While the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland might be done making significant moves on the in free agency before training camp and the preseason begin this fall, it's still worth monitoring to see if the front office is still keeping an eye on the trade market.
The Kings addressed needs in the top six and in the middle of the lineup in free agency this offseason, signing multiple proven veteran players to plug holes going into the upcoming season. But there are still holes on the roster that could prevent the Kings from taking the next step in the Western Conference.
Finding another high-end center after the retirement of Anze Kopitar is a big question market, and getting a puck moving defenseman are top needs for the Kings late this offseason. An easy solution probably isn't available before opening night, but some big names remain on the trade market and in various rumors going into this fall.
Three trade candidates the Los Angeles Kings should keep an eye on entering 2026-27
Here are three possible trade targets for the Kings to monitor before training camp starts this fall.
Alexander Nikishin, D
One of the top remaining priorities this offseason on the roster for Holland and the Kings is finding a puck-moving defenseman who can shake up the blue line.
A name that has come up before in trade rumors this offseason for the Kings is Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
Earlier this offseason, the Kings were commonly linked to potential trade discussions concerning Nikishin and the Hurricanes. Nikishin is the type of top-pairing defenseman who could be a left shot alongside Brandt Clarke on the top unit this upcoming season and for the foreseeable future.
Of all the players on this list that the Kings could hypothetically be interested in trading for this offseason, Nikishin is probably the most intriguing. If he becomes legitimately available on the trade block for the Kings this offseason, Holland should aggressively move to pursue him. Nikishin is only 24 years old and he could address the Kings' need for a puck-moving defenseman and help the team get younger on the blue line at the same time.
Add us as a preferred source on Google