LA Kings: Three best trades made by Dean Lombardi
LA Kings Acquire Marian Gaborik From the Columbus Blue Jackets for Matt Frattin, a Second-Round Pick and a Conditional Pick
During the 2013-14 season, the Kings were in the midst of another playoff push. Two years removed from a Stanley Cup title in 2012, the Kings were hoping to become the kings of the NHL again. But if they wanted to get back to the pinnacle of NHL greatness, additions needed to be made.
After being traded to the Blue Jackets in 2013 from the New York Rangers, Marian Gaborik never really lived up to the hype. Injuries and lack of production forced Columbus to move on from the scoring winger. Playing in only 22 games during the 13-14 season due to injuries, Gaborik’s value at the time was relatively low, and Dean Lombardi sought an opportunity to take advantage.
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The price for acquiring Gaborik was Matt Frattin, a prospect acquired in the Jonathan Bernier trade, a second-round draft pick, and a conditional pick. Not a bad price to pay for the potential scoring Gaborik could produce, and produce he did.
Marian Gaborik finished the season with LA Kings playing in 19 games scoring 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) to get the Kings back into the playoffs. Winning their second Stanley Cup in three years, Gaborik was one of the main reasons.
He would go on to lead the league with 14 goals scored during the playoffs. None two bigger than possibly the two he scored in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Final against the Anaheim Ducks.