That's looking at the team right now, but Lombardi will add players between now and then. He needs to replace Lucic, and that'll likely be with a contract that needs to be protected. He may also want to add another veteran to the bottom-six. Then, you have the likelihood of a mid-season (trade deadline) addition or two, and though those are likely to be rental contracts that won't need to be protected, it's possible that Lombardi, burned by rentals recently, may get a player with some years (contract-wise or RFA-wise) that'll need to be protected. By this time next year, LA may well have 7 forwards more worth protecting than Clifford. In fact, we should hope for that, since that speaks better to the depth of the team than having Clifford as the 6th- or 7th-best forward.
- Osprey

Lewis just signed for 4 years. With his signing, Clifford is now 6th in order of priority of protected forwards. The Kings would have to add two additional multi-year forwards this season to push Clifford into unprotected territory. With the cap space they have remaining, the only additional piece they will likely be adding is a defenseman, and likely to a short-term contract so the cap hit does not interfere with Toffoli's extension.

Clifford doesn't have to be the 6th or 7th "best" forwards to warrant protecting, but rather a consistent role player with a favorable contract. He has 4 more years at a cap-friendly $1.6M, which is certainly worth protecting.

Lewis just signed for 4 years. With his signing, Clifford is now 6th in order of priority of protected forwards. The Kings would have to add two additional multi-year forwards this season to push Clifford into unprotected territory. With the cap space they have remaining, the only additional piece they will likely be adding is a defenseman, and likely to a short-term contract so the cap hit does not interfere with Toffoli's extension.
- tkecanuck341

I doubt that Lombardi gave up so much for Lucic and was willing to put his team right up against the cap for him because he's happy with the current top-6. I don't see him simply sitting on the $5M+ in cap space in the face of the glaring hole that Lucic's walking has opened up. Whomever he signs or trades for to fill that hole will likely put Clifford on the bubble and at risk of being pushed over the line if something else comes up over the next year (i.e. an acquisition with term or, maybe, Gaborik scores 30 goals and you suddenly consider protecting him; who knows).

Clifford doesn't have to be the 6th or 7th "best" forwards to warrant protecting, but rather a consistent role player with a favorable contract. He has 4 more years at a cap-friendly $1.6M, which is certainly worth protecting.
- tkecanuck341

The problem may be with the "consistent" part. He's injured a lot, and, even when he's not, he's occasionally scratched. He's not "consistently" in the lineup, so that $1.6M doesn't look as nice as it might if he were an integral player. With four years left, Lombardi might not be upset if he were to lose him (in expansion draft or trade) and might like the idea of getting more value out of that spot with a player who's cheaper, better and/or just more consistently in the lineup.

I doubt that Lombardi gave up so much for Lucic and was willing to put his team right up against the cap for him because he's happy with the current top-6. I don't see him simply sitting on the $5M+ in cap space in the face of the glaring hole that Lucic's walking has opened up. Whomever he signs or trades for to fill that hole will likely put Clifford on the bubble and at risk of being pushed over the line if something else comes up over the next year (i.e. an acquisition with term or, maybe, Gaborik scores 30 goals and you suddenly consider protecting him; who knows).
- Osprey

He's not going to sit on $5M in cap space. First off, he's going to fill 4 of the 5 remaining vacancies with six-figure players (Dowd, Forbort, Gravel, Budaj), really leaving only about $3-3.5M of space to work with. Then, he's going to use what's left to sign or trade for a defenseman to round out the top-four. Due to the impending expansion draft, it will probably be an aging defenseman (Brian Campbell?), a rental defenseman (Trevor Daley?), or someone similar that won't affect their protection slots next July.

The problem may be with the "consistent" part. He's injured a lot, and, even when he's not, he's occasionally scratched. He's not "consistently" in the lineup, so that $1.6M doesn't look as nice as it might if he were an integral player. With four years left, Lombardi might not be upset if he were to lose him (in expansion draft or trade) and might like the idea of getting more value out of that spot with a player who's cheaper, better and/or just more consistently in the lineup.
- Osprey

Clifford is not "injured a lot". He was concussed on a dirty hit from Victor Hedman that caused him to miss 24 games last season, but that's hardly his fault. Besides that, he hasn't missed more than a handful of games since the lockout. I don't think you can call that "inconsistent". He played every game of the lockout shortened season, played 71 games in 2013-14 and 80 games in 2014-15. When he's healthy, he plays. He is really the only constant on the Kings 4th line.

He's not going to sit on $5M in cap space. First off, he's going to fill 4 of the 5 remaining vacancies with six-figure players (Dowd, Forbort, Gravel, Budaj), really leaving only about $3-3.5M of space to work with.
- tkecanuck341

Lombardi had to have plans for those vacancies that didn't require that $5M when he was offering it to Lucic. For example, the rumored trading of King would've accomplished that. I don't see any reason why he can't still exercise those plans to properly replace Lucic. That doesn't mean that he will, but if he wasn't so boxed in to make an offer to Lucic, then he's not so boxed that he can't replace him.

BTW, I brought this up on another board, but Vanek (who was just bought out) could be an option if he's willing to take a cheap, 1-year deal. He's good for Lucic's production and is good in front of the net. I also have a vague recollection of Lombardi being interested in him long ago. It could make sense for both sides.

Clifford is not "injured a lot". He was concussed on a dirty hit from Victor Hedman that caused him to miss 24 games last season, but that's hardly his fault. Besides that, he hasn't missed more than a handful of games since the lockout. I don't think you can call that "inconsistent". He played every game of the lockout shortened season, played 71 games in 2013-14 and 80 games in 2014-15. When he's healthy, he plays. He is really the only constant on the Kings 4th line.
- tkecanuck341

He also missed almost the entire 2012 playoff run because he was injured. That said, you're right that he's been more healthy and in the lineup than I thought. It just seems like he's often out. Maybe that's partly to do with him not being as effective in recent years as he was in his first few seasons. I know that I've caught myself surprised that he was playing when I didn't remember noticing him.

the deal for versteeg would've panned out better if sutter used him in a slightly more effective way. such as, using him with kopi in game 5 against sj rather than dwight king...

Congrats Rogie!