Speculation is that the Colorado Avalanche center Paul Statsny has been short listed by Kings management as an option for their top six.
"(The Kings) healthy scratched Dustin Penner and put two rookies (Dwight King and Jordan Nolan) playing their first NHL game this season with Mike Richards against the Islanders, looks like they've hit the panic button to me," an NHL insider said Saturday evening. "I know Statsny is a center, but so is Jeff Carter and Paul only has two years left on his deal and there are zero concerns with his attitude."
With the Avalanche having only eight players presently inked to deals next season, Colorado GM Joel Sherman could use Statsny as an asset to start rebuilding his defense and forward depth. Backliners Erik Johnson and Kyle Quincey are restricted free agents at season's end, while depth defensemen Shane O'Brien and Matt Hunwick are walk-away free agents come July 1.
"The reality is Colorado still hasn't recovered from the Kevin Shattenkirk deal and if Statsny could bring back a defenseman like Jack Johnson in a package from LA, they'd look long and hard at the deal," the source conveyed.
Statsny's a big ticket item with a $6.6 million cap and salary hit, but unlike Carter will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2013-14 season.
Another previously discussed option, Ryan Malone, of the Tampa Bay Lightning, is on the cusp of returning to action, but missed Saturday's in Buffalo and must see the ice competitively before serious discussions can re-start about a move to Los Angeles, or elsewhere.
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| No-Trade/No-Movement Clauses
| Top 25 Available Players
| Team-by-Team Cap Info
