NHL Trade Scenarios: Los Angeles Kings Should Trade for Jarome Iginla

The Los Angeles Kings are still searching for an identity.  They are a top end team without the top end talent.

We could make an argument that Dustin Brown, Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll are all playing all-star hockey right now.  However, as we have seen so many times with this young Kings team, nothing lasts forever.

Most hockey minds agree that if the Kings are to have any chance in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, Dean Lombardi is going to have to make some moves during the season.  It doesn't necessarily have to be a deadline day move, it doesn't necessarily have to be tomorrow, but something must be done. 

Over the last week, many hockey insiders (most notably Pierre LeBrun) have stated that the Kings have serious interest in Calgary's Jarome Iginla. 

When you consider the Kings' basic needs, this can't really come as a surprise to anyone.  The Kings are lacking that superstar winger to play beside Anze Kopitar.

The Kovalchuk saga this past summer was very well documented.  So many stories were published about Kovalchuk's supposed interest in the California lifestyle.  When you consider that Kovalchuk in New Jersey has been an absolute disaster, Dean Lombardi's unwillingness to offer him big money and terms really doesn't appear to be a mistake. 

Taking a look at some of the names "available" on the trade market doesn't take too long.  Most general managers in the league are locking up their star players to monstrous contracts (i.e.,  Luongo, Kovalchuk, Carter).  Some of the "available" names include Brad Richards, Marc Savard and Jarome Iginla.

Over the past year, Marc Savard has been the player most talked about as a fit for the Los Angeles Kings.  Going into this season, everybody felt that the Kings were in need of a number two centerman.  With the re-emergence of Jarret Stoll, most of those thoughts have been put to rest.

From there, most Kings fans have jumped to the conclusion that this team needs a true number one winger.  Scott Parse and Dustin Brown just aren't cutting it, regardless of their production rates.  With Scott Parse on the injured reserve, Terry Murray will have to have a continuing rotation of players filling in that top line spot.  

Considering Brad Richards is a centerman, Jarome Iginla is really the only logical player left on that list.  He has size, speed, skill, strength and most importantly, leadership.  He is the perfect player for Dean Lombardi to acquire. 

There is no doubting that the Kings are a good team; they have one of the better records in the league.  Having Jarome Iginla would send them over the edge.  The Kings would automatically become a favorite to win the Stanley Cup. 

Many hockey fans don't appreciate the value of a player like Jarome Iginla in the playoffs.  His leadership is reason enough to try and acquire him. 

Lining up beside Kopitar would give the Kings one of the most potent top lines in the league, regardless of who plays on the left wing. 

Reportedly, the Kings haven't made any attempts to trade for Iginla, but they have shown interest.  The Calgary Flames are dealing from a position of weakness right now.  Most people agree that Jarome Iginla isn't totally buying into what the Sutter's are selling. 

If Dean Lombardi is able to pounce on the Calgary Flames' misfortunes with Jarome, he will look like an absolute genius for passing up Kovalchuk. 

Stats aside, who would you rather have on your team—Jarome Iginla or Ilya Kovalchuk?

Even if you include stats, Jarome Iginla has to be much more appealing to most Kings fans, as he has every trait that you could ever want in a hockey player.

Hopefully Dean Lombardi is able to swing something this season, as the Kings finally look poised to take their first run at the cup in a while.  Jarome Iginla would only increase the growing confidence of Kings fans as they finally strive for some respectability in the National Hockey League.

Iginla is the perfect player for the Los Angeles Kings.  Now it's up to Lombardi and his team to go out and pitch a package to Calgary.  Jarome belongs in Los Angeles colors. 

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