Kings acquire Smyth from Avs

July 3, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

On what’s mostly been a ho hum day, the Kings and Avs struck a deal. Los Angeles acquires forward Ryan Smyth in exchange for defensemen Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing and a fifth round pick.

The trade allows Colorado to save some cap space while also bolstering their D a little. Quincey, who the Kings picked up from Detroit off waivers was a solid player last season posting a career best 38 points including 34 assists. So, the 23 year-old should help out offensively. As for Preissing, let’s just say he wasn’t the same player after coming to Hollywood, reduced to only 22 games this past season and seven points. Essentially a throw in.

For the Kings, who already boast some talented players up front including Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov, Justin Williams and Oscar Moller, the 33 year-old vet Smyth should be a solid addition. After injuries the previous season, the former Oiler bounced back with 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points in 77 contests in 2008-09. The power forward now moves to his fourth NHL team- all in the last three years since Edmonton traded him to the Islanders as a rental before he departed for Colorado, inking a five-year $31.25 million deal two summers ago. He has three years remaining.

It’s not really a surprise that LA moved some D even though I wasn’t thinking Quincey would be the guy to go. But the Kings have plenty of depth on the back end including former No.1 pick Drew Doughty, who impressed as a rookie. Jack Johnson had a strong Worlds and will probably be asked to take on more responsibility. With vets like Sean O’Donnell and Matt Greene along with new addition Rob Scuderi, there’s a nice mix. Peter Harold held the final spot last season but should get strong competition from top prospects Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert.

It’s easy to see that the direction LA is headed. If they get solid netminding from tandem Erik Ersberg and Jonathan Quick, they could challenge for a playoff spot. Former No.1 Jonathan Bernier could also be in the plans. Looks like they should be an exciting team to follow.

As for the Avs, it’s clearly another sign of a long rebuild as they work third overall selection Matt Duchene into their lineup. With franchise leader Joe Sakic still undecided on returning, more and more this will become Paul Stastny’s team. Wojtek Wolski will need to be more productive. Mainstay Milan Hejduk is still there as a proven finisher. There’s also Darcy Tucker, who looks like a waste of a roster spot. His Leaf days really wore him down.

At least Colorado added a goalie in Craig Anderson. Though it remains to be seen if he can carry a heavier workload. Figure Peter Budaj to split time.

The additions of Quincey and Preissing give the Avalanche a surplus of D. They also still have vets Adam Foote, Brett Clark, Ruslan Salei, Scott Hannan and offensive leader John-Michael Liles. Surely, they can’t keep everyone. It would make sense to dump more salary and get younger.

You never know what the thinking is from a once proud franchise that sabotaged former coach Tony Granato by offering his job to Patrick Roy, who wisely rejected it. Then they finally axed Granato in about as low a fashion as possible.

Losing hockey is back in the Rocky Mountains. At least Duchene gets to play for his favorite team, which hopefully will bring back idol Sakic so he can learn the ropes.