The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline has officially passed, however that does not restrict teams from continuing to make trades. The trade deadline is specifically in regards to teams trading players who will be eligible to play in the NHL playoffs. But, in this case for the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers, that is not the case.
We've acquired the rights to defenseman Cole Krygier from the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations. #GoKingsGo
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 20, 2023
Defenseman Cole Krygier is a 6-foot-3, 192-pound left-handed defenseman who currently plays for Michigan State University. He is a fifth year senior for the Spartans, and over this past season, he has recorded 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in 38 games.
Michigan State finished 18-18-2 on a season capped off by a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who are the No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. Not the most memorable season for the Spartans, but Cole Krygier seems to be on his way out of the collegiate ranks.
Cole has a twin brother, Christian, who also played with him at Michigan State and was drafted five picks (196th overall) ahead of Cole (201st overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Following the 2021-2022 season, Cole’s fourth year in college, he and his twin brother, Christian Krygier, entered the transfer portal.
Former MSU defenseman Christian Krygier and his 205 career penalty minutes is 72 more than the next closest player in the transfer portal.
— Nathaniel Bott (@Nathaniel_Bott) March 31, 2022
Coming in second at a cool 133 PIM — his brother, Cole.
After a dismal 12-23-1 season for the Spartans, the Krygier brothers were uncertain of their futures in East Lansing. But, after surveying their options, they withdrew their names from the portal and decided to return to MSU for a fifth season. This time it would be under a new head coach, Adam Nightingale.
Now the brothers have their sights set on post-NCAA hockey. Particularly in Cole’s case, he is now a part of the Kings organization.
Cole Krygier is now 22-years old and has potential to end up on the Ontario Reign’s roster at some point in the near future. But, as of now, there are six left-handed defenseman on the roster with Helge Grans as the only right-handed defenseman. So, adding him to that mix wouldn’t make the most sense at this point.
Time will tell on what happens with Cole Krygier in the Los Angeles Kings organization.
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