At the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, Kings’ rookies are set to start camp in 3 days. The veterans will arrive a week later. The Kings’ annual HockeyFest is this coming Sunday. It all means one thing – hockey season is right around the corner.

This season will be one of buzz and heightened expectations in Los Angeles. The Kings, having made two consecutive playoff appearances – and consequently two consecutive first round exits – have made moves to turn the team into a bona-fide Cup contender.

LAST SEASON

I am of the belief that last season’s team was capable of much better than it achieved. For a couple of stretches in 2010-11, the Kings were flat out the NHL’s best team – including their fantastic 12-3 start out of the gate. The Kings’ system under 3rd year coach Terry Murray stresses responsible play in their own end, and defense and goaltending were the team’s strengths without question. Once again, the Kings had trouble producing 5 on 5 offensively, and the power play was mired in a funk that seemed to be never-ending. Inconsistency and key injuries were ultimately the Kings’ demise. Without leading scorer (and the team’s best defensive forward) Anze Kopitar, the team finished 7th in the West and earned a matchup with the division winning San Jose Sharks. Minus the team’s best player, the Kings had San Jose on the ropes after the first period of game 3, with a 4-0 lead at home; but the Kings stopped doing the little things that had been working up to that point, and defensive breakdowns (as well as a phantom goal by Joe Pavelski at the end of the 2nd period that appeared to hit the crossbar and never go in but wasn’t reviewed) led to a collapse and an eventual 6-5 OT loss. The loss seemed to deflate the team – and while Jon Quick stole a game 5 victory on the road, the Kings would sign their own death warrant by their inability to score on a 5 minute power play at the of regulation that carried into overtime. San Jose’s Greg Louganis…err, Joe Thornton took advantage of a fortuitous bounce in OT and ended the series. It was disappointing on a lot of levels – the Kings’ had the series in their grasp and allowed it to slip away, and the Sharks, much like their fans were more than a little unsportsmanlike about the victory. If anything could make this longtime fan hate a team more than Anaheim, this was it.

The loss highlighted some holes the Kings would need to fill in order to make a serious Cup run in future years – lack of a true 1/2 punch at Center, lack of scoring punch and speed in the top 6. Dean Lombardi had clear goals headed into the Summer of 2011. I’ll take a look at the 4 areas of the Kings organization and talk about my outlook for the team’s forwards, defensemen and goaltenders; as well as the team’s coaching staff and management.

2011-2012 OUTLOOK – FORWARDS

This is where the majority of the Kings’ roster changes have taken place. The Kings made perhaps the offseason’s biggest splash by acquiring Philadelphia Flyers captain and All-Star centerman Mike Richards. In doing so, the Kings had to part ways with gritty winger Wayne Simmonds – a fan favorite  - and the team’s top prospect in center Brayden Schenn. While the Kings lost out on the Brad Richards’ sweepstakes to the NY Rangers, the wasted little time in going after target 1A – former Flyer and Tampa Bay LW Simon Gagne. In addition, the Kings accomodated LW Ryan Smyth’s request for a trade back to Alberta for family reasons. The Kings head into training camp with a projected first line of Left Wing Dustin Penner – who is reported to be in excellent shape going into a contract year, Center Anze Kopitar and Right Wing Justin Williams. The Kings second line should be new additions Gagne at LW and Richards at C, joined by captain Dustin Brown on RW. That’s perhaps the most formidable top 6 in the history of the Kings’ franchise. The addition of Richards at Center adds another reliable, gritty two-way forward and will take a ton of pressure off of Kopitar. No longer is the drop off at center as steep as in the past. Every member of the Kings’ top 6 has been a 30 goal scorer at least once in their career, and it’s safe to assume with Richards at C2, Kopitar could hit the 40 goal mark this season.

The Kings 3rd line should look something like 2nd year man Kyle Clifford at LW, Jaret Stoll at C and likely either Trevor Lewis or Brad Richardson at RW. Youngsters Tyler Toffoli and Brandon Kozun will get looks at RW3 as well, but it might be safe to assume either are a year away from cracking the lineup.

The 4th line will consist of either the aforementioned Lewis and Richardson, Newcomer Ethan Moreau, tough guy Kevin Westgarth and when healthy, Colin Fraser who was acquired from Edmonton as part of the Smyth deal.

The Kings possess a talented group of forwards, with depth at Center to rival or surpass any team in the Western Conference right now, and scoring punch on both wings; and solid two way play throughout 4 lines.

 

2011-2012 OUTLOOK – DEFENSEMEN

The only offseason loss suffered by the Kings was that of Peter Harrold, a utility type player who spend time both at forward and on D in limited action the past two seasons. Harrold was a healthy scratch most of the time, so his loss won’t have any noticeable effect on the team.

The Kings return all of their defensive pairs from 2010-2011 (pending an RFA signing expected to happen before camp opens). Drew Doughty and Willie Mitchell figure to be the team’s top pair yet again; while Jack Johnson and veteran Rob Scuderi round out the top 4. Veteran leader and Alternate Captain Matt Greene should pair with Alec Martinez to complete the top 6. The only guy of those 6 that could potentially have to look over his shoulder is Martinez, who has had essentially half a season of NHL experience and came out of nowhere to seize the #6 D-spot from now veteran David Drewiske and youngster Jake Muzzin.

