RICH HAMMOND

Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor.
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« Harrold interview | Main | Deadline day »

Trade deadline talk

It's a little surprising that there hasn't been a move yet today. Here's my list of players in the organization most likely and least likely to be traded by tomorrow's noon deadline.

Who do you most want to see traded?
  
pollcode.com free polls

MOST LIKELY TO BE TRADED
1. Scott Thornton
Playoff contenders will have interest in a physical, veteran forward that can be had cheap.
2. Rob Blake
The 38-year-old can still play defense at a high level, especially when motivated. He did a good job grooming Jack Johnson, but he’s worth more to the Kings now in trade value than what he can do on the ice. He’s ready to return from his fractured leg, and the injury shouldn’t stop him from being traded.
3. Brad Stuart
Solid defenseman who can help a playoff team. He’s an unrestricted free agent after the season, and there’s no indication the Kings would be able to re-sign him.
4. Michael Cammalleri
The Kings have depth at forward, not only at the NHL level but in the minors. What they need is a young defenseman with size. If they’re going to move one of their top forwards, it will be Cammalleri, who showed in his arbitration demands last offseason what sort of money he will be asking for in a year.
5. Kyle Calder
Solid player underneath but not part of the Kings’ future.
6. Tom Preissing
In the first year of a four-year contract. He could stay but the Kings wouldn’t mind dealing him if teams are asking.
7. Ladislav Nagy
The Kings would love to move Nagy, but will there be any takers for an inconsistent player with a neck injury?
8. Jonathan Quick
There’s a surplus of goalies in the system, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one included in a deal. Quick seems the most likely because he has some value as a prospect but could get lost in the group.
9. Kevin Dallman
Perhaps the Kings could get a late-round pick for him.
10. A Manchester forward
There’s a lot of depth in this area to be included in a package deal. An underperforming but high-level prospect like Trevor Lewis, Marc-Andre Cliche or Lauri Tukonen could be expendable.

LEAST LIKELY TO BE TRADED
1. Anze Kopitar
Team’s lone all-star is the present and future of the franchise.
2. Jack Johnson
The 20-year-old rookie is the only defenseman currently on the Kings that is untouchable.
3. Jonathan Bernier
Lombardi always harps on the fact the team has never had a great home-grown goalie. He won’t trade Bernier before giving him that chance.
4. Dustin Brown
Just signed to a six-year contract extension at a reasonable price. The Kings have other forwards that can score but none that can be as physical as him.
5. Thomas Hickey
Defense is an area the Kings need to improve. They aren’t going to trade away their best defensive prospect.
6. Patrick O’Sullivan
Has emerged as one of the team’s top playmakers. He is a restricted free-agent after the season but you have to figure Lombardi will lock up his best acquisition as the Kings general manager.
7. Raitis Ivanans
Fills a role as the only enforcer-type on the team, plus he recently signed to a two-year contract extension.
8. Dan Cloutier
No team is going to take on his $3.1 million salary for next season.
9. Oscar Moller
The third of the Kings’ top junior-level prospects isn’t going anywhere either.
10. Alexander Frolov
Injuries and inconsistency can be concerning, but his talent, size and ability with the puck are undeniable. He has three years left on a five-year contract.

34 Comments

kingkongkorab said:

Blake has been asked and has agreed to waive his NTC. San Jose and Col. are the rumors. He for sure will be gone tomorrow.

lblocal said:

How come Marc Crawford or Dan Cloutier aren't on the list?

PUCKBOY25 said:

I said Blake only because he will get the KINGS the most return and then I would hope to re-sign him in the summer.

just my opinion

mattrulesnukka said:

If only Blake would see this poll.

In my prayers before bed, I'll be sure to include Ol' Blake departing.

Jim Jones said:

With the extensions Dan Boyle and Barrett Jackman just got, and with what Brian Campbell is asking for, Preissing has a pretty good contract now. Keep him.

cob said:

A Mike Cammalleri trade needs serious consideration. It could potentially land us a young Dman.

crownme said:

I'd like to see nagy go.. give stuart a new contract too..he's been one of our best Dman these past few weeks..

ryan said:

Please dont include Preissing in the same sentence as Jackman and Boyle. He has easily been the worst King this year.

