The New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings are both looking to exit a re-build process, but differing timelines make them excellent trade partners. With the Rangers off to a strong start this season, their roster has some weak points that could use a tune up ahead of a likely playoff appearance. The Kings have a boatload of prospects and look to turn the corner on their own rebuild, yet they are most likely a couple of seasons away from becoming a real threat in the Pacific Division.
I recently put together armchair GM plans for both teams that provide some additional context to the trade proposal below. You can check them out here:
Armchair GM: Los Angeles Kings (Dec 2021)
Armchair GM: New York Rangers (Dec 2021)
The Proposal
Date: Dec 31, 2021
To New York Rangers:
- Dustin Brown (Final year @ $5.875M cap hit, M-NTC, UFA on expiry, age 37)
To Los Angeles Kings:
- Talyn Boyko (age 19, WHL)
- 2022 4th Round Pick
This trade would fill needs for both teams and comes out with a fairly even value going each way. The Rangers have struggled at 5v5 this season and could use another top 6 winger. The Rangers have over $30M in projected deadline cap space this season, so they could take on his full cap hit without issue. With cap space much tighter in New York next season, brining in a pure rental on an expiring contract also makes sense. While the Kings appear to be turning the corner on their rebuild, they still need some time for prospects to percolate to become a true contender. Goaltending is an area where they don’t have any strong options in the hopper. Adding a goaltender prospect would give them a possible replacement for Jonathan Quick in the longer term.
| To NYR | To LAK | |
| Dustin Brown – Player Impact | $3,593,000 | – |
| Dustin Brown – Contract Expiry (UFA) | $0 | – |
| Dustin Brown – Opportunity Cost | -$2,282,000 | – |
| Rights to Talyn Boyko – Goaltender Prospect Value | – | $819,000 |
| 2022 4th Round Pick | – | $547,260 |
| Total Value | $1,311,000 | $1,366,260 |
For more on how the trade values are determined, check out the series on assessing player and prospect value. You can find them here: Part 1 (Player Impact), Part 2 (Other Factors for Players), Part 3 (Prospects and Picks).
2021-2022 Performance
Dustin Brown
Brown has been a staple on the Kings top line for a decade, but his impact is declining as he nears the end of his playing career. He is still a capable top 6 forward though and could bring some much needed 5v5 offense to the Rangers. His individual 5v5 offensive numbers are near projections this year, suggesting his lower on-ice 5v5 GF/60 is primarily due to team or line mate effects. Defensively, things haven’t gone as well for Brown this season and the Rangers would be looking for a bounce back there if they made this trade.
Talyn Boyko
With Igor Shesterkin and Alex Georgiev at the NHL level and a Talyn Boyko and Dylan Garand in the system, the Rangers are loaded with young goaltending talent. It’s the one area that the Kings could use an upgrade in their prospect system. Talyn Boyko has a relatively strong NHLer probability at age 19 and could be ready to step into the Kings lineup by the start of their target contention window. With comparables including Robin Lehner, Marc-Andre Fleury and Juuse Saros, the Kings may even get their future starter. Boyko has spent this season split between the Tri-City Americans and Kelowna Rockets in the WHL.
Your Call
If you were sitting in the GM’s chair for one of these teams, would you pull the trigger on this trade?
