What Package Do the LA Kings Need to Put Together for Nikita Kucherov?
With the recent news that explosive Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov requested a trade, the NHL was turned upside down.
Teams started scrambling to put together packages to wow the Lightning, but nothing has been done yet.
The Los Angeles Kings should indeed be one of the teams putting together a package to acquire him, but what would a package look like for someone of his stature?
Kucherov was relatively unknown when he came into the league, debuting in the 2013-14 season and scoring 18 points in 52 games. However, that would quickly change in the 2016-17 season as he averaged a point per game for the first time in his career, and the rest is history. He has been a scoring machine since then and one of the top five offensive weapons in the league. However, this situation has nothing to do with his production; it’s about respect and communication.
Few teams can put together a package that fits the Lightning’s needs, and even the best offer may not be the best in their eyes. The Kings can put interesting packages together and see what happens. They have to try at least and see where it goes.
The Kings’ prospect depth chart has taken a bit of a hit over the years, and it doesn’t look as deep as it did in the past. However, they do have some assets to work with, on and off the main roster.
To bring in Kucherov, the deal has to start with center Quinton Byfield, regardless of his production this season. He is a big center who can skate and has a nice skill set. Tampa Bay has weapons on the wing, and he would be productive there.
Next would have to be a high draft pick, and we are talking nothing higher than second-round picks, or multiple second-round picks, and at least one first-round pick. The Lightning also don’t have a deep prospect pool, but to get this done, Los Angeles has to part with the future to be successful now.
Now comes the interesting part. Byfield, two second-round picks, and a first-round pick are certainly in the cards, but that won’t get it done. Two younger players could also be in play—for instance, someone like Alex Laferriere and Carter George or something to that effect. If the Kings are serious about getting him, they will need to give up a lot, and some of it will sting. The Kings lack scoring aside from Adrian Kempe, Artemi Panarin, and Kevin Fiala when healthy. Adding Kucherov greatly improves the offense.
Adding him would also improve the power play. Kucherov on one side and Panarin on the other is a dangerous combination, with defenseman Brandt Clarke at the point and Kempe blasting one-timers. Kucherov played with Lightning teams that were not offensively gifted when he came into the league, but they did get better and so did he. The same could happen in Los Angeles with the Kings.
Los Angeles missed out on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who went to the New Jersey Devils. They do not seem to have much interest in Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.
Sooner or later, Kings GM Ken Holland needs to land a big fish if they are going to overtake the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights. This move would be a huge start.
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