For years now the Kings have been rebuilding and stocking up on top propsects. Will this finally be the year the Kings take that next step and make the playoffs again. They have not appeared in the playoffs since 2001-2002 when they lost to the Colorado Avalanche.
This will be Terry Murray's 2nd year as coach. They have some very good young talent on the team. Along with a hell of alot more Propsects to come out. They have Frolov, Kopitar, Brown, Smyth, Handzus, Stoll and Justin Williams. To go along with youngsters like Wayne Simmonds, Teddy Prucell, Oscar Moller, and Brayden Schenn who they drafted 5th overall this year. Frolov is now 27 and needs to take his game to the next level. He seems to never improve. Koptiar only had 66 points last year. But in 47% of the games he played in he did not have a point. He needs to become a more consistent player as he matures. He does have a chance to be a real star one day.
Their defense consists of emerging superstar Drew Doughty who had a decent rookie year as D man in the NHL. 22 Y.O Jack Johnson (3rd overall in 2005) who has lot of unlocked potential. They brought a very good stay at home guy through free agency in Rob Scuderi (Pittsburg). They have veteran O'Donnell who is probably playing his last year. Along with Matt Greene who is tough and good defensively. Other spots can possibly be filled by either Great D-Man Prospects. Such as Thomas Hickey, Colton Teubert and Vyacheslav Voinov if he comes over. These few players will be battling with these rookies for a spot on the team. Raitis Ivanans who is a tough guy\fighter. Denis Gauthier who has been back and forth in the minors.
Their Goalie situation looks very solid. Jonathan Quick had a very good year for being on a poor team. The 23 year old only played in 44 Games. And somehow managed to post 21 wins on that team in half a season. His stats were 2.48GAA with a .914 SV% along with 4 Shutouts. They also have 27 year old Swedish, Erik Ersberg. He has been solid and put up decent numbers in his 42 career NHL games over 2 season. And don't forget about prospect Jonathan Bernier. Who was a 11th overall pick for the Kings in 2006. His name has fizzled off lately. But he will have his chance to take over this year if someone falters. The only question is if he can keep the job once he ever does win it.
Their team has a very good core, but not any superstars. They traded Cammalleri away last year which was a bad move. Because he was going to be a free agent and they didn't want to pay him. Yet they will trade for a guy like Ryan Smyth who is making 6.5 MIL! Does that make sense? They traded a young O'Sullivan for an older injury prone Justin Williams. That was a move I really questioned when it happened. They also overpaid for Anze Kopitar. He will be making 6.0 Million this year. And to me he just hasn't shown he was worth that contract yet.
I once again do not see them making playoffs. I see them finishing 10th in the West. Until they can land that big time scorer or power play specialist. I do not see it happening. They should have been more active in Free Agency. I think Afinogenov or Zherdev would be a perfect fit for that team. And they are both still available. According to NHL Numbers they have 8.5 MIL of CAP space. But will they use it to improve?
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