Perhaps the most hotly contested spots on the entire roster will be those #6 and 7 defensive slots. Martinez has the advantage on #6 as the incumbent, but Drewiske and Muzzin figure to make a strong push, as will youngsters Slava Voynov and former #1 pick Thomas Hockey. This is a quality problem for the Kings – a glut of quality young defensemen who compose a strong defensive pipeline for the Kings’ organization. While Voynov and Muzzin are clearly knocking on the door and can’t remain in the AHL indefinitely, either could seize opportunities in the event of a slump or an injury, or serve as trade bait should the Kings want to strengthen their lineup at any point during the course of the season.

Regardless of how it shakes out, the Kings have the best defensive corps in the Pacific Division. San Jose has attempted to keep pace with the Kings defensively by adding Brent Burns – who is an outstanding puck mover but is extremely inconsistent defensively, and Colin White – who’s best seasons are far behind him. The Kings corps is superior in almost every facet to San Jose’s, and Anaheim, Phoenix and Dallas all lack depth on the back end. Advantage Kings, to say the least.

 

2011-2012 OUTLOOK – GOALTENDERS

Another strength for the Kings. Jon Quick has established himself as the Kings’ best goaltender since Rogie Vachon. While Quick can safely be considered one of the NHL’s elite goalies, he remains perhaps the most underrated goalie in the league. Both of the Kings’ playoff victories of 2010-11 were stolen wins for Quick, including a superb 51 save performance in game 5. Quick’s reflexes and lateral movement are much like his surname and his size doesn’t give opposing shooters much net to look at. Quick is in many ways similar in style and disposition to Boston’s Tim Thomas, who willed the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup as playoff MVP.

Behind Quick is 2006 first round pick Jonathan Bernier, who is considered by many as a future NHL elite. With Quick established as #1 and Bernier under contract for two more seasons, the Quebec born Bernier will have to earn every opportunity – which in the end makes both of them better. Bernier’s development will motivate Quick to stay on top of his game and Bernier will have to be motivated to work hard to take advantage of any opportunity he’s afforded. The combination gives the Kings one of the league’s best tandems, and the Kings would be in good hands if Quick were to slump or suffer an injury of any kind.

The Kings cupboard is well stocked in goal as it is on defense. Martin Jones, who had a stellar first pro season last year, should get the lion’s share of work for the Kings’ AHL affiliate in Manchester. Jeff Zatkoff will compete for playing time there, and J-F Berube should spend his first year as a pro with Ontario of the ECHL. 2011 2nd round pick Chris Gibson will return to Chicoutimi of the QMJHL for at least one more season.

In Quick and Bernier, the Kings have the division’s best goaltending tandem. Better than Niemi/Nittymaki. Better than Hiller/Ellis. Certainly better than Smith/LaBarbera and Lehtonen/Raycroft. Look for Quick to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2011-12.

 

2011-2012 OUTLOOK – COACHES/MANAGEMENT

The Kings enter 2011-12 with no turnover in this department. General Manager Dean Lombardi has guided the Kings from also-ran to legitimate contender in five seasons. He’s done that largely though the draft…acquisition of top prospects and some key trade acquisitions. If there’s one area on Lombardi’s resume that might be his inability to attract marquee free agents to LA. In the past three seasons, Lombardi has targeted Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Brad Richards and all 3 have signed elsewhere. As the cliche goes “If you built it, they will come”, and Lombardi has built a winner in LA now. Challenging for the Stanley Cup in 2012 will go along way toward attracting the big fish.

Head Coach Terry Murray enters his 4th season behind the Kings’ bench. Murray has been a stabilizing figure there, and has helped tutor the Kings’ youngsters in a defense first system which has allowed them to get the most out of limited offensive production. While the Kings’ offensive production looks to have undergone a drastic upgrade, they will still be responsible in their own end. With expectations high for the coming season, Murray’s job might be in some jeopardy if the Kings were to struggle out the gate.

Assistant Coach John Stevens works primarily with the defense and on the penalty killing portion of the special teams, areas where the Kings excelled and should continue to do so.

Probably the biggest sore spot among Kings’ fans is Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon, responsible for the forwards and the power-play. Kompon has come under heavy criticism for the power plays lack of production in long stretches. Often times the Kings’ power play appears to lack creativity. If there’s one member of the Kings’ staff who is legitimately on the hot seat, it would be Kompon. With weapons like Doughty, Johnson and even Martinez on the points, the Kings have few excuses not to be near the top of the league in power play statistics.

Goaltending coach Bill Ranford has done an outstanding job with both Quick and Bernier. Having moldable talent makes a big difference – remember Jason LaBarbera who couldn’t be coached to competence no matter how hard Ranford tried. It’s a good relationship both ways here, as Ranford is fortunate to have talent like Quick and Bernier to work with; and in turn they’re fortunate to have Ranford working with them.

 

CONCLUSION

Last season I thought the Kings were the best team in the Pacific Division and for stretches they proved me right. In the end, lack of depth in key spots and inconsistent performances, as well as key injuries forced the Kings into a lower playoff seed. The 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings are perhaps the best team in franchise history. With all-world depth at Center, one of the NHL’s best defensive units as well as one of it’s best goaltending tandems and a solid coaching staff and upper management team, look for the Kings to march to the top of the mountain known as the Pacific Division and plant their flag as Champs.

But, there is a bigger task ahead. Division titles mean little without the hoisting of Lord Stanley’s chalice (just ask San Jose). Next time, I’ll talk about why this Kings’ team could be the one to end fans’ long wait for the hallowed Cup.

See you at HockeyFest Sunday. GO KINGS!

-JS