Should the Kings Keep Their 21st Pick or Trade It?

Should the Los Angeles Kings keep their 21st pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft or trade it?

This decision is always a very difficult one, especially this close to the draft, because you could strike gold on a player in the first round and they go on to become one of the best players in the organization.

However, there are some perks to trading it. They can improve their squad faster and potentially have a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup.

In the Kings' case, they will have a short list of names that they like for their draft choice and will likely keep it. But there is some serious consideration that needs to come into play because trading that pick could mean getting an 80-plus point player.

For example, the Carolina Hurricanes have made it known that both Marton Necas and Jake Geuntzel are available for trade. Necas will require a much larger package to get the deal done. Whereas Guentzel's asking price is set at a mid-round pick, as per Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of his 32 Thoughts Podcast.

If the Kings can work out a deal with the Hurricanes or even another team that involves a starting goalie, the likelihood of them holding on to the pick is slim.

If a Linus Ullmark trade were to happen, the Kings would gladly give up their first to make that happen. It would be addressing an immediate need on their roster while not removing anyone with tons of value.

With that said, if the Kings aren't working the phones regarding potential trades that could see their first-round pick going the other way, then the obvious choice would be to select the best player available that fits your system.

Overall, I think they should trade it. GM Rob Blake has a huge off-season ahead, and he needs to make almost everything open for trade to improve their future while they still have some sort of Stanley Cup window.