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With just a few hours remaining until NHL teams must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents — which only guarantess they continue to hold rights om those players, it doesn’t actually get them signed to a contract — the LA Kings still have two decisions to make. As we approach the 2pm PST deadline, our sources are indicating decisions have still not been made on Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Zack MacEwen.
In the case of both players, it is said to largely hinge on the fact they both have arbitration rights. Quite simply, the Kings are out of salary cap space, as projected in this article here:
The team entered this off-season with a myriad of RFAs, including Gabe Vilardi and Rasums Kupari, who were recenlty traded to Winnipeg. Goaltending prospect David Hrenak also opted to sign a contract overseas, while forward Lias Andersson is believe to be signing in Sweden soon. Those moved helped thin the herd a bit, plus we were previously able to confirm they do plan on qualifying goalie Jacob Ingam, along with defenseman Toby Bjornfot. Joining the ‘to be qualified’ list are forwards Sammy Fagemo, Tyler Madden, and Akil Thomas.
Also noted in our previous article was news that the Kings do not plan to qualify goaltender Matt Vilalta or forward Aidan Dudas.
Which brings things down to just two players: Anderson-Dolan and MacEwen.
Notes on each player from our previous RFA article:
Again, the issue at hand is arbitration. Even if the Kings qualify them, either player could refuse their qualifying offer and opt for arbitration. In that situation, a third-part decides their 2023-24 salary after hearing arguements from both sides. Beyond the fact this usually leaves hard feelings on both sides, if an arbitrator was to award either player more than their qualifying offer (which is likely), the Kings would be in even worse cap situation. Essentially, they would know the player most likely couldn’t be added to the opening night roster and be tucked under the salary cap for next season. Thus, the player would end up on waivers (for the purposes of sending them to the AHL) and potentially being taken by another team. So what’s the point in all of that?
If they can agree on contract terms, one of the players could still be retained. The challenge with JAD is his qualifying offer is so low to begin with, if he doesn’t accept it, there would likely be little hope he’d re-sign in LA as a UFA becuase at that point, he’d likely be looking for a fresh start with another team vs. being LA’s 13th forward again next season.
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