No. 3: Dustin Brown ($5.875M)
The LA Kings are sixth in their division, but they’re only a few points back of a playoff spot. If they go on a heater, they could make the playoffs, but the organization would probably rather prefer a chance at the NHL Lottery again.
After winning two Stanley Cups during the 2010s, the team is aging out some of the veterans that helped them get to the promised land, as they’re currently in a rebuild.
One of those key contributors to the multiple Stanley Cup’s is Dustin Brown. Even at 36-year-old, Brown has been able to play at an extremely high level is one of the bright spots on the Kings this year.
Toronto and LA have a great trading history, so they may be able to make another deal. Both of their trades have worked out in each other’s favors as Jack Campbell, Kyle Clifford and Jake Muzzin have contributed to Toronto, while Trevor Moore and Carl Grundstrom are legit NHL players.
Brown has one more season left on his contract at $5.875M, but he could be worth trading for anyways. The right-winger is a great leader, who knows how to win, and is consistently a 20-goal scorer.
Despite playing the right-side, he could fit into the top-six easily if Nylander moved to the left-side and play along both Nylander and Tavares.