Rumor: Kings Rejected Penguins Trade Offer

When Ron Hextall and Brian Burke took over the management duties for the Pittsburgh Penguins it made you wonder how long it would take for them to pull off their first big trade. Apparently they tried to make a big move right away as rumors have surfaced suggesting the Penguins contacted the Los Angeles Kings about a trade involving Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick.

Dreger on OverDrive says there was a rumour going around about a possible Jonathan Quick trade few weeks ago, but the Kings shot it down immediately. It went hand-in-hand with the Hextall hire in Pittsburgh. Pens are looking for a goalie, Hextall was an AGM with Los Angeles.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 25, 2021

The Kings have surprised the league as they are 9-6-3 which is good for 3rd in the West Division. While general manager Rob Blake won't be adding rentals at the trade deadline the Kings aren't looking to move any more 'good' players. So don't expect to see Quick. or other Kings' veterans like Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty or Anze Kopitar moved.

As for the rumored deal with the Penguins, at the time Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry was struggling but has since turned it around.

4-1-0 in his last 5 starts with a .932 sv%https://t.co/q5MjUmVhMM
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 25, 2021

The 25-year-old Jarry would have surely been included in the deal. While this trade may have fallen through because of the Kings' direction, expect to see some changes out of the Penguins at some point before the trade deadline as Brian Burke and company have mentioned they are 'win-now' for this season and then will evaluate the franchise.