It looks like the Los Angeles Kings are considering all options on the table this offseason to add more talent and upside in the roster lineup to become a bigger contender in the Western Conference this upcoming season.
One player that recently surfaced on the Kings' radar on the trade block early this offseason is Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
The Los Angeles Kings reportedly have interest in Alexander Nikishin, and here's what it could take to get a deal done
After Elliotte Friedman's report early this week that linked the Kings to interest to Nikishin from the Hurricanes, the next logical question is what it would realistically cost Los Angeles in a trade package. Nikishin is a young 24-year-old defenseman who already projects in a top-four role on the blue line.
I'd have to imagine that the Hurricanes won't give up Nikishin without getting significant trade value and assets in return on the trade block this offseason. Yet, if the Kings really believe that Nikishin can become a top-end defensive pairing player with the newly extended 23-year-old defenseman Brandt Clarke on the blue line, the cost could be worth it in the long run.
Here are three possible trade packages for the Kings to get Nikishin from Carolina this summer.
A potential bargaining chip that could help the Kings get a deal done with the Hurricanes on the trade block to bring Nikishin to Los Angeles is including one of the organization's top goalie prospects.
It is a risky proposition for the Kings to throw in the organization's top goalie prospect this offseason, Carter George, into this hypothetical trade discussion with the Hurricanes this summer. But if that's what it would take for the Kings to get a top-four defensive pairing for Clarke going into this upcoming season on the blue line, I think it could be worth the gamble in the long run.
Since getting more depth and long-term upside at the center position in the middle of the roster lineup is a major priority for general manager Ken Holland and the Kings this offseason after the retirement of Anze Kopitar, adding Kotkaniemi could make sense for all parties involved in this hypothetical trade package for Nikishin from Carolina.
To get this deal done and make it work with roster numbers and salary cap, the Kings also throw in veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin. The added value in terms of future draft capital for the Hurricanes in this hypothetical trade comes from the Kings' 2027 first-round draft pick and two future second rounders.
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