Season Preview – 18. Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are entering the 2024-25 season after a tumultuous offseason and a disappointing playoffs. Projected to finish 18th in the league, they are widely expected to miss the playoffs for the first time in four years. The team faces significant challenges, from uncertainty in net with a questionable goaltending tandem, to the aging core of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, and a lack of depth at center. General Manager Rob Blake is likely feeling the heat after last year’s failed Pierre-Luc Dubois trade and the subsequent exchange for Darcy Kuemper. Also, with a new system in place, the Kings will need to adapt quickly if they want to remain competitive in a tough Western Conference.

Season Expectations

The Kings are in a precarious position this season, as the expectations surrounding them have drastically shifted. After being consistent playoff locks for the last few seasons, they now find themselves outside the postseason conversation. With projections placing them 18th in the NHL, the general consensus is that this could be a down year for Los Angeles.

A major factor in this shift is the goaltending tandem of Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich, both of whom have serious question marks regarding their ability to perform at a high level over the course of a full season. The inconsistency in net has led to doubts about whether the Kings will be able to hang with the top teams in the Western Conference. On top of that, the aging duo of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty—once the backbone of this franchise—are another year older, and their effectiveness is naturally declining.

A new system is also being implemented by head coach Jim Hiller, which adds to the unpredictability. If the system fails to click early, adjusting midseason could be difficult, further limiting the Kings potential to climb back into playoff contention.

Projected Lines

The Kings projected lines mark a shift from their previous 1-3-1 system to a more dynamic style of play. With younger players expected to take on larger roles, there is some uncertainty surrounding their performance. This revamped lineup aims to balance veteran leadership with emerging talent, making the team’s success heavily reliant on how well the younger players adapt to their new responsibilities in this evolving new system.

To clarify, these line projections are meant to only predict the start of the season. With so many potential combinations possible, its almost certain that there are tweaks and additions of new faces by the end of the year. Expect the season to start as such:

Adrian Kempe – Anze Kopitar – Alex Laferriere
Trevor Moore – Quinton Byfield – Kevin Fiala
Tanner Jeannot – Phillip Danault – Warren Foegele
Akil Thomas – Alex Turcotte – Trevor Lewis

Mikey Anderson – Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov – Brandt Clarke
Joel Edmunson – Jordan Spence

Darcy Kuemper
David Rittich

Scratches: Arthur Kaliyev, Kyle Burroughs, Andreas Englund

Line 1
This line will be one of the biggest question marks when it comes to production. With a need to balance out scoring, it will be crucial for HC Hiller to instill reliable wingers with Kopitar. Kempe has shown an undeniable chemistry as a top winger and with his mix of speed and shooting, he will be a no brainer. Lafferriere on the other hand still has a lot to prove, but with an opportunity in the top-six open for him to grab and run with, there should be nothing stopping him from producing at a high rate. This line only played 81.9 minutes together last season, and did not prove to be effective. Overall, they posted a 45.8% xGoals % and a net -0.44 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes, which could easily be improved upon under a new offesnive structured system.

Line 2
After the emergence of Byfield last year, the second line center role is his to lose. He has shown most effectiveness as a winger unfortunately, yet his added confidence and his development may be enough to sustain a full season at center. It is difficult to predict if these three players will perform well together as there is no evidence of it from last year. However, Fiala has been an outstanding forward for the Kings in the last two season, posting 145 points and 52 goals in 151 games. His speed and offensive IQ is a driving force for whatever line he is playing on. Also, Moore broke out last year with 31 goals and added to his reputation as one for the most underrated forwards in the league. He will look to continue his strong two-way play and help contribute on a nightly basis in all ways possible.

Line 3
GM Blake went out this offseason and revamped his third line to be more focused on checking and tough to play against. Jeannot never panned out in his time in Tampa Bay and will have a lot to prove with the Kings, who have been lacking a bruising power forward type since Dustin Brown. Danault can be considered one of the best third line centermen in the leaugue. His commitment to defense and ability to contribute offensively make him an important component to the success of the Kings. Foegele is coming from Edmonton where he began to establish his power forward game as well, while also illustrating that his speed can be a weapon. This line will be tough to play against and could provide energy, defensive play, and goals.

Line 4
An interesting dynamic for any fourth line, where there is more speed and skill than commitment to defensive structure or cycle play. Thomas has yet proved he is a consistent NHL player, and with the injury to Kaliyev, he will have time to build his case to stay in the lineup. Turcotte has a special skill set that might not be purposeful in a fourth line role. However, if he can manage to stay healthy and find a balance in his two-way play, he might be a bright spot for the Kings this year. Lewis the epitome of a locker room veteran, who may be in his last season. He plays hard, understands his limited role, and can build confidence in his young linemates as they make the transition to full time NHL players.

Pair 1
This pairing was the backbone of the Kings last season. They played a total of 1156.3 minutes together, which was 6th in the league overall for total ice time as a pair. They ended up producing a 54.6% xGoals % and a net 0.43 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes, which ranked them 7th in the league with pairings that had at least 850 minutes together. It is clear the coaching staff had complete faith in any situation to deploy this pair, and this year it is likely to stay the same.

Pair 2
With the loss of Matt Roy in free agency, is seems as though Brandt Clarke will slot into a top-four role beside Gavrikov. Last season, they had limited time as a pair playing only 15 games for a total of 80.3 minutes. However, in that short amount of time they proved to be an extremely effective match, producing a 58.3% xGoals % and an impressive net 1.27 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes. With Clarke now expected to be relied upon in a top-four role, he will need to make the transition into a full-time NHL player seamlessly, and having Gavrikov solid play next to him could be the perfect catalyst.

