SUMMARY
- Corey Perry waived his no trade clause to join Tampa Bay, with the Kings retaining 50 percent of his $2 million cap hit.
- Los Angeles now holds six second round picks across the next three drafts, along with three first round picks for each upcoming draft.
- The Kings’ salary cap space rises to over $17 million, offering flexibility for trades or free agent signings.
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings have traded veteran right winger Corey Perry to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2028 second round draft pick, according to reports from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN’s Chris Johnston.
The move comes days after the Kings sent forward Warren Foegele to the Ottawa Senators, signaling an aggressive roster retooling ahead of the NHL playoffs.
The trade positions the Kings with significant draft capital while freeing cap space, reflecting GM Rob Holland’s strategy to either acquire high potential prospects or leverage picks for playoff ready talent.
Perry, 40, returns to Tampa Bay where he played two seasons from 2021-23 and reached five Stanley Cup finals in six years, including one with the Lightning.
Perry had requested to remain in Los Angeles and pursue a contract extension. By agreeing to the trade, he reunites with former teammates in a Lightning squad leading the Atlantic Division.
The Kings received a second round pick from Ottawa in the Foegele trade, bringing their total draft arsenal to six second rounders over three years.
Pierre LeBrun, TSN Senior NHL Insider, said, “The Kings are clearly stockpiling picks to create flexibility for the draft or future trades.”
TSN’s Chris Johnston added, “Perry’s experience could immediately impact Tampa Bay’s playoff push while providing leadership to younger players.”
The Kings’ six second round picks and $17 million in cap space allow strategic maneuvering ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft and potential offseason trades.
Tampa Bay gains a veteran forward poised to strengthen its Stanley Cup ambitions.
Los Angeles’ dual trades for Foegele and Perry demonstrate a calculated focus on future assets and roster flexibility, highlighting a longer term rebuilding strategy while maintaining immediate competitiveness for draft capital.
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