Arvidsson’s agent Kurt Overhardt, (From “Rumblings on Guentzel, Kane, Stamkos, Lindholm, Bertuzzi and more as NHL free-agent market heats up,” Pierre Lebrun

The Kings will need to find a replacement for Arvidsson internally. They have internal alternatives ready to fill in, but they still have other openings to worry about, primarily a starting goalie.

Not only does Arvidsson need to be replaced, but they actually need to fill two slots in the top nine.

Alex Laferriere and Trevor Lewis switched places as the RW3 during the playoffs, and neither player ought to be there the following year. Although it probably shouldn’t be discussed, there has been some discussion regarding who they can invite this summer.

They should commit to what’s within the company today, as they have already made the mistake of pursuing a big-time trade instead of considering internal choices

First choice: Alex Turcotte

The primary resemblance between Arvidsson and Alex Turcotte is their history of injuries, which is problematic for the Kings and may make it challenging to commit to Turcotte for the upcoming campaign.

Turcotte should start at five-on-five for the Kings next season if they are satisfied he can stay healthy.

Last season, Turcotte played in the NHL for the longest stretch of games ever, with four points in 20 games and a +5 rating. He also mixed in some great underlying figures, giving the Kings hope that more offensive will play a larger part.

With the Ontario Reign, he made a significant contribution, amassing 29 points in 35 regular season games—his highest point total in professional hockey—and four points in eight postseason contests.

Although the offense may never be what you would have liked from a previous fifth-overall pick, Trevor Moore and Phil Danault will benefit greatly from his industrious and hardworking style of play.

The Kings may also try switching him up and pairing him with a player like Kevin Fiala, who performs best when paired with diligent forwards who don’t require a lot of puck movement.

I always look back to Turcotte’s World Junior triumph in 2020 as a model for how to use him. Let him be the leader of a line that includes two extremely talented forwards, carrying out the grunt work that lets his teammates succeed.

For similar reasons, he might possibly have had a major role in inspiring Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Turcotte ought to take Arvidsson’s spot in the top nine, regardless of how the Kings want to deploy him.

Second choice: Akil Thomas

Akil Thomas ought to take Arvidsson’s place in the top nine if Turcotte has a bad camp or gets hurt.

During his time with LA, Thomas was quite productive, scoring four points in seven games—actually, six games because he only played six shifts in his NHL debut.

Although Thomas has offensive potential, it’s more as a depth scorer than anything else, and it’s important to note that he is unlikely to maintain that pace for the duration of the season.

But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a valuable addition to the Kings’ starting lineup.

Turcotte’s game has a few rhymes. Thomas is a great skater who puts in a lot of effort and plays a conscientious two-way game.

Though he is a more natural goal scorer, he lacks Turcotte’s skills and playmaking ability.

In addition, despite his own history of injuries, Thomas plays with greater physicality and confidence that his body can withstand the physical demands of the National Hockey League.

Thomas should be considered for the Kings’ top nine after demonstrating his ability to produce in the NHL.

Luckily for the Kings, if they don’t recruit another forward over the summer, there will be ample room for Thomas and Turcotte to play in the top nine.

 

Third choice: Samuel Fagemo:

Although he doesn’t seem like the most likely choice to start for the Kings in the upcoming campaign, Fagemo is still someone to keep an eye on.

Of the three players listed, Fagemo has had the most success, scoring 43 goals in 50 games during the previous season, totally dominating the AHL.

Though Frk did score like Fagemo at 23, there are worries that he’s another Martin Frk, too one-dimensional to play in the NHL but with a great shot that let him to dominate the AHL.

Crucially, the Kings are in dire need of a right shot like Fagemo. He is also most likely the most suited to take Arvidsson’s post.

Although Fagemo is not nearly as well-rounded as he is, he is a high volume shooter who can play quickly. It won’t be a one-for-one game.

It’s difficult to overlook his output, even though his defensive abilities are still in doubt and it’s uncertain if he contributes anything else to the NHL besides his shooting.

The Kings must truly play Fagemo if they are to play him. Fourth-line minutes and no power minutes are incompatible; that would be a waste of everyone’s time.

He must be given looks on the power play and in the top nine. Fagemo would be a good choice as a one-time danger on the top unit if the Kings placed Dubois in front and flipped their top unit.

That would never occur since it would mean removing Anze Kopitar or Adrian Kempe from the starting lineup, but Fagemo would be the one to find the net in that capacity.

Perhaps that is a possibility for the second unit.

Although I wouldn’t count Fagemo out, I don’t think he will get a look since if he was going to make this squad, he would have done it by now.