Pair 3
One of the strangest signings all offseason was that of Edmundson to a four-year, $15.4 million contract with an AAV of $3.85 million. Yet, when we look at how Spence has progressed as a reliable two-way defenseman, the stay-at-home style that Edmundson provides should match well on the bottom pairing. While Kings fans may have been frustrated with the term and salary of the Edmundson deal, there is no doubt he can provide a big body presence that also allows Spence to jump up in the rush.

Goalies
There is no doubt that goaltending this year raises more questions than answers. Kuemper is entering his second stint as a King netminder and has since won a Stanley Cup when he was the starter for Colorado in 2022. Now a few years removed and a failed stretch in Washington, Kuemper looks to regain his form and backstop the Kings to the playoffs. Behind him is veteran Rittich who at times looked steady last year, but overall in his career he has proven to be a backup, if not a third string goalie. Both players will need to step up outside of their reputations and stand tall for the Kings if they have any chance this year.

Scratches
To start, Kaliyev is only mentioned as a scratch due to his season start injury status. Once healthy, we can expect him to take over for Thomas, unless there is a reason not to break up any of the lines. Burroughs and Englund will both provide options for a bottom role defensive spot. Burroughs brings more speed and a two-way style that can be beneficial in certain matchups. Englund on the other hand will bring a huge frame dedicated to protecting the front of the Kings net.

Keys to Success

For the Kings to surpass expectations, a few key factors need to align in their favor. The most critical piece is their goaltending. Darcy Kuemper, who arrived via the Dubois trade, will need to regain his form from earlier in his career if the Kings are to have any chance of success. If Kuemper can hold down the fort in net and provide stability, it could mask some of the team’s other shortcomings.

Another major key is the continued development of Quinton Byfield. Last season, Byfield took a significant step forward, posting 20 goals and 55 points in 80 games. If he can take another leap this year and secure the second-line center role, the Kings center depth could become one of their biggest strengths. With Anze Kopitar anchoring the top line, Byfield in the second spot, and Phillip Danault providing elite two-way play on the third line, the Kings will have a formidable top-nine group down the middle. This depth at center would make them a tough adversary and could help mitigate some of the team’s other weaknesses.

The Pacific Division may offer some reprieve. It is projected to be the weakest divisions in the NHL, which gives the Kings an opportunity to punch below their weight. However, they will need to capitalize on these divisional matchups to stay afloat. Winning those crucial games could be the difference between staying in the playoff hunt or falling out of contention early.

The leadership of Kopitar and Doughty, despite their advancing age, remains another key factor. If they can stay healthy and continue to provide the Kings with solid performances, their experience and leadership will be vital in keeping the team focused. But that alone might not be enough unless the younger players step up, and depth players perform beyond expectations.

Potential Downfall

The Kings biggest downfall this season could be once again their goaltending and lack of depth, especially at the center position. Darcy Kuemper, while once a reliable starter, has struggled in recent years with injuries and inconsistency. Partnered with David Rittich, another goaltender who has failed to find sustained success at the NHL level, the Kings are banking on a shaky tandem to backstop them through an entire season.

The team’s depth at center is another glaring weakness. The Kings lack a legitimate second-line center, hoping Byfield can withstand the role, which could hamper their ability to roll three competitive lines. Depth scoring has been an issue, and without an improvement in that area, they will likely struggle to keep pace with high-scoring Western Conference teams like Colorado, Dallas, and Edmonton.

Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the new system being implemented by Hiller could prove to be a major hurdle. If the team struggles to adapt, or if the system fails to yield results, making midseason adjustments could be too little, too late. The Kings margin for error is slim, and if the new system falters, they may find themselves outside the playoff picture earlier than expected.

Future Outlook

The future of the Kings carries both uncertainty and promise. While the failed Pierre-Luc Dubois trade has put General Manager Rob Blake on the hot seat, the team’s prospects and young players offer hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The increasing contributions from rising stars like Quinton Byfield, Alex Laferriere, and Brandt Clarke are paramount. Byfield’s 20-goal, 55-point campaign last season demonstrated his potential as a cornerstone player, and if he can take full control of the second-line center role he can take the next step to the first line center of the future. Laferriere is another young forward poised to make an impact in the top-six lines adding a needed scoring winger. Clarke is expected to take on a bigger role on the blue line, potentially emerging as a future top-pair defenseman for years to come.

The Kings also boast a promising pipeline of prospects. Forwards like Liam Greentree, Martin Chromiak, and Jack Hughes (Boston University) represent the next wave of scoring talent. On defense, Jakub Dvorak could provide stability, and in net, prospects Erik Portillo and Carter George offer long-term solutions to the Kings goaltending questions.

While the team may face immediate challenges and potentially miss the playoffs this season, the development of these young players is crucial to the Kings long-term competitiveness. If this emerging core reaches its potential, Los Angeles could soon re-establish itself as a force in the Western Conference. However, it’s imperative that Blake guides this transition smoothly, as another misstep could delay the team’s ascent.

Final Thoughts

The 2024-25 season looks like it will be a tough campaign for the Los Angeles Kings. With goaltending as the biggest question mark, aging core players, and a lack of forward depth, the team appears poised to miss the playoffs for the first time in four years. While the Pacific Division may offer some chances for success, the Kings will need a lot to go right in order to exceed expectations. General Manager Rob Blake is on the hot seat, and another disappointing year could lead to significant changes in the organization. Ultimately, the Kings face a season