Getty
NHL rumors suggest the LA Kings will remain active at the trade deadline as the Artemi Panarin trade didn’t solve the team’s biggest issue.
The LA Kings have been the focus of ongoing NHL rumors. But if fans think that the Kings will fall off the radar after fleecing the New York Rangers, they might have another thing coming. Los Angeles will likely continue to be a part of the chatter heading into the trade deadline.
The reason for this assertion lies in a recent comment by insider Elliotte Friedman. In the latest edition of his 32 Thought Podcast, Friedman discussed how the Kings didn’t actually address their biggest issue: Depth down the middle.
The Kings had been a part of NHL rumors leading up to the Panarin trade as they searched for a center. That situation only became more evident when the team traded Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens.
While the Kings need more scoring, Panarin is only a partial solution to that issue. It’s worth keeping in mind that the team remains on the lookout for a center. The need for additional depth, particularly with Anze Kopitar’s retirement, has become even more salient.
The Kings may still have some dry powder left for another major trade. But as far as NHL rumors go, there aren’t many key top-six centers available. That’s likely why the Kings did not pass up the opportunity to land a high-profile scorer when they had the chance.
NHL Rumors Won’t Go Away in Los Angeles
The Kings are in a tough situation at the moment. They’re within striking distance of a playoff spot. They remain three points out of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. As such, the Kings aren’t about to give up on this season. That’s why NHL rumors won’t go away in Los Angeles.
What those rumors might bring about remains uncertain. If the Kings can’t land the center they covet, they’ll pivot to the next best thing. That “next best thing” could be something like another scoring forward.
Kings fans shouldn’t overlook the possibility of another blueliner to shore up depth. While the focus in scoring, as the Kings are 30th in the league, notching 2.54 goals per game, the club’s depth could use a boost.
Perhaps a series of moves across the board could solve numerous issues, instead of making one major trade to solve everything in one shot. The forthcoming NHL rumors should provide some insight into what’s in the pipeline for the Kings.
Kings Still Have Cap Space to Play With
The Kings, nevertheless, find themselves in an interesting situation. They have plenty of cap space to play with. According to PuckPedia, the Kings have about $9.5 million in current cap space.
That number looks good for the club. It can provide it with an opportunity to add numerous pieces to bolster depth. Considering that the Kings still have some dry power left over (their 2026 first-round pick and two seconds), a solid deal could be in the works.
It’s unclear what NHL rumors might come up in the next few weeks. With the NHL pausing for the Olympics, the next few days may be quiet before chatter picks up again. The action in Milano-Cortina will take precedence over business.
But don’t be surprised if the Kings attempt to get some business done before the resumption of the season.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
More Heavy on LA Kings
Loading more stories