****Scroll to the bottom for details on Scrivens trade*** Yesterday the Kings made what you could consider a rather puzzling move by sending the team's most efficient five on five goal scorer back to the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL.
With a move that seem to make little sense to a team that lacks goal scoring, it took another odd step today as the team recalled center Linden Vey.
Toffoli had gone 11 games without a points since netting a goal and an assist against San Jose on December 19th. The young winger saw his average ice time drop when he was relegated to the third line with Mike Richards and Trevor Lewis/Kyle Clifford. Perhaps the move comes as a kick in the behind for Toffoli, who has been counted on to provide offense this season. With that in mind though there are several other players whom have struggled in the goalscoring department.
Mike Richards has not scored a goal since November 25th, Trevor Lewis remains goalless on the season, Stoll has just two in his last 14, and Justin Williams one in his last nine. Laying the responsibility on the shoulders of Toffoli seems a bit harsh don't you think?
So the train of thought led many to believe, myself included, that a deal is in the works for the Kings. Despite the win against the Canucks on Monday, their lack of offense was showcased in embarrassing fashion as the team failed to convert on seven powerplays, including a near ten minute stretch of extra man time to open the game. With offense seemingly at a season low it is possible Dean Lombardi is working on a trade. So why send Toffoli down? Who is the Kings best 5 on 5 scorer along with Jeff Carter? Who knows.
The move became all the more puzzling as Linden Vey comes back up to join the team. The Kings already have a glut of centers with Richards, Stoll, and Kopitar manning the top lines and Fraser getting regular starts on the bottom. Vey was sent down before back on December 17th after being infrequently used, and used primarily on the bottom line. He has had 11 points in 11 games since rejoining the Monarchs in December. However, unless he can convert to wing there is little sense in bringing up the centerman without a spot opening up for him soon.
Not in the same vein as recalls and send downs, Matt Greene will miss the next four game road trip for the Kings after getting dinged up in a fight with Canuck defenseman Kevin Bieksa. Rejoice all, Alec Martinez is back in.
More on the idea of a trade though. It seems likely the Kings are going to make a move to try and improve scoring. Some of the names out there? Max Pacioretty, Matt Moulson, Lee Stempniak, Evander Kane, Ales Hemsky, Mika Zibanejad. Not to mention defenseman Dan Girardi has had his name tossed around, and the continuing health problems with Matt Greene may be an issue moving forward. These are all just names being churned around the rumor mills of course so don't take any with too heavy a possibility.
There is also this possibility presented by John Hoven of the Mayor's Manor
Toffoli to Manch explanation... player who plays 15 of 20 games prior to Olympic break can't be assigned to the AHL during Sochi games.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) January 15, 2014Perhaps the Kings just want to shuffled the deck chairs around a bit so all three of Pearson, Toffoli, and Vey can go to Manchester and play while the Olympic break is going on. Could be as simple as that.
If it is a trade though, who would be on the way out? The Kings have around 800k in cap space so it would need to be a salary shedding move or an even trade in salary for the most part. Either way, after a continued struggle with offensive numbers maybe the Kings management is finally getting as fed up with the scoring woes as much as the fans are.
There might possibly be some trade news in the coming days for the Kings.
*****UPDATE*****
And after the Oilers made a puzzling move sending Dubnyk to the Preds for Matt Hendricks, they swapped a third round pick to the LA Kings for goaltender Ben Scrivens.
Scrivens obviously was a major player when Jonathan Quick went down with a groin injury, but the Kings were able to net a third round pick for a backup with 51 games NHL experience. I'd say that's a pretty good return.
Scrivens was 7-5-4 with the Kings with a .931 save percentage this season. However in the last 3 games he played for LA he held a .903, .906 and .750 save percentage respectively.
Scrivens is a FA to be at the end of this season.
Also, I should remind people of this,
Anyone who is unhappy with return consider this. Vey was a 4th, Fasching was a 4th, Andreoff a 3rd, Weal a 3rd, Martinez/King 4ths #LAKings
— Jason Lewis (@SirJDL) January 15, 2014Sorry Ben, best of luck to you buddy!
In the meantime, Martin Jones has been called back up to the LA Kings to back up Jonathan Quick.
Will be updated as more develops, but this is really an odd set of deals for the Oilers.
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