Quoting: Leafsleaks123
I’m not a Kings fan, but as far as I know, your current left side is Maata, Joakim Ryan, and Kurtis MacDermid? That seems pretty terrible to me. And yes, Dermott is better then all three of those guys and he is also better Bjornfot and Anderson cause neither of those guys were able to make that left side last year. There’s nothing wrong with having depth, and if all those “stud prospects” if you want to call them that, make the NHL next year, you can move Dermott to the right side where he plays sometimes.
No, this season, the Kings defense will be Marta, Anderson, and Clague/MacDermid on the left and Doughty, Walker, and Roy on the right. Ryan is a UFA and won't be returning.
In 2020-21, assuming the Kings do incentivize Seattle to take Maatta, the Kings left side will be Bjornfot, Anderson, and Clague/Hults. The right side will not have changed.
There's a difference between not being good enough to make the team and not being ready for the NHL. Bjornfot is 19 years old and already the best defenseman on the Reign. He played a handful of games in the NHL at the beginning of last season on Doughty's pair and didn't look out of place. Doughty raved about the kid in media interviews. They don't want to rush his development. The Kings weren't in a position to make the playoffs, so they allowed him the proper time to develop in the AHL. He is significantly better than Dermott. I project him to be the next Captain of the Kings.
The Kings had Forbort and Martinez last year, so they actually had some good options on the left side. After both those guys were traded at the deadline, Anderson stepped in and looked real good, and was one of the key reasons why the Kings had the 7-game win streak at the end of the season. He's the long term 2LD going forward. Dermott is not better than him.
Dermott is likely on par with MacDermid and Clague, both quality options for the roster this year. Like Dermott, Clague has played both sides, as Ontario has been short on RHD in recent seasons. Clague mostly played on the right in the AHL. That versatility makes him a desirable option to have on the team.
I'm not even going to get into the RHD, as all three of the Kings current right defense are significantly better than Dermott.
I agree that there's nothing wrong with having depth, and the Kings would take a look at Dermott if he cost a 4th round pick or so. However, for the price you listed, the Kings have no interest at all.