The NHL trade deadline is less than a week away and it's time for the rumor mill to start spinning officially.
The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in an interesting spot, they are limited in what they can do at the deadline because of their cap situation but have a few areas where they should look to improve.
One of those areas is in the bottom six. It's been a consistent complaint from some sections of the fan base that this team's bottom six is too small and not physical enough.
While that isn't this team's biggest issue, it's hard to disagree with that assessment. The only real physical presence in their bottom six is Carl Grundstrom, who's out on LTIR right now.
Even when Grundstrom is healthy, it's asking a lot of him to be the lone physical presence up front, especially for a guy who has never dropped the gloves in his career.
Of course, the Kings shouldn't be looking for a pure enforcer like Ryan Reaves or Matt Rempe, but adding someone who can offer you solid minutes, throws the body and isn't afraid to drop the gloves would be a boost for this team.
Yakov Trenin: Nashville Predators:
If you've read my work consistently over the last few years, you know I've been banging the Yakov Trenin drum for a while.
He's exactly the player I outlined above. He's responsible defensively, an excellent penalty-killer and very physical. He also has a bit of a scoring touch, on pace for 13 goals this season.
A similar player to Grundstrom, he comes with the added benefit of killing penalties and will drop the gloves.
He isn't an enforcer by any means, he's only fought twice since the 2021-22 season, but he'll step up to the plate when need be.
In the last year of his contract, the Predator's re-signing Tommy Novak has put Trenin's future there in doubt.
He's a pending UFA and would need to be re-signed this summer, but he carries a modest cap hit of just $1.7 million.
I wouldn't expect much of a pay raise for him next season, so he should be a player the Kings can bring back. Given his ability to kill penalties, he'd be a perfect player to take Trevor Lewis' role as a defensive bottom-sixer who kills penalties.
It's unknown what the cost would be for Trenin, but it wouldn't be too high. A B-level prospect and a mid-round pick (not in the upcoming draft) might get it done.
Jordan Greenway: Buffalo Sabres:
Another player I've talked about in the past, Buffalo Sabres forward Jordan Greenway would be a nice addition to the bottom six.
He's a big player who doesn't always play to all of his 6-foot-6 frame, but he isn't afraid of the physical stuff either.
One of the league's better defensive forwards, Greenway would also fit well into the ethos of this organization.
The offense will never be elite, but he's on pace for 13 goals and 30 points.
He'd add a new element to the bottom six and could be a good fit on the third line when the team is healthy.
Assuming Jim Hiller reunites Quinton Byfield and Pierre-Luc Dubois after Adrian Kempe returns, a third line of Byfield-Dubois-Greenway would be a handful.
When Dubois is the smallest player on a line, that's a problem for the opposition.
Greenway's defensive acumen would also help make up for some of Dubois' flaws, allowing the latter to focus more on generating offense.
The cost becomes a stumbling block here though. There's no indication that Buffalo is actively shopping Greenway, so they'd have to pay a decent price for him.
His $3 million cap hit through next season also makes things difficult.
Elliotte Friedman recently reported that he doesn't expect Arthur Kaliyev to be traded at the deadline, but he seems like a good starting point for a potential Greenway deal.
Brandon Duhaime: Minnesota Wild:
If the Kings did want more of a pure enforcer, Brandon Duhaime from the Minnesota Wild would be a good option.
According to TheFourthPeriods trade watch list, the Wild are listening to offers for Duhaime and would be willing to move him.
His low cap hit, just $1.1 million, would make him an obtainable piece for Rob Blake.
He doesn't offer much offensively and doesn't hurt you defensively, but he is very physical and is a willing fighter.
The big problem with Duhaime is fitting him into the lineup when everyone is healthy.
We know the team isn't going to scratch Trevor Lewis, and it feels unlikely Duhaime would play over a healthy Grundstrom.
If he was acquired though, it would have to be in place of Grundstrom, who the Kings might not feel comfortable inserting back into the lineup down the stretch after a long layoff.
Grundstrom had also been in a big slump before his injury, scoring just one goal (his lone point) in an 18-game stretch. If he isn't scoring and physicality is his only element, maybe they'd feel Duhaime is an upgrade.
Kings Have Options:
If the Kings choose to add some physicality to the bottom six, and according to Friedman on 32 thoughts last month, that's where they would look to add, they have options.
All of Trenin, Greenway and Duhaime would add a new element to the team's bottom six and would give them the freedom to sit Andreas Englund.
Jacob Moverare has played well since being called up in Mikey Anderson's absence, so freeing up the LD3 spot for him could add another element to a potential trade.