The Los Angeles Kings are 19th in the league with 49 goals scored. They are off to a bit of a rough start at 8-5-4 and things could get worse. This is the last season with captain Anze Kopitar. This could be the last season with goals scored Adrian Kempe. GM Ken Holland needs to look to the future and see that the Kings may have a big problem offensively. Another team that does not look sharp is the New York Rangers. Could there be a big trade coming between the two teams?
The Kings main focus could be forward Artemi Panarin. He is 34 years old but he has been a consistent point producer who shoots right, something the Kings needed to add last offseason. We know Kopitar is gone and with Quinton Byfield moving to the top line next season, Panarin could be a massive piece for the developing Byfield.
This season Panarin has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 17 games and has three goals and two assists for five points in his last five games. Yes, the production is down a bit but the Rangers as a team have struggled offensively. A change of scenery to Los Angeles could ignite offensive creativity once again.
Panarin signed with the Rangers on July, 1, 2019 after previous seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets. He was a major addition to the lineup and contributed season after season since game one on Broadway. With the team struggling the past couple of seasons they may look to make a major move and with Panarin a free agent after this season, they could move him to get something in return. The Rangers need to make moves and the Kings need scoring. Something could be worked out that benefits both teams.
Panarin has an $11.6 million average annual value (AAV) this season. Los Angeles has a lot of pieces, including several draft picks, that could be moved in a deal. Panarin would immediately give the top line a legit offensive weapon that they have looked for to play alongside Kempe. If Kempe leaves, Panarin becomes a larger part of this offense.
Not only is Kopitar gone but Corey Perry and Andrei Kuzmenko are also one that could join Kempe and Kopitar as players who are leaving after this season. Both Perry and Kuzmenko are right-handed shots. Re-signing Perry, Kuzmenko, and Kempe could present a challenge so the Kings could be looking for offense regardless of who comes back.
In his six years with the Rangers, Panarin has 191 goals and 371 assists for 562 points in 447 games and is a +81. While the Rangers have struggled offensively Panarin’s offensive production has remained the same.He continues to supply offense even thought the team has lacked offense for the most part. Panarin would fix a problem as the Kings have been looking to address the right-handed shot issue for some time now. Yes, the price tag would be big and the return to New York could involve some key pieces. However, imagine losing Kopitar, Kempe, Perry, and Kuzmenko and having to replace that offense without a plan in place.
This offseason is a massive one for the Kings’ roster, regardless of what happens this season. Another season of a first-round loss may spell trouble for the organization in terms of roster construction and coaches. The Kings have to have a plan in place and a trade for Panarin could help soften the blows they could have this offseason. The season just started but a trade for the Kings and Rangers could make Los Angeles a serious threat in the Western Conference once again.
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