Fansided

5 NHL sellers that need to be stripped down for parts

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 26: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings looks on during the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 26: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings looks on during the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings aren’t going to make the playoffs. Even if by some miracle they went on a massive tear—meaning at least 20-plus wins in the final 30 or so games—it still would likely net them only 90 points. The Kings sit with 46 at the moment.

The biggest reason for their downfall is that they doesn’t score enough, and that’s putting it mildly. The team currently ranks dead last in goals for, averaging just a few shades over two a contest. Unfortunately this problem hasn’t been offset like it was last season when the Kings ranked first in goals against (they’re currently 16th).

While Los Angeles still possesses a ton of talent in guys like Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty, it also has others who are either aging with a noticeable drop in skill or players who have already been linked to trade rumors.

One off the latter is its Center Tyler Toffoli, a 26-year-old who still has a year left on his contract after the season. Though the Kings might be wise to keep him around as the inevitable rebuild begins, it isn’t going to stop teams from asking or making them an offer that would greatly benefit Los Angeles in the long run.

And really that’s what this is about. Teams should certainly be trying to pry Toffoli off the hinges, and with talent enough to score 50 or 60 points while netting 20 to 30 goals, the price will be high.

Having recently traded defenseman Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs—and having traded Tanner Pearson to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in the year—it would be no surprise to see Alec Martinez or Jeff Carter on the cutting block as well, though both have years left on their respective deals making it more difficult to find a willing partner.

Home/NHL