The Los Angeles Kings added some scoring depth to their roster late Friday evening into Saturday morning by acquiring left wing Ryan Smyth from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. The Kings were in the market to acquire a big-name forward and were rumored close to acquiring Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier last month, but the deal reportedly fell through. The Kings also had reported interest in signing free agent forwards Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa, but were unable to do so, and were even linked to Dany Heatley at one point. Smyth appeared in 77 games last season with the Avalanche, scoring 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points. In 920 career games with the Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Islanders, he has 310 goals and 350 assists for 660 points. Quincey was claimed off waivers by the Kings from the Detroit Red Wings early last season. In 72 games last season, he scored four goals and 34 assists for 38 points, all career highs for the young defenseman. Preissing, who was frequently scratched from games last season, appeared in 22 games with the Kings, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points. He also played in 14 games with the Kings’ AHL affiliate in Manchester, scoring two goals and four assists for six points. In 322 career games with the Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Ottawa Senators, Preissing has 31 goals and 100 assists for 131 points.
This is an okay trade for the Kings, and probably not the one most Kings fans were hoping for. Sure, Smyth brings plenty of offensive and goal-scoring skill, leadership, and experience, but he’s not the offensive force he used to be. A lot of fans will probably wish the Kings had pursued a superstar like Lecavalier or Hossa, but Smyth should work out just fine for the next few seasons. The Avalanche got a pretty good young defenseman in Quincey, as he plays with lots of grit and has great offensive skills. He should be a fixture on their blueline for years to come. Preissing on the other hand, is merely just a depth defenseman anymore. He showed lots of promise early in his career as a top-four defenseman, but has been in constant decline the past few seasons. He still brings some offensive depth to the Avalanche blueline, but may end up being a sixth defenseman given his drop in production.
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