Joe Dirt said:

I will be very upset if I see Blake in a Kings uniform after tomorrow.

spjon said:

BLAKE WILL NOT BE TRADED!!! I see Cammy as a goner due to the arbitration in the off season. That process showed his true colors

Eric K said:

kingkongkorab: where did you hear that from, out of curiosity? i don't doubt he'll be gone tomorrow, i'd just like to learn more.

ian said:


Geez, can't we get a can of soup for Brian Wilsie?? Doesn't another team need someone to scurry around the ice and NEVER finish an offensive chance??

Maverick said:

ESPN says that Blake has told management that it is either San Jose or Colorado. TSN says that Blake told them that the only team he would go to is Colorado but he is stressing that he does not want to be traded and that the trade would have to be very significant... I wouldn't say Blake is 100%, I would say he is still at 50/50 and now that there is only one option maybe slightly less because colorado will not likely offer a great deal for someone they have no competition for.

Anonymous said:

I'll be PISSED if Beachball Cloutier isn't traded...

Harry Y said:

Blake Says Yes

ESPN's E.J. Hradek reports that Rob Blake has agreed to waive his no trade clause to one of two Western Conference teams. Per another report, Blake has waived his clause for Colorado only. If the waiver is for Colorado only, consider it 'old home week' there with Forsberg ‘returning’ as well. If the prior rumor of a player, prospect and pick are accurate, consider these Avalanche players or prospects:

Avalanche Player Possibilities:

Some may think of more known names such as John Michael Liles or Jordan Leopold. Consider a lesser known quantity, that being Jeff Finger. He is a Colorado 8th round 1999 draft pick who believed in himself enough to keep at it until he made the roster this year. He is now 28 years old and a +8 in 57 games with 15 points and 32 PIMs.

Anonymous said:

I think Brian Boyle is missing off the no-trade list. This guy has tons of talent and more upside. He and Moulson belong in the NHL now. Send Giuliano back down to Manchester ASAP so he can get more experience. Hopefully a trade or two (or seven) nets the Kings some draft picks and young talent by lunch time on Tuesday afternoon.

Sam Gilbert said:

I think Brian Boyle is missing off the no-trade list. This guy has tons of talent and more upside. He and Moulson belong in the NHL now. Send Giuliano back down to Manchester ASAP so he can get more experience. Hopefully a trade or two (or seven) nets the Kings some draft picks and young talent by lunch time on Tuesday afternoon.

EncinoMan said:

It will be interesting to see how much marketability some of the players like Thornton, Wilsie, Nagy really have.

But.....at the end of the day, who thinks that Brian Burke will make a bigger splash than DL will?

Moondoggie said:

I'd like to see them lock up Stuart for a couple of years. He's really come on of late and could help solidify what has been a porous defense this season. Priessing is a good option for a trade and like practically everyone, I'm hoping the Kings can get decent value for Blake. I hate to see Cammy go but again, for some young defensive talent and/or high round draft picks I'd have to pull the trigger on that one......

Maverick said:

Thornton actually has the most marketability. He can still produce a little scoring, has alot of experience, is very cheap, and is only a 3rd line guy which could be used to as a slight boost to the offense of a contender. I say he is by far the most likely to go tomorrow, only time will tell but I will be very surprised if he is wearing a crown in the next 48 hours. Will likely go out for a mid round pick or another unwanted player who is slightly younger.

Jim Jones said:

Please don't include Preissing in the same sentence as Jackman and Boyle. He has easily been the worst King this year.


Barrett Jackman this season:
2g, 6a, 8pts, -12, 63pim
new contract cap hit: 3.6M

Tom Preissing this season:
6g, 13a, 19pts, -8, 14pim
current contract cap hit: 2.75M

ADVANTAGE: PREISSING


Dan Boyle this season (extrapolated):
10g, 28a, 38pts, -5, 69pim
new contract cap hit: 6.67M.

Tom Preissing this season:
6g, 13a, 19pts, -8, 14pim
current contract cap hit: 2.75M

ADVANTAGE: PREISSING (unless you're so desperate for 19 more points that you're willing to pay nearly $4M for them and incur much more shorthanded time)

CBGB said:

Just like draft day...

We're all going to be disappointed.

Paul said:

With Colorado signing Floppa, I can't see them going after Blake now. I also don't believe he's agreed to be traded. I certainly would NOT trust ESPN for any hockey news.

Preissing's contract is too big and too long. Nobody is going to take him.

Nagy gets traded EVERY year at the deadline. This year will be no different. He's gone.

I think the Kings want to re-sign Stuart, and will re-sign Stuart. I'll be surprised if he gets traded.

