Los Angeles Kings' 2023 Trade Deadline Needs

The Los Angeles Kings will be making adds at the trade deadline, but will also likely be moving out a player or two. It is well known that they are shopping a right-shot defenceman since they have too many of them to fit in their lineup every night and there is interest. This will help free up some money to execute a deal since there are two areas in particular that the Kings need to address.

They have had no trouble scoring goals this season with some of their young players stepping up and with the addition of point-per-game player Kevin Fiala last offseason. What the Kings have struggled greatly with all season is keeping the puck out of their net. So first off they need help in goal, but it may be hard to come by. There should be goaltenders available at the deadline, including a few better options like Thatcher Demko, Cam Talbot, Karel Vejmalka, and Antti Raanta.

Adding a goaltender would cost them assets, not only to acquire someone, but to free up cap space from Jonathan Quick or Cal Petersen. The second item on their agenda will be to upgrade the left side of their defence. With a right-shot defenceman on the way out, they must actually address the lack of talent on the left side. Sean Durzi can move back over to his normal side and the team would then have room to bring in a defence-first top-four left-shot defenceman.

With a goaltending addition and a top-four left-shot d-man, the Kings would have a real shot of staying in good positioning in the playoff race in the Pacific division as it's anyone's game right now.