Los Angeles Kings: A Trade in the Making

Here’s the problem: the Los Angeles Kings have far too much talent to not make a trade. The Kings made their largest roster cut last week in anticipation of their opening day roster. But there are too many NHL ready players available, but not enough roster space. Based on the cuts and who is left, I think a trade is inevitable for the Kings.

The primary players the Kings need to make space for are Jordan Weal (C), Brian O’Neill (C), Michael Mersch (LW), and Derek Forbort (D). At this point, it appears there is only room for 3 of them to make the team. Thus, the Kings are in a good but tough position. They either have to continue burying NHL ready players on their AHL affiliate (Ontario) or make some space via trade. I believe the Kings will end up hurting themselves if they don’t make space for these guys to get into a NHL role.

If you follow the Kings even in the slightest, you know that Weal and O’Neill are proven successes at the AHL level. Now they deserve their chance at the NHL level. I’m no coach or GM, but it seems like discouragement and even anger could set in for guys like them who have played so well in the Kings system. Both of them have been MVP’s, led the league in scoring, and have a Calder Cup championship ring. They’ve worked hard and have proven themselves. If they get shutdown AGAIN, they might as well ask for a trade to get on a team that will be ready to give them NHL time. I’m thinking teams currently in re-build like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers, or Boston Bruins. They could be stars on a team like one of those.

Mersch is a little bit more of a question mark. Heck, if you’re going to take risks then he’s ready to go as a 2nd or 3rd line LW. There’s a great write-up about Mersch over at Jewels from the Crown to give you a little more in-depth insight about Mersch. All in all, on a team like the Kings he could probably use one more year of development at the AHL level. And after that year, he could be ready to take Milan Lucic’s spot if he doesn’t pan out.

And the steady, ex-college boy Derek Forbort is ready to go. He fits the Kings prototypical style in that he is big, solid, and responsible with the puck. The 23 year old has spent 3 seasons at the AHL level and could be comparable to Robyn Regehr…minus the frequent big hits. He gets the Kings system and is ready for some NHL action.

Based on all that, I think a trade for the Kings is in the cards. There simply isn’t enough room for all this young talent emerging out of the Kings pipeline. Well done, LA Kings management and scouting staff!

Here are some hypotheticals…

The Kings place Schultz or McBain on waivers to make space for Forbort
The Kings use an older player as trade bait to pick up a draft pick. Maybe Lewis, King, or Nolan

And now for the biggest hypothetical…

What if the Kings were to trade captain, Dustin Brown? His decline in production as well as his HUGE contract could cause some consideration. I’m a big fan of Dustin Brown but maybe he needs a fresh start elsewhere. The Kings could pick-up a 1st round pick for the likes of Dustin Brown and also create some needed cap space as they continue talks to re-sign Anze Kopitar. Or maybe it allows them to target a top 4 defenseman?

I don’t anticipate the Kings making a trade before the regular season starts. I give them about 10-15 games before they begin to seriously consider their options. That will give some of these new guys a chance to find their place on the roster and the Kings to define where the needs still surface.

Next: Los Angeles Kings: Future of Milan Lucic and Buffalo Sabres Connections

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