The Los Angeles Kings traded captain Claude Giroux to the Dallas Stars, and it’s not very often a team trades its captain.
However, in this case, Giroux had asked for the trade to Dallas for family reasons.
Giroux and both teams have decided not to disclose the reason or reasons. In an ironic twist the two teams played each other on Thursday night. Giroux had an assist in his return, playing in over 20 minutes as the Stars downed the Kings by a 3-1 score.
In return for Giroux, the Kings picked up Ivan Barbashev (who the Kings have already signed to a new contract), along with prospect Alexander Perevalov and Dallas' 1st round pick in 2026.
Also going to the Kings are Andre Sustr and Dominic Toninato, while the Stars get Calgary's 5th round pick in 2023 and their own 4th rounder in 2025.
Apparently, the talks were ongoing for days to hammer out the trade.
There is not much to know about Perevalov other than if he does get to the NHL, he should be a good one. Preliminary scouting reports suggest he is an offensively-minded winger with good vision and great puck skills. He'll have to improve his play away from the puck but has the skill to produce at the top level.
The Kings hope that Barbashev with Matt Duchene and Philip Danault will be a formidable 1st line.
We will find out soon enough!