Kings Blake Can't Sell at The Trade Deadline; Even if He Should

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As we approach the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Kings are stuck in a precarious position with veteran defenseman Matt Roy.

Roy is a pending UFA who will command a noticeable pay raise next summer, one the Kings likely can’t afford.

He’s also a quality NHL defenseman who makes the Kings a better team and would command a hefty fee if they were to sell high on him.

With Chris Tanev off the market, Roy is now the most valuable right-shot defenseman on the market and the second-most valuable defenseman after Noah Hannifin.

Given the Kings’ inconsistent play this season and the quality of opposition in the west, there’s a lot of logic in moving Roy at the deadline to recoup assets.

However, reports indicate that the Kings are not exploring the option of trading Roy and are instead trying to find a way to re-sign the 29-year-old this summer.

The decision to potentially re-sign Roy is a conversation for another day, but we will focus on the decision to not trade him.

Why Blake Won’t Sell at the Deadline:

There’s one main reason Blake won’t sell at the deadline this year, and it’s job security.

He has already stated that his job security will be determined by wins and losses after the season ends.

Missing the playoffs would certainly mean his job lost, but that feels unlikely at this point.

Would another first-round exit cost Blake his job, it’s very possible, and that’s why Roy won’t be traded.

He’s not going to risk his future on Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence stepping into a second-pair role down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Whether Blake truly believes it or not, his message since day one has been that this team is a Cup contender and moving Roy wouldn’t fit into that message.

With his job on the line, Blake is going to make the short-term decision here and keep Roy.

Why Blake Should Sell:

After the Kings’ dismal effort against the Calgary Flames last Tuesday, a lot of fans were writing the season off and calling for Blake to sell.

Was that a bit of an overreaction? Sure, but there was plenty of logic in what was being said.

Going back to why Blake won’t sell and the message that this team is a Cup contender; if they truly believe that, they can’t trade Roy.

But I don’t think this team should be viewed as a Cup contender by anyone. We frequently hear people comment, “You just have to get in and then anything can happen.”

While that is technically true, it’s very rarely the case. Sixteen teams make the playoffs each year, but only 6-8 are true threats to compete.

The Kings are not in that group of 6-8.

That doesn’t mean they have to write the season off entirely, but it does mean that recouping some assets a the deadline is a good call.

The Kings haven’t had a first-round pick in back-to-back seasons and are without their second and third-round picks this year.

Getting a first-round pick back for Roy, which they should get, gives them the flexibility to either restock a dwindling prospect pool or weaponize another pick at the draft.

It also gives the Kings the ability to further Spence and Clarke’s development.

Is Roy better than both of those players? Almost certainly. Is he enough better to make this team a contender and forgo a possible haul at this deadline? Probably not.

But, again, it all comes back to the same question. Do you truly believe this team can contend for the Stanley Cup?

If yes, then you can’t trade Roy, you have to go all-in. If not, then you need to be fielding calls and starting a bidding war for the market’s best RHD.

It appears that Blake sits in the former camp and Roy will be a King come March 9th.