Los Angeles Kings NHL Trade Deadline: How to Replace Marian Gaborik
Consider the Los Angeles Kings NHL Trade Deadline buyers – if they weren’t already, they are now with Marian Gaborik expected to be out until at least the playoffs. A team originally expected to make one or two minor splashes to add depth down the stretch, is now on the hunt for a productive winger that can replace the Kings sniper (Gaborik).
via Los Angeles Times,
Taking Kings forward Marian Gaborik out of the lineup isn’t one of those things that becomes noticeable in weeks or months.
How about days?
Gaborik had a knee-on-knee collision in the first period on Friday against the New York Rangers, and he is out for an extended period. The Kings are hoping to get him back for the playoffs, according to Coach Darryl Sutter.
Since Gaborik went on the injured-reserve list, the Kings have scored once in two games. They had a short-handed goal, by Anze Kopitar, in an exciting, playoff-type game on Tuesday at Washington, a 3-1 loss to the Capitals.
“Losing Gaborik creates a hole for our team,” Sutter said Wednesday, following an optional practice. “If you look at since he’s been out, our scoring chances … I’d say we’ve out-chanced other teams. But one of those have got to go in.
The Kings can add more than a rental player at this point.
Blue Line Station
An overpaid and under-performing Dustin Brown hasn’t played like a top six forward since Los Angeles’ Stanley Cup win in 2013-14 – leading to a lesser role and fewer minutes.
Both Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson are having those typical growing pains we’ve come to expect with kids in their early 20s – they both have bright futures when it all comes together.
They’re at least getting consistency up the middle with Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter.
Point being: If the Los Angeles Kings can add another top six forward with 2-3 years worth of term left on their contract, they may want to consider it. Further roster adjustments can be made in the offseason.
The Los Angeles Kings could always make a call to AHL Ontario, although Sutter already expressed there’s an unknown variable if you look that direction to fill a hole. One of Adrian Kempe or Valentin Zykov are the only two players with a talented enough skill-set to potentially help replace Marian Gaborik – but that’s a lot to ask of either prospect.
Los Angeles Kings NHL Trade Deadline: Targetable Wingers
Rental Options:
Mikkel Boedker, Arizona Coyotes
Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins
Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames
David Jones, Calgary Flames
Kris Versteeg, Carolina Hurricanes
P.A. Parenteau, Toronto Maple Leafs
Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks
Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets
*of course any rental player can be signed to a new contract if they have success down the stretch and into the playoffs
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Non-Rental Options:
Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
Scott Hartnell, Columbus Blue Jackets
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
Patrick Marleau is an interesting name considering the Kings were one of three organizations named earlier in the season as teams he would accept trades to (the others being Anaheim and NY Rangers). Marleau carries a $6.66 million dollar cap hit, and is signed through next season (2016-17).
Both Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton have complete control over where they end up based on their no-movement clauses. At some point, the San Jose Sharks will need to move one, if not both to allow a shift in leadership, and let a new core group of players grow together.
Next: LA Kings Should be Careful with Vincent Lecavalier
Which player do you think can fill the void left by Marian Gaborik? Perhaps a player within the organization? Or, is there a more attractive option on the open market that LA should pursue? What else do the Kings need to add prior to the conclusion of February 29th’s NHL Trade Deadline? Is there anything that needs to be addressed in the offseason?