December 4, 2008 | 10:15am ET Kings looking to make moves
TheFourthPeriod.com
Sitting roughly $12 million under then NHL's $56.7 million salary cap, the Kings have the space to add a big-name player if they so choose, reports the Los Angeles Times.
According to the paper, how the Kings perform through January will determine whether GM Dean Lombardi makes a big move this season.
"We're always looking," Lombardi told the Times. "One thing is we see the prospects here. It's not what the guys are doing now, it's what they can become. That's what we have to think about. About 20 games into the season, [GMs] are still trying to see if their teams are contenders. In another 20 games, it's going to be a lot clearer."
The Times notes that the Kings could use a top-line scorer and a No.1 goalie.
"There are about 20 teams pushing the cap and some may start looking to cut payroll," Lombardi said. "Something is going to happen and we may be in a position to make a move if it's the right guy."
From the Editor:
With Jonathan Bernier in the system, the Kings don't really need to make a move for a goalie unless it's a package deal and that goalie can become a UFA at season's end. The Kings are loaded with great young talent. Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Kyle Quincey, Jack Johnson, Patrick O'Sullivan, Alex Frolov... the list goes on. The Kings could use some help up front to get their young studs going, and Los Angeles remains interested in Marian Gaborik (but, they won't make a deal until he's healthy and they'll want to talk to his agent before pulling the trigger). Once January rolls around, the Kings will look to be active, but that doesn't entirely mean they're itching to pull the trigger. -- David Pagnotta
