The Los Angeles Kings are making moves yet again. But this time, they are doing so begrudgingly.
Just days after acquiring All-Star center Mike Richards from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Kings and left wing Ryan Smyth have decided to part ways. The 35-year-old veteran is headed to the team with which he started his professional career, the Edmonton Oilers.
According to an ESPN.com report, despite having a successful year in which he tallied 47 points for the Kings, Smyth asked to be traded away for family reasons.
As part of the deal, Los Angeles acquired forward Colin Fraser from the Oilers, as well as a seventh-round selection in the 2012 NHL draft.
"The thing that's hard about this is this isn't a player we were counting on losing. Because actually he had one of his best years for us," said Kings general manager Dean Lombardi. "He was the first one in the weight room. I thought his first 40 games he was one of our best players. He tailed off a little bit in the last 40, and then in the playoffs he was Ryan Smyth, everything you wanted."
Despite the unexpectedness of the trade, the Kings come away with the young, 26-year-old Fraser, who already has his named etched on Lord Stanley's Cup thanks to his time with the Chicago Blackhawks. He recorded career highs with seven goals and 12 assists that season.
In 67 games with the Oilers during the 2010-11 campaign, Fraser recorded three goals and two assists.
