Breaking: Kings Acquire MacEwen From Flyers

To kick off what could be a busy trade deadline General Manager Rob Blake made a minor move. Sending Brendan Lemieux and a fifth-round pick in 2024 to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Zack MacEwen.

Not a blockbuster move by any means, but one that might facilitate another move. 

According to PuckPedia.com, the Kings can now take on $6.6 million in annual cap hit today. 

Blake also might like what MacEwen brings. 

MacEwen's numbers don't look good in his two seasons with the Flyers. But do look a bit better during his time with the Vancouver Canucks. Given the Flyer's struggles, Blake might feel he'll move back toward the player he was in Vancouver.

More importantly, MacEwen adds more size and physicality to the roster. Something both Blake and Todd McLellan have highlighted recently.

At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, MacEwen is a big body and someone who isn't afraid to throw their size around. 

His six total fights this season are tied for fifth-most in the league and he's second on the Flyers in hits with 130. 

He brings a similar skillset to Lemieux. But carries a slightly lower cap hit.

This feels like a cap-shedding move from Blake, with other moves in mind. 

I'd be surprised if MacEwen is able to break into the lineup considering Lemieux couldn't before the trade. But a change of scenery might help MacEwen.

Looking at his numbers, the only thing he does better than someone like Carl Grundstrom is fight. And that shouldn't be enough to take Grundstrom, or Jaret Anderson-Dolan, out of the lineup. 

We'll see if Blake has another move coming with the cap space he's gained from this deal.