The Los Angeles Kings have an opportunity to make a big splash. The trade partner? The New York Rangers. The Rangers recently out it out there that they are shopping defenseman, captain Jacob Trouba and longtime Rangers forward Chris Kreider. Two huge adds to the Kings lineup if they can pull it off. Los Angeles is also looking for something to bolster their lineup as they play in the tough Pacific Division.
Kings, Rangers to make headlines?
Trouba would give the Kings a dependable defenseman who can play with grit and add leadership, along with size. Kreider would ass experience and goal-scoring, something the Kings could use more of. The price to acquire both would be high, but Los Angeles has assets to play with. Would the asking price , whatever it may be, turn the Kings away from a massive deal?
Two names that could be going the other way include defenseman Jordan Spence and forward Arthur Kaliyev.
Spence is a young defenseman who is capable of playing in all situations and can quarterback a power play. Kaliyev has not played a single game this season but is still young and has a lethal shot. There would be more added to the deal but this is the framework where talks would start.
Rangers General Manager Chris Drury and Kings General Manager Rob Blake both have something to prove in different ways. However, they both want to keep their jobs.
Trouba has six assists and 22 penalty minutes in 24 games, while Kreider has 10 goals in 21 games. Spence has one goal and four assists for five points in 24 games for Los Angeles. The Rangers are looking to get younger and the Kings want more stability.
The Rangers are struggling and remain fourth in the Metropolitan Division. The Kings are second in the Pacific Division but are looking to add if the price is right. Trouba is an unrestricted free agent in 2026, Kreider is also a UFA in 2026-27 and New York’s projected cap space next season is $21.49 million. Spence is a restricted free agent in 2026, while Kaliyev is an RFA after this season. The projected cap space for Los Angeles for the 2025-26 season is $17.56 million.
This move could be massive if done. The Rangers get younger with another power-play quarterback , while the Kings get a proven goal-scorer and a gritty defenseman. Other parts may define this deal, or break it. However, if the Rangers truly want to shake things up then Los Angeles may be a willing partner.
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photo: the score.com; Kayla Douglas)
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