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Kings Trade Clifford, Campbell to Toronto

*I apologize for the lateness of this article, and for the lack of overall content from me this season, but we have been dealing with some serious family health issues, plus health issues of my own, (plus a lot of changes behind the scenes here at CaliSports News), which has taken all of my time and attention. But here I am writing from the haunting and badly needing an upgrade (at least in the part we’re in) halls of Cambridge Memorial Hospital, aka, the worst hospital in the history of the world! But I could be biased. Regardless, here are my thoughts on yesterday’s big trade between our Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

I want to start this article by stating that as bummed as I am about another Stanley Cup hero in Kyle Clifford being traded away to the Toronto Maple Leafs, I am not surprised at all by it. I have previously stated that this season is a lost one for LA, and was going to be an audition year, where the veterans would be tested to see who the Kings should keep that would help the next generation of players develop, and which ones would be traded so the Kings can get some more youth in return. And an audition for the young prospects of the team to see who has potential and should stay, and who the Kings can risk letting go. You know, as is done with any team that is in the process of “retooling”, *cough* rebuilding *cough*. So “Cliffy” being traded was expected. What wasn’t expected by me was the trade of goaltender Jack Campbell. But more on him later.

Yesterday, the Kings traded Clifford and Campbell to the Leafs for former LA hometown boy, Trevor Moore, a 3rd round pick for this year’s draft, and a conditional 3rd round pick for 2021, (the Kings are also retaining half of Clifford’s salary this season of $800,000). The value for “Cliffy” has never been higher, after he played a career year last season with 11 goals and 21 points. He also had 96 penalty minutes, which was attractive to the Leafs, as that is about 31 more penalty minutes than any Leaf player had all season, as they have long been criticized for lacking toughness and grit. Clifford will definitely help out with that. A great team player, a two-time Cup winner who was a part of the overtime Stanley Cup winning goal that won the Kings the Cup in 2014, and someone who gives 100% in every shift, Clifford will be a great addition for the Leafs. It doesn’t hurt either that fellow Stanley Cup winning teammate Jake Muzzin is in Toronto as well, and Leafs’ GM Kyle Dubas used to be “Cliffy’s” agent.

I will never forget in 2014 during the Stanley Cup Final series against New York, when I was working in Clifford’s hometown of Ayr, ON, which I liked to call “‘Lil Los Angeles”, as the entire town, (which for the longest time was so small, it was still classified as a village,) was supporting Clifford and the Kings. That made my work trips there very welcome. The town sign had a picture of “The Colonel” raising the Cup from 2012, and the whole town would gather together downtown, and watch the Cup Final underneath this giant tent, and in front of a giant screen, probably wondering who the heck this outsider, me, with all the Kings gear was? If they did, they never said anything to me, (as they themselves were wearing Kings’ gear), and welcomed me with open arms. Sadly, I wasn’t there when Alec Martinez scored the OT Cup winner, which Clifford got the secondary assist on, (I was watching at home with Theresa and my supportive brother-in-law, the Montreal Canadien loving Derno), but what a celebration and party they must of had! I was there for games 1 and 2 and those victory celebrations were epic! Trust me when I say it became very hard for me to crawl back into work the next day, I can only imagine how wild it got when the Kings and Clifford won it all. In 2012, I got to meet Clifford during his day with the Cup and was allowed to get a portrait type shot with the Cup. Kyle Clifford will always be remembered fondly by me. So thank you “Colonel” for everything you did for our Los Angeles Kings.

(Clifford and I had no idea who the guy on the left was, as he photobombed the pic from out of nowhere.)

 

(This photo happened in thanks to Kyle Clifford, who allowed me the time to take it. My only regret is I wasn’t hugging the holy chalice. Something I more than made up for in 2014. Many, manyyyyyy times.)

But business is business and trades are a big part of that. But as I mentioned up above, the trading of Campbell was shocking to me. The 28 year old Campbell had bounced back with the Kings and Ontario Reign, after suffering some major confidence issues with the Dallas Stars’ organization. Drafted 11th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft, Campbell was best known for leading Team USA over Team Canada to win the 2011 World Junior Championship Gold Medal. Campbell was named the goalie of the tournament.

With the help of former Reign goaltending whisperer, the great Dusty Imoo, and the Kings’ goaltending whisperer, the great Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup winning, Bill Ranford, Campbell was able to elevate his game back to where his potential was expected. Last season, though the Kings had a poor team, (like this season), Campbell still finished the year with a .928 save percentage, and a 2.30 goals against average, which was beyond impressive.

What is interesting, is that the Leafs have been without their number 1 goalie in former Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender, and thorn to the Kings’ side, Federik Andersen due to injury. The Leafs were badly in need of someone to take the reins, (not Ontario Reign), so that was the motive of acquiring “Soupy”. Now why the Leafs, or other teams aren’t inquiring about the availability of Jonathan Quick, someone who might not be a number 1 goalie anymore, but would be a perfect stand in and back up due to his immense experience. How many goalies out there can say they have won the Stanley Cup twice and the Conn Smythe trophy? (Put your hand down Ranford, you’re retired). But Quick’s contract is a heavy price and the Leafs are heavily strapped by the salary cap, (which is strange considering they haven’t got past the first round of the playoffs since 2002! Then again, it isn’t our problem, so who cares?).  So squeezing Quick into their roster would have been troublesome. Campbell is only a $675,000 cap hit this season, and $1,650, 000 for the next two seasons.

So it is what it is. Sure the Kings still have their “goalie of the future” in Cal Petersen, plus they have Cole Kehler, Jacob Ingham, Lukas Parik and Matthew Villalta in the pipeline, (for the record, I’m not sold on Villalta), but letting a more veteran, young goaltender in Campbell go at this point is concerning as Petersen, who has been called up by the Kings after the trade, may not be ready for the NHL level and the other goaltenders are still in development. But what can you do? I’m sure Kings’ legend and GM Rob Blake knows what he is doing? (Excuse me while I go smack my head against some concrete).

In return, the Kings are receiving Trevor Moore, who was born in Thousand Oaks, CA and played youth hockey in LA. Moore was a huge part of the 2018 Calder Cup winning Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ affiliate, getting 17 points in 20 games. Moore was a very welcome pick up by the Kings, especially with his offensive upside potential and homecoming. At 24 years old, the ability to play both left wing and right wing, and a cap hit of $775,000, his addition to the Kingdom won’t hurt. I just wish we hadn’t given up on Campbell in order to acquire him.

And yes, this isn’t a Martin Jones to Boston for a one year rental, Milan Lucic AND defensive prospect Colin Miller AND a first round draft pick type scenario, as that trade left a scar, but Jones was leaving LA regardless. We just gave up too much for him. Campbell wasn’t going anywhere, so what was the rush?

 

Be as it may, with the NHL trade deadline on Monday, February 24th coming up and fast, I believe the Kings aren’t done with off loading more players yet. There are still talks of teams being interested in Martinez, Tyler Toffoli and (gulp) Jeff Carter, so brace yourself everyone for more deals to come. The Kings will be looking to get younger and faster so they can compete again and get back into the playoffs. Now is GM Blake making the right kinds of trades in order for the Kings to reach that goal? That’s a debate for another day. And article. Hopefully, they won’t be written in this awful hospital that reminds me of scenes from Halloween II, with a touch of The Shining, (or Doctor Sleep).

So until next time, GO KINGS GO!!!

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