Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi upgraded his team, Slava Voynov situation be-damned.
It was reported by TSN's Aaron Ward Wednesday that Lombardi and the Kings had acquired defenseman Andrej Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a conditional first-round NHL draft pick and prospect Roland McKeown.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who revealed that McKeown was the prospect involved in the trade, also reports that the first-rounder will be for the 2015 NHL Draft should the Kings make the playoffs this year. If not, it will be for the 2016 NHL Draft.
As Nick Cotsonika of Yahoo! Sports notes, it's a hefty price to pay for Sekera, but if the team is able to resign the pending unrestricted free agent - Friedman also revealed that there has been no contact yet between the Kings and the blueliner's camp - and he helps them reach the playoffs and potentially beyond, it will look like a much better deal.
The Kings' interest in Sekera had been rumored for some time.
With Voynov's status still unclear, there was talk that Lombardi would be forced to stand pat at the NHL trade deadline lest he make a deal, see Voynov return and be stuck in some type of irreparable cap hell.
Sekera is in his ninth NHL season. He has played as a member of the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes.
He had his best statistical season last year, his first in Carolina, notching 11 goals and 33 assists in 74 games. This year he has two goals and 17 assists in 57 games.
He had been part of the top defensive unit in Carolina, but it remains to be seen if Kings coach Darryl Sutter will slot him in alongside Drew Doughty on the first pairing in Los Angeles.
The Kings have now strengthened themselves defensively for the playoff push and the Canes, with the Sekera deal and the Jiri Tlusty trade earlier in the day, have added more ammunition for their expected roster changeover.