Changes are happening fast to the Kings, whose 12 losses in 17 games forced another move that was symbolic but necessary. The trade frees the Kings from Pearson’s salary that pays $3.75 million annually through the 2020-21 season. Hagelin is in the last season of a contract that pays $4 million, and Pittsburgh will retain $250,000 of his salary to even out the money, according to several reports.
It is otherwise a one-for-one deal of two underachieving wingers. Pearson was a member of the Kings’ 2014 Stanley Cup-winning team who scored 39 goals the previous two seasons, but he became a trade piece even as his production dried up.