The Los Angeles Kings have realized they’re not going to compete for the Stanley Cup this season or any time soon with their current core, and have begun to move some pieces out in exchange for future assets. The first big move of that ilk was trading Jake Muzzin yesterday to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a package that included a first-round pick and two prospects. While some may argue that the Kings could have gotten more closer to the deadline, or that Muzzin should have been retained, the team has obviously made a decision to move forward with at least a partial rebuild.
So who else is on the move out of Los Angeles? Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar are still likely untouchable, be it because of their value to the franchise or their huge contracts or a combination of the two. But other core pieces like Jonathan Quick, Jeff Carter, Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli have all seen their names thrown around in trade speculation throughout the season. There have even been reports of the price it would take to get Martinez out of Los Angeles, and detailed examinations of how Carter could use retirement as a sort of no-trade clause.
There are other names like Carl Hagelin, Derek Forbort, Nate Thompson, Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis who will all see unrestricted free agency either this summer or next, making them potential short-term rentals for teams looking to upgrade. Each of those names has their share of red flags though that might end up limiting the return. Others like Dustin Brown, Dion Phaneuf and Ilya Kovalchuk have huge obstacles blocking the way of a trade, though there are always ways around those obstacles.
Who do you think will be moved out next? What will the return be? How long will Los Angeles wait before making another move? Cast your vote below and explain your reasoning in the comments.
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Quick wont be delt i can assure you of that. Cheap contract and goalie age well especially elite ones like him. Also brown could be delt as he has been productive this year and last if kings retain some salary. Im looking forward to this deadline and get younger and hopefully tanking to get jack hughes.
I think Ottawa has the number #1 locked up , because they also will be dealing a lot of their high price players, Anderson, Stone, Dzingel [ possibly Duchene}
Muzz is gone, so Martinez next. Hagelin, Thompson, Lewis are gone with Lewis getting resigned next year. Carter won’t accept a trade unless perhaps it’s to Anaheim or San Jose, if he stays then Toffoli goes. Kopitar, Brown, Phaneuf all have NMC. Doughty has a NMC starting next year. I would still trade him for the #1 overall and a couple of high end prospects. Quick for a #1, a current goalie and 2 high end prospects.( Perhaps to St Louis for Allen)
That’s good for Colorado since they own that pick.
Hamelin back to the Pens. Malkin hasn’t been the same without him
Hagelin
Martinez . someone would be willing to give up third or late second for him. Toffoli would be worth if la does not expect the moon. team like oilers or Vancouver should see what it would cost.
I say Taffoli,plenty of teams are looking for Centers
Their pick goes to Colorado
Toffoli isn’t a center @imgman. He’s supposed to be a sniper but has 20 points in 50 games.
Doubt it lol 1 point up on kings and we have lowest point output of the league.
Write in vote, trade Rob Blake. Cause the dude actually thought signing Kovy was a good call? Not sure how L.A. believed they were still a top 8 Western Conference team, blows my mind.
@LA….Quick was an elite goalie but he’s been constantly injured over the last few seasons and while his annual AAV is reasonable if he could stay healthy, it’s for another 4 or maybe even 5 seasons, no team will want the back end of that contract, IMO
They should trade all of them. Start a 3 year re-build and get some nice leg room under the cap.
I love assurances by uninformed opinion.
The back end aav is even lower than it is now lol educate yourself man
@imindless…lol, I said the AAV is/was/will be tolerable, it’s the getting shackled with a goaltender who’s old, can’t stay healthy anymore and isn’t even remotely the player he once was; for several more seasons. But yeah, what you said.
Ken, when did Quick become Roberto Luongo? Just last April he was playing at a Conn Smyth level. He is only 33 and will give a team at least 3 more years of solid goaltending
I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss a Jonathan Quick deal. I’m not saying that he’ll get traded, but there’s nothing written in stone that he’ll be a King for life. While he’s still an elite goaltender I wouldn’t dismiss that in 10 full seasons in the NHL he’s only played 60+ games in 6 of those. He’s suffered a number of injuries and he’s at that age where it would be tough to expect him to continue at an elite pace for long. A lot of talk in LA also has management singing high praises for Cal Petersen as a “goalie of the future.” While I don’t expect the Kings to deal Quick anytime soon I also wouldn’t be surprised if they do deal him sometime in the future maximizing the return. After all, if New Jersey can move on from Brodeur, I’m sure the Kings will eventually have a future without Quick.
@kenley…osonvs kinda summed up what I would’ve said. Quick was, and to some people is a great goalie but injuries have been constant thing the last few years. Also, his play this year has been inconsistent, he’ll post a 19 save shutout and than get smoked for 6 goals in 2 periods the next game, and it’s been that way for most of the season. It was just my opinion that I couldn’t see another GM thinking that there are many good seasons left in Quick’s tank.