Bold take: the Kings are running out of time and options as their playoff hopes crumble under a wave of injuries and stalled scoring. Here’s how the situation unfolded, why Patrik Laine is back in the conversation, and what it could mean for Los Angeles going forward.
The Kings showed interest in Patrik Laine last month after losing Kevin Fiala to a season-ending leg injury at the Olympics. The talks fizzled, but with a fresh round of injuries in Los Angeles, interest in the former 40-goal scorer has resurfaced, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
Right now, L.A.’s injury woes have effectively ruined their playoff chances, even after they added Artemi Panarin in a recent trade. Among their higher-scoring options, Andrei Kuzmenko underwent a meniscus repair last weekend and is effectively done for the regular season. Joel Armia was placed on injured reserve, and an upper-body injury to Quinton Byfield has compounded the problem.
In total, that’s about a third of the regular forwards unavailable, not counting Trevor Moore, who is sidelined by an illness. The result: the Kings stand 1-3-0 coming out of the break, averaging just 2.25 goals per game. They shuffled leadership by firing head coach Jim Hiller on Sunday and promoting associate coach D.J. Smith to interim head coach for the remainder of the year, but they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Avalanche in Smith’s first game in charge.
Despite the dire stretch, the Kings remain within four points of a playoff spot, with a game in hand. They must leapfrog three teams—Nashville, San Jose, and Edmonton—to climb back into contention. MoneyPuck currently pegs their playoff odds at about 27.7%, reflecting how crowded and competitive the race remains.
Offense has not been the only issue. L.A. has produced just 2.52 goals per game, ranking near the bottom of the league, and their power play has struggled at a 16.8% success rate, 26th in the league. Panarin, acquired to spark the attack, hasn’t yet found the scoresheet, though he has chipped in three assists over four games.
With Fiala and Kuzmenko both out long term, general manager Ken Holland is weighing a high-risk, potentially low-cost reclamation project in Laine. His massive $8.7 million cap hit drains much of his trade value, which complicates any deal. Montreal has been trying to move Laine to gain cap flexibility ahead of the trade deadline, but with limited traction so far. Laine hasn’t played since late October due to core muscle surgery and has practiced in a non-contact jersey since January, making a future return possible and suggesting he could be held out for trade protection.
Laine opened the year with one assist and a -3 in five games, but he was a productive secondary scorer for Montreal last season when healthy, tallying 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games. His 0.38 goals per game figure would project as a strong boost for the Kings if he’s healthy and integrated into their top-nine and power play.
If he’s ready to go, Laine could receive a long leash as a featured top-six winger and a primary option on the power play, potentially giving Los Angeles enough offense to push for a late-season push. Still, the move would hinge on health, fit, and the team’s willingness to absorb risk on a deadline deal that could shape their postseason fate.
What do you think: should the Kings chase Laine despite the risk, or focus on developing their current assets and waiting for healthier times? Share your take in the comments.
