On Friday night, the Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] moved on from center Phillip Danault in return for a second-round pick from the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens], which the Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets] own. While it seems like the team and player were heading in this direction, this move by the Kings' GM, Ken Holland [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/montreal-canadiens-acquire-phillip-danault-from-the-los-angeles-kings], may put them in a tough spot as soon as next season. Danault wasn't all that effective this year. In 30 games, he had just five assists to show for it, with no goals and an average of 16:19 of ice time per game. For the remainder of this campaign, the Kings should be able to hold down the fort to some degree with Anze Kopitar, Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte and Samuel Helenius down the middle. However, with Kopitar retiring at the end of the season, they'll be thin at the center position if Holland doesn't add at some point, or if the Kings grow internally. In a perfect world, Los Angeles would love to see Byfield become a true No. 1 center and for Turcotte, the fifth overall pick of the 2019 draft, to elevate into a top-six role. But the truth is, there's no certainty in that plan. Breaching the Surface: Alex Turcotte and the Phillip Danault Dilemma [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8f78ad5f-bda1-4d70-a445-0449c7a17f21.jpeg] Breaching the Surface: Alex Turcotte and the Phillip Danault Dilemma TAMPA BAY, FL – In a place that has been a house of horrors for the Los Angeles Kings, the team was able to squeeze out a 2-1 win in sixty minutes of play, no more, no less, at Amalie Arena. For anyone following closely, that was the 23rd game this season for the Kings in which the game was decided by just one goal. Scaling down, it was also the fourth consecutive game the Kings were without defensive linchpin Phillip Danault, who has been battling the flu. In those four games, the Kings have been outscored at even strength 8-4. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/breaching-the-surface-alex-turcotte-and-the-phillip-danault-dilemma] Furthermore, Byfield and Turcotte's production this season hasn't proved that they're both ready for a heavier workload. Anze Kopitar (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cb9fea66-51ad-4477-bf64-e9fdcae60bed.jpeg] Anze Kopitar (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) In addition, the Kings are in a mode to compete for the playoffs, with an intention of getting past the first round for the first time since they won their second-ever Stanley Cup in 2014. Shipping Danault to Montreal for a second-round pick doesn't feel like a move for a contending team, unless there is a plan to pivot off that trade. Holland has the assets to play with to look for another boost on the roster. With Danault's $5.5-million [https://puckpedia.com/player/phillip-danault] cap hit off the books, Los Angeles has $9.3 million in salary cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/los-angeles-kings]. With that, the Kings have three first-round picks and four second-round picks for the next three drafts. While Holland has suitable assets in his pocket, it won't be very simple to acquire a notable center in the trade market. Report: Three Kings Scouts Take In Maple Leafs and Blackhawks, Looking For Scoring Winger [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f66d9120-6b80-4475-9d80-6c4e321fb528.jpeg] Report: Three Kings Scouts Take In Maple Leafs and Blackhawks, Looking For Scoring Winger The Fourth Period has reported that the Los Angeles Kings had three scouts watching the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Who could the Kings be looking at in terms of a scoring winger? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/report-three-kings-scouts-take-in-maple-leafs-and-blackhawks-looking-for-scoring-winger] Danault, in the slow season he's had, and a relatively high cap hit in relation to his role, earned the Kings a second-rounder. That could be looked at as an overpay by the Canadiens. That trade proves how middle-six centers are not easy to come by, and if they do become available, they come at a high price. There are several questions surrounding the Kings' lineup after the changes that were made. Those questions could be answered over the next little while of action, whether the holes are effectively filled internally, or a run of poor performances that requires Holland to make an aggressive move. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3b8de1ee-7d4d-4f43-b26a-5517fb191980.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
