LA Kings Trading Defenseman During 2023 Offseason

The Los Angeles Kings will be busy making some adjustments this summer as general manager Rob Blake is going to take the 2023 offseason to upgrade his team. The Kings are close and with a couple of tweaks, could find themselves back in the Stanley Cup Playoff hunt next season. While the Kings goalie situation is fluid at the moment, look for a right-handed defenseman to surely be dealt. More specifically, look for Sean Walker to be moved as the Kings d-man has become the odd man out.

Blake is loaded on the back end in LA, especially on the right side. With Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence waiting in the wings and with Sean Durzi being so versatile, Walker's future is a giant question mark.

The 28-year-old blueliner is entering the final season of his current contract, paying him $2.8 million against the cap. He was a healthy scratch for the Kings in the playoffs and the writing has been on the wall ever since.

Once the likes of Damon Severson, Matt Dumba and John Klingberg sign their new contracts this summer and the defensemen market is a little more clear, look for teams to come calling Blake for Walker as he'll be a second-tier option. 

Teams to keep an eye on include the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, and Ottawa Senators. 

Photo credit:  Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports