With Drew Doughty out for at least the next eight weeks due to a knee contusion and Sean Walker out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL and MCL, the defensive depth for the Kings has certainly taken a hit, particularly on the right side. To that end, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reports in the latest TSN Insider Trading segment (video link) that Los Angeles is looking to add a depth right-shot defender at a minimum.
It’s certainly understandable as their depth chart of healthy right-shot blueliners on the active roster is down to Matt Roy and Austin Strand; Strand cleared waivers earlier this month and was just recalled on Wednesday. A depth piece could allow them to send Strand back to the minors at a minimum but a top-four addition would take some pressure of Roy, who logged more than 28 minutes last game out of necessity. For context, his career average is about 10 minutes a night below that mark.
A complicating factor in this situation is the salary cap. The Kings are basically up against the cap ceiling right now due to their recent recalls and while Doughty is eligible to go on LTIR, the fact he’s coming back this season eliminates the possibility of them spending big to replace him as they’ll need to be cap-compliant to activate him when the time comes.
That leaves Walker and his $2.65MM price tag for GM Rob Blake to try to work with to find a replacement. Unfortunately for him and the Kings, there aren’t a lot of top-four defenders making that type of money and even fewer that are readily available. Accordingly, looking for a depth option or two is a much more realistic target for Los Angeles. The trade market is often quiet at this time of year but don’t be too surprised to see the Kings add a piece before too long, especially since this is a season where they’re hoping to get back into the playoff picture.
I might be crazy but would a Josh Brown from Ottawa or Colin Miller from Buffalo be available for a draft pick or even If Devils retain a % of a PK Subban contract that could work…!!!!
Please take Josh Brown
Not according to Blake! It isn’t smart to give up any assets this season, anyway. Just let it ride and see what some of the younger players can do. Until this team addresses it’s one true deficiency (scoring) it isn’t going anywhere, anyway.
Josh Brown or Nikita Zaitsev, take your pick. How a team went through a whole offseason with them slotted in the top six is mind boggling.
A team with money to bring in literally any amount of money, nonetheless.
Hey jdgoat I take it you might be a sens fan or maybe a guy that would spend money on better players…Lol
Lol I’m a pissed one who is sick of losing because of crappy veterans who waste the young guys efforts
I couldn’t imagine being a Sabres fan…I know they are starting well but the bus will stall….cheap owners even Tkachuk should not of been out of line up as long as he was…
Bring up the kids and let them play.
Rumor has it Wolanin is going back on waivers soon. He’s a lock to be claimed by LA if so
the Flyers fans would like to offer Risto for whatever you want to offer
Is it that bad already? He always put up poor stats before but I thought a move from Buffalo would really be a boost for him.
Any move from Buffalo is a boost…
i think he’ll be fine eventually, but most of the fanbase was done after one game.
Stetcher from Detroit for a 2nd and a 3rd, and his $1.7M salary is under Walker’s LTIR !!! Of course I would rather give Stetcher and a 3rd for Turcotte!
You might see Hronek go and turcotte come back. But he’s too expensive most likely.
Kings would have to trade back $2M in salary to get Hronek (Up against the cap)
Kempe and Turcotte for Hronek and a 3rd
Kempe and a 2nd for Hronek
something on that order….
Kings are not giving up Kempe or Turcotte! Pls stop with that bs
Maata, Durzi, Lizzotte to Buffalo for Miller & 4th. Buffalo retains $1 mil. on Miller.
Maata, Durzi, Lizzotte to Buffalo for Miller & a 4th. Buffalo retains $ 1 mil.