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The Kings no longer sit on the Western Conference throne. With several clubs making up games-in-hand and earning points in those games, the Kings have fallen all the way to 4th where they are tied with Nashville.
Despite this surprising start to the season, the architect of this squad is not likely to just stick with the hand he has dealt himself. Kings’ GM Dean Lombardi has patiently crafted this organization, previously refusing to deal prospects or picks in moves for “quick fixes.” This re-build has taken time to come to fruition but now Lombardi must feel the time is right to make an impact move to improve this roster moving forward.
Lombardi subscribes to the school of thought that, “you are never as good as your best game and never as bad as your worst one.” That being the case, Lombardi certainly realizes that for the Kings to not only qualify for the playoffs but to make some noise while there, they need to improve some areas of the roster.
First and foremost, the Kings are winning hockey games while icing a middling power play (19%, 9th in the West) and penalty killing unit (78.6%, 11th in the West). Often special teams are crucial to post season success and the Kings will need to be better in those areas in the post season. Yes, Ryan Smyth is set to return but the Kings probably need more than that to get to the elite level.
Another area in which the Kings can stand to improve is in net. Jonathan Quick has been solid all season and even very good for stretches but he isn’t an elite net minder. Plus, he has no post season experience. His understudy, Erik Ersberg, has been well below replacement level and has only appeared in 4 contests to date, affording Quick few opportunities to rest.
If a veteran goalie such as Martin Biron hits the market look for Lombardi to put in a call. Biron has started for playoff teams in Buffalo and Philadelphia and would come as an affordable option with only the balance of this year’s $1.4 million salary left on the books. If Biron does come available though, it is likely that the Kings would be one of several teams interested in obtaining his services.
Now, several hockey rumor sites on the internet have stated the Kings might try to make a bigger splash before the trade deadline. Rationalizing that the Kings could use another front-line scorer, they have linked LA to Atlanta’s pending UFA forward Ilya Kovalchuk and also to Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier.
The Kings are in a great position to be able to go out and add a marquee name if they so choose. They have been very proactive in regards to locking up many of their players to achieve a level of cost-certainty few other teams can match. Next season, for example, the Kings have 19 players under contract at a combined cap cost of roughly $43 million according to capgeek.com. Even if the cap doesn’t go up for next season, the Kings have roughly $13 – $14 million available and only a few roster spots to fill. This makes them a great candidate to take on the big salary of a big name.
Now let’s look at some of the names that are out there and may be tied to the Kings. Ilya Kovalchuk was thought to have been close to signing a rich extension prior to now to stay on in Atlanta. The longer that those negotiations go however, the greater the possibility that Thrasher GM Don Waddell will attempt to move him versus losing him for no compensation as an UFA. That being the case, LA would certainly qualify as a potential landing spot given the team’s favorable cap situation and bevy of young talent.
What would it take to land an elite player like Kovalchuk? Well, the Kings would have to start with one of Dustin Brown and/or Alexander Frolov. Brown is under control for another 4 seasons at a relatively affordable $3.175 million per while Frolov will be an UFA after this season. In addition, the Kings would likely have to include another top prospect and a 1st round pick just to get the conversation started. That’s a steep price to pay in terms of talent when considering Kovalchuk can walk away in July.
The other option I mentioned, Vinny Lecavalier, is locked up long term to an expensive deal that accounts for a $7.7 million+ cap hit annually. Just a couple of years ago when he signed the extension, Vinny was labeled as the Lightning’s franchise player. Since then, Tampa has drafted Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedberg and seen both players develop rapidly enough that a case could be made that they can be the faces of the franchise. Eliminating a cap hit of Lecavalier’s proportion would then be a good thing for Tampa’s long term benefit.
Still, it is likely that Tampa will require a significant return in exchange for Vinny. Again, a package would likely have to begin with Dustin Brown, whose salary would also offset some of Lecavalier’s. Another young, roster player and a first round draft pick would probably have to be included to entice Tampa enough just to consider a deal with LA.
The problem that I have with making a deal for either Lecavalier or Kovalchuk is that it wouldn’t improve the Kings’ scoring depth. As it is, the Kings are looking to add a top 6 forward and an acquisition of one of the aforementioned would cost the Kings at least one such player. Granted, the Kings would be acquiring a more talented forward but if we believe that the Kings are one scoring forward light now then wouldn’t they be in the same boat following a trade for Kovalchuk or Lecavalier?
One name that I have yet to see mentioned in a rumor to LA is Hurricanes’ Center Eric Staal. Staal also recently signed an enormous extension ($8.25 million annual cap hit) and due to the poor play of the ‘Canes to date, a trade of their franchise player wouldn’t be out of the question. However, where a possible acquisition of Staal might differ from a trade for either Vinny or Ilya is that the Kings could also pry away another scoring forward from Carolina.
Tampa and Atlanta, even if they were to move their guy, would still wish to contend for a playoff spot this season or next at the latest. Thus they would require a package of NHL-ready talent. The ‘Canes might be in a full re-build mode and might be more willing to accept a package of high draft picks and/or young players further away from contributing at the NHL level.
As such, the Kings might be able to acquire Staal and a player like Ray Whitney. Whitney is currently the ‘Canes leading scorer with 23 points (10 – 13 – 23) in 31 games. If the Kings moved either Brown or Frolov in a package for Staal, getting Whitney would help off-set the offensive production lost.
Additionally, Whitney is under contract only for the balance of this season so would cost only the prorated amount of $3.55 million left on his deal. Perhaps a package of Brown, 2 first round draft picks and another roster player would start the conversations going with Carolina GM Jim Rutherford. That type of move would improve the Kings on the ice now and for the future without killing themselves with their cap situation.
Imagine a 1-2 punch of Eric Staal and Anze Kopitar up front for the Kings. That might even rival the Penguins duo of Crosby/Malkin. The cost of the draft picks will be nullified somewhat if the Kings make the playoffs in each of the next two years as Carolina would be picking anywhere from 15th – 30th overall.
There you have it Kings’ fans; some thoughts about the rumors circulating around the Kings. I encourage you to share your ideas with me in the comment section or you can email me at gkmkiller@cox.net. Also, follow me on Twitter: gkmkiller. Thanks for reading.
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