Adding more offensive firepower remains one of the biggest priorities this offseason for the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland.
While the organization’s primary focus will likely center around finding another top-six center, the Kings could also explore additional scoring help on the wing through lower-risk, high-upside moves.
One recent rumor from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on Hello Hockey on May 16 suggested Los Angeles could consider Patrik Laine as a possible "reclamation project" this offseason.
In this past few months on the block at the trade deadline, the Kings and Holland in the front office were linked in various conversations on social media and public reports to Laine from the Canadiens. Los Angeles was also loosely connected to Laine in trade speculation leading up to the deadline last season, further fueling the idea that the organization could revisit the possibility this offseason.
The idea would immediately become one of the more polarizing possibilities facing the Kings this summer. Laine still possesses elite scoring ability and power-play upside, but injuries, inconsistency, and his sizable contract have complicated his long-term value in recent years.
If the Canadiens were willing to retain part of Laine’s salary, the Kings could view him as a potential buy-low opportunity capable of adding much-needed offensive creativity to the lineup.
I think the upside that getting Laine in the roster lineup offensively brings could help the Kings this offseason. That said, pursuing Laine in free agency could be a risky gamble on upside rather than stability this offseason. If the Kings ultimately prefer safer roster additions this offseason, they could look in a different direction.
Despite the offensive upside, there would also be significant concerns surrounding a potential fit between Laine and the Kings.
The biggest concern for the Kings would likely involve whether Laine could consistently fit within the type of structured two-way system Los Angeles has traditionally valued in this past few years. Injuries have also limited Laine’s consistency in recent seasons, making it difficult to project whether he could reliably stay healthy over a full season, hypothetically for the Kings.
The Kings may also question whether Laine’s style of play fully aligns with the heavier forechecking and defensive pressure often required during postseason hockey.
But if the Kings and Holland in the front office still believe they need more game-changing offensive talent and upside in the zone next season, Laine could become one of the more appealing buy-low candidates available in free agency.
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