The Los Angeles Kings once again saw their Stanley Cup hopes dashed at the hands of a familiar foe, falling to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Despite entering this latest series with home-ice advantage for the first time in their postseason matchups with Edmonton, the outcome remained unchanged.
This sustained playoff frustration has sparked significant change in the Kings’ front office. Following yet another early exit, Los Angeles parted ways with Rob Blake, replacing him with veteran executive Ken Holland. Now, with Holland at the helm, the franchise is reportedly exploring roster adjustments — and defenseman Jordan Spence may be one of the first pieces on the move.
Los Angeles Kings Could Be Looking To Move Jordan Spence
On a recent episode of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman singled out Spence as a player to watch this offseason.
“Ken Holland, you know how he feels about his blueline,” Friedman said. “He likes a big, mobile blueline. I just don’t think the Kings feel Spence and Brandt Clarke on the right side together works… Clarke I don’t believe is available. Spence, I think, is — so that’s a name to keep an eye out for.”
Spence, 23, is coming off a career year in which he appeared in 79 games, logging 16:47 of average ice time, while tallying four goals, 24 assists, and a strong +23 rating. His contract — one year remaining at a modest $1.5 million cap hit — makes him a cost-effective and appealing trade chip, particularly for teams looking to bolster their blue line with a right-shot defenseman capable of playing regular minutes.
Advanced metrics further underscore Spence’s value. He led all Kings defensemen in CorsiFor% (57.1), indicating strong puck possession when he was on the ice, and he ranked third in on-ice save percentage (92.1%) behind only Matt Roy and Drew Doughty. Over the past two seasons, Spence has posted 52 points across 150 games, while contributing 132 blocked shots and 147 hits — steady production from a depth defender still on the rise.
Yet, his fit within the current Kings roster is less certain. Brandt Clarke, a top prospect with a high ceiling, appears poised for a larger role moving forward. With Drew Doughty still under contract for two more seasons, the team faces a logjam on the right side of its defense — and there may not be room for all three.
Some within the organization may argue to retain Spence, citing Doughty’s age (36) and eventual retirement as reason to keep both young blueliners. However, the counterargument is compelling: if Spence can fetch a larger, more physical defenseman — the type Holland has long favored — the Kings could be better served making that deal now, especially if they miss out on key targets in free agency.
Spence’s youth, production, and team-friendly contract suggest he would command considerable interest on the market. And while his departure would be a loss, it could also signal the beginning of a new direction under Ken Holland — one built on reshaping a roster that, for four years running, has been good enough to get to the playoffs, but not beyond the Oilers.