Could the Kings trade their first-round pick?
This time period is when NHL teams are talking and trying to work out trades ahead of the NHL Draft or at least have frameworks in place for deals during the NHL Draft. For Ken Holland, the goal has been clear and that is to build a Stanley Cup contender now so trading future assets might make sense to an extent.
Entering the NHL Draft, the Kings still have all their picks except for their second-round pick, which was traded in the Tanner Jeannot trade last summer. However, they also have an additional seventh-round pick from the Flyers in the Kuzmenko trade.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Kings use their first-round pick in a package with Jordan Spence, who has been rumored to be available in a trade, for an impact player. They could look to bolster their forwards or even trade for a player who could be a replacement for Gavrikov if they believe he is unlikely to return.