LA Kings Trade Scenarios: Best Trades Champs Could Get for Jonathan Bernier

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The only real pertinent thing left for the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion L.A. Kings to do this offseason is to sort out the future of current backup goalie Jonathan Bernier.

As previously reported, Bernier wants out of Los Angeles. He himself expects to be traded before the start of training camp.

The restricted free agent, however, has a very low trade value at the moment, and the Kings know it. If LA fans are expecting to get a huge return for the back-up goalie, they should check themselves.

Why? Mainly because he isn't a proven NHL starter yet. It is still all very much hype with Jonathan Bernier.

That's not to say the team won't get some attractive offers. What could some of those offers be? Let's take a look.

To Columbus for Theo Ruth and a 2nd-Round Pick

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I know, it doesn't seem like much. But that is the reality facing the Kings. They aren't going to get a lot for Bernier straight up. Perhaps if the package included more forwards or picks from Los Angeles; otherwise, Bernier's value alone is limited.

However, this is still a pretty good deal for the Kings.

Theo Ruth isn't a household name. However, he's a very good college prospect currently in the Blue Jackets' system.

Ruth is a big, strong, physical stay-at-home defensman currently buried in the defense-heavy prospect pipeline of the Jackets. He had a rough year last year in Springfield, but has made very good strides since his college days at Notre Dame.

The Kings' system is pretty thin on defensemen, and Scuderi, Mitchell and Greene are slowly getting up there in age.

Ruth and a second-round pick for Bernier would be a decent trade for both teams.

To Colombus for Steve Mason and 1st-Round Pick

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The Kings get a slightly expensive backup goalie for a year, and more importantly, they get their first-round pick back for next season's draft (which is supposed to be a good one).

Mason has had a very tumultuous career in Columbus. Opinion and performance alike have run the gamut when it comes to the 24-year-old, who has struggled ever since his Calder-winning rookie season campaign.

If the Kings trade Bernier, they will need a backup goaltender for next season until Martin Jones is ready. Mason will become a restricted free agent (RFA) after this year, so the Kings could let Mason walk, or trade him at the deadline when teams overpay for goaltenders.

To Toronto for Matt Frattin, a 3rd-Round Pick and Ben Scrivens

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This might be the best possible deal the Kings can get out of Bernier.

According to Chris Nichols from Sportsnet.ca, Brian Burke is looking to improve on the Maple Leafs' goaltending tandem, which currently consists of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens.

Reimer has struggled, and Scrivens looks to be no more than a career NHL backup.

Frattin would be the centerpiece of the deal, and his name has already been linked in trade rumors for Bernier by the Toronto Sun.

The hard-nosed Frattin would be a nice addition to the Kings' bottom lines. He had 14 goals with the Leafs last season, can play both wing positions and could add a touch of scoring depth.

The addition of Scrivens to the deal would likely cost the Kings another draft pick, but they would need a backup goalie moving forward.

To Edmonton for Magnus Paajarvi and a 2nd-Round Pick

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With the amount of forwards that Edmonton has in the system and on the team, Paajarvi, at age 21, is already seemingly getting phased out.

He split half his time with the Oklahoma City Barons last season, and really struggled to make an impact with the Oilers.

He could bring speed and skill to the L.A. lineup, but would have to work very hard on his defensive game if he wants to impress Sutter.

The Oilers currently have goaltenders Khabibulin and Dubnyk manning the pipes. The question is are they really willing to move forward with Dubnyk as a potential No. 1?

The out of favor Paajarvi and a second-round pick could end up being a very good deal for both teams.