After looking at the Los Angeles Kings' most important need on Friday, a top-nine forward, it's time to look at their secondary need, a depth forward to complete their fourth line.
Jim Hiller has favored the 11/7 alignment for most of this season, and part of that is him just liking that set up and its ability to get their top forwards more ice time, but arguably a bigger part is the lack of forwards LA trusts.
Akil Thomas can barely get a look and the coaching staff don't view him as capable, and the other two forwards who have filled that role, Andre Lee and Samuel Helenius, aren't NHL caliber forwards.
That leaves the coaches with two options, play a player they don't trust, or go with 11/7. They've opted for the latter for most of this season. Adding a depth forward to the mix could fix that problem, giving the Kings 12 reliable forwards, allowing them to go back to a traditional 12/6 setup and could give them a fourth line they can trust.
Adding a top-nine forward and demoting Alex Turcotte could achieve the same goal, but that would be a far more expensive option.
Preferably that depth forward would be a center, but options are limited so we'll look at some wingers too. These players aren't the most exciting, and are players coaches and general managers typically value more than fans, but they're players who would give the Kings' fourth line a much needed identity.
Jake Evans:
Probably the most sought after name in this article, and the one with the most offense, Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans is a player the Kings are reportedly interested in, along with several other teams.
Evans was a hot commodity a few months ago, on pace for over 20-goals from a bottom six role. He's cooled down considerably with just one goal in his last 23 games, but he's still on pace for a career-high 15 and plays an honest, fast game that coaches love in a fourth line center.
The price will be a stumbling block for LA though, the Canadiens are happy to keep Evans if a "serious" offer doesn't come in, they're going to try and sell high on Evans. A third-round pick or similar valued prospect won't get the job done and I'm not sure LA would be willing to part with a first-round pick for a fourth-line center.
He's the "big" name on the market for this role, but I've cooled on him as an option, especially with one of his selling points being penalty killing, the Kings don't really need help there. It's worth calling on Evans but a deal seems difficult to make.
Michael McCarron:
If you want an identity line, Michael McCarron is a great option to center that line. He's not going to provide you with a ton of offense or dazzle you with skill, but he's a mountain of a man who works hard, is excellent in the faceoff circle and will drop the gloves if needed. He fits in perfectly with the Kings' desire to get "uncomfortable" to become a bigger, meaner and harder to play against team.
He'd be a good fit on the fourth line with Tanner Jeannot and Trevor Lewis (yes Lewis will remain in the lineup) giving the Kings a line they can send out to saw off the opposition and make life miserable for their defensemen.
Trent Frederic:
It's been a tough season in Boston and it seems like they're willing to move some pieces at the deadline and one of the names discussed is forward Trent Frederic. There's not much to say about Frederic, he's big, mean, he's scored 15+ goals in two of his last three seasons, including this one and he loves a fight against Brendan Lemieux.
A lot of what I said about McCarron carries over for Frederic, but he's primarily a wing and is a slight upgrade on McCarron. Currently injured, it sounds like you could get Frederic, a pending UFA, for around a 3rd-round pick. If the Kings are confident they can re-sign Frederic, I'd make that deal.
He's a quality fourth line option, and again, he helps build out your fourth line's identity while having a bit of a scoring touch.
Jordan Greenway:
Reports suggest that the Buffalo Sabres want to re-sign Jordan Greenway, but it's worth calling and finding out a price for him. I've liked this player for a while, he's a massive winger who's fantastic defensively and averages 30-points per 82 games.
I wouldn't expect that kind of production from the fourth line, but it's worth noting his game isn't completely devoid of offense. The Kings' coaching staff would love Greenway's responsible two-way game and physical play. Still just 28 years old, you'd get some good years from Greenway after this one too.
I'll say it again, he's the kind of player that gives a line an identity. You can build a shutdown defensive fourth line around this guy and surround him with size, potentially someone like Helenius in the future, to make said line very difficult to play against.
If Buffalo truly wants to re-sign him, the asking price could be too high, but it's worth asking about Greenway.