Andrej Sekera to Kings: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Carolina Hurricanes traded away star defenseman Andrej Sekera to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, per Terrell Williams of Hurricanes.com.

Ron Francis, Hurricanes Executive Vice President and General Manager, added:

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“We appreciate Andrej’s contributions to our organization on and off the ice over the past two seasons,”said Francis. “He is a good player and an even better person.

“Roland has served in leadership positions for Kingston and Hockey Canada and is a good young defenseman that our scouts like. Obviously we are also happy to add an additional first-round pick.”

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TSN's Bob McKenzie cited colleague Aaron Ward as the first source for the deal and then added the compensation Carolina landed in return:

ESPN's Pierre LeBrun got a little more specific on the draft pick the Hurricanes were awarded:

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First-round pick is this year as long as Kings make the playoffs; otherwise it's a first-rounder next year (in Sekera deal)

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 25, 2015"

Mike Halford of ProHockeyTalk.com wasn't overly enthused about the trade:

However, Sekera is a definite boon to the blue line for the reigning Stanley Cup champion Kings, whose 23rd-ranked penalty-killing unit ought to be upgraded with their new 28-year-old addition.

L.A. star goalie Jonathan Quick has been in a zone as of late, helping the Kings reel off eight consecutive wins with solid play between the pipes. Adding a stalwart defenseman like Sekera can only help Quick's cause as Los Angeles makes its push to defend Lord Stanley's Cup.