Kings add some scoring punch; trade for Viktor Arvidsson from Predators
Anthony Scultore
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The Los Angeles Kings have acquired goal scorer, Viktor Arvidsson from the Nashville Predators.
Last season was a bit of a downturn for the 28 year-old winger with just 10 goals and 25 points in 50 games. The Kings are hoping that Arvidsson can return to his 2018-19 form where he recorded 34 goals in 58 games to go with his 48 points.
Per the Kings: The LA Kings have acquired forward Viktor Arvidsson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for their second-round selection in the 2021 NHL Draft and third-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Kings acquire Viktor Arvidsson
Drew Doughty pleaded and GM, Rob Blake listened. After the season he was asked directly if he concurred with Doughty about bringing in talent via trade. “100%,” he said. “The feeling is the same in the front office… We need to add to the roster to get better.”
On breakup day the Kings top defenseman held nothing back. “There’s no point just waiting for these prospects to develop when you’ve got guys in their prime,” he said. “Guys that are hungry to win and guys that are sick of losing so, yeah, we’ve got to bring guys in.”
“Me and ‘Kopi,’ ‘Quickie,’ ‘Brownie,’ we’re all getting older,” Doughty said. “We all had, I thought, phenomenal seasons, but we’re running out of time. You’ve got two of the best players at their position (Kopitar and Doughty), both ways, two of the most complete players at the position. And with all this [NHL salary] cap room, yeah, we’ve got to bring guys in.”
NHL.com
When was asked if he would be fine should the Kings did not bring in anyone and stayed the course, his response was a quick, “no.” Doughty’s comments were viewed as a public call to action and today they were heeded.