Report: L.A Kings making trade offers for impact forward
Fourth Period: Kings GM Ken Holland has continued to explore the market for another star-level player to add to his team; most of the search has revolved around help up front (10/14)
The Kings enter Sunday with a 2-5-2 record, sitting in the basement of the Western Conference. LA has scored just 21 goals this season, which is dead last across the NHL, and it's obvious losing Anze Kopitar, and not replacing him this past offseason is catching up to Holland and the Kings.
The issue is, the Kings don't have any cap space, and they have limited resources in trade talks. There's also Drew Doughty's future hanging in the balance, as Holland has confirmed with the Kings' captain that he won't be offered a contract extension in-season this year. Holland wants to see what the direction of the team looks like before March's trade deadline. There's certainly a chance Doughty gets moved at the deadline, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are an early team to keep an eye on.
For trade assets, Holland has a couple of goaltending prospects to dangle, but the worry is both Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg aren't sticking around much longer. It's likely Holland holds onto Carter George, and Erik Portillo.
Holland has two second-round picks in 2028 to dangle, as he'll very likely be holding onto his 2027 first-rounder, given the Kings are likely heading towards a top-5 pick. One piece to watch is Quinton Byfield. There's certainly a chance Holland moves off the former first-round pick, and gives him a change of scenery. Byfield has just two points in seven games and is signed for a couple more seasons at just over $6 million.
Losing Kevin Fiala to injury hurt the Kings' playoff chances this season, but frankly, there one of the teams, along with the Detroit Red Wings, who need to tear it down completely. We'll see what Holland can cook up, but if his recent history is any indication, sorry Kings' fans, you shouldn't be getting too excited.