Astute readers of our 2024-25 Kings Lineup Projection articles likely noticed several names missing, i.e. guys who are not expected to return for next season. Carl Grundstrom was one such player and it’s now official. On Thursday, LA GM Rob Blake sent the 26-year-old winger to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Kyle Burroughs.
This was a depth move, with LA swapping out a player they didn’t plan to bring back for a 28-year-old rearguard who will now line up as No. 7-8 on the team’s depth chart.
With the Kings blueline still a work-in-progress, we don’t need to update the below article just yet. Filling the 7D spot could be any one of Burroughs, Andreas Englund, or Jacob Moverare. Given that Burroughs is signed for two more seasons at a $1.1M AAV, any of the three won’t make a material change in our salary cap outlook.
Grundstrom was originally acquired as part of the deal that sent Jake Muzzin to Toronto. A versatile winger who spent time at both left and right wing during his tenure in Los Angeles, as well as with AHL Ontario. He’s also coming off a productive run with Team Sweden at the World Championships.
In Burroughs, the Kings are getting somebody who skated in a career-high 73 games for San Jose last season. Over the past four seasons, he’s also had stints with the Canucks and Avalanche. Standing 6-foot at 193 lbs., Burroughs was originally selected in the seventh round by the New York Islanders at the 2013 NHL Draft, coming out of the WHL.
As for what’s next, we’re not sure what type of market there will be for Blake Lizotte. We’re expecting LA to let him walk, rather than moving him in a deal prior to July 1. What about Matt Roy and Arthur Kaliyev? More on those situations in the article below.
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