March 2, 2025 | 9:04pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
KINGS WILLING TO MOVE FIRST-ROUND PICK?
Kings GM Rob Blake
The Los Angeles Kings are actively exploring the trade market in hopes of finding a right-shot scorer to add to their forward corps.
TFP’s Dennis Bernstein first reported in January that Kings GM Rob Blake would like to address the team’s offence and has been looking for someone to help the club’s powerplay and five-on-five performance.
With just over $4 million in current salary cap space, the Kings are in a position to add to their roster ahead of Friday’s 3pm ET trade deadline.
According to John Hoven of MayorsManor.com, the Kings are willing to trade their first-round pick in this summer’s NHL Draft and the club is “exploring all opportunities.”
The Kings have been linked to such players as Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders, Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, among others.
LA first round pick is believed to be in play, exploring all opportunities.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) March 3, 2025
Re: MR96 rumors:
Marner to LA makes more sense IMO, including he liked playing for Jim Hiller & DJ Smith when they were in TOR (from what I've heard from Marner camp). Prob more of a summer deal, though.
Palmieri and Boeser are in the final year of their respective contracts and are eligible to become unrestricted free agents July 1, while Tuch has one more year remaining on his contract after this season.
View the TFP Trade Watch List
It is unlikely to see the Canucks move Boeser in-division, while the price tag on Tuch is believed to be extremely high, as it is Buffalo’s preference to keep him unless a team is willing to overpay to acquire him, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta.
Palmieri, 33, is in the final year of a four-year, $20 million contract and owns a 16-team no-trade list.
The Islanders have not yet committed one way or another to selling, and their next two games on Monday and Tuesday will dictate what direction GM Lou Lamoriello goes in this week.