The Los Angeles Kings' front office was quieter than originally expected at the trade deadline this past spring in the 2024-25 regular season. The Kings and former general manager Rob Blake weren't able to land that big splash trade target that the front office was looking for at the trade deadline and earlier this offseason in the summer.
In this offseason, the Kings didn't get the big-name free agent target this summer that the front office wanted. This class wasn't as deep as other recent free agent classes.
Adding more scoring and defensive depth could be key for the Los Angeles Kings in the core forward group going into the 2025-26 season
Adding a young defensemen who can produce offensively from the blue line and/or getting a top-six quality forward scorer are potential needs for the Kings going into the upcoming 2025-26 season.
The final division we're looking at in this series from the past couple of weeks discussing top potential Kings' trade targets from each division finishes up with the Atlantic Division from the Eastern Conference.
Bowen Byram, D (Buffalo Sabres)
A name commonly mentioned in the past and connected to the Kings on the trade block and in free agency this past cycle is Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram. The Sabres and Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams have been connected to various trade rumors and discussions in the past six or eight months regarding Byram.
This past season, Byram was a seven-goal and 38-point scorer for the Sabres. He also showed incredible durability and stamina for the Sabres, playing in all 82 regular season games and ranking second on the team in average icetime minutes (over 22 TOI minutes per game).
Alex Tuch, W (Buffalo Sabres)
Buffalo forward Alex Tuch has been one of the most consistent point producers among right wingers in the Atlantic Division for the past three seasons. Since 2022, Tuch has scored over 200 points, and he's scored nearly 100 goals for Buffalo.
This upcoming season is the final year of Tuch's contract with the Sabres.
The Sabres have missed the postseason for nearly a decade-and-a-half consecutively. Buffalo's front office could theoretically consider exploring a trade for a high-profile quality point produce and a proven veteran for the top forward lines in the East, like Tuch.
Jake Evans, F (Montreal Canadiens)
Two-way center Jake Evans was one of the more sought after well-rounded depth forwards at the trade deadline this past regular season. The 29-year-old Montreal Canadiens center from Toronto, Ontario, could be an intriguing fit as a potential bottom-six forward for the Kings to bring more depth and potential for the offensive scoring.
Depending on what the asking price would be from the Canadiens front office for Evans, this could be a decent option for the Kings if Ken Holland and the LA front office didn't have to give up a high draft pick.
Evans was linked to the Kings in the past around the trade deadline this past season.