LA Kings: Three LHD defensemen to consider trading for
By Ryan Sikes
If the LA Kings prefer to make a trade for the desired LHD this offseason, there are options on teams that will struggle with the flat-cap salary.
While the LA Kings continue their search for the coveted left-handed defenseman this offseason, there’s a scenario out there where they don’t favor any of the free agents available, Ben Hutton signs elsewhere, and teams restricted by the league’s flat salary cap are forced to part with a valuable member of their squad.
Trading for a defenseman might be the last resort for Rob Blake and company, but we are covering all of our bases here. As noted, as part of the league’s return-to-play plan and new CBA, the NHL will hold a flat salary cap of $81.5M per club until the league’s revenue exceeds $4.8B, which was the projected revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic prematurely ended seven teams’ seasons, including the Kings.
Perhaps the best UFA LHD is Ben Hutton. light. Related Story
So while making a trade for a left-handed defenseman will obviously require sending either assets, draft capital, or both to another team, the Kings, could potentially find a long-term solution and a mentor for the prospect pool as they graduate to the NHL.
A quick review. According to CapFriendly, the LA Kings will enter the new league year with a projected cap hit of $60.7M, leaving approximately $20.7M to spend (or stash away) how they see fit. Let’s look at three defensemen the front office should consider acquiring.