2014-2015 Review

Last year's defending champions had high hopes that they would continue their playoff success. However as the season progressed you could tell this was not the same team that had been a Stanley Cup contender. Key players such as Mike Richards, Marian Gaborik, Justin Williams and Dustin Brown all underachieved. The offense was ranked 18th, and was very streaky. The defense, led by star Drew Doughty, continued to find success and was ranked fourth. The end result was that the Los Angeles Kings were one of the most surprising teams to miss the playoffs 

New Additions

Milan Lucic

The Bruins longtime power forward joins a Kings team that is already known for being physical. Lucic was consistently getting around 60 points per season for the Bruins before having an off year last year. He only scored 18 goals and could not reach 50 points. Still, he managed to continue a streak of five straight seasons with a positive +/-. He could see his numbers improve if he plays on the Kopitar.

Key Losses

Mike Richards

Before last season, Richards was still regarded as one of the better two-way forwards in the NHL. . He had been a key contributor to Stanley Cup contending teams in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, and had 87 career points in the playoffs. Now, he is seen as damaged goods after an awful season led to a catastrophe of an off-season that led to his release. Still, he was an important part of the Stanley Cup championship teams in LA, so his presence will be missed.

Justin Williams

Losing a former team captain is bad enough, but losing a former Conn Smythe winner is almost as bad. Williams is in a tie for most Game seven goals in the playoffs with ironically seven, and has the outright lead with 14 points. The Kings will miss one of the most clutch players in the NHL this season as they try to return to the playoffs.

Biggest Strength

Defense

As if having Jonathan Quick wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Kings also play some of the best defense in the NHL. That starts with the back checking forward play of players like Dustin Brown and Tanner Pearson. Adding Lucic to the mix will make an elite defense only better. The actual defenders themselves are impressive as well. Drew Doughty could be the best defender in the league, as he played close to 30 minutes a game last year. Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez are two of the best young physical defenders around. Matt Green may not be the flashiest player, but he has a positive +/- in every season he has played with the Kings except for the season he only played five games.

Biggest Weakness

Offense

The team ranked just 18th in offense last year. That is no going to get the job done if they want to compete for a Stanley Cup again. That 70’s line of Tanner Pearson, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli should return to put up good numbers. Jeff Carter led the team last year with 28 goals and was second with 62 points. The team hopes that adding Milan Lucic will spark the underachieving top line of Kopitar and Gaborik. Team captain Dustin Brown only had 27 points last year, and seems to be the embodiment of the team’s offensive shortcomings.

Bottom Line

The success of the Los Angeles Kings will depend if their stars can carry the offense. Jeff Carter has scored 30 goals before, so can he do it again? Will Kopitar, Gaborik and Lucic make a strong first line? The Kings look to be one of a large group of playoff bubble teams.

Fantasy Slant

Most Overrated: Dustin Brown

Despite being the captain, Brown puts up some pretty sub par stats. Since 2011-2012, he has not gotten to 30 points. That is pretty poor for a player as well known as him. He also finished with a -17 +/- last year, and is closer to playing 15 minutes a game than the 20 he was earlier in his career. Whatever has happened to him over the last few years has made him a different player than what he once was.

Most Underrated: Tyler Toffoli

The Toronto, Ontario native had a breakout season last year with the 70’s line. He had 23 goals to go along with 49 points in 76 games. Despite being only 23, he already has a 49 +/-. He has not played more than 15 minutes a game, but that has to change considering the caliber of season he had last year. The increased ice time should mean that Toffoli will continue to put up better and better stats.

Biggest Surprise: Jeff Carter

In 2010-2011, Carter managed to get his last 30 goal season. I believe this is the year he does it again. With Toffoli and Pearson his clear line mates, the Carter line may have a little more firepower than the Kopitar line. At the age of 30, Carter should still be in his prime, so a return to form is not a crazy thought, considering he has been steadily getting closer to 30 goals each season, including his 28 goal season last year.