Are the Kings and Rangers Working on a Massive Trade?
The Los Angeles Kings have an opportunity to make a big splash.
The trade partner? The New York Rangers.
The Rangers recently announced that they are shopping defenseman, captain Jacob Trouba, and longtime Rangers forward Chris Kreider.
If they can pull it off, these would be two huge additions to the Kings’ lineup.
Los Angeles is also looking for something to bolster its lineup as it plays in the tough Pacific Division.
Kings, Rangers to Make Headlines?
PHOTO: Dennis Schneidler/Imagn Images
Trouba would give the Kings a dependable defenseman who can play with grit and add leadership and size. Kreider would ass experience and goal-scoring, something the Kings could use more of. The price to acquire both would be high, but Los Angeles has assets to play with. Would the asking price, whatever it may be, turn the Kings away from a massive deal?
Two names that could go the other way include defenseman Jordan Spence and forward Arthur Kaliyev.
Spence is a young defenseman who can play in all situations and can quarterback a power play. Kaliyev has not played a single game this season but is still young and has a lethal shot. More would be added to the deal, but this is the framework where talks would start.
Rangers General Manager Chris Drury and Kings General Manager Rob Blake both have something to prove in different ways. However, they both want to keep their jobs.
Trouba has six assists and 22 penalty minutes in 24 games, while Kreider has 10 goals in 21 games. Spence has one goal and four assists for five points in 24 games for Los Angeles.
The Rangers are looking to get younger, and the Kings want more stability.
The Rangers are struggling and remain fourth in the Metropolitan Division. The Kings are second in the Pacific Division but want to add if the price is right. Trouba will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, Kreider will be a UFA in 2026-27, and New York’s projected cap space next season is $21.49 million. Spence will be a restricted free agent in 2026, while Kaliyev will be an RFA after this season. The projected cap space for Los Angeles for the 2025-26 season is $17.56 million.
If done, this move could be massive. The Rangers get younger with another power-play quarterback, while the Kings get a proven goal-scorer and a gritty defenseman. Other parts may define this deal or break it.
However, if the Rangers truly want to shake things up, Los Angeles may be a willing partner.
PHOTO: Dennis Schneidler/Imagn Images
Discover more from Los Angeles Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.