Kings’ playoff berth has implications for LA’s 2023 first-round pick
The Los Angeles Kings officially clinched a playoff berth with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on April 2, 2023. Their win not only had significance on the Pacific Division race to the top as they now sit in second place behind the Edmonton Oilers, who they coincidentally play tonight. But, it also guaranteed that the Kings will give their 2023 first-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On March 1, 2023, Rob Blake made a trade with Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen in which he sent a 2023 conditional first-round pick, a 2024 third-round pick, and goaltender Jonathan Quick to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Joonas Korpisalo and Vladislav Gavrikov.
Prior to the trade between these two former partners, Jarmo Kekalainen nearly sent Vladislav Gavrikov to the Boston Bruins, but the deal fell through once the Bruins showed interest in Washington’s defenseman Dmitry Orlov, and would eventually go on to trade for the 31-year old defenseman.
The deal with Boston opened up the door for the Kings to swoop in to make a deal with Columbus and add a veteran piece to their blueline. Rob Blake pulled the trigger that no one thought he would, considering that Jarmo Kekalainen was, allegedly, asking for a first and a third-round pick, per reports.
However, the first-round pick that Columbus received had a condition attached to it, and that condition is listed as follows:
*Condition: If the Kings do not qualify for the 2023 playoffs, CBJ will instead receive: 2023 2nd round pick (LAK) & 2024 2nd round pick (LAK)
As of Sunday, the Kings clinched the playoffs, meaning that their first-round pick is officially sent to Columbus, and now the Blue Jackets hold two first-round picks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
At this point, it seems like both teams came out of this trade successfully. The Blue Jackets received an additional first-round pick to use on a very talented draft class, meanwhile, the Kings received two integral pieces that have helped propel them to the top of the Western Conference.
Not to mention the last two times the Kings and Blue Jackets made a deal together, the Kings went on to win the Stanley Cup, so there’s something special about when these two teams work together.
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