Breaking: LA Kings Prospects To Be Traded at the Deadline

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, there is widespread speculation about prominent players who might be available for trade. From Noah Hanifin to Jake Guentzel to Jakob Chychrun, notable names are being discussed in potential trades. The Los Angeles Kings.

Definitely Not

In the realm of hockey, there are only a handful of players whom teams should consider off-limits. Transitioning success from amateur and minor-league hockey to the NHL is a challenging endeavor. However, in the case of the Los Angeles Kings, there is one prospect, Brandt Clarke, who should not even be contemplated for a trade. Given the current pool of talent available, trading him would be highly ill-advised.

Selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Clarke began his journey within the Kings organization by captaining the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Subsequently, he split his time during the 2022-23 season between the NHL, OHL, and the American Hockey League (AHL). Now, in his inaugural full professional season, Clarke has exhibited impressive performances in the AHL and has earned a spot on the NHL roster. Notably, he recently scored his first NHL goal, a game-winning overtime goal against the Boston Bruins. Looking ahead, Clarke aspires to anchor the Kings’ defense for years to come, making him as invaluable as they come in terms of prospects.

 

Not expected to be relocated

Given that Clarke was the latest first-round pick for the team in 2021, there are not many prospects fitting this description. Nonetheless, there are a couple included primarily due to their positional importance rather than their skill level. Portillo, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres during the 2023 Trade Deadline for a third-round pick in the 2023 Draft, stands at 6 feet 6 inches and excelled at the University of Michigan before joining the Kings. In his inaugural professional season, he boasts a 13-8-3 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage playing for the Ontario Reign in the AHL. Put simply, he has been exceptional in his debut professional hockey season and is much closer to an NHL call-up than a trade.

With a roster of young talent in Los Angeles, a few former prospects are deemed not suitable for being traded. It goes without saying that Byfield is one of them, but Turcotte and Laferriere should also remain with the team. Turcotte faced challenges early in his development but has since improved significantly and is ready to make an impact in the NHL.

Laferriere was a somewhat overlooked prospect due to his time at Harvard University. Nonetheless, in his first professional season, he has been a consistent contributor playing over 13 minutes in nearly every game and showcasing a strong two-way game in the bottom-six role. While his departure wouldn’t hurt the team’s performance severely, it would result in a lack of defensive depth and potential in the bottom six.

Ziemmer, drafted 78th overall by the Kings in the 2023 NHL Draft, has accumulated 31 points in 20 games for the Prince George Cougars in the WHL. Given his offensive potential and recent draft status, it is highly unlikely that he would be traded as a prospect.

 

Probable Trade Candidates

Due to the team’s limited number of recent high draft picks, they have had to search for value in the later rounds. One prospect who is likely to be part of trade discussions is Jack Hughes, chosen 51st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the team. In his third year of college and first with Boston University, Hughes has amassed seven goals and 18 points in 29 games. While he might not be untouchable in trade talks moving forward, he would certainly be a more significant asset than other prospects within the organization.

Arthur Kaliyev, a current roster player, has probably been a topic of recent discussions. Following a season where he scored 13 goals and tallied 28 points in 56 games, he has experienced a decline this season with just six goals and 14 points in 41 games, potentially making him a candidate for a change of scenery. Other prospects who are more likely to be involved in trades include Samuel Fagemo, Ryan Conmy, Jakub Dvorak, Martin Chromiak, and Akil Thomas. Each of these prospects possesses potential and upside that adds value to the Kings but should only be considered in trade scenarios at the right price. Furthermore, there are several other prospects within the organization with NHL potential who have yet to garner much attention in their careers.

As the Kings currently occupy a comfortable position in the wild card race, the likelihood of them being buyers at this season’s trade deadline is increasing. With a young core, there will be significant interest in many players for trades. Nevertheless, only a limited number of these prospects are expected to be actively shopped.