PLD: When player like Fiala, Danault, PLD become available & your team has the chance to land them you land them. If it costs Kupari instead of JAD or an extra second you make that happen.
Defense is stacked & they're adding Clarke & Spence.
King's might end up with fewer goals, but with a stronger top 9 they may also give up fewer goals. With Pheonix all year, they should give up fewer goals even with 1-2 stinkers per game.
Goal: Add the best patch possible now. Very few teams start the season without some holes. The good news is goalies tend to be cheaper than a top6 center to add at the trade deadline.
They can add a goalie & scoring wing at the deadline if needed.
PLD is a solid add for the future. If Kopi took a major step back in the next year or two, the King's might drop in the standing with just Danault, Byfield & Lizotte & not be able to attract good players. In today's NHL you have to be able to draft talent or attract talent. Keeping up appearances by brining in PLD is very important for getting players to want to come to LA.
Suzuki, Stützle, PLD, & Fiala all have similar salaries next year. With the salaries the young players are getting, drafting is no longer the only way to build.
I like where the team is. Like that Blake has taken some solid steps forward as GM. Understanding the team needs to be harder to play against & not being afraid of making the difficult choices even if they hurt. Blake landed one of the best centers that will be moved this summer.
Hockey Gods could decide to hit the King's with a calamity next year, but there's lots to be excited about this Summer.