On the Los Angeles Kings …
The Fourth Period: The Los Angeles Kings would like to add a top-six scoring winger by the deadline.
The Kings and Colorado Avalanche continue to talk about Gabriel Landeskog. Landeskog could cost the Kings a top-tier defenseman and a top prospects or pick.
GM Dean Lombardi may not be eager to trade their first round pick this year, but he might consider trade their second or third round pick.
The Kings have been linked to Martin Hanzal, Shane Doan, Thomas Vanek and Brendan Smith.
The Kings might consider trading Alec Martinez in the right deal.
Several teams have shown interest in Paul LaDue.
A Western Conference source – the Kings …
“want to see if LaDue can step in and make an immediate impact. If he can, it makes trading (Martinez) a lot easier, or it can impact a trade involving him himself.”
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet 960 talking about the Los Angeles Kings and if they may do anything before the trade deadline.
“The tough thing is is that they are really in a cap crunch,” noted Friedman. “The key thing that you mentioned is Quick. He’s on Long-Term Injury right now, but you know he’s coming back. So if you’re going to go and you’re going to add something, you have to add with enough room knowing that Quick’s money is coming back too. So it’s hard to do. You’ve got some great players with really high numbers. You’ve got Doughty and Kopitar and Jeff Carter having a fantastic year. And then you have some contracts that are really anchoring you like Dustin Brown. So unless you’re clearing a contract – and when it comes to them, everybody talks Muzzin or Martinez – it’s going to be very difficult to make a move.”
Dustin Brown has five years left on his deal that carries a $5.875 million cap hit.
Alec Martinez is in the second year of his six-year deal that carries a $4 million cap hit.
Jake Muzzin is in the second year of his five-year deal that carries a $4 million cap hit.
Friedman thinks they could be disappointed in some of their prospects. LA Kings Insider John Hoven said that Paul LaDue is untouchable. They Kings seem excited about him and are interested to see how he does. He made his NHL debut last week. Some think it could be a showcase.