On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Kings made their first trade of the 2024-25 season but it wasn't one that many fans expected. They would trade forward Tyler Madden, who was with the Ontario Reign, to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Joseph Cecconi, who also was playing in the AHL for the Iowa Wild.
These are three things to know about the trade on Wednesday night.
Tyler Madden was part of the Tyler Toffoli trade
Madden was originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft but would join the Los Angeles Kings prior to the 2020 Trade Deadline after the Kings traded Tyler Toffoli to the Canucks. He was the only prospect in the trade but would never make it to the NHL and played in total 251 games for the Ontario Reign.
This season Madden has eight goals and 17 assists in 47 games for the Reign.
Joseph Cecconi will help with depth on the Ontario Reign
The Ontario Reign have been dealing with a lot of injuries among their defensemen and in the last game they were without Caleb Jones, Angus Booth, and Cole Krygier. Cecconi certainly can help with depth there and is an experienced AHL player.
Joseph Cecconi was a fifth round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2015 NHL Draft and has played 326 games in the AHL. After five seasons with the Texas Stars, he played two seasons with the Rochester Americans and this current season has been with the Iowa Wild. He has played in 51 games and has 13 points with a +/- of +5.
Trade doesn't change anything for the Los Angeles Kings roster
There is no question that all eyes are on the NHL roster for the Los Angeles Kings but this is one deal that will not have any impact on it. The Kings certainly could be looking to move some defensemen before the March 7th deadline, potentially Jordan Spence or Brandt Clarke, so depth on the Reign could be a good thing. However, this shouldn't be viewed as a precursor to any kind of deal there.