First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful extended Thanksgiving weekend!
But back to reality! The hockey world stops for nobody, and it hasn't stopped while we've enjoyed our turkey, shopping sprees, and what not.
The Kings were back in action on Saturday against the Blackhawks, and boy was it ugly. The Hawks completely overmatched the Kings in what looked like a tryptophan induced start to the game. A slow start? This isn't new.
In fact, the Kings have been entirely mediocre so far this year and it is starting to show through in their form. While you can always discount a little bit here and there to injury and the dreaded "Stanley Cup hangover", the Kings sit firmly entrenched in the middle pack of the Western Conference. They are 7th in the conference, and 4th in the division currently with 29 points. For a little perspective, they are just five points back of the conference leading Nashville Predators, but also just 5 points ahead of 12th place Colorado. It's tight, but this is the new NHL. What else do you expect?
This also isn't necessarily surprising form from Los Angeles, who have been exceptionally average regular season teams the last few seasons. There are always struggles from this player or that player, at least one pretty significant player absence, and at one major trade with Columbus. Maybe not so much on the last one. Because of the Kings somewhat lackluster performance when compared to expectations of the regular season, the trade rumors always seem to float around at some point or another with the Kings not playing "up to their potential."
But what if Dean Lombardi really WAS looking to shake things up and deal away someone? What if he really WAS dissatisfied with the inner workings of the current LA Kings team? Who would he realistically deal? Here's what I'm thinking about some of the names that have been tossed around when it comes to this question.
Jordan Nolan
About a week ago Bob MacKenzie reported on NBC Sports that the Kings were getting some pretty heavy interest on Jordan Nolan. (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/25/report-kings-receiving-interest-in-nolan/) The article also mentioned that Lombardi was looking for a defenseman, but it was in no rush to make a move.
Considering the reputation of the source I'd say this is as high a possibility as they come. MacKenzie is legit, and the Kings do need a defenseman it would seem. Nolan is also a surplus to the needs unfortunately, and he really hasn't done himself many favors when he has received his playing time. He did score in his last game though and maybe the Kings are holding off on this one because they still believe Nolan has what it takes to turn into a 15-20 point bottom liner player. The decent play of both McBain and Brayden McNabb, alongside the imminent return of Martinez, eases the Kings need for a defenseman currently. Is the market still there? Buffalo? Yea? No?
Possibility: High
Mike Richards
This is always a fun one.
One one hand you have a player who is doing pretty well this year, has reformed his off ice workout routines, and has settled into a decent role with the LA Kings both on and off the ice.
On the other hand you have a player who was publicly called out by his general manager, carries a pretty significant cap hit for what he brings to the table, and isn't close to the same player the Kings thought they were getting from Philadelphia a few years ago.
There is always a torn feeling when it comes to Richards, especially since he has looked like a better player this year. The money he is making is massive right now considering the Kings have had a laundry list of cap problems this season, and he is still basically a third line center behind Kopitar and Carter. Is he a bad third line center? Not at all. He's one pace for what looks like a 35-40 point year, he's so-so in faceoffs, and he'll put out a good 15 minutes a night for you in almost any situation. However, I basically just described a lot of third line center in this league. Third line centers who aren't making close to 6 million dollars a year.
It's not about Ricks play, it's about his cap hit. If you give Richards the cap hit of Jarret Stoll than I don't think as many people are weary of No. 10. But since he is making almost double what Stoll makes it raises a few concerns.
From a deal perspective it would be fairly difficult to move what almost seems like an albatross of a contract, and the Kings would probably have to take back some of the hit and/or get very little out of the deal. It would seem like a deal the Kings would make in a series of moves or if they were out of a playoff spot at some point. Depth down the middle has been paramount for this team, and if they feel they are in a position to make a deep run again you can bet on Mike Richards being on that roster. You may view his current run of form as a sell high position considering he has arguably looked better so far, but he's still not going to get you the return you would want in a one for one deal or even a multi-player package.
Possibility: Low
Dustin Brown
This one always baffles me to a degree. Look, I get it, Brown is a frustrating player to watch at times. He can force players, turn the puck over, hold onto it too long, and generally make you want to pull your hair out. But the Kings captain will not be traded. That would be something of a culture changer. I'm talking Kings are at the bottom of the conference and aren't in a playoff position come February and the team needs a kick in the teeth. It isn't out of the question that captains of high regard are dealt from playoff teams though. We saw it with both Marty St. Louis and Ryan Callahan last year in the swap from New York and Tampa Bay.
