Quoting: Ryancnbb
I know that. but I dont think the winning streak they went on will determine their whole season. you know they r still rebuilding and probs won't make the playoffs
Quoting: ZiggyPalffy
They also said they want a guy to play with Doughty and Doughty loves having a defensive D partner.
We aren't getting a lottery pick and if Fabbro and Ekholm are acquired, the chances of that pick becoming even top 10 are slim.
Our LD long term is fine with Bjornfot, Anderson, and Clague. However, they aren't ready to be thrown in the fire if we are going to make the playoffs. Ekholm allows them to develop and learn the NHL with easier minutes while Fabbro is a significant upgrade at RD over what we currently have to replace Doughty some day. Win win for the Kings and help solidify their blueline now and long term.
I'd also argue that Turcotte is expendable even if he was a 5th OVA pick. Vilardi is really coming into his own this year and you already have Byfield waiting in the wings too. Plus Tyler Madden to boot.
Turcotte then likely gets pushed to the wing which would be a huge waste of his talents as he deserves to be a center in the NHL, he's too good to not be one, imo. Madden long term can be your 3C of the future and allow you to keep costs down as he'll cost a fraction than what Turcotte is going to when they're both in their primes.
Turcotte is more or less redundant in most future mocks of how the team will look down the line. Shipping him out for a package like this does more for the team long term than if they kept him. It's trading from a position of strength for a position of weakness.
It helps them more or less contend for the cup for a decade plus, vs spending another 3 years getting to that point.
They still need another high-end winger, even though you have Kaliyev. It's LA, I'm certain you'll attract FA's or trade for someone if it becomes a problem.