Los Angeles Kings: Truth and Rumors

With all the fodder being splashed about these days involving the Los Angeles Kings, I have decided to lay some rumors to rest.

Will Anze Kopitar be traded?

Definitely a rumor.  Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't follow the Kings, and doesn't get to watch this guy day in and day out. If he was moved, the Kings might as well move out of town, because nobody would be showing up to watch.

Do the Kings have to acquire players to get to the salary cap floor?

Sorry, guys—another rumor. Given the fact that Vitaly Vishnevski's $1.8 million cap hit just cleared waivers, and he has signed in the KHL I would say the Kings aren't worried here.

With Jarret Stoll, Patrick O'Sullivan, and Brad Richardson still unsigned, and Drew Doughty's $2 million-plus, incentive-laden contract yet to be factored in, it is just silly to buy into rumors that the Kings will struggle to meet the salary cap floor.

Are the Kings trying hard to acquire Nikolai Khabibulin?

Another rumor. I don't see the Bulin Wall being an upgrade at this stage of his career. There are not enough spots throughout the organization for the Kings to acquire another goalie. Dean Lombardi has indicated that the job is Jason LaBarbera's to lose, due to the dues Barbs has paid.

Unfortunately, I can't find any truth to a lot of the Kings speculation I see out there nowadays.

They're not moving to Kansas City.  Patrick O'Sullivan is not being traded to Montreal. The Kings aren't going to trade for overpaid stars that they could have signed last summer if they really wanted to. Dean Lombardi is not going to move one of the top five young centers in the league in order to meet the salary cap floor.

The only news you should expect to see leading up to training camp are the signings of the three restricted free agents mentioned above, and maybe Dean Lombardi acquiring a draft pick or two via trade.

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