Exploring the Star-Studded Trade History Between the Kings and Flyers

When reflecting on trades throughout Los Angeles Kings history, the Edmonton Oilers often come to mind as frequent partners, and for good reason. The acquisitions of Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Marty McSorley, and Grant Fuhr during the late 80s and early 90s practically earned the Kings the nickname “Oilers South.” Unfortunately, that veteran core couldn’t replicate Edmonton’s championship success and fell short of bringing a Stanley Cup to Los Angeles.

Yet, there’s another franchise with an equally intriguing trade history with the Kings: the Philadelphia Flyers. Starting in 2006, trades between these two organizations contributed to shaping what would become the legendary “Flyers West” team in LA—one that did achieve hockey’s ultimate prize, winning two Stanley Cups. However, the trading relationship between these two teams stretches back further, featuring numerous impactful deals that have defined eras for both organizations. Let’s dive into some of the most notable trades between the Kings and Flyers:

May 30, 1991

To LA: Jeff Chychrun, rights to Jari Kurri
To PHI: Steve Duchesne, Steve Kasper, and a 4th-round pick (‘91)

Surprised to learn Kurri wasn’t directly traded from the Oilers? Technically, after a contract dispute in Edmonton, his rights were dealt to Philadelphia, where he never played a game before being flipped to Los Angeles later that same day. The Kings gave up Steve Duchesne, one of the league’s top offensive defensemen, and Steve Kasper, a standout shutdown center, to reunite Kurri with Gretzky in LA.

August 4, 2005

To LA: Jeremy Roenick, 3rd-round pick (‘06)
To PHI: Future considerations

This move—essentially a salary dump for the Flyers—will go down as one of the more disappointing trades in Kings history. On paper, landing a future Hall of Famer like Jeremy Roenick for practically nothing seemed like a win. However, the 2004-05 NHL lockout disrupted Roenick’s rhythm, leading to career lows in goals, assists, and points during his lone season in LA. The Kings chose not to re-sign him, and he returned to the Phoenix Coyotes as a free agent.

April 19, 2006

To LA: Dean Lombardi
To PHI: 2nd-round pick (‘06)

Here’s a unique one. When the Kings hired Dean Lombardi as their General Manager after his stint as a scout for the Flyers, league rules required compensation to be sent to Philadelphia. The Kings gave up a draft pick in exchange, marking one of the most consequential acquisitions in franchise history. Lombardi’s leadership laid the foundation for the team’s golden era, culminating in two Stanley Cups.

June 23, 2011

To LA: Mike Richards, Rob Bordson
To PHI: Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, 2nd-round pick (‘12)

Where Rob Blake’s tenure will likely be negatively defined by the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, Dean Lombardi’s managerial legacy should be defined by the brilliance of his acquisition of Mike Richards. It was a masterstroke that announced the Kings as serious Stanley Cup contenders. Richards’ leadership and two-way play were crucial to the team’s two championship runs. Although his tenure in LA ended poorly, his arrival remains a turning point in Kings history.

January 6, 2016

To LA: Vincent Lecavalier, Luke Schenn
To PHI: Jordan Weal, 3rd-round pick (‘16)

This trade is an interesting counterpoint to the Richards deal in that it signals the last gasp of a crumbling powerhouse. For Dean Lombardi, it was the beginning of the end. After missing the playoffs in 2015, Lombardi was on a mission to return his group to Cup contention. He had already executed what would be one of the worst trades in team history by acquiring Milan Lucic, the cost of which included letting Justin Williams walk away. The move provided a brief boost, but the team still faltered in the playoffs, falling to the Sharks in the first round. In hindsight, this deal was emblematic of a GM trying to salvage a core that had run out of steam.

June 6, 2023

To LA: Hayden Hodgson, Kevin Connauton, 30% of Ivan Provorov’s salary
To PHI: Cal Petersen, Sean Walker, Helge Grans, 2nd-round pick (‘24)

This three-team trade (CBJ) saw the Kings part with significant assets to shed Cal Petersen’s hefty contract and set the stage for adding Pierre-Luc Dubois and retaining Vladislav Gavrikov. While this deal addressed a cap issue, it highlighted the consequences of signing Petersen to a regrettable $5 million annual deal. If acquiring Dubois was Blake’s biggest mistake, signing Petersen to that deal is a close second.

While the Kings and Oilers have long been linked through blockbuster trades, the Kings’ trade history with the Flyers is just as impactful—if not more so. With each franchise evolving, this tumultuous trading partnership is far from over.

What do you think is the greatest trade between the Kings and Flyers? Share your thoughts below!