2010-11 NHL Western Conference Spotlight team: Los Angeles Kings


If you are saying to yourself, wasn't the LA Kings Jeff's Spotlight team out West last year, than you would be absolutely correct. For the first time in 12 years, all NHL teams that had a losing record last season in the Western Conference figure to do so again in 2010-11. Anaheim, Dallas, St. Louis, Columbus, Calgary, Minnesota, and Edmonton figure to be about the same as last season. The reason for picking the LA Kings once again this year is quite simple. They will have a better record in 2010-11 than last season.

This team reminds me a little bit of the 2009 Chicago Blackhawks---- which was built on speed, with a constant motion offense, solid special teams, and excellent goal-tending. The Western Conference will be Top-Heavy this season so that makes the schedule relatively easy for the LA Kings. My Top 5 would be Chicago, San Jose, LA Kings, Detroit, and Vancouver. Look for the Avalanche and Coyotes to regress this season.

No team has drafted better than the LA Kings over the last six seasons. Anze Kopitar had a career year with 34 Goals and 47 dimes, playing in all 82 games. Dusitn Brown posted 24 Goals and 32 assists in 82 games. Brad Richardson looks to be the net breakout star for the LA Kings this season. He once had a 97 point season in the minors so the potential is there. His 27 Goals with the LA Kings last season convinces me like George Jefferson, he's moving on up!

In all, the Kings had 15 players reach at least 10 goals last season and figure to be just as dynamic this season. The Kings make it very difficult for opposing teams to lock down on one particular player, making them a difficult match-up on most nights.

Justin Williams, who had back-to-back 30-goal seasons with Carolina back in 2005 and 2006 should be healthy to start the season. He played in all 82 games when he produced those monster seasons, and worked hard in the off-season to prepare for long grind that will begin on October 7th. Justin only played in 49 games for the Kings last season. If he gets hurt don't worry because the Kings have some nice depth. Ryan Smyth, Jarret Stoll, Michael Handzus, and Alexei Ponikarovsky are all above average forwards in this league.

Most people should know by now the Kings have a big, fast, and a highly-skilled defense that will keep them close in most games when their offense goes away. A big reason is amazing play of Drew Doughty. He moves the puck, averages a ton of ice time (Led all rookie defensemen in time-on-ice per game two years ago), and he plays in every situation. Because of his mobility and vision, Doughty is the ideal leader for the Kings’ defensive rotation now, and in the future, because he can kill penalties, quarterback a power play, and move the puck out of his zone after making a great even-strength defensive play. Matt Greene, Jack Johnson, and Davis Drewiske are all above-average defensemen.

If that's enough talent on defense for you there is more. The LA Kings Veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi, fresh from his starring role with the Penguins during the Stanley Cup finals two years, was brought in last season and added a nice spark on the Ice and in the Locker room. The LA Kings are loaded!

The Kings have one of the best young Goalies in all of Hockey and his back-up would start for most teams. Jonathan Quick had a breakout season last year as predicted by yours truly. He went 39-24-7 with a 2.54 GAA and a .907 save percentage. Like his name suggests, he's quick and agile in the crease area. He had four shutouts and one interesting note is that when he faced a team with a winning record his GAA improved to 2.19 and a .927 save percentage. A big reason why the LA Kings went 25-12-3 vs. teams with a winning record.

Jonathan Bemier has a lot of credentials as the back-up. He's a former AHL All-Star with the Monarchs and Goalie of the Year posting a 2.03 GAA and .936 save percentage. If anything should happen to quick the Kings will be in good hands with Bemier.

The LA Kings were 9th in offense and 9th in defense in 2009-10. I would not be shocked to see this team in the Top 5 in offense and defense this season. The LA Kings had very few injuries last season, and will need that kind of good fortune again this season if they want to avoid the one-and-done playoff scenario. Definitely going to the playoffs for the 2nd straight season!


The Kings went 46-27-9, 101 points, good for the 5th seed in the West last season. Check out were I think they will end up.

Jeff's Projected 2010-11 record: 50-25-7 (107 points, 3rd seed out West)
 

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