Checking in with the Kings Before the Trade Deadline

With just a few days left before the trade deadline of the 2020-2021 EHE season, the Kings seem to be in a place to possibly be buyers rather than sellers. With 75 points they currently sit 6th in the Gretzky conference, just 4 points out of 2nd in the Pacific division and just 6 points out of the top spot in the division.

The team has had to deal with various injuries as well as having to start a minor league goalie 12 times to still be in the running for the division title. When it comes to starting a minor league goalie, the Kings didn't have much of a choice as they were not expansion draft compliant coming into the season with only Philipp Grubauer signed past this season. To meet the requirements, coach Berube and GM Errickson decided to start their 3rd string goalie, Colin Delia, 12 times so far this season. While Delia was strong in the AHL last season with a 32-12-7 record, he was shown to be overmatched in the EHE. His 4.38GAA and .863 save % just shows that there is plenty of room for improvement in his play going forward.

What might the Kings be looking for in any possible deals before the deadline? Good question. GM Errickson hasn't pulled the trigger on a deal since trading for a backup goalie for San Diego just a couple days after Christmas. The pro team has been the same since the season started and based on the rumors we've heard, the team will probably go unchanged, for better or worse. If the GM is out there looking, we believe he's probably looking for something similar to what he did last trade deadline. Kings fans might remember GM Errickson surprised some in the league and swung a deal for right winger, Patric Hornqvist. The hesitation this year might be related to the lack of production that came along with making that trade last season. Hornqvist came in and was given 2nd line minutes to which he produced just 3 goals and 2 assists in 16 games. While the Kings didn't give up a whole lot for him, the team definitely expected better production from their 2nd line right winger.

One trade that did seem to work out for the Kings last season was making the move for Brad Richardson. Trading a minor leaguer and a late round pick for Richardson has paid out quite well for LA, both last season and so far this season. He actually outscored Hornqvist from the 3rd line last season, was resigned last offseason and has chipped in 18 points so far this season.

We've heard some rumors that GM Errickson has floated names like Colton Parayko, Ryan Johansen, AHL stud, Anders Bjork and maybe even Tuuka Rask, but nothing has come from any of those talks as of yet. With just over 5 days left before the trade freeze for the rest of the regular season, it surely seems like the Kings are ready to stand pat and take their current team into the playoffs, but if anything happens you know where to look Kings fans!