Could the Kings Have Interest in One of Edmonton’s Young Left-Shot Defenders?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

From Spector’s Hockey

LATEST LEAFS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: In his latest Toronto Maple Leafs mailbag, Luke Fox was asked if the club could win a Mitch Marner trade. While acknowledging the front office’s belief in the 24-year-old playmaker, Fox believes general manager Kyle Dubas would want a return that fits with his bet-on-young skill vision that helps the club now. He also doesn’t foresee Marner requesting a trade.

He doubted Dubas would accept someone like Columbus’ Patrik Laine or Seth Jones or Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk in return. However, he could listen if the Buffalo Sabres offered up center Jack Eichel.

BLH’s Thoughts: Good Christ, if the Calgary Flames offered you Matthew Tkachuk for Mitch Marner, you f*cking hop all over that. Same with Seth Jones. For the love of Pete! Who says no to that kind of offer? Hoard as many former USNTDP from that golden generation as possible!

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma wondered if the Vancouver Canucks would be interested in Alex Kerfoot. The Leafs aren’t expected to protect the 26-year-old center in next month’s expansion draft. They need to clear cap space if they hope to re-sign Zach Hyman. The Leafs can’t afford to take back salary but perhaps they’d accept a draft pick or prospect.

(LINK)

BLH’s Thoughts: You know, I haven’t minded Kerfoot this year. He had six points in Toronto’s playoff series with the Habs too. He’s quick, physical, assertive in the mucky areas, but overpaid by about a million dollars. If you’re Jim Benning, he’d be a decent replacement for Brandon Sutter if he’s to leave the Canucks. That said, Vancouver should really get Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes done up before allocating any funds or assets elsewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yANW2PstWa0

From NHLRumors.com

Three areas of need for the Los Angeles Kings

John Hoven of Mayors Manor: The Los Angeles Kings are expected to be active this offseason. GM Rob Blake has been on record saying they need to add to get better.

The Kings have three areas that will likely be addressed this offseason.

A top-six forward – one that could play on the top-line and one that has experience, 200 plus games.

A top-nine forward – a middle-six guy who can on the second or third line, shifting back and forth if need be.

Upgrade their blue line – a young, left-handed offensive defenseman.

(LINK)

BLH’s Thoughts: Lots of talk that the Kings will go after Zach Hyman, but I’m betting Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ name will come up there as well. Do you think the Kings would go for Nazem Kadri to be their middle-six option? He can definitely shuffle between the 2nd and 3rd lines when he’s not suspended.

As for the young left-handed defender, the Edmonton Oilers have Caleb Jones, William Lagesson, and Markus Niemelainen going into next season that might interest the Kings. If I were the Oilers, Adrian Kempe and Brendan Lemieux would be decent options off of LA’s roster. Come trade deadline Dustin Brown should be a target as well.