LA Kings acquire picks number 26, 57, 198 from Montreal in exchange for pick number 21

Wheelin’ and Dealin’, baby.

The LA Kings have traded down in Round 1, moving from Pick #21 to Pick #26, while also acquiring Pick #57 in Round 2 and Pick #198 in Round 7.

This is exactly the type of deal I expected the Kings might make. Coming into the draft, the Kings had just four picks, with gaps in Rounds 2 and 3. Mark Yannetti spelled it out in our interview with the Kings Director of Scouting earlier this month.

“I would like to have a second-round pick, you don’t want to have holes,” Yannetti said earlier this month. “My goal going into this draft, in a vacuum, would be to find a way to get to get a second-round pick or a third-round pick. Obviously both would be perfect, it’s not as feasible, but, I would want to consider, at least, consider going into the draft of turning your first into a late first and a late second.”

The full article with Yannetti on draft strategy is available HERE.

In making this move, the Kings accomplished exactly what Yannetti said he’d like to do in a vaccuum. They turn a first into a first and a second, albeit on the later side. Moving down by five spots feels worth it to net a late second-round selection. The Kings could very well get the same player at 26 as they would have at 21 and they get an extra pick, early on Day 2, in the process.

The trade itself is not a surprise at all. The timing is perhaps a bit earlier than expected, though likely more on the Montreal side than the Kings side. Typically, you don’t see teams move up like this until they’re certain of a player being available. Especially when considering the fact that the Canadiens are giving up a second-round pick in the process. For the Kings, they likely feel confident in where their list is at and knowing the types of players who should be in that range. There’s also the possibility of further movement from either side, so until these picks are made we wait and see.

Also included in the trade is an early seventh-round selection, the fifth pick in the seventh round. The Kings also entered down a fifth-round pick and they’ve now got two in the seventh. Additional ammunition is always a good thing. It gives the Kings the opportunity to take a swing late in the draft or have additional picks to look to move elsewhere or perhaps add picks in future seasons. Options are a good thing during the NHL draft. The top-end moves are defined and adding the third pick is an additional option.

The Kings now possess six selections in the 2024 NHL Draft – 26, 57, 118, 182, 198, 214. Round 1 is set to begin tonight at 4 PM Pacific and the Kings will now select a few minutes later at number 26.