The LA Kings have plenty of questions with their defense this offseason and it starts with Vladislav Gavrikov, who is set to be a free agent in a little over a month. In addition to that, they have players like Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence who could get new contracts before the season as they will be restricted free agents next offseason.
Another thing that needs to be in the back of the mind of Ken Holland is making sure there is a player on the roster who could take over for Drew Doughty. The veteran has two years left in his contract but showed signs of slowing down this season, although it is not clear if that was due to his ankle injury or just the fact that he is getting close to the end of his career.
The Kings might have their answer to this question in Bowen Byram, who reportedly has requested a trade. According to Elliotte Friedman, he said the team has been gauging the market value and "there is definitely noise around the Byram name and the Buffalo Sabres".
Bowen Byram would be a great option for the LA Kings as the eventual replacement for Drew Doughty
Byram was the fourth overall pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft and would be traded to the Buffalo Sabres during the 2023-24 season as part of the Casey Middlestadt trade. In his first full season with the Sabres he had a career season with 38 points and a +/- of +11.
According to Friedman, the reason that Byram is requesting a trade is that he wants a bigger role and with players like Rasmus Dahlin on the Sabres that seems unlikely. However, on the Kings he would have a clear path to being the top defenseman in the next few seasons.
The timing would also make sense as Byram does have two more years on his contract, which is exactly how many years Doughty has left as well. If the Kings were to sign him to a contract extension, potentially next offseason, they have a clear plan for after Doughty.
Over the next few weeks leading up to the NHL Draft, this is one player that would be very interesting for the Kings and it will be worth seeing if rumors pick up between the Sabres and Kings.