The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to trade Alec Martinez to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for two-second round picks. One in the 2020 NHL Draft and one in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Hearing the Alec Martinez trade from #LAKings to Vegas deal is now done. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 19, 2020

Kings Trade Alec Martinez to Vegas

Alec Martinez

The Kings have made no bones about it they are going through a rebuild. And from the start of the season, the Kings had made it known they were looking to move Martinez. After suffering a laceration to his wrist earlier in the season, there was some doubt that he would get traded. Since his return to the ice after successful wrist surgery, one of the mainstays of the Kings’ defence is getting back in the groove. While he may not be the player he used to be Martinez continues to eat of minutes.

Martinez made a name for himself scoring two series-clinching goals during the Kings run to the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship. First, he scored the double-overtime goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers. This propelled the Kings to their second title in three seasons. Along the way, Martinez also scored the overtime winner Game 7 of the 2014 Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Originally drafted 95th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Kings, Martinez will be on his second team in his 11 year NHL career. In 597 career games, Martinez has recorded 198 points (62 goals and 136 assists) averaging over 20 minutes of ice time. This season with the Kings Martinez eight points (one goal and seven assists) in 41 games. In 64 games in the postseason with the Kings, he has recorded 16 points (six goals and 10 assists).

What This Means For Martinez New Team

What makes Martinez so valuable is that he is a left-shot defenceman. He will fit into any team’s top four right away and make an impact. And with his ability to play both the left and right side, he is the perfect addition to Golden Knights As Martinez has shown in his career he can play against the top two lines. Not only is a good defensively but is underrated offensively. He has the ability to step up and score the clutch goal a team needs especially in the playoffs. With Martinez coming to the Golden Knights he will not only add his skill but his playoff experience. The latter is crucial during the final stretch of the season.

With Vegas acquiring Martinez, they will have him through the 2020-21 season carrying a reasonable salary cap hit of $4 million.

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