LA was rumored at times to be in on Kris Russell (who went to the Stars) and Dan Hamhuis (who was inexplicably not traded), but it didn’t happen. Kris Versteeg is the only veteran reinforcement this LA squad will be getting before the playoffs.
And that might not be such a bad thing. With the exception of the bottom pairing–which is probably going to be a weakness–LA’s roster looks pretty complete. Versteeg is a useful winger and should be able to make a positive contribution, filling in for Marian Gaborik over the next couple months and providing depth down the lineup after Gaborik returns. Versteeg can’t measure up to amazing past deadline acquisitions like Gaborik and Jeff Carter, but realistically opportunities of that sort are not going to present themselves every year.
The Kings are statistically impressive, easily leading the NHL in Corsi% and performing well in scoring chance metrics. The playoffs are too random and the NHL too competitive for any team to be an overwhelming favorite, but I’d say the Kings have about as good a shot at the cup as anybody.
It was a relatively quiet trade deadline day around the NHL. The most interesting moves were Anaheim picking up Brandon Pirri (a useful young forward) for practically nothing, the Stars wildly overpaying for Kris Russell, and the Canucks inexplicably not selling despite being terrible and having a couple interesting pending UFAs. The longer Vancouver’s incompetent management group stays in the place, the better it is for the Kings, and indeed all other Pacific teams.
Update: The Kings have traded Scott Sabourin for Brett Sutter (who may or may not be related to LA’s head coach). As you were.