LA Kings: Three ‘dynamic’ young, left-shot defensemen to target
By Ryan Sikes
LA Kings general manager Rob Blake is reportedly looking for young, dynamic left-shot defensemen. Here are three to target in a trade.
Despite have a wealth of young defensemen on the LA Kings roster, TSN’s Darren Dreger dropped a bombshell last week, indicating the Kings’ front office may be looking to upgrade the roster sooner rather than later.
“Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings is another one looking for a defenseman in the category 25 and under,” Dreger explained. “He specifically wants a dynamic, left-shot defenseman. When you look at the Los Angeles Kings, they do have an abundance of forwards, particularly at center ice.
“I’m reminded of the big trade that involved the Columbus Blue Jackets a few years back and the Nashville Predators, Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones. If something like that could be worked out for Rob Blake and the Kings, he’d do that in a heartbeat.”
I think it’s safe to say the Kings would target a top-tier defenseman in the 2021 NHL Draft, as the team has plucked the likes of Quinton Byfield, Arthur Kaliyev, Alex Turcotte, Samuel Fagemo, and Rasmus Kupari, among other offensive players, in the first and second rounds of recent drafts.
The addition of an established defenseman could complicate the trajectory of several prospects on the LA Kings roster. Players like Mikey Anderson, Kale Clague, and Tobias Bjornfot, to some extent, have become regulars along the left side in the 2021 season.
Any trade likely sees Olli Maatta included as part of the deal to free up a roster space. However, a deal before Seattle’s expansion draft could potentially leave a newly-acquired asset exposed. At any rate, if Rob Blake is hellbent on acquiring an established left-shot defenseman, here are the three he should target.