The Los Angeles Kings are playing some of their best hockey of the season but the NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching. They certainly will be looking to keep that momentum going and trying to improve the roster.
One player who could be on their radar is Brock Boeser with the Vancouver Canucks. According to David Pagnotta with The Fourth Period, the Kings would "love to get their hands on" the Canucks forward.
"I don’t see a Kings/Canucks trade happening this season, but Brock Boeser is someone Los Angeles would love to get their hands on. Maybe that is a summer pursuit if he hits the open market July 1?"
Boeser was excellent during the 2023-24 season when he had 40 goals and 33 assists with a +/- of +23. This season he has taken a step backward with only 18 goals, 17 assists and a +/- of -17. One area that he continues to excel, and would be a big boost for the Kings, is on power play. Last season he had 16 power play goals and this season already has seven.
The Canucks are a team that could be selling at the NHL Trade Deadline after trading J.T. Miller earlier in the season and Boeser could be made available. He is set to be a free agent after this season and if the team doesn't believe they can reach a new contract, it might make sense to trade him now to get something in return instead of him leaving in free agency.
Should the Los Angeles Kings wait until free agency for Brock Boeser?
This is ultimately Pagnotta's point and why they may wait to try and add him to their roster. If they wait until the summer, they can sign him to a contract as a free agent and not have to give anything to Vancouver in return.
The challenge is that the Kings will be competing with every other team in the NHL that wants to sign him and that usually results in the player getting a bigger contract. If the Kings believe it can improve their chances of having Boeser on the roster next season, a trade now could be advantageous to give him a chance to get familiar and comfortable with the organization.