LA Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Can Take Advantage of League Cap Woes?

As the holiday trade freeze takes effect, National Hockey League trade rumors will start to heat up. 

Despite the season only being a few months old, we have heard names like Iginla, Richards, Savard and other superstars thrown around like they are free for the taking.

When you look at many of the teams that are thought to be "buyers" this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings jump to the top of the list. 

The difference between these two teams is that they are heading in very different directions. 

While Brian Burke will try to convince Toronto fans that things are looking up and that the team is just about to turn a corner, we all know the truth: The Leafs are not heading anywhere right now. Perhaps in a couple of years, they could contend for a playoff spot, but not now.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings look as though, with a few minor adjustments, they could be ready to make a true run at the Stanley Cup. They can win games, score goals and play really solid defense. 

One of the great things about the Kings is their depth within their roster. While there aren't really any superstars up front (other than Anze Kopitar), they still manage to get the job done from night to night.

So, you may be asking yourself why these two teams that are heading in totally different directions are brought up in the same article. 

The answer is simple: bBoth teams have cap space.

Out of the teams that need help, the Los Angeles Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs are the two that have the financial space and means to actually make something happen. 

The similarities don't stop there either; both teams are in search of a true top line superstar. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have Phil Kessel while the Los Angeles Kings have Anze Kopitar. After those two guys, each team really struggles to put together a top line. 

Of course, fans of each team will make arguments that Dustin Brown, Kris Versteeg, Justin Williams and Tyler Bozak have the capabilities to be top line players, but look around the league, they simply aren't.

As we move on to looking at possible trades, we know that superstars don't come around too often. 

Now, let's look at the league as a whole. What do most superstars have within their contract? You guessed it, a no trade clause. 

Compare the entire situation of the Los Angeles Kings and the entire situation of the Toronto Maple Leafs. As a player, where would you rather play? 

Knowing that you, as a superstar, have the chance to push the Kings over the edge and turn them into a true Stanley Cup contender must be appealing. Also, who wouldn't want to live under the Los Angeles sun? 

I know that sounds silly, but it does play a role in some players' decisions. 

So we've examined it from the Los Angeles side of things, now let's look at Toronto. 

If you were a superstar and you were traded to the Leafs, you would be under the scrutiny of one of the most intense media centers in hockey; a lot of players don't like that. Then there's the whole not-winning factor. The Leafs don't seem like they are in a position to win right now or for a few years. 

The one thing Toronto does have going for them is that whoever gets traded there would immediately become "the guy." Some players thrive in that sort of environment. Dion Phaneuf is a perfect example as I believe that he is enjoying the game of hockey much more than ever before. Although his stats aren't where they once were, he appears to be having fun on the ice.

When you compare those two situations, where would you rather go? Personally, I would rather play in Los Angeles. 

Of course, I may be a little bit biased, as I am a Los Angeles Kings fan. 

With teams like the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks all right up against the cap, it's only a matter of time before a few more trades are made in the National Hockey League. 

I've got a feeling that we will see some more movement once the freeze is lifted. As fans, we just have to sit back and enjoy.

Thanks for reading.

Follow me on Twitter: @michaelstuart93