Ben Shelley: Kings are likely to trade away a defenseman this offseason

Sean walker played 6 games this year because of a major injury. I can’t see any team trading for him.

Not sure if it would ever happen, but I could see Sanheim as a good fit in LA.

The dilemma is Sanheim has been the Flyers best defenseman the last few years and they need all the help they can get on the backend. On the other side he is a UFA after next season and not sure the Flyers can risk giving him an extension for over 5.5-6m per unless they get rid of other salary first. Plus he is not worth over 6 for the role he plays on the Flyers. Now for another team...maybe.

Not sure what kind of package would be involved, but between Ottawa and LA Sanheim would be a nice fit.

Sean walker played 6 games this year because of a major injury. I can’t see any team trading for him.
- bmac9758

Agree 100%. Sure, someone might take him but the return won't be great. No need to sell low this offseason. He's got two more years at 2.65AAV. Let him get back to health and trade him during the season assuming Spence, Grans, or another young option develops enough to play fulltime. I think Spence is the closest.

I don't see Roy getting moved. He provides some needed physicality. Also, I'm pretty sure he can play the left side.

I think Durzi is the most valuable piece: RFA, no arb rights, and he can QB a PP. These factors should get the Kings a nice return, maybe at the draft if the Kings are looking to get back into the first and/or improve their 19th OA.

Next year, if Durzi is moved, we could see an opening night lineup on the blue line of:

Anderson-Doughty
Maata-Roy
Bjornfot-Walker

I'm not sure they'll re-sign Edler.
Spence will be the 7th Dman.
Grans and Moverare are the next blueline call-ups from Ontario.
Clarke back to Barrie although he'll get 9 games (I hope). If he does look ready, then that creates a nice problem for GMRB.

I think Durzi is the most valuable piece: RFA, no arb rights, and he can QB a PP. These factors should get the Kings a nice return, maybe at the draft if the Kings are looking to get back into the first and/or improve their 19th OA.
- Only_A_Ladd

I'm not sold on Durzi and would at least check the market for him. There ought to be a team with an extra 2nd-line-capable winger of similar age and experience to do a 1-for-1 swap for.

Not sure if it would ever happen, but I could see Sanheim as a good fit in LA.

The dilemma is Sanheim has been the Flyers best defenseman the last few years and they need all the help they can get on the backend. On the other side he is a UFA after next season and not sure the Flyers can risk giving him an extension for over 5.5-6m per unless they get rid of other salary first. Plus he is not worth over 6 for the role he plays on the Flyers. Now for another team...maybe.

Not sure what kind of package would be involved, but between Ottawa and LA Sanheim would be a nice fit.

Glak18

Not sure Sanheim fits for Ottawa given they have Chabot and will likely have Sanderson for next season on their left side. They need a right handed dman to play top 4 with Zub. Hamonic and Zaitsev are bottom pairing guys even if they are overpaid for it.

The Wings on the other hand do have a need for a LD especially a top 4 one. Their right side is kind of set with Seider, Hronek and Lindstrom but aside from Edvinsson and Johansson coming over, they likely both won't make the team and could use one that they know can log big minutes either playing with Seider or Hronek. Not sure what a deal could look like given the fact Sanheim is a UFA to be but the Wings do have cheap young players along with prospects and picks to make a deal happen if they wanted.

I'll take a stab
On paper
Doughty Anderson
Durzi Roy
Walker Bjornfort
In the wings Spence,Clarke,Faber,Grans
Longshots Maata,Edler and I would think with how he played in the playoffs Stecher will at least get a camp invite,Strand,Moverare
Possible trade targets/UFA'S Chychrun,Zadorov

In terms of Walker his most traceable asset is his low contract and when healthy he does produce. I noticed in the playoffs Roy's value is his chippiness and overall tough play so if you trade him you'll need to add not a tough guy fighting wise but a chippy guy like a Zadorov type as the Oilers bullied the Kings.

Walker is likely more of a salary dump now with his salary and injury history, nevermind likely having lost his roster slot.

Rumors are LA wants to add forward depth, here's a deal I think works for both teams:
To LA - Gallagher (no salary retained) + a 2022 pick (3rd or 4th maybe)
To Mtl - Walker (no salary retained) + Turcotte

Benefit for LA is this would reunite Gallagher with Danault (and Bergervin) and replace Brown on RW since he's retiring. Plus Turcotte is down the depth chart for LA behind Byfield and Vilardi (plus Danault and Kopitar) and Walker salary dump would offset some of the cap hit from Gallagher.
Benefit for Mtl is they get a prospect in Turcotte who has a history with Caufield, they also move Gallagher's salary and take back less financial committment to Walker. Also Walker gives them a RD to take Petry's place if they trade him. Not to mention moving Gallagher removes the competition to Suzuki for the captaincy.

What does everyone think? I don't think it's tainted with Mtl colored glasses, I think it works for both teams.

Walker is likely more of a salary dump now with his salary and injury history, nevermind likely having lost his roster slot.

Rumors are LA wants to add forward depth, here's a deal I think works for both teams:
To LA - Gallagher (no salary retained) + a 2022 pick (3rd or 4th maybe)
To Mtl - Walker (no salary retained) + Turcotte

Benefit for LA is this would reunite Gallagher with Danault (and Bergervin) and replace Brown on RW since he's retiring. Plus Turcotte is down the depth chart for LA behind Byfield and Vilardi (plus Danault and Kopitar) and Walker salary dump would offset some of the cap hit from Gallagher.
Benefit for Mtl is they get a prospect in Turcotte who has a history with Caufield, they also move Gallagher's salary and take back less financial committment to Walker. Also Walker gives them a RD to take Petry's place if they trade him. Not to mention moving Gallagher removes the competition to Suzuki for the captaincy.

What does everyone think? I don't think it's tainted with Mtl colored glasses, I think it works for both teams.
- mfollett666

No way on Gallagher. Best years are behind him and that AAV and term are atrocious. No one is rescuing MTL from that deal, least of whom is Blake who won't take a player like that on with his AAV and term.

Also: Kings aren't selling low on Turcotte. Plus, he's not playing center for this team. He'll be a wing. When he's healthy, Turcotte will get an extended look with the team.

Johnson for Grans swap

I don't think the Kings would have much interest in Gallagher, they need to get bigger as their somewhat smallish team really showed as a negative in the Edmonton series. I could see them being interested in a guy like Deslauriers to combat the Kassians of the world.

If they do deal for Gallagher which I don't think they will there is no way they take on the full salary. I do think Turcotte will get a long look in camp as a replacement for Brown before they look for outside help.

Kings have depth at center
Kopitar
Danault
Byfield
Lizotte

AHL
Turcotte
Villardi
Madden
Thomas
Anderson-Dolan who's no longer waiver expert
So Turcotte like others have said will be a winger on the Kings.

Johnson for Grans swap
- Buff36

I don't hate this at all. He can play with Faber someday, too.

I don't hate this at all. He can play with Faber someday, too.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yeah, and he's very fluid going from LD to RD if needed. Think it helps both teams in area's of need and Organizational strength.

Yeah, and he's very fluid going from LD to RD if needed. Think it helps both teams in area's of need and Organizational strength.
- Buff36

Also has a dad with organizational ties and born in SoCal. I like this idea a lot.

Also has a dad with organizational ties and born in SoCal. I like this idea a lot.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yeah he's there Development Coach