Going into the post-Anze Kopitar era, the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland may need to make difficult roster decisions this offseason.
The most likely trade candidates are often not the worst players on the roster, but the players who still hold value around the league.
Any major trade involving the Kings this offseason will likely be influenced by the organization's need to add talent and depth at center following Kopitar's retirement.
Los Angeles Kings may need to sacrifice veteran depth to create flexibility and address needs
Whether it's creating salary-cap flexibility, addressing organizational needs at center, or simply reshaping the roster after another early playoff exit, Los Angeles could explore the trade market in the coming months.
Being a trade candidate doesn't necessarily mean the Kings want to move the player. It simply means their contract, role, age, or organizational fit could make them logical pieces to discuss if Holland decides to reshape the roster.
This list only includes players who are currently under contract for the 2026-27 season and could realistically emerge as trade candidates this summer.
Here are the three Kings' players who are most likely to be dealt on the trade block this offseason.
Trevor Moore, W
Trevor Moore has frequently surfaced as a potential trade candidate in recent months as the Kings evaluate ways to reshape their forward group.
He still brings value as a versatile middle-six winger who can contribute on the penalty kill and play in multiple situations. That combination of experience and affordability could make him appealing to teams looking for secondary scoring help. If Holland decides to make changes to the forward group, Moore may be one of the more realistic trade candidates on the roster.
Moore was definitely a beneficiary of the coaching change down the stretch this past regular season for the Kings. In the months of March and April this past regular season down the stretch, Moore registered a half dozen goals and double-digit points in just two dozen games played this spring.
With younger forwards continuing to push for larger roles, Moore could become a logical trade candidate if Holland looks to reshape the middle of the lineup. His contract is also manageable enough that multiple teams could view him as a useful middle-six addition, which could increase his value on the trade market.
