We are in the middle of the NHL offseason, where the news seems to never end.
Next up on the summer hockey schedule are Qualifying Offers (QOs), which will be handed out later today.
In simple terms, this process does not guarantee that a player will sign with his current team. However, it is a necessary step for a team to retain the rights of said player.
Before we get into Los Angeles’ 2024 restricted free agent roster, first a quick recap for those unfamiliar with the overall process. In an article last summer, we broke down the signing process into the four most basic stages:
Entry level contract – These contracts are typically three years long and come with a predetermined salary. Players on these contracts make around $70,000 per season while playing in the AHL/ECHL and just under $1 million if they play in the NHL. Depending on the player’s age when they sign the contract, an ELC contract is sometimes only for one or two years; this is often the case with older players coming out of college or from Europe.
Restricted free agent – When a player comes off a restricted free agent contract, he typically has several years of restricted free agency. During this period, teams can “qualify” him for the following year (assuming the player is not already under contract), which, again, happens at a predetermined rate that has already been negotiated in the CBA. For most restricted free agents, this means a 5% or 10% increase in their base salary. If a player has any leverage, he can try to negotiate a multi-year contract that may be more beneficial to him. These contracts are often referred to as “bridge deals.”
Restricted free agent with the right to arbitration – Like an RFA, teams have the ability to qualify these players with a small increase in salary for the following season. However, when a player has arbitration rights, he can request that an arbitrator hear his case and decide his contract for the upcoming season. Teams also have the right to request arbitration if they feel that the mandatory rating (increase) amount for the following season is too high, given the players’ performance. The latter is a little rarer, although it is happening in New Jersey this summer with Timo Meier. Most teams and players try to avoid the arbitration process as it is often contentious and leaves bitter feelings on both sides. In the case of the Kings, their only player with arbitration rights this summer is Gabe Vilardi (more on him below).
Unrestricted free agents – Players can achieve this status in a number of ways. However, as a UFA, a player is free to sign with any club he wants for any length of time he desires. The only real restriction is that the dollar amount cannot be less than the league minimum. As an example, the league minimum last season was $750,000.
Another footnote to all this contract talk is the number 50. That’s the maximum allowable contracts an NHL team can have at any one time. This limit includes all players, period, including players in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and even prospects playing in junior hockey. Typically, a team will only have about 48 players under contract, leaving a little wiggle room in case a trade or other need arises.
LA Kings restricted free agents for 2024
After checking with multiple team sources over the past 48 hours, here’s how things are expected to play out later today, barring a last-minute surprise:
Quinton Byfield
Qualified
Byfield, selected at age 18 in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft as the second overall pick, is coming off a breakout season in which he scored a career-high 20 goals and 55 points. In the 2023-24 season, the 21-year-old forward was playing the final year of his entry-level contract. In total, Byfield has scored 88 points in his 179 NHL games played. Los Angeles management will make a decision this summer: sign Byfield to a short-term bridge contract to save money over the next two seasons or tie him to a longer-term deal. Either option can be done later in the summer; however, a qualified offer will be necessary to buy more time to reach an agreement.
We look at Byfield’s situation in more detail, including our prediction for his next contract here:
Predicting Quinton Byfield’s next contract with the LA Kings
Jacob Ingham
Not Rated
One of the most talented goalies the Kings have had on the horizon in a long time. In fact, it was just a few years ago when he was He ranks first on their young goalkeeper depth chart.Despite an impressive season this year, it’s looking increasingly likely that both teams will go their separate ways this summer. His situation is just the latest example of timing prospects. Often, there can be a very narrow window of opportunity. When it’s there, you have to take advantage of it. If not, other players will come after you and may get that spot.
Arturo Kaliyev
Qualified
The promising forward was originally selected by the Kings in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. After completing his rookie season, in which he played in 80 NHL games, Kaliyev has had stretches in the last two seasons where he served as a substitute for different periods of time. He finished the previous two seasons with 56 and 51 games, respectively, all while playing on his entry-level contract. After a 15-point campaign (7G, 8A), the 23-year-old forward now needs a qualifying offer to retain his rights before the team determines what to do next.
Blake Lizette
Not Rated
Their situation has been covered extensively on several recent episodes of Kings Of The Podcast. Given other factors at play with the Kings’ 23-man roster, qualifying him and going to arbitration just didn’t seem like a logical decision from the start. Depending on what his contract asks for and potential interest from other teams, his next move is very much in doubt at this point. Could he even return to Los Angeles on a $1 million average annual value contract? We’d put the odds at less than 50%, but never say never.
Tyler Madden
Not Rated
He also did not receive a qualifying offer last summer, but returned after signing a contract during free agency in July. After his best statistical season in the AHL, things may eventually play out in a similar fashion this summer.
Eric Portillo
Qualified
Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Erik Portillo came to Los Angeles via trade on March 1, 2023, when the Kings sent a 2023 third-round pick for the slow-moving goaltender. Immediately following the trade, the Kings signed Portillo to a two-year, entry-level contract that expires this summer. The Swedish goaltender had a breakout season in the AHL in 2023-24. Working his way through a campaign that saw Ontario utilize four different players in net, he led the team with 39 starts, along with all eight playoff games.
Jordan Spence
Qualified
Spence just completed his first full NHL season with the Kings, playing in 71 games and putting up 24 points (2G, 22A). The Australian-born blueliner was originally selected by Los Angeles in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has since suited up for the Kings in spurts over the past three seasons. Having completed the final year of his entry-level contract, Spence will need a qualifying offer and a contract for next season. We expect a 2-year deal to eventually be announced, with a likelihood of somewhere close to $1.5 million AAV.
For more information on how the Kings’ salary cap situation is shaping up, be sure to check out the article linked below.
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NEW LOOK: LA Kings salary cap, 2024-25 lineup and trade rumors
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