The Los Angeles Kings made their first big splash of the summer yesterday, acquiring forward Viktor Arvidsson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for the 40th overall selection in this year’s draft and a 2022 third-round pick.
The deal came after two consecutive seasons where Arvidsson has come up short of expectations, with just 25 goals and 52 points over 107 combined games. That’s a big step backward for the player who racked up 34 tallies in just 58 games during the 2018-19 season, or the one that had posted back-to-back 61-point seasons the two years prior. Arvidsson has also failed to ever play in every scheduled game for the Predators, dealing with various minor injuries throughout the last several years.
Still, there’s lots of upside to the 28-year-old forward, something the Kings can take a chance on next season. Los Angeles has amassed one of the most impressive prospect groups in the NHL and didn’t have to forfeit a single one to land the talented winger. In fact, they still own a draft pick in each of the rounds they gave up, thanks to previous trades for Alec Martinez and Jeff Carter. There was an opportunity to add an established forward without drastically affecting the Kings future, and they took it.
Was Arvidsson the right choice though? That same draft capital could have been used to land someone else, and it’s not like he has provided much excess value on his $4.25MM deal the past two seasons. He immediately becomes the Kings’ third-highest paid forward and will contribute to a bit of a financial squeeze in the coming years. Even though Los Angeles has shed some of their highest-priced assets in recent years, they still have nearly $27MM tied up in the trio of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick. As younger players start reaching restricted (or unrestricted, in the case of Calvin Petersen) free agency, they’ll need raises to keep them in the organization. Adding a $4.25MM hit doesn’t come without some risk in that regard, though if Arvidsson bounces back it won’t be much of an issue.
For Nashville, moving Arvidsson not only cleared a bit of cap, but also helped their expansion situation. Should the team decide to go the eight-skater protection route in order to keep all of their talented defensemen, the forward list is down to just a few names. Moving Arvidsson for some draft capital now allows them to protect someone else, a little extra value that should be taken into account when assessing the trade.
Filip Forsberg certainly didn’t like the deal, but how do you think each team did? Cast your vote for each side below and make sure to explain your thoughts in the comments.
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A proven NHL talent for two possible busts and not giving up any current prospects? Great trade for the Kings. No other way to look at it.
I’ve seen people say he is on the decline, and pretty much has been since that dirty Bortuzzo play. I think the Kings traded for him hoping they get the former 30 goal player, which might be a thing of the past. But they didn’t give up a ton, so it is a decent gamble to take as long as they can afford him if it doesn’t work out.
Agreed. Great trade for the Kings. He’s still a second line forward just 28 and the price is right.
I was shocked at the lack of return to be honest..huge steal for the Kings…as was already said they didn’t have to give up any current prospect. Smooth move GM Blake.
F for the Kings because what is the purpose for making this move.
Tell me you know nothing about hockey without telling me you know nothing about hockey
Improving the team?
Lmao
You are typically a pretty clueless poster but this is a new level stupid. Kings are making there push and made strides last year with talent knocking on door it’s not hard to see why they would acquire talent because they feel like they can compete soon.
and quite frankly i disagree that they are anywhere near close enough to justify this move, but i’ll accept that im in the minority here.
How is this an F? They gave up a 2nd and a 3rd in a weak draft for a perennial top 6 guy…I dunno call me crazy but that’s a steal
I like the trade for the Preds if they use the cap space and added draft picks to upgrade their center position. Arvy lost his spot in the top 6 with Tolvanen breaking thru last season and Tomasino pushing for a spot next season. But they still lack a first line center.
For me the Preds get a B for shaking things up, making cap room, and having an extra protection spot for the expansion draft
I think Kings get an A because they got a quality top six guy with 30 goal upside, didn’t lose a first, and are actual going about this rebuild efficiently which is great for their fans and even the league
Rarely do I agree with every single bit of a post. But in this case, EJesus, you’ve nailed everything.
The Kings are not done moving things this summer and I believe they’ll be a playoff team in the (weak) WC next season. Meanwhile the Preds will not go away quietly.
Dr. Samuel Johnson is right about Olson Johnson’s being right
Always have to love a Blazing Saddles reference!
The trade as reported was fair, but now the Kings have to leave someone unprotected in the expansion draft that they didn’t before… so acquiring Arvidsson probably costs them another player.