NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Deadline Scuttlebutt About the LA Kings

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

As we get closer to the NHL trade deadline, the Los Angeles Kings get closer to making a desperate trade to bring in some scoring.

Lots of rumors have been flying around about the Kings going after Rick Nash or Jeff Carter of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here are some of the latest from various sources.

Rick Nash

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

It looks like the Kings have upped their offer to the Blue Jackets.

According to Dennis Bernstein's Twitter account, Los Angeles is now offering Jonathan Bernier, Jack Johnson and Andrei Loktionov. This could be quite a deal if it happens. Hello, new-look offense.

Out: Jonathan Bernier

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Jonathan Bernier is a great goaltender, but as nice as it is to have two great options to mind the net, it's a lot nicer to make the playoffs.

Bernier is looking like a necessary part of any package that will bring scoring threats to Los Angeles.

Out: Jack Johnson

Harry How/Getty Images

Like Jonathan Bernier, seemingly every trade possibility involving the Kings revolves around Jack Johnson.

With 24 points on the season and most of his career still ahead of him, he is quite a nice option for teams looking at scoring defensemen.

Los Angeles looks ready to part with him.

Jeff Carter

Harry How/Getty Images

Mike Richards wants him there. There's no doubt about that.

Goalie Adam Howser wants him there. He says things are "getting close."

I could see this one happening for lots of reasons, the most obvious being that the Kings need goals. Jeff Carter, who proved in Philadelphia that he knows how to score, would be a tremendous asset. Another is the relationship Carter and Richards have.