Los Angeles Kings year in review

[yave1964]

PRESEASON OUTLOOK: Rosy. The Kings have turned into one of the top organizations in Hockey and added Lucic to bolster the forwards and the hope was they would contend for a cup.

 

FINAL RECORD: 48-28-6 102 points second in Division. Lost in first round to rival Sharks.

 

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR: Dustin Brown was very solid on the road (9-8-17) but at home he only managed a pathetic 2 goals.

 

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR: They started out the season in a very unKingish way, usually the Kings stumble out of the gate and are looking at a 6,7, or 8 seed but deadly come postseason. This version started hot, stayed hot and when they defeated the Bruins on March 19th they were well on their way to a division title as they were on an 11-2-1 stretch running their record to a best in the West 44-22-5.

 

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR: Everything from that day froward. They lost 3 in a row, 6 of 8, stumbled down the stretch and lost the division title to the Ducks setting up a series against the hated Sharks who took the Kings out in short order in the first round.

 

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Anze Kopitar (25-49-74 with 950 faceoffs won) was brilliant. Jonathan Quick was a superstar, the Kings missed by only 3 goals of giving up the least in Hockey. Drew Doughty is on the short list for the Norris Trophy, (14-37-51 plus 24) a perfect blend of offense and defense. Jeff carter (24-38-62) started hot as fire and had a wonderful year. Tyler Toffoli built off the success of the previous year and led the team with 31 goals. Jake Muzzin (8-32-40) and Alec Martinez (10-21-31) gave the Kings wonderful depth on the back end. Milan Lucic (20-35-55) was as good as advertised. Tanner Pearson showed flashes with 15 goals.

 

WHAT WENT WRONG: Marian Gaborik showed signs of being near the end with 12 goals in 54 games and missing a third of the year to injury. Dustin Brown continues to erode. Slava Voynov went back to Russia. Dwight King took a step back. Scuderi played on the blue line, they gave up assets for Luke Schenn. Highly thought of Nick Shore only managed 3 goals in 68 games, once highly thought of Jordan Nolan scored zero in 52 games.

 

MVP: Going with Quick although Kopitar was damn good. So was Doughty.

 

FREE AGENTS: lots of decisions to make.

Milan Lucic is an UFA and wants to come back but wants long term security.

Kris Versteeg who came from Carolina at the deadline also wants to return, but might not fit under the cap.

Luke Schenn also was a deadline pickup and would like to return but they may not have room.

Jamie McBain is a solid bottom pair defenseman who they would like to figure out how to keep.

Jhonas enroth was wonderful as the backup to Quick and will want a raise to stay.

Trevor Lewis, 4th liner and P/K stud is also an UFA.

 

TOP PROSPECTS FOR 2016-17: Adrian Kempe was mediocre in the AHL this year but may stick as a middle six forward this year with huge upside. Michael Mersh is going to be a good goal scorer and also middle six written all over him and perhaps more. Nic Dowd is the likely replacement for Trevor Lewis as the 4C and may be able to move up a line or two in a pinch. If McBain or Schenn do not return Kevin Gravel will take one of their places, a solid big tall defenseman who needs to gain a bit of weight but skates like the wind. They have another big tall defenseman named Forbort who some folks are high on but I just do not see it but he may get playing time out of need. They have a fair amount of middling prospects as well, forwards Auger and Kitsyn and d-man Ebert all will get ice time at the pro level. Overall a very healthy farm system.

 

OFFSEASON QUESTION MARKS: Which of the free agents do they resign? Do they make a play for Staal as rumored? How many of the kids get a crack at the roster right away? How do they shake off the hangover of losing to the Sharks in the first round?