After the Rantanen Trade, Which Kings Players Are Truly Untouchable?

Mikko Rantanen should indeed have been considered 'untouchable' or, rather, unmovable for the Colorado Avalanche. He was in the midst of contract negotiations with the club when he ended up in Carolina alongside Taylor Hall in a significant three-team trade. When trades of this magnitude happen—rare as they are—it prompts reflection on which players on your team are truly untouchable.

The Kings have a mix of players in their prime, some aging veterans (including former champions), and a relatively strong youth core on the rise. Here's my perspective on three players the Kings should consider untouchable as they continue to develop their roster.

Quinton Byfield

Byfield was the Kings' highest draft pick since Drew Doughty and one of the few centers to make a full transition during the Rob Blake era. The Kings struggled to maintain their center draft pick stock from 2017 to 2022, but they've kept and leaned on Byfield, as he possesses a raw and natural toolkit that can't be easily taught. At 6'5", he is among the fastest/biggest skaters in the league, representing a rare asset.

At just 22 years old, he has begun facing top matchups for the Kings, particularly since their return from their last seven-game road trip. Head Coach Jim Hiller deserves credit for trusting Byfield with this role at such a young age.

Byfield has been significantly effective since his sharp learning curve in his debut in this role against Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. While his points may not yet reflect it, he consistently shuts down some of the best players in the league. Although the debate between Byfield and Tim Stützle currently favors Stützle, Byfield is developing into the better all-around player.

For the league, this means Byfield can hold his own against elite talent, competing well alongside wingers with limited offensive capacity but strong defensive game like Warren Foegele, Tanner Jeannot, and recently, Trevor Moore. These players may not be on the same level as those like Adrian Kempe but fit well in a shutdown role.

In a couple of seasons, after gaining experience against top competition, Byfield will be primed to step up as the Kings' number one center and make a significant impact. Flanked by high-end wingers, Byfield will likely be a formidable presence as a 24-year-old.

Brandt Clarke

Like Byfield, Clarke is a high-end draft pick who has emerged from the asset management challenges of 2017 to 2022. He, along with Byfield, stands as a key fixture for the team. While Clarke can't replace a Hall of Fame player like Drew Doughty, as it's an unrealistic expectation, but he is poised to excel in his role.

What makes Clarke unique is his potential as a high-end offensive defenseman, something that Doughty wasn't necessarily known for. Interestingly, Clarke has modeled his game after Erik Karlsson, a player often debated as being superior to Doughty during his career.

Clarke posted almost record-breaking numbers in the OHL and spent part of the pandemic playing in a men's pro league in Slovakia while still a teenager. His confidence, swagger, and offensive IQ are among the best in the organization.

Clarke has recently secured a full-time role in the NHL after a brief stint last year. Although he started the season strongly in Doughty's absence, he has since struggled, losing his spot to Jordan Spence, including his position on the first power play unit. It's important to note that while Spence is a solid NHL defenseman, the future looks incredibly bright for Clarke with more playing time. At just 21, he has a long career ahead with the Kings.

With Byfield and Clarke as foundational pieces in their respective positions, the Kings have successfully maintained two key players they developed through the draft.

Mikey Anderson

I hesitated to include Anderson, but ultimately, it makes sense. Another homegrown player for the Kings, Anderson is a product of a defensive system that evolved alongside Doughty. Doughty was paired with Brayden McNabb and Derek Forbort, both of whom became reliable shutdown defensemen. Forbort was kept in the expansion draft over McNabb, who later won a championship with Vegas, while Forbort has moved around among several teams.

Anderson has outlasted both and has emerged as a staple on the top defensive pairing with Doughty since becoming a full-time player in 2020-21. Over these six seasons in Los Angeles, he has established himself as an elite shutdown defenseman.

At 25 years old, few left-handed shutdown defensemen can match his ability in the league. Could he be seen merely as a supporter for Doughty? Possibly. However, in a season without Doughty, he might be playing the best hockey of his career to date. He's been paired with Vladislav Gavrikov, and they've become one of the best shutdown pairs in the league. Per Moneypuck, amongst pairings with 500+ minutes, they have the fourth lowest xGoals Against at 21.1 and the fifth lowest Shot Attempts Against per 60 at 50.16.

When considering Gavrikov or Doughty, it ultimately doesn’t matter. Anderson has proven himself through consistent play in the top pair position and has emerged as one of the best shutdown defensemen of his generation. His value to the franchise is incredibly high, and at just 25 years old his style of play aligns perfectly with the team's identity. He is a player you can confidently lock in for the team's future.

These three players should serve as the foundation for the team moving forward. I consider these three the only true untouchables on the roster. However, you never know what could truly happen if someone like Rantanen gets traded.