Anybody can be had for the right price. Just ask Billy Beane that in regards to Josh Donaldson, arguably one of the best third baseman in baseball who was just dealt from the A's over the weekend. Nothing is entirely out of the realm of possibility, but if you are seriously saying the Kings should trade Dustin Brown you aren't going to get your wish anytime soon. Again, it would have to be a culture changing time and the Kings are nowhere near that right now.
Possibility: Not Happening
Slava Voynov
So many factors in this one that it's hard to even nail down a possibility.
He has definitely been a disruption to the team. Maybe the locker room as well, I don't know. But the Kings have been put in a very difficult position both publicly and financially due to what is a personal off-ice issue from the young defenseman. How much of the blame to the Kings lay on the feet of Voynov though? The outcome of his trial is definitely going to be a factor in all of this so at this point it's rather inconclusive.
All that aside, think about Dany Heatley and the Atlanta Thrashers for a moment. Even though Heatley was given a slap on the wrist for his involvement in the death of teammate Dan Snyder, the lasting impact on the Thrashers locker room and with the media ultimately drove the Thrashers to trading Heatley for the sake of all parties involved. A clean slate was needed by Heatley. Could this be a similar scenario? Who knows. Also who would take him? Obviously right now nothing can be done, but what about after? Again, depends on the outcome. His play alone as a quality second pairing defenseman on an affordable cap hit is desirable and would net some solid return.
Too many questions remain unanswered for there to be any certainty in this one.
Possibility: Inconclusive
Jarret Stoll
Stoll has had a poor season so far, and the arc of the aging vets career continues to be downward.
The 32-year old has been an integral part of the Kings locker room and depth for some time, and carries some great experience with him. He's a solid voice in the room and a well liked personality overall. You just wish his play was on the same level as his personality. The center has been playing his usual minutes this year between the 3rd and 4th lines, and is again on pace for a lackluster offensive season. With a pace of around 20 points and 5-6 goals, Stoll is becoming less and less of an asset on the ice. He still does well in the faceoff circle along with being an excellent penalty killer, but along with Mike Richards he is making a lot of money to do what he is doing. Not to mention the Kings have two very good centers playing in Manchester right now in Jordan Weal and Nick Shore. The latter has been one of the best players in the entire AHL so far. Not to mention the Kings have center Adrian Kempe currently playing in the SEL with MODO, and Nikolai Prokhorkin who has been playing center to some quality with CSKA Moscow in the KHL. It's a center logjam at the top end of the Kings depth chart, and there has to be some question floating around in Dean Lombardi's mind about how long you keep Stoll for. Not to mention he is an upcoming free agent. Do you deal him at the deadline in hopes of getting something for him? There would probably be several playoff teams looking for a decent defensive minded depth center. Maybe some rebuilding teams who want a veteran presence who has won a couple of cups would take him on as well.
I'd say this one seems a little more practical in several regards than other names that have been mentioned in the rumor mills.
Possibility: Mid/High
Andy Andreoff
Let's be fair, this kid hasn't received THAT big of a shot so far. However, there's a reason he hasn't. He apparently hasn't been pushing his other 4th line compatriots enough to get in there and get some playing time, as Jordan Nolan has generally been the go to player out of the press box for the Kings when someone gets scratched. He hasn't played NHL hockey in over a month, and the team is in a position where they can't send him down because he will likely be claimed on waivers. With teams knowing this there is probably little likelihood that he gets moved for anything other than a really low pick. Will the Kings move on something like that though? Doesn't seem likely. Lombardi is a patient GM, and we probably wouldn't see something like that for a while. The play of several guys in the minors like Brian O'Neill and Nick Shore though make it all the more appetizing to open up a roster spot in order to get them to LA if needed. The waiver situation does however handcuff the Kings into being patient. From an entirely performance based perspective you'd have to think he is gone by the deadline if his press box stays continue. The Kings would be doing him a disservice and would likely move him to a place where playing time would be more readily available.
Possibility: Medium
These are of course my own opinions, and Lombardi will probably trade Dustin Brown tomorrow just because that's how unpredictable things are. Remember, anyone is available for the right price.
Unless it's Kopitar or Toffoli. You leave them alone other GMs. GO AWAY!
Anyone you think I missed? Tell me why in the comment section. Maybe you think Justin Williams or Alec Martinez could be on the block with their pending UFA status. Maybe you think Matt Greene's struggles make him available. Is Martin Jones playing well enough to net something? Discuss it!
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