The Los Angeles Kings have been picked apart for their moves in free agency this summer, and while they still have a competitive team and seem poised to make another run to the playoffs, they missed out on a potential youngster addition who could've made the jump to the NHL this season.
Isaac Howard, who is 21 years old, was traded to the Edmonton Oilers from the Tampa Bay Lightning recently, and while he is by no means a player that will move the needle for any contending team right out of the gate, he is a low-risk, high-reward player who could've been a welcomed addition.
Unfortunately, he now joins a division rival in the Oilers, who are looking to go back to the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight season and win it all.
The Kings will have to counteract that move with something different this offseason, as they don't seem to be close to a top team in the Pacific Division at the current moment, while their rivals continue to bolster their lineup in hopes of a deep playoff run.
There will be more options available this summer, and new general manager Ken Holland needs to take advantage of those opportunities that come across his desk. Hopefully, he has some more plans up his sleeve to help turn the Kings into championship contenders next season.
Rumor: Kings Among Teams Connected To Rasmus Andersson
The Los Angeles Kings have made some additions to their blue line after losing Vladislav Gavrikov this summer, but they have been linked to another defender as the offseason continues.
Rumor: LA Kings Among Teams Interested In Bowen Byram
The Los Angeles Kings are going to look very different next season, and they still have over $6.7 million in cap space to spend this summer if they want to continue trying to fill out their roster and improve in hopes of making a deep playoff run. One player <a href="https://www.thefourthperiod.com/summer-trade-watch-list-2025">they've been linked to</a> in recent weeks is defender Bowen Byram.
Report: Kings/Rangers Gavrikov Sign-And-Trade Fell Apart Before Free Agency
The Los Angeles Kings lost one of their key players to the open market this offseason. Despite their efforts to try and bring him back, Vladislav Gavrikov decided to sign a long-term deal with the New York Rangers.