Los Angeles Kings Seem to Have a Plan for the Trade Deadline
By Ian Smith
The Los Angeles Kings have had their struggles this season, but the fact that the team remains largely the same core of players from their previous Stanley Cup victory makes it easy to maintain optimism as the playoffs get closer and closer.
The Kings are 28-23-4 this season, and currently hold the top wildcard spot in the Western Conference with 60 points.
Los Angeles doesn’t play again until next Thursday, and with the trade deadline fast approaching, the team has some major decisions to make.
The Los Angeles Times has an interesting story that features some insight into what the Kings might do to try to improve their roster.
While a bit of small tinkering may occur, General Manager Dean Lombardi seems to be implying that they won’t be making any gigantic deals.
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The lack of willingness stems from the absence of an impact player that would be worth parting with a high draft pick.
The Kings gave up a first rounder for Andrej Sekera in February of 2015 and another first rounder in the Milan Lucic deal in June of 2015.
Lombardi has certainly proven to be inclined to part with high draft picks for what he deems the right price, so his shortage of enthusiasm this year regarding the topic is especially telling.
A huge splash isn’t expected, but perhaps a goaltender acquisition could materialize if some type of setback happens with the Jonathan Quick recovery.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to give away something for a depth goaltender when Quick is on the verge of returning after the March 1 deadline passes, but they could bring someone in as a backup to Peter Budaj if Quick doesn’t progress as planned.
It’s not time to panic yet, and not just because the roster is full of past champions and Quick is on his way back.
The Kings have just 10 road games remaining, and have been a far better team at Staples Center than away from its confines.
The Kings are 15-8-1 at home this season, and 13-15-3 on the road. With 17 of their 27 final games at home, expect their winning percentage to inflate.
Lombardi doesn’t sound like he wants to make the Kings a flashy buyer at the deadline, yet the team has a high enough ceiling that to make them sellers sounds rash.
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If the squad largely maintains the status quo, with maybe a few additions here and there, the past playoff success of these players makes it worth seeing what this roster could accomplish this postseason, assuming they clinch a berth.