Season Preview: Kings Exit Cellar
All too often I lament “It’s the Kings” and “There’s always next year”, but I do think it is inconceivable that the Kings will finish in the cellar again. A new coach, young talent, and even younger prospects bring much hope for the franchise. And hope is really all Kings fans have this season. It is doubtful the Kings will be able make a run at the playoffs but they will show what they have in store for the future. As the preseason dwindles down to a close the Kings roster is gradually taking shape. Each day a prospect is sent back to Juniors or the AHL another veteran player sighs in relief of not being placed on waivers (unless your name is Matt Ellis).
The most famous and beloved Kings prospect, goaltender Jonathan Bernier, was recently sent to the Manchester Monarchs. Even though Bernier showed much promise during the prospects camp and training camp, it was still doubtful he was going to earn one of the two goaltending roster spots. He may have come a long way from last season but would he have benefited from having another season start like the one last year? It’s in his best interest as a young developing goalie to take the extra time to build up his physical and mental game. However, if the Kings’ goaltending woes from previous years continue this season he may eventually see some playing time.
Additional prospects continue to hang around making notable outings in each preseason game. Forwards Oscar Moller and Wayne Simmonds are still with the team and each brings a different style of play that could be beneficial to the already young team. Moller’s small frame is the biggest factor that could prevent him from making the jump this season but his quickness and finesse are things the Kings could use. Simmonds is a gritty, in your face character, something the Kings need more of, that can also provide help on offense. Last season in the OHL he moved from the Owen Sound Attack to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and totaled 75 points and 111 PIM. The knocks against Simmonds is that he hasn’t had much experience duking it out with NHL caliber players and he’s a relatively light 175 lbs on a 6′-2″ frame.
Fans outside of LA are finally taking notice of Kings superstars Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Expect even bigger seasons from these two as they’ve been playing on a line together for quite some time. The question right now is who will be blessed to play alongside them? If Patrick O’Sullivan remains unsigned, then the likely player to fill the role is Matt Moulson. He played several games with the Kings last season but spent most of the time with the Monarchs. He’s played with Kopitar and Brown during preseason games and looks right at home. Not only is he an unknown gifted forward, but he has a pretty decent defensive game too.
Forwards Teddy Purcell and Brian Boyle will also most likely stay in LA. Purcell should provide additional scoring if he can find his touch in the NHL and Boyle should use his size to provide a strong presence as the fourth line center, that is if he decides to actually use his size to his advantage. Newly acquired Jarrett Stoll will provide the Kings with faceoff and special teams talent and seems poised to play alongside the token Russian, Alexander Frolov. If Purcell ends up on the top line or O’Sullivan finally signs, Stoll and Frolov will be put with Moulson, giving the Kings a very strong second line.
Kevin Westgarth and Richard Clune will fight for the second tough guy spot alongside resident enforcer Raitis Ivanans, that is if the Kings decide to keep another of that kind on the team. Westgarth has the size at 6′-5″ 247 lbs, but that’s pretty much all he has to offer. Clune is a better agitator, touting himself as the most hated player in the AHL last season and has better skills, but he’s out with an injury and won’t be healed for some time. Considering how much talent the Kings will have up top, it seems unnecessary to carry two enforcers with limited skill. However it is reassuring to know there are additional brutes in the pipeline in case Ivanans falls to another nasty injury.
Jack Johnson and Tom Preissing are the top defensemen this year. Joining the defensive ranks are Sean O’Donnell, Matt Greene, Denis Gauthier, Peter Harrold, and 2008 First Round Draft pick Drew Doughty. With just under a week left till the season opener, it appears as though Jason LaBarbera has secured the number one goaltending spot despite having shaky performances during several preseason games. At the end of last season Erik Ersberg probably thought he had the No. 2 spot locked up but Jonathan Quick is not going down without a battle, but I think the Swede will eventually succeed. It’s no secret that the Kings defense, most notably goaltending, is suspect; the Kings will look to reduce their goals against average and improve clearing the zone and entering the offensive area. The defensemen and goalies will battle each other for the title of “Kings Achilles Heel” and right now it’s completely up for grabs.
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So much love for the LA Kings in such a tiny package.
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