3 LA Kings Who Won't Survive the Trade Deadline

The 2023-24 NHL season has certainly been a rollercoaster ride for Los Angeles Kings fans.

The campaign started well, but it didn't take long for the wheels to fall off as the schedule went on. Beginning at the end of December, the Kings went on a 2-8-6 run,replacing head coach Todd McLellan with interim bench boss Jim Hiller along the way.

Although things haven't been perfect with Hiller in charge, a 6-1-0 record in the last seven games (as of Feb. 21) is encouraging.

Still, the March 8 trade deadline is right around the corner and the Kings need to decide whether they're going to be buyers or sellers. Los Angeles does have a handful of moveable contracts on the roster, opening the door for the types of moves that general manager Rob Blake can make next month.

With that in mind, here are three Kings who likely won't survive the deadline.

1. Matt Roy, D

When it comes to the Kings' potential trade chips, Matt Roy is probably the best of the bunch.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound defenseman is in the middle of another solid season in LA. Roy has three goals and 13 assists with a plus-10 plus/minus rating while logging nearly 21 minutes per night. He's also blocked 118 shots while dishing out 106 hits, showing that he isn't afraid to get physical when need be.

Roy is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, though, and there's no guarantee that he'll re-sign with the Kings. It makes sense to trade him before the deadline and get something in return rather than lose him for nothing this summer. Right-handed, top-4 defensemen are highly sought after in the NHL, so chances are that Los Angeles can get a solid return for a blueliner who can play in any situation.

Even if the Kings are firmly in the playoff race come March 8, they should at least explore what a potential Roy deal could bring to the table.