Kyle Garcia 
The LA Kings freed up cap space in a three-team trade involving the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers.
Trade details:
To #CBJ: Ivan Provorov
To #Flyers: 2023 No. 22 overall pick, #LAKings 2024 2nd Rd Pick, #CBJ 2nd Rd Pick in 2024 or 2025, Cal Petersen, Sean Walker, prospect Helge Grans
To #LAKings: 30% retained on Provorov, Kevin Connauton, Hayden Hodgson
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 6, 2023
The @LAKings have acquired defenseman Kevin Connauton and forward Hayden Hodgson in a three-team trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers.https://t.co/DYIM7i3lWD
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) June 6, 2023
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Ivan Provorov from the Philadelphia Flyers (and a second-round pick as well), while the LA Kings dealt goaltender Cal Petersen, defensemen Sean Walker and Helge Grans, and a second-round pick to Philadelphia. In return, the Kings acquired two AHL players in Kevin Connauton and Hayden Hodgson, as well as retaining 30% of Provorov’s salary (which comes out to $2,025,000 until the 2024-2025 season).
In other words
$7,650,000 ➡️
$2,025,000 ⬅️ https://t.co/wb0ZYB41GO— Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) June 6, 2023
By offloading Petersen and Walker the Kings shipped out $7,650,000, giving them some cap space to sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
Looks like this is the deal that we mentioned 2 days ago. Freeing up space for Gavrikov re-signing in LA. Stay tuned…. https://t.co/g1AX70a6xe
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) June 6, 2023
The biggest takeaway here is Cal Petersen. Petersen is under contract for the next two seasons with a $5,000,000 AAV while having a 10-team no-trade list. Getting out of Petersen’s contract, who struggled at both the NHL and AHL last year, was a tall task for Rob Blake that I thought he couldn’t pull off. He proved me wrong.
Moving both Walker and Grans frees up a log jam at the right-handed defensemen position. Jordan Spence and Brandt Clarke are knocking at the door and should have a chance to compete for an NHL roster spot in training camp.
People are saying Grans is the prospect going back, so here's my take:
The Reign used 5 LHD in the playoffs and Grans was benched in both gmes and at times during the season. 9 pts in 59 games. With Spence and Clarke ahead of him, it made sense.#GoKingsGo
— Kyle Garcia (@Kopitar4HOF) June 6, 2023
What does Rob Blake have next? Goaltending should be the next priority once they take care of Gavrikov. As of now, the Kings have $13.2 million in cap space.
Featured image credit: Ontario Reign