So the December slump we have all come to know and love as Kings fans decided to wait a month and hit in January. With the team losing 10 of their last 15 games and holding a 4-4-2 record on the month, it's hard to imagine too many people are happy with the on ice product. So where does the team go from here?
The Kings have eight more games before the Olympic break and roster freeze. These games include two against the Ducks, one against the Sharks, the Yotes, Pens, Flyers, Hawks, and Jackets. All playoff teams except Coyotes who always play the Kings tough. After the olympic break the Kings come back to just four games before the March 5th trade deadline.
That's right folks, there are only 13 games before the deadline. That came up quick right? It also seems a lot further away due to the olympic break. Realistically, if the Olympic break didn't occur the trade deadline would be in roughly two and a half weeks.
Right now, the powerplay is bad, the offense is (as always) lacking, the penalty kill has slipped and it's starting to become apparent that they need to get a defenseman to play with Drew Doughty.
No offense to Jake Muzzin, who has made tremendous strides this season, he has looked overmatched at times playing top minutes against difficult opponents. Slava Voynov is having a difficult year on the offensive side of the puck, Matt Greene can't stay healthy, and Willie Mitchell and Robyn Regehr show their age at times.
There are few names being tossed around for defenseman, but one major one is Dan Girardi.
One problem, Doughty is a right shot and so is Girardi. So there goes that idea.
What about 30-year-old Mark Giordano from the Flames? Top minute left-handed defenseman, playing on a rebuilding squad looking to turn a page.
If you want to go with youth there is the recent news that Stan Bowman, the GM of the Blackhawks,
is looking to pick up a good depth center at the expense of a defenseman. Nick Leddy maybe?
There are some options out there, and it is more than likely that it could be a name we don't even expect with a team we don't think is dealing.
Then you have the offensive and powerplay woes. Names like Pacioretty, Vanek, Moulson, Cammalleri, Grabner, Gaborik, etc. etc. have all been tossed around. You know, the usual suspects. What my question is, is at what cost? What would be the return?
Any of the aforementioned scenarios would require significant return in all likelihood. No folks, Trevor Lewis, Jarret Stoll and a pick is not going to net Pacioretty. You're talking potential core members or heavy prospects. Derek Forbort, Tyler Toffoli, Tanner Pearson, Slava Voynov...dare I even say Dustin Brown? Probably not on the latter, but who knows...that was a bit of a shocker to a lot of people back when it nearly happened two years ago. There is also the idea that the King's system just doesn't work for a lot of players. We've seen numerous players come to the Kings only to have production drop off the charts. On the opposite side of things we've seen tons of players leave the Kings and go on to be very productive players. Growing from within seems to be the way the organization likes to do it. Even then, scoring woes are not, and have not been, uncommon.
The Kings are between a rock and a hard place right now by their own doing. They have been below average lately, in many aspects of the game. However, due to their hot start they still remain nine points into a playoff spot. Those numbers can change quickly, like say...in 12 games?
If I had to guess I'd say that if the Kings deal it is going to be right at deadline day or maybe a few days before. Maybe it seems dramatic but A LOT is going to hinge on these eight games before the Olympic break. Do the Kings go into a near month long absence with their heads held high and confident, or does Dean Lombardi have to sit and mull decisions and disappointment while working the phones for 20 some odd days.
Every season has different defining moments, and personally I feel like the Kings are in the midst of one right now. What becomes of it remains to be seen.
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Some minor roster moves to speak of today.
Linden Vey and Tanner Pearson were both assigned to Manchester and Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Schultz were recalled.
Thus ending what is arguably the most pointless call up/send down sequence of the year.
Also, the Kings made a minor deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, shipping diminutive forward Brandon Kozun over East for big boy Andrew Crescenzi.
Here is a look at both players stats.
Kozun:
Crescenzi:
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