Kyle Garcia 
The LA Kings continue to clear up their logjam at the right-handed defense position as they traded Sean Duzri Saturday afternoon.
Kings have traded Sean Durzi to the Coyotes for a 2024 second round draft pick.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) June 24, 2023
WHAT?!?! Yes, you read that correctly. The LA Kings have traded Sean Durzi to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a second-round in 2024. General manager Rob Blake traded a second-round pick in 2024 to offload Cal Petersen and Sean Walker, and he just replaced it in this trade. With this trade, the Kings have officially cleared that logjam on the right side of the defense. This means Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence should be fighting for a roster spot.
Durzi is under contract for next season with a $1,700,000 cap hit and is an RFA in 2024. Could a small move like this lead to a more significant move for Rob Blake? Could that 2024 second-round pick come into play? We’ll have to wait and see. The Kings have a shade above nine million dollars in cap space after this trade and still have some notable restricted free agents to sign as well. They also need a goalie.
Remember: The NHL draft is this coming Wednesday.
Photo credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP
Kings made the right move,Durzi’s offensive prowess was overshadowed by his untimely penalties and out of position lapses. Now,we can see what Clarke &/or Spence can do in the lineup.
As far as goaltending,I sure hope we re-sign Korpi and go with a Korpi+Copley tandem next season.
I sure hope GM RB doesn’t sign either PLD or Hellebuyck. PLD doesn’t play any defense and Hellebuyck is too old. Hard Pass on both of them!