Kings Season Preview: After the hangover
As far as hangovers go, it could've been worse.
The 2014-15 Los Angeles Kings won 40 games, including 25 of 41 at home, and finished with 95 points - falling two points shy of the playoffs. They allowed only 205 goals, fourth fewest in the Western Conference, and finished with a plus-15 goal differential, better than the West-leading Anaheim Ducks' plus-10.
But a three-win January cost the club dearly, and after winning two Stanley Cups in three years, the well of luck ran dry. The Kings lost seven games in overtime last season, and won only two of 10 in the post-overtime skills competition. The shootout is why the Kings missed the dance.
A new season, though, means an invitation to the next dance must be secured, and there have been some significant changes in Hollywood. Gone is Mike Richards, who played 53 games in '14-15, his contract terminated after he was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Slava Voynov, who played only six games last season, voluntarily returned to Russia - he was facing deportation - after serving jail time for domestic violence.
Jarret Stoll is no longer a King, either, departing in free agency, the writing on the wall after he was arrested for cocaine possession. Justin Williams left in free agency, too, and Martin Jones was traded. These aren't your Cup-winning Kings.
But after a tumultuous offseason, this is still an immensely talented club, especially after the additions of Milan Lucic and Christian Ehrhoff. The Kings own the puck and carry the play - they did last season, and they will again in 2015-16. This is a big, bruising L.A. team, led by Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter down the middle, stud Drew Doughty on the blue line, and Jonathan Quick in goal.
All the troubles came off the ice. A hot start in '15-16 would surprise no one - the Kings undoubtedly want to get back to hockey.
And that will translate. Los Angeles won't miss the playoffs again. No way.
Projected Depth Chart
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Lucic | Anze Kopitar | Marian Gaborik |
| Tanner Pearson | Jeff Carter | Tyler Toffoli |
| Dwight King | Trevor Lewis | Dustin Brown |
| Kyle Clifford | Nick Shore | Jordan Nolan |
| Andy Andreoff | Brian O'Neill | Scott Sabourin |
| Maxim Kitsyn |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Jake Muzzin | Drew Doughty |
| Christian Ehrhoff | Alec Martinez |
| Brayden McNabb | Matt Greene |
| Derek Forbort | Jamie McBain |
| Alex Roach |
| G |
|---|
| Jonathan Quick |
| Jhonas Enroth |
X-Factor(s)
We're breaking the rules and going with two - Kopitar and Lucic - because they're likely going to play with each other.
Lucic has rebounded in back-to-back seasons after a disastrous lockout-shortened 2013, but his 44 points in '14-15 were the second lowest of his career when playing at least 70 games, and he failed to crack the 20-goal mark. He's 27, on a new team, and in a contract year. He'll be motivated.
Speaking of contract years, Kopitar is coming off his first non-20-goal full season, his 64 points a career low outside of his rookie year (61). He's the No. 1 center, playing with Lucic and Marian Gaborik, and, at 28, is looking to set himself up for one more massive contract. He'll be motivated, too.
If Kopitar and Lucic return to form, and captain Dustin Brown becomes even a 40-point guy again, look out.
Player to Watch
Tyler Toffoli, 23, finished third on the Kings in scoring last season, recording 23 goals, adding 26 assists, and finishing a Kings-best plus-25. And he managed those numbers playing only 14:35 a night.
He's ready to take on a bigger role and primed to explode. Offensively, he's the future of the Kings, especially if Kopitar isn't re-signed.
That future may be now.