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Los Angeles Kings are making the right moves before the deadline

By Brett Innis |
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Dion Phaneuf #2 of the Ottawa Senators waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 10, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Dion Phaneuf #2 of the Ottawa Senators waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 10, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

With the NHL Trade Deadline less than a week away, Kings GM Rob Blake has achieved success in his first season by avoiding the usual chaos on deadline day. Now, the Kings are back on track to becoming Stanley Cup contenders once again.

The writing was on the wall before the end of the last season when the Los Angeles Kings fired General Manager Dean Lombardi and Head Coach Darryl Sutter. After missing the playoffs by eight points, the team needed a fresh look.

Nobody questioned the promotion of former Kings players Rob Blake to GM and Luc Robitaille to Team President. After the last few weeks of roster maneuvering, the team’s brass deserves full marks all-around.

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Even if the Los Angeles Kings doesn’t make the playoffs, it’s a step in the right direction for this franchise.

Blake and his staff swung a deal with the Arizona Coyotes yesterday, acquiring Tobias Rieder and back-up goaltender Scott Wedgewood for backup goalie Darcy Kuemper. Over a week ago, LA acquired veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson from the Ottawa Senators for forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore.

The moves are a string of shrewd ones that Blake has been able to orchestrate. The rookie GM upgraded his team while not sacrificing future assets; something that other GM’s haven’t achieved over the past few seasons.

Kuemper has been one of the best backup goaltenders this season posting a ridiculous 10-1-3 record with a 2.10 goals-against average. The 27-year old was also unlikely to be extended by the Kings.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles moved Marion Gaborik’s terrible contract from a previous regime and acquired a serviceable defenseman that is under team control until 2021. He also convinced Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion to retain 25% of Phaneuf’s salary.

Phaneuf is already providing dividends with his first American franchise. The 32-year old has three goals in his first four games for LA.

With last year’s leading scorer Jeff Carter coming back and the team acquiring Rieder, Thompson as bottom-six depth guys, Blake has successfully geared his team up for a run at a playoff spot.

The franchise is currently in a tight playoff race in the Western Conference. But Kings fans should be excited for the stretch run and the future with Blake and Robitaille calling the shots.

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Regardless of the team’s result, Blake’s next task is to figure out what to do with franchise defenseman Drew Doughty’s expiring contract. Based on the last few weeks, I trust that the Hall-of-Fame defenseman will figure out the best way to better his franchise with or without Doughty in the fold.

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