Multiple reports in this past couple of weeks on the trade block have indicated that the Los Angeles Kings and new general manager Ken Holland aren't slowing trade on the open market and before the trade deadline next month in early March in a couple of weeks.
Los Angeles Kings reportedly don't appear to be close to a deal with the Canadiens for winger Patrik Laine on the trade block
These reports that the Kings' front office and Holland with the front office personnel are looking for a top-six scoring forward to boost the active roster lineup offensively isn't much of a surprise to the fans and the media around the franchise after LA traded for star forward Artemi Panarin and lost winger Kevin Fiala for the rest of this regular season.
Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reported on Feb. 24 that the Kings are on the market actively searching for a top-six forward who can boost the active roster lineup offensively in the zone this regular season in the Pacific Division in the West. Bernstein reported early this week on Tuesday that the Kings were confirmed to have contacted the Montreal Canadiens regarding a possible trade deal on the block and before the deadline next month for winger Patrik Laine.
He said in that report that he "can confirm they [the Kings] spoke with Montreal about Patrik Laine" on the trade block this regular season in the West.
Holland and the Kings' front office know that the team needs to upgrade its offensive ability to score the puck this regular season in the West in the Pacific Division. The Kings made a huge move this regular season on the trade block market to get Panarin from the Rangers in New York and before the trade deadline next month in the East.
The Kings have a long way to go offensively this regular season in the West with Fiala out of the active roster lineup due to a lower leg injury.
It looks like Holland and the Kings are no longer in the running on the trade block and before the trade deadline next month in early March in a couple of weeks for Laine with the Canadiens. Bernstein said in his report yesterday that "there doesn't seem to be a fit right now" between the Kings and the Habs in Montreal for Laine on the trade block.
The Kings could be looking for more of a primary scorer and playmaker offensively in the zone for the active forward lines core this regular season in the Pacific Division and on the trade block.