Report: LA Kings "Actively" Focused on One Need at Deadline; Top 3 Fits

Despite a couple of recent losses, the Los Angeles Kings are having themselves a fine season, in 3rd spot in the Pacific Division. They've allowed the second-fewest goals of any of the 12 teams locked into playoff spots in their divisions thus far.

At the same time, however, their goal differential is the second-worst of any of those 12 clubs. They're also 29th in the league in shots taken.

Translated: The Kings need more goal-scoring. If they're looking to do some damage in the playoffs, they'll need to address that.

Appearing on NHL Network, insider Elliotte Friedman says they are definitely targeting an offensive boost:

I had a couple of people say to me today, they are going for a scorer. I think (Adrian) Kempe is a heckuva player, (but) I think he needs help. They are actively looking for a scorer, and I expect them to make noise.

Friedman also points out that in 2012, the Kings were the lowest-scoring team in the league when they went out and acquired Jeff Carter, who went on to lead the playoffs in goal scoring with eight, and the Kings took home the Stanley Cup.

Now they're not exactly dead last in scoring this year, but at 19th overall in goals per game, they could certainly use some help.

The top 3 fits for the Kings in this regard include the following:

Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
Kyle Palmieri, NY Islanders

The Boeser trade would be a tough one for them to pull off, from a division rival, and Palmieri is also just a rental. Rakell seems like the best fit, if the Pens are ready to move him.