NHL Rumors: LA Kings, Nashville Predators, and Playing Matchmaker

The LA Kings are looking for a scoring winger, and scouted the Leafs-Blackhawks game

The Fourth Period: The Los Angeles Kings are looking for a scoring winger that has some speed, according to David Pagnotta. They now have just under $5.7 million in projected cap space and $26 million in deadline cap space. They would like to add to their top six.

The Kings sent three scouts to watch the Maple Leafs – Blackhawks game before the Christmas break.

The Nashville Predators will be more patient now

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz will continue to look to make his roster younger. Despite playing better heading into the break, he’ll continue to listen on Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.

“The guys are playing well right now as a team. Let’s see where it goes,” Trotz said. “We’re going to go about our business, and we’ll see how it plays out in the next two months here.”

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Playing matchmaker for some of the top trade targets

Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston of The Athletic – Part 1: Looking at some of the trade candidates coming out of the holiday roster freeze and who could be the top landing spot for those players.

Rasmus Andersson – Calgary Flames RHD – LeBrun thinks the Vegas Golden Knights, as they have a need with Alex Pietrangelo being done for the season, and the Flames would likely get a max return as he may sign an extension. Johnston thinks the Los Angeles Kings. They talked trade in the offseason, but it’s not known if he’d sign an extension there.

Steven Stamkos – Nashville Predators C/W – LeBrun thinks the New Jersey Devils if Stamkos would okay a trade. Two years at $8 million would mean the Devils would have to move someone like Ondrej Patal ($6 million with a year left). Johnston mentions the New York Islanders. Familiarity with GM Mathieu Darche and their need for scoring.

Ryan O’Reilly – Nashville Predators C – LeBrun suggests the Minnesota Wild. O’Reilly has suggested he wants to be part of the solution in Nashville, but maybe his mind changes before the deadline. It could cost a first and a prospect. The Wild don’t have their 2026, but do have their 2027. Johnston suggests the Colorado Avalanche, who, as a top team, may entice O’Reilly to okay a move back to Colorado.

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Kiefer Sherwood – Vancouver Canucks W – The Dallas Stars have already kicked tires on Sherwood, according to LeBrun. They don’t have a first this year, but would Mavrik Bourque interest the Canucks? Johnston suggests the Boston Bruins, who have spoken with the Canucks dating back to the offseason about various players. The asking price may scare off the Bruins.

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