Dominik Kahun signed a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers, leaving me wondering why the LA Kings didn’t get involved in this?
On Friday, I wrote that the LA Kings should kick the tires on Dominik Kahun. But it looks like another organization was doing just that. The 25-year-old inked a one-year, $975K deal with the Oilers on Sunday.
Given the reports that the Kings were in on Vinnie Hinostroza only to see him signed by another team, LA was interested bottom-six depth to help with scoring. Kahun fit what the LA Kings were trying to do, and it’s maddening to see him go to the Oilers.
The salary cap is not an issue for Los Angeles this offseason, but Kahun was signed for pennies, comparatively speaking. Still, he scored 31 points (12 G, 19 A) split between the Penguins and Sabres last season.
The Kings had a couple of open roster spots, and Kahun would have plugged-in well. LA finished with the second-fewest goals in the 2019-2020 season. The upcoming campaign is an evaluation year for the prospects.
Still, signing Kahun to this kind of contract would have done little to impact the salary cap and prospects’ development long-term. I noted that he’d likely replace Trevor Moore on the roster, who has AHL options.
Moore’s longest look in the NHL came this past season, albeit split between Toronto and Los Angeles. Still, he tallied a combined 5 goals with 4 assists in 42 games. He’s played well in the AHL when he was with the Maple Leafs, but that production hasn’t carried over.
It’s just frustrating to see a more productive 25-year-old not brought in to replace one that could end up being optioned to Ontario at some point this season.