I can't see anyone giving the Kings even a 7th round pick for Thornton or Wilsie. They won't get traded. Then, after the deadline, the Kings will waive both, and someone will grab them at that point.

I can't see anyone being interested in Calder, Handzus, Dallman, or Quick. Calder just doesn't have enough skill. Handzus' contract is too long. Dallman is an AHL defenseman at best. And Quick is probably in the same boat as Dallman.

Regarding the Kings "surprlus" at goaltender, yeah, there's a bunch. But they ALL STINK!

The ONE guy I see on this team that is very valuable and could get traded is Camalleri. He's got tons of skill. He's young. His contract isn't too big nor too long. I'd love to see the Kings package him and a couple of other players/prospects and get a young d-man AND a #1 goalie. I think he's worth it in the right package.

Once the teams that miss out on Hossa turn their attention away from Atlanta, it wouldn't shock me if they start calling Dean about Camalleri.

nykingfan said:

I would like to see Stuart stay, but if he hasn't agreed to an extension by the deadline, he needs to be moved. Why lose anyone on this team thats UFA? Some teams can keep those guys if you're battling for a playoff spot, but we aren't and shouldn't keep anyone we can't re-sign.
Blake looks like the most logical. If we can't get fair value for him, I wouldn't just give him away for the sake of giving him away. I don't want Finger. The guys a 28 yr old average player. Maybe a little below average. That's not someone we can build around. I hope Blake is back next year.
Thornton is a guy that should get a lot of attention. He's a veteran foward and a good clubhouse guy, from what I understand. Those are valuable pieces when playing playoff hockey.
I don't want to see Cammy go, unless it's a deal that blows you away. The guy has way too much skill to let go for average talent.
The player I most want to see gone is Nagy. This guy is the biggest loser going in the league. he can't stay healthy and when he does, his prodution is limited. There's no way he's coming back next year under any circumstances. Dump him for pucks.
I don't disagree with moving Quick. He can help a teams depth in the minors. He'd probably bring back a marginal prospect in the minors. Nothing major.

Bobby dELMAS said:

JIM JONES- You are forgetting that Barret Jackman actually plays defense, not just gives the puck carrier the ole! as they skate by, which Preissing does everytime, he also brings a physical style which Preissing does not, advantage Jackman. And are you seriously comparing him to Boyle? Dan Boyle is so far out of Preissing's league it's sick

ZD said:

I don't think Blake will be traded. He got the Stanley Cup, all he wants now is farewell party like Luc had. I DO think we will re-sign him next season with a cheaper price, but all he wants is people to remember him, like retire his jersey, a Rob Blake night something like this.

Matt George said:


wow.... 15minutes left and no trades from the kings whatsoever

wow wow wow .....

nobody wants blake

and neither do I .... jeez if we couldnt move him what does that say about what he and DL thinks he's worth versus what everyone else thinks...

Bryan said:

I was kinda hoping that Lombardi would get a couple of puck bags, a skate sharpener and some used jockey straps for Willsie and Thornton...but what can you do?

sapetto said:

I cant beleive they got rid of Stuart. easily their most consistent defencman. I guess they figured they couldn't re-sign him. Please get rid of wilsie somehow just wasting an NHL spot that the youngsters could occupy. Why couldn't we get rid of Nagy?

metalmaster said:

Stuart most consistent????
He sucked for 2/3 of season and would not sign
an extension so goodbye and
good luck. I am sure Red
Wing fans will love him just like Bruins and Flame
fans did last year. Nagy is hurt and untradeable be-
cause he basically sucks
even when he is healthy. DL
free agent signings have sucked and he proved it every year by trying to trade them at the deadline.
It is drafting that will
determine the future of the Kings.

metalmaster said:

Stuart most consistent????
He sucked for 2/3 of season and would not sign
an extension so goodbye and
good luck. I am sure Red
Wing fans will love him just like Bruins and Flame
fans did last year. Nagy is hurt and untradeable be-
cause he basically sucks
even when he is healthy. DL
free agent signings have sucked and he proved it every year by trying to trade them at the deadline.
It is drafting that will
determine the future of the Kings.

sapetto said:

I guess it is pretty sad to say the most consistent. The kings need to do a lot of work on D

metalmaster said:

KINGKONGKORAB
Quit getting your info from
BSPN and/or Lee Hacksaw
Hamilton as neither know jackshit about hockey.

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