LA Kings: Trade Deadline Preview

Ok now. This is the LA Kings team we saw in November. With back-to-back decisive 5-1 wins over Vancouver and New Jersey, renewed confidence is afoot.

Interim head coach Jim Hiller has found something with the 11/7 lineup he’s put forth in the last two games. I mean, seeing Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence in the lineup together, even in reduced minutes, is better than only one getting the opportunity.

But what this approach has unlocked is a new level for one Kevin Fiala, who is adding a two-way game to his already potent offensive arsenal.

While Hiller shows trust and rewards Kevin with extra minutes due to the 11-forward lineup, the expecting father is returning the favor with two straight three-point games.

“There’s a good feeling in the locker room.” – Kevin Fiala

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 3, 2024

The swagger is back. And with encouraging news on the injury front that could see Mikey Anderson, Adrian Kempe, and Viktor Arvidsson possibly back later this month, general manager Rob Blake approaches a significant crossroads in his tenure with a variety of options to consider.

Hold firm

As inconsistent as the LA Kings have been, we’ve seen them at their best. And when that’s the case they’ve proven unstoppable. Especially with a healthy Arvidsson in the fold. The structure the Kings have in place may not win division titles in the regular season but will be beneficial in a grueling seven-game series.

If Blake does stand pat hoping the Kings find their mojo in the postseason, the spotlight on his big acquisition of PL Dubois only gets brighter.

Dubois is a puzzle. He’s everything you want in a hulking centerman. Size and skill. Yet, the lack of consistent effort leaves fans bewildered. He’s a force when he’s on his game (or wants to be). There’s no denying that. It’s getting that effort on a nightly basis that’s an issue.

Matt Roy

What to do with Matt Roy is also a topic of conversation. The vastly underrated right-shot blueliner is sixth among NHL defensemen in expected goal share, according to EvolvingHockey.com.

As a pending unrestricted free agent, his current $3,150,000 per year cap hit will likely turn into a $5-6 million figure if a team feels compelled to offer. And looking at the Kings’ future salaries that’s a tough ask.

If you were GM Rob Blake, would you trade Matt Roy at next week’s deadline?#GoKingsGo

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) February 27, 2024

Trading him is tempting and would net a return comparable to Calgary’s return from sending Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars.

As many thought a first-round pick was on the table, the Flames received an underwhelming package including a second-round pick, a conditional third (Dallas must make the cup final), and a mid-level prospect. Not bad. Not great.

But no Roy on the right side of the blueline, even with Spence and Clarke biding their time, won’t give LA the best chance to win now. Keep him.

Salary cap situation

Right now, CapFriendly shows the LA Kings with $2,582,499 in deadline cap space. That includes Pheonix Copley, Carl Grundstrom, and Viktor Arvidsson on LTIR (Mikey Anderson and Adrian Kempe remain on the roster). If the Kings hope to activate Arvidsson during the regular season, they’ll have to squeeze in his $4,250,000 salary.

No new updates from Jim Hiller on the status of Viktor Arvidsson, Mikey Anderson, and Adrian Kempe, they’re all considered week-to-week.

I did see a red jersey hanging in Kempe’s and Anderson’s stall in the locker room.

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 2, 2024

Cap retention has become a vital tool for teams looking to add. Tanev’s cap hit was reduced by 75% to $1,125,000 on the Stars’ books. Same with new Maple Leafs defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin whose number was reduced from $2,750,000 to $687,500 for Toronto. So if Blake is looking to add there’s an opportunity to do so.

Byfield’s new contract

Like the NFL, where teams with premier young quarterbacks on rookie deals go all-in, the Kings have their own QB coming to the end of his entry-level contract.

Breakout star Quinton Byfield is due for a hefty pay raise this summer. First of all, let’s not beat around the bush, he needs a long-term seven or eight-year deal like yesterday. There’s no need for a “bridge”.

A bridge deal only delays the inevitable. Getting him signed to a contract with a $7-$8 million AAV (average annual value) will look great as opposed to re-signing him when he’s 24-25 where he could command eight figures.

But whatever direction Blake takes with Byfield likely pushes out free agents like Roy, Arvidsson, or possibly even RFA Blake Lizotte over the summer. If those players walk like many expect then this is the time for the Kings to take a swing.

Hanifin, Chychrun

An upgrade to the left defense position is the first place Blake should look to improve. Noah Hanifin and of course, Jakob Chychrun are the big names seemingly available this week (I’ve long wanted to see a Chychrun-Roy pairing on the LA blueline).

Hanifin’s 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 total points on the year would be second on the Kings among defensemen behind Drew Doughty. He also plays a ton of minutes, second on the Flames in ice time averaging 23:47 a game. The 27-year-old is a pending UFA, so he’d be a pure rental, but he’s at the top of my list of players available for the Kings.

Chychrun has struggled a bit since joining the Ottawa Senators, but he’s still producing with nine goals and 22 assists. While his -15 on the year is concerning, he should thrive in the Kings’ defensive-minded structure. An added benefit to trading for Jakob is that he’s still got another year left on his lowly $4.6 million per year contract.

Both players will come with hefty price tags. If the Kings 2024 first-round pick is the asking price, then I’d do it in a heartbeat. LA is well-positioned for the future with players signed long-term and the youth movement continuing with Byfield, Turcotte, Clarke, and Spence showing promise. So losing a pick in the 16-32 range won’t hurt too much.

Toffoli, Guentzel, Eberle

Some big forward names being circulated among league speculation include former King Tyler Toffoli, the Penguins’ Jake Guentzel, and the Kraken’s Jordan Eberle.

I’m not too fond of the idea of adding a forward for LA at the deadline. If Kempe and Arvidsson come back in a few weeks as reports suggest, the top nine up front won’t require much tinkering. However, seeing Toffoli back in black would bring an added boost to the lineup, the power play, and the locker room.

This is the best time of year. Where fantasy meets reality and speculations, rumors, and fake Twitter/X accounts run rampant. Whatever Rob Blake decides to do will play an integral role in his future as general manager of the LA Kings.