(Pic: Screengrab from NHL.com)I haven't written anything Kings related in awhile. So, if this isn't your cup of tea I suggest moving on to another post.
I had been watching faithfully and patiently as the roller-coaster of a season went on. Just a few weeks back the team was on a turbulent downward spiral. The Kings looked lost on the ice, unable to score with any consistency while the defense, for the most part, held their own. Fortunately, the conference and division continued to be tight as the Kings found themselves in the bottom of the division, but only a few points away from a playoff spot. Fast forward a few weeks and you could hardly believe that dry spell existed. Over the past 15 games they have won 11 games while losing only one game. Additionally, they had 3 overtime loses that provided them a point apiece in the standings. Now, they find themselves in 5th place in the conference and just a hair's away from taking the division title from San Jose. Slowly, but surely, it looks like the Kings are on the verge of leaving the pack of teams clustered around the final playoff spots. With 20 games left to go in the season the Kings sure know when to get hot.
But, the team still had some glaring holes. They were looking for some up front speed and more consistent scoring. Furthermore, it was obvious that a 1st line left winger was desperately needed. Would todays trade deadline pay dividends for the Kings? Could the Kings actually pull off a trade for someone significant?
The answer is a resounding yes! This morning, provided some great news for us fans as the Kings pulled off, arguably, the biggest deal of the trade deadline. They get left winger Dustin Penner, former Anaheim Duck (who happened to win the cup with them), for a prospect, a 1st round draft pick and a conditional (2nd or 3rd round) draft pick. Considering the Kings depth in the minors and the relative consensus that those draft years are weak, I think we made out like a bandit. Heck, Colton Teubert (the prospect we gave up) isn't even considered one of our top 2 or 3 defensive prospects.
Penner provides the big bodied scoring winger the team desperately needs on the left side. He's not particularly fast, but he makes up for it with a great scoring touch. Penner should match up well with Kopitar and Brown (or Williams) on the 1st line, and has the kind of playoff experience a young team like the Kings really covet.
Needless to say, I am ecstatic beyond words. The management has done a masterful job of drafting and stocking the team with the kind of pieces that often lead to long term success.
Read more about the trade here:
LA Kings Insider: Lombardi Talks Trade: Full Trascript
NHL.com
Inside the Kings: Kings Trade for Penner
Battle of California: Kings Trade for Dustin Penner
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