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Vegas Golden Knights trading for Alec Martinez wouldn’t make sense

By Dave Stevenson

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings skates on the ice during the first period against the Nashville Predators at STAPLES Center on January 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings skates on the ice during the first period against the Nashville Predators at STAPLES Center on January 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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According to Bob McKenzie, the Vegas Golden Knights are expected to trade for LA Kings defenseman Alec Martinez. Here’s why he wouldn’t be a good addition.

The NHL trade deadline is less than one week away. Tuesday saw a plethora of defensemen get traded. The Washington Capitals added Brenden Dillon. Also, the Winnipeg Jets traded for Dylan DeMelo and the St. Louis Blues made a move for veteran defenseman Marco Scandella. Another one could be on the move to the Vegas Golden Knights, according to Bob McKenzie– Alec Martinez of the LA Kings.

It’s not a secret the Vegas Golden Knights have been looking to upgrade their defense. They’ve been searching for someone to consistently play with Shea Theodore. Nick Holden has done surprisingly well with him, but his history suggests this won’t continue.

If the Golden Knights are expecting Martinez to be that guy, there’s a very good chance they’ll be sorely disappointed. Martinez is mostly living off his reputation at this point.

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There was a time when he was quietly one of the better defensive defensemen in the NHL. Martinez used to be quite good at suppressing shots against and used to be able to contribute enough on offense to avoid being a liability.

However, those days are behind him. With just eight points in 41 games, he’s on pace to have the least productive full season in his career (excluding the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season).

Also, his shot suppression numbers haven’t been impressive for a while. In each of his last six seasons, the LA Kings have allowed more shot attempts against, unblocked shots against, shots on goal against, expected goal against, and scoring chances against with Martinez on the ice (all at 5v5). They’ve also allowed more goals against with him on the ice in four of those six seasons.

If the Golden Knights wanted to add a defenseman, their attention should have been paid to Dillon and DeMelo. Both players are objectively better (and cheaper) than Martinez at this point. Dillon is similar to Martinez, in that he struggles to do anything on offense. However, his defensive numbers are much better than Martinez’s. So are DeMelo’s.

Martinez’s contract is also a bit pricey. Dillon and DeMelo are both rentals, meaning they will be unrestricted free agents after this season. Combined, their cap hit is $4.17 million. Dillon’s is at $3.275 million while DeMelo’s is at $900,000. Martinez’s cap hit is at $4 million. And unlike Dillon and DeMelo, he has an extra year on his deal. The Golden Knights have salary cap issues, so $4 million is nothing to sneeze at.

Finally, Martinez is going to be cost quite a bit to acquire compared to other defensemen. McKenzie is reporting the Vegas Golden Knights will likely part with two second-round picks, though the trade isn’t set in stone yet. However, Martinez was held out of Tuesday night’s game for “precautionary reasons”, so it appears the trade will happen.

Dillon cost the Capitals a 2020 second-round pick and a third-round pick. The year of the latter depends on how the Caps do in the postseason. If they win the Stanley Cup, it’s a 2020 third-round pick. But if they don’t, it’s a 2021 third-round pick.

DeMelo only cost the Jets a 2020 third-round pick. Tons of hockey fans on Twitter aired their grievances after the trade because they all wanted their team to add him. Considering those two trades, giving up two second-round picks for Martinez isn’t ideal, even if you consider that he has an extra year on his deal.

Now, what if the Golden Knights didn’t acquire Martinez to be a second-pairing defenseman? What if he’s on their third pairing? I think Martinez would do quite well in a third-pairing role. However, two second-round picks is a lot to give up for a third-pairing defenseman. The Vegas Golden Knights could find someone similar for a lot cheaper.

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Last year, Golden Knights general manager George McPhee stole the show at the trade deadline by getting Mark Stone and signing him to an extension. If the Knights trade for Martinez, his encore will be quite underwhelming.

All stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. For updated NHL trade rumors, be sure to check out our Rumors page. Also, follow us on Twitter at @Puck_Prose for analysis and updated rumors.

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