So yesterday Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period, went on a twitter tear, answering Los Angeles Kings trade questions all day and night. Some of the questions may have come from trade rumors, others were of the speculating type. Since I couldn’t convince Dennis to write up a nice summary for us to read, I’ve decided to attempt to breakdown his twitter account. Now I normally give you links to each ‘tweet’, but that would take up more time, so if you want direct links, you can get them from his account here (and is a good ‘follow’). I’ll also adjust the order posted and will try to lump specific player questions/mentions together, and combine the question and answer hopefully into one sentence. The Kings are looking for scoring help and a top 4 defenseman, so let’s begin …..
- If the Kings fall out of contention in February, look for them to move from buyers to sellers. They have a 10 game road trip that may determine their course of action.
- See’s a trade first before they make a change behind the bench.
- The Kings have plenty of of 20 goal guys, need a 35+ guy.
- Doesn’t see the Kings looking to deal goalie Jonathan Bernier. He wouldn’t bring back the forward the Kings need.
- The Kings could use a 2nd line center, but trading for a long term guy would create a log jam for Brayden Schenn next year, Stoll would replace Handzus as 3rd line center.
- See’s Wayne Simmonds as a solid 3rd line for years to come.
- Thomas Hickey doesn’t have much trade value, has a shoulder injury, could be wasted 4th overall pick.
- Kings looking at Francois Beauchemin and Robyn Regehr on defense, Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner on the wing.
Ottawa Senators
- Jimmy Murphy reported that Kings GM Lombardi was scouting the Senators-Bruins game.
- Here goes the Mike Fisher chatter.
- Fisher could be a target. Jason Spezza is still out for another month so he may be too late, need immediate boost.
- Fisher would fit as a #2 center but is not putting up good numbers and has a $4 million cap hit.
- Milan Michalek is a $4.3 million cap hit with 8 goals in 43 games, so not a likely target.
Calgary Flames
- Robyn Regehr may be the best defenseman option.
- Kicking tires on Alex Tanguay.
- If the Kings were to go after Regehr and Niklas Hagman, the Flames would want a Dman prospect included, Teubert or Voynov. It would take a big deal to get both.
- Simmonds would likely be in a deal for Regehr. Tanguay will be a UFA at end of year, has no-trade clause, so there wouldn’t be a high price.
- Jarome Iginla for Brayden Schenn doesn’t make sense. 2 years at $7 million each, with Drew Doughty contract still to do, not Lombardi’s style.
- The Kings would have less than zero interest in Olli Jokinen.
Edmonton Oilers
- Simmonds has been dangled by the Kings for Ales Hemsky or Dustin Penner.
- They are looking at Hemsky or Penner, but their February road trip could determine if they want to pay the price.
- Shawn Horcoff not a great fit. He doesn’t put the puck in the net enough.
Toronto Maple Leafs
- There was talk of a Kris Versteeg, Francois Beauchemin and high prospect for Brayden Schenn. Brian Burke really wants Schenn, but Lombardi won’t move him.
- A Versteeg for Simmonds deal is not an upgrade.
Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers
- Since Jason Pominville has a cap hit of $5.3 million, has a NMC and has only 8 goals, so likely not a target of the Kings.
- David Booth and Tomas Vanek are possible but not likely.
- Booth has a long term deal with a limited no-trade clause.
One offs
- Andrei Kostitsyn likely not an option, Canadiens need goals too, so if he’s that good offensively, he’d stay. If they would move him, would want more than Simmonds.
- If Capitals decided to move Semin, they’d want full rental value, a lot more than Jarret Stoll. Ovechkin won’t allow the Capitals to trade him anyways.
- Niclas Bergfors is a right winger and has been a healthy scratch in December, so likely not interested.
- Kings never targeted Patrick Elias, 2 years left at $6 million.
- Martin Havlat’s salary doesn’t make sense.
- Tomas Kopecky to the Kings is as likely as Semin to Chicago for him.
- Scouts at Monday’s game were from the Lightning, Flyers, Canadiens, Boston, and Penguins.