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Predictions
EAST
1. WAS
2. BOS
3. PHI
4. PIT
5. CAR
6. MTL
7. NJD
8. TBL
9. TOR
10. BUF
11. NYR
12. FLA
13. ATL
14. OTT
15. NYI
WEST
1. CHI
2. VAN
3. ANA
4. DET
5. SJS
6. CGY
7. CBJ
8. LAK
9. MNW
10. STL
11. DAL
12. EDM
13. NSH
14. PHX
15. COL
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
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34-37-11
79 PTS
Playoff Result: N/A
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TOP SCORER: Anze Kopitar, 66
TOP GOAL SCORER: Alexander Frolov, 32
TOP ASSISTS: A. Kopitar, 39
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PP RANK: 14
PK RANK: 7
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Ceiling: $56.8M
Kings: $51.59M
Floor: $40.8M
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OPEN 1/2
WAY
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Alexander Frolov. Despite the fact
that you led the team in goal scoring, you’ve heard your name
mentioned in trade rumors. It’s the last year of your deal. Let’s
roll.
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Anze Kopitar
Kopitar jumped right out of the
starting gate three seasons ago and he needs build on that if the
Kings want to see playoff action again. The 22 year old has all the
skills in place and management is counting on him to produce after
signing him to a seven-year extension last season. |
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8. Los Angeles Kings
Last season, some wondered why GM Dean Lombardi
chose not to make any trade deadline moves to get his young club into the
postseason. Then, the offseason trade for Ryan Smyth proved that Lombardi is
serious about winning now. As for giving away any young gems, like he would
have had to last spring, no dice.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi has spoken at length to
Hockeytalk about how his Kings went from being one of the oldest clubs in
the NHL to one of the youngest in a brief period. Unlike in San Jose,
Lombardi hasn’t hung on to aging veterans. He cleaned house and stocked up
on picks. The Kings GM since April 2006, he compares the Kings’ resurgence
to that of the Blackhawks’, who he sees as a model for rebuilding. The Kings
are entering the fourth season of Lombardi’s plan.
The 32-year-old Smyth would make a great trio with
Anze Kopitar (27 goals) and Dustin Brown (24) on what could be a ferociously
physical and skilled top line, should coach Terry Murray so choose.
Alexander Frolov was rumored to have been part of a
three-way Heatley deal that would have landed Patrick Marleau in LA, and is
the team’s most likely trade bait despite having led the Kings with 32 goals
last season.
Right wing Justin Williams, who came over from the
Hurricanes, played 12 games with LA, was limited early in the season with an
Achilles tendon injury, then a hand injury after the trade. Williams scored
31 goals in 05-06, 33 the next season. To say he needs a bounce-back is an
understatement.
Amidst a sea of youngsters with potential, the most
compelling question surrounding the Kings is whether Jon Quick can seize the
starting goaltending job. Rather than shop for another veteran goaltender,
as the club has in the past (Felix Potvin, Dan Cloutier, Roman Cechmanek)
Lombardi has wisely chosen to let his young goaltending prospects to develop
alongside his defense. With the support of Assistant GM Ron Hextall and
goaltending coach Bill Ranford, who view him as the current number one
goaltender, Quick, 23, is in good hands. The leash will be short, because
fellow development projects Erik Ersberg, 27, Jon Bernier, 21, and Jeff
Zatkoff, 22, are knocking on the door.
The Kings offer a defense featuring Drew Doughty,
18, Jack Johnson, 22, and have added vet Rob Scuderi, who parlayed a
brilliant playoff performance into a 4 year, $13.6M deal. Sean O’Donnell,
who turns 38 in October, returns to bring toughness and smarts. Matt Greene
also returns. The D looks toward 2007 draftee Thomas Hickey (Seattle, WHL)
for yet another homegrown jolt, hopefully this season.
“Our goaltender is 23,” Lombardi told Hockeytalk
earlier this summer. “Four of your top six defensemen are 23 and under. I
really like how this group has come together so quickly. We’re ready to
start putting that heat (expecting to make the playoffs) on them.”
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