NHL Trade Buzz: Kings deciding whether to sign or deal Iafallo

Welcome to the NHL Trade Buzz. There is one day remaining until the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET; Monday). Here's a look around the League at the latest deadline doings:

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Los Angeles Kings

Alex Iafallo and the Kings are negotiating a new contract that would keep the forward from becoming an unrestricted free agent after this season, but the 27-year-old could be traded before the deadline if they can't reach an agreement, Sportsnet reported Saturday.
TSN reported the Kings are similarly negotiating with forward Andreas Athanasiou, a potential restricted free agent after this season, before deciding whether to trade the 26-year-old.
But coach Todd McLellan said this trade deadline is "shaping up to be a boring one" for the Kings compared to last season when they dealt forwards Tyler Toffoli and Kyle Clifford, defensemen Alec Martinez and Derek Forbort and goalie Jack Campbell to acquire pieces for their rebuild. Los Angeles (16-18-6) is seventh in the eight-team Honda West Division, six points behind the St. Louis Blues for the fourth and final Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the division, but believes it's moving closer toward contending.
"It's significantly different," McLellan said after the Kings' 4-2 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. "Last year, at that point, everybody was on pins and needles. I think it was well known that our management team was going to move some players and try and recoup some assets, continue to retool the organization. This year, we're in a much more stable situation."

Montreal Canadiens

Victor Mete could be an interesting option for teams seeking to add a defenseman without giving up an asset in a trade after the Canadiens placed the 22-year-old on waivers Sunday. Mete has three assists in 14 games this season when other defensemen have moved ahead of him on Montreal's depth chart. He played 171 games over the previous three seasons, including 49 as a 19-year-old rookie in 2017-18.
Mete signed a one-year, $735,000 contract Oct. 4, 2020 and will be eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights after this season.
Defenseman Jon Merrill was traded to the Canadiens by the Detroit Red Wings for forward Hayden Verbeek and a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (previously acquired from the Ottawa Senators) on Sunday. He will fill the open roster spot when Mete clears waivers or is claimed by another team.
This was the Canadiens' second trade before the deadline. They acquired center Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres on March 26 for a third- and a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.