Eklund: Source: Kings Still Prepping for Connor McDavid. Do they Know Something?

Does anybody seriously think LA is in a stronger position to contend for a Cup than Edmonton? If McDavid wants to contend for a Cup, somewhere other than Edmonton, there are multiple options that would rank far ahead of LA.

Trading for McDavid is just the prep work for the great "Double Homecoming" trade to follow.

I would love a reporter to ask McD the question that many people are thinking!! Is it even possible, for a team to pay one player $16mil, and fill out a roster strong enough to win? Florida, for example, is so strong because of a balanced roster, yes the tax thing helps, and players taking home town discounts! But they are strong up and down the lineup because of balance. Sure I’ve heard players say, hey that’s the teams problem not the players! And yeah you can say that, but you can’t say that AND expect to win.
As for living in LA, Malibu or wherever in that area, I couldn’t see fighting that traffic 24/7 as a carrot. But whatever, interesting story!

I would love a reporter to ask McD the question that many people are thinking!! Is it even possible, for a team to pay one player $16mil, and fill out a roster strong enough to win? Florida, for example, is so strong because of a balanced roster, yes the tax thing helps, and players taking home town discounts! But they are strong up and down the lineup because of balance. Sure I’ve heard players say, hey that’s the teams problem not the players! And yeah you can say that, but you can’t say that AND expect to win.
As for living in LA, Malibu or wherever in that area, I couldn’t see fighting that traffic 24/7 as a carrot. But whatever, interesting story!
- Bullot

We don't talk about that. shhhhh

This deal starts with Byfield and a lot of picks. I don't think 97 goes from one top heavy team to another one with questionable defensive depth. But maybe he misses Ceci.

I would love a reporter to ask McD the question that many people are thinking!! Is it even possible, for a team to pay one player $16mil, and fill out a roster strong enough to win? Florida, for example, is so strong because of a balanced roster, yes the tax thing helps, and players taking home town discounts! But they are strong up and down the lineup because of balance. Sure I’ve heard players say, hey that’s the teams problem not the players! And yeah you can say that, but you can’t say that AND expect to win.
As for living in LA, Malibu or wherever in that area, I couldn’t see fighting that traffic 24/7 as a carrot. But whatever, interesting story!
- Bullot

Not to mention the fact that Malibu recently burnt to the ground and LA itself is pretty much a poopshow.

LA would have to dump serious salary if they tried to sign CM, instead of trade for him

The new CBA funnels players to be traded rather than just walk. 8 years versus 6 is a serious difference on a contract.

If McDavid gets traded to the Kings as part of any deal the amount coming back would cripple LAs chances of winning a cup "most likely" for years. Ditto any team. Its not like the Oilers wouldn't be asking for quality back.

Who knows what any of this would look like. The Oilers have been the second best team in the league two years running. Short of him going to Florida there really isn't any team that his chances would "significantly" improve if got moved to. Especially in a trade scenario.

I'd argue the ducks could pull that trade off. Leo, Zelly, 2 first, + prospect (not Soliberg,Mcqueen). The Oilers would get soild 1/2 C. Help on D with an entry level contract. That wouldn't deplete the ducks in the slightest.

Canes are just about the only contending team that could handle his cap hit and ice a deep team.

They have winger depth to trade for sure. They also have 1st round picks and D to wheel and deal with.

@spatso - You must not watch hockey. Did you see the Kings play Edm this series? You do realize the Kings should have advanced if not for their idiot coach costing them game 3 with a bone head challenge etc. and then a young kid who just needed to flip the puck out of the zone in game 4 to get the win. Kings (besides the Panthers) seemed to be their toughest challenge.

Sounds like you are just mad that the article isn't about Ottawa and McDavid.

Either way, as a Kings fan, no way McDavid ever ends up in LA. Yes, my team got Gretzky long ago and since then Palffy was the last huge star power. The Kings system and their horrible "president" or whatever in Luc who hired Blake as the GM who gifted a dream package for a horrible center they didn't need only to trade them yet again the year after for a goalie whom they once had, shows they will never get a superstar like McDavid. Or any superstar who has been in the top 15-20 in pts in the nhl.

So far, Gavi wanted out of LA. Spence (who I am sure most have clue who he is but is actually a good D-man and young) wanted out of LA. Kings tried for Anderson in Calgary who refused to play for LA. Marner and either TO and/or his agent used the Kings to get more from LV (just like when Kovalchuck signed with NJ and used LA as a bargaining chip yet he lost to LA for the Cup that year hahhaha).

So yeah. McDavid is 99.999999999% not coming to LA this year, next year, nor ever, unless to play against the the Kings on whichever team he is on.