32 in 32 Day 19: Why the Kings Will Need to Wait Another Year to Reclaim the Throne

2021-2022 Season Recap

• Record - 44-27-11 (99 points), 3rd in the Pacific Division

• Goals For: 239 (20th in the NHL), Goals Against: 236 (8th in the NHL)

• Leading Goal Scorer - Adrian Kempe (35)

• Leading Point Scorer - Anze Kopitar (67)

The Los Angeles Kings were one of my sleeper teams to sneak into playoffs last year and did they ever live up to the expectations. The Kings went 20-10-4 after the all-star break and secured the third place spot in the Pacific over the Vegas Golden Knights in the final days of the season. They didn't do so with an abundance of goals, but rather with a sound defensive system. Led by one of the best defensive 1-2 punches at center, the Kings were able to neutralize many of the league's top players over the course of the year. In the end, however, it was the league's top player that proved to be simply too much for them. With a major addition up front, the Kings are looking to once again make the postseason and give the best of the west a run for their money.

If it wasn't for Connor McDavid being the best hockey player that has ever graced God's green Earth, the Kings would have without a doubt advanced to the next round for a date with the Flames. They had the Oilers on the ropes, taking a 3 games to 2 lead in the series after winning a pivotal Game 5 in Edmonton. A Game 6 win on home ice would've sent the Kings to the second round for the first time since they won the Stanley Cup in 2014. But Connor McDavid was just too dominant for them. He had a goal and two assists in the Oilers 4-2 win in LA, and then another goal and assist in the series clinching shutout win in Game 7 in Edmonton. The same way a goalie can steal a series, a player can singlehandedly win one for his team, and that's exactly what McDavid did. Nevertheless, with the injuries the Kings dealt with, the adversity they faced, the organization should chalk up last season as a success.

Injuries were a big issue for this team in 2022, and I believe is what held them back from winning even more games than they did. Drew Doughty, Alex Edler, and Quinten Byfield each missed half of the season. Defenseman Sean Walker tore his ACL just six games in. Viktor Arvidsson also missed 16 games. Those are guys that the Kings can't afford to lose again long term next year, Doughty especially. He was putting together a Norris Trophy level campaign before going down with a wrist injury that required season ending surgery. He's always been one of the true backbones of this club since coming into the league as 19 year old in 2008. An all situations defenseman, the Kings need Doughty to be in the lineup every night if they want to have any chance of making playoffs for the second consecutive year.

For a team that was so good defensively, the Kings had a lackluster penalty kill. Even though they were one of the least penalized teams in the league, they ranked 22nd on the PK. It's odd to me that they struggled in this department having the likes of Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault leading the way. These two are among the best in their craft at defending in all areas of the ice, especially their own end. Their below average PK ended up costing them big time in their bout against Edmonton, giving up seven powerplay goals in as many games in a series that went the distance. This is something I'm sure HC Todd McLellan will focus on during training camp.

Their powerplay was even worse. Now, it wasn't expected of them to have a top tier powerplay, but 27th in the league is atrocious. This shows how important Drew Doughty is as he's the one orchestrating everything from the blue line. A healthy Doughty will help bring up percentage, but a new acquired Kevin Fiala will boost it tenfold. After posting a career high 85 points with Minnesota Wild, Fiala was traded to LA in exchange for a first round pick and defenseman prospect Brock Faber. GM Rob Blake wasted no time locking the 26 year old winger in for the long term signing him to a seven-year $55.125 million contract. Fiala is electric. He's a terrific skater who is able to use his ability on his edges to create for himself and his teammates in a dynamic fashion. He will be without question their number one scoring option for years to come.

The Kings are a very balanced hockey club when healthy. They have veterans who have been there done that, and they have up and coming stars that are eager to show the league what they can do. Quinton Byfield is one of those players. Taken 2nd overall in the 2020 draft, Byfield is looking to prove his worth in 2023. Before he could even get his first real crack at the NHL, Byfield fractured his ankle which is an extremely difficult injury to come back 100% from, especially when you're 6'5 220. After having the summer off, he's fully healthy again and prepared to show why he was a top two draft pick.

LA is a team that is going to have to win by committee. Their top line of Adrien Kempe, Anze Kopitar, and Kevin Fiala will do their fair share of scoring. Kempe will continue build off of his breakout 35 goal season now that Fiala is in the mix, and Kopitar is always good for 60-70 points. Besides them and second line winger Viktor Arvidsson, there isn't a player who has really blossomed into a consistent and reliable scorer. Trevor Moore broke through for them last year putting up nearly 50 points. Maybe he could fill that void. Or maybe it could be Alex Iaffollo who matched his career high with 17 goals last season. It could also be Byfield or Arthur Kaliyev, their second round pick in 2019 from Uzbekistan. Kaliyev had a very nice rookie campaign with 14 goals and 27 points playing just 12 and a half minutes per night. If McLellan can get him, Byfield, and Iaffollo producing on a regular basis, then this club has a formattable top nine.

Their defense worries me a touch, though. Besides Doughty, there isn't really a guy who can be THE guy for them. Matt Roy, Sean Walker, and Sean Durzi are solid blueliners, but they don't bring nearly as much to the table as Drew Doughty. They can play a sufficient shut down style of defense, but they're not true puck moving defenseman that this league requires teams to have if they want to win. If Doughty goes down again this team is toast.

I don't believe the Kings did enough this offseason to solidify themselves as a true contender in the West. The Fiala signing definitely moves the needle for them, but I don't think it puts them over the top. I have them on the bubble with teams like Vegas, Vancouver, and Dallas. They could very well make the playoffs, but could also miss out on postseason action. It comes down to a few things. Number one is obviously their health. Can their roster stay as healthy as possible for all 82 games? Next is goaltending. Is father time catching up to future Hall of Famer Jonathan Quick? The team will most likely split the starts between him and Calvin Peterson, but will Quick continue to put out winning performances at age 36? If not, is Peterson a clear cut number one option? This last one is more of a request as a fan. Can they get rid of the "chrome domes?" I'm sorry, but they just don't look good at all. I know everything is chrome in the future according to Spongebob, but we're just not there yet as a society. This goes for the Golden Knights as well. Neither of these helmets look good with a uniform. If their PR crew smartens up and never has the team wear them again, then I'll say the Kings make a run this season. Until then, I'm going to say they won't be crowned hockey royalty this year.