Los Angeles Kings: Grading the Trade Deadline

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 22: Alec Martinez #27, Milan Lucic #17, and Tyler Toffoli #73 of the Los Angeles Kings face off against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on October 22, 2015 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 22: Alec Martinez #27, Milan Lucic #17, and Tyler Toffoli #73 of the Los Angeles Kings face off against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on October 22, 2015 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Kings
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Kings /

Kings trade Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell to the Toronto Maple Leafs: B+

The first move Rob Blake made was to trade two-time Stanley Cup Champion forward Kyle Clifford and back-up goaltender Jack Campbell to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Trevor Moore, a 2020 third-round pick, and a conditional 2021 third-round pick.

The conditional pick becomes a second-round pick if Clifford re-signs or if the Maple Leafs make the playoffs. Blake was able to turn Clifford a “glue guy” on the Kings roster who was instrumental in the Kings Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014 into two picks and forward depth for now and perhaps the future.

With the Kings’ depth at goaltender and starter Jonathan Quick unable to be moved, Campbell’s position with the Kings was superfluous and he no longer was necessary to the Kings’ future plans. Many fans were upset with the trade but the reality is taking out the emotions, Blake deserves praise for adding to his asset pool.