Los Angeles Kings steal a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in free agency

The Los Angeles Kings will look different this season, thanks to GM Ken Holland. He's done a real bang-up job bringing over his favorite ex-Oilers, including Corey Perry, a former Blackhawk, and Cody Ceci.

Ensuring the Kings are never to rise again, and has essentially salted the ground in Los Angeles with his arrival.

Though sometimes there are signings that give people hope, as Blackhawks depth forward Cole Guttman is one of them.

Guttman fulfilled a depth role during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons and played up to expectations in the AHL. Now, Ken Holland is taking advantage of that to restock the Kings' pipeline.

For Guttman, this is a homecoming, where he'll see a league minimum $775K payday in Los Angeles.

Last season, he played entirely in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, scoring 57 points (23-34) in 70 games with the Hogs.

Guttman hasn't gotten a lot of looks in the NHL, playing only 41 games with the Blackhawks, scoring 14 points (8-6).

Guttman was born in Northridge, California, and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning 180th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Now, it'll be a nice homecoming for him, along with the $1.5 million contract that comes along with it.

Guttman will remain in a depth role with the Kings, joining the Ontario Reign in the AHL. Will he have any immediate impact on the organization? Unless there's an injury, it is doubtful.