The Los Angeles Kings are on the hunt for a middle-six scoring winger as the trade deadline looms on March 6. This urgency comes in the wake of Kevin Fiala’s season-ending leg injury, a setback that has left the team scrambling to bolster their offense.
Offensive struggles have been the Kings’ Achilles' heel this season, keeping them just outside the playoff picture. They currently trail the Ducks by three points for the second wild-card spot in the West, despite boasting the league’s sixth-best defense, allowing just 2.77 goals against per game.
While their shot generation ranks 19th in the league at 27.6 per game, their shooting percentage is a mere 9.2%, ahead of only the Flames and Devils. This low percentage is partly due to poor shot selection and a lack of high-danger opportunities, as evidenced by their 25th-place ranking in expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, according to MoneyPuck.
General manager Ken Holland has zeroed in on this scoring issue. He made a significant move by acquiring Artemi Panarin before the Olympic roster freeze and securing him with a two-year extension.
However, with Fiala sidelined, the team finds itself back at square one. Fiala was a key offensive player, ranking second in both goals (18) and points (40) for the Kings, making his absence a significant blow.
While Panarin’s addition provides some breathing room, missing the playoffs in captain Anže Kopitar’s final NHL season would be a major disappointment, especially in a relatively weak Pacific Division. The Kings have made the playoffs four straight times, and missing out now would be a letdown.
With about a 50-50 chance of making the playoffs, the Kings must weigh their options carefully. Acquiring another high-caliber player like Panarin might not be feasible.
Instead, they might consider more affordable rental players to boost their postseason chances. This strategy paid off last year with Andrei Kuzmenko, and they could hope to replicate that success.
There are several potential targets. Jeff Skinner is available after his contract termination with the Sharks.
The market for Canucks’ Evander Kane has been slow, making him a potential bargain for a mid-to-late-round pick. Other rental possibilities include Michael Bunting from the Predators, Bobby McMann from the Maple Leafs, and Patrik Laine from the Canadiens.
However, Toronto’s high asking price for McMann might push the Kings out of the running for his services.
As the deadline approaches, the Kings will need to make strategic moves to address their offensive woes and keep their playoff hopes alive.