The Los Angeles Kings are having an amazing season and are poised to make another run for the Stanley Cup. General Manager Dean Lombardi is looking for more options but wants to retain the players he has first. After the team's eight-year Anze Kopitar extension, the next player on the GM's radar is Milan Lucic. The deal is reportedly in the early stages. The good news for the Kings is that the 27-year-old seems very happy with his stay with the playoff-bound team
"Nothing to get excited about," Lucic said. "There's been two or three little talks here and there. My plan is to remain a King and hopefully finish off my career here. Like I said, I go day by day and you never know what tomorrow is going to bring."
"If I could look eight, nine, 10 years down the road, hopefully I play that long," he continued, according to The Los Angeles Times' Lisa Dillman. "I hope it is right here in L.A. and that something can get done and conversations can get picked up in the near future because I really have enjoyed my time this season and love being a King and living here in L.A."
If things do not work out in Los Angeles, Lucic has stated that he would enjoy playing in his hometown of Vancouver.
Other than the star winger, the Kings were reportedly looking to bring in some defense from Dustin Byfuglien. Since the 30-year-old re-signed with the Jets, the Monarchs have needed to look elsewhere, such as Canucks blueliner Dan Hamhuis, who is just returning from a concussion and facial surgery, and New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle, according to The Fourth Period. Hamhuis will need to agree to any deal the team makes because of his no-trade clause.
The Kings are also on the lookout for another forward if possible, and Andrew Ladd may be a good fit for the team, especially since his days with Winnipeg now seem limited.
