The Los Angeles Kings continue unloading their wingers. First it was Warren Foegele being sent to Ottawa (that fantasy take can be read here), and now it's Corey Perry being sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a second-round pick in 2028. That was initially reported by TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Perry had been productive in a minimal role for the Kings, posting 11 goals and 28 points in 50 games while skating 14:19 per game. He spent a couple years in Tampa Bay recently and is back to try for another Stanley Cup.

Let's break it down.

What Tampa Bay Gets

At this point, the 40-year-old Perry is what he is, and that's someone who is still very good below the faceoff dots. He has helped power plays in recent seasons with his work around the net, and he can do that for Tampa Bay. Whether they give him that chance or not is uncertain, and they do have three forwards locked into a top PP role with Jake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov, and Brayden Point. However, they have rotated the fourth forward this season often between Oliver Bjorkstrand, Brandon Hagel, and Nick Paul. Perry could very well slot in as a down-low, net-front option, which would leave Point in his usual bumper spot and Kucherov/Guentzel on the wings. In that kind of situation, Perry would still have fantasy relevance, even if he's not the guy who can put up 200+ shots and 70-90 hits a season anymore.

The real test is whether he gets a top-6 role. Dominic James recently had surgery and will be out at least two months, Gage Goncalves has been nipped by the injury bug lately, and they have one open wing spot in the top-6 aside from Kucherov, Guentzel, and Hagel. Perry probably gets some time there, but it's hard to see him as a long-term fit. The Lightning have a third line that is set in stone, so if Perry can't last in a top-6 role, he's destined for the fourth line.

Overall, this is a good move for his fantasy value. Even if he stays around 14 minutes a game, the chance to skate on Tampa Bay's top PP unit as opposed to the one in Los Angeles would be a huge upgrade. He has to get there first, but it’s likely they at least give him a chance to do it, because they're not paying a 2^nd-round pick for a 40-year-old fourth liner who won't contribute on special teams.

Perry being traded could mean a top PP role for Alex Laferriere in Los Angeles, depending on the health (and what the team does with) Quinton Byfield. At the least, it means a better chance for a regular role for younger guys like Jeff Malott and Taylor Ward.

Who This Helps

Corey Perry

Alex Laferriere

Taylor Ward

Who This Hurts

Oliver Bjorkstrand

Conor Geekie

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Gage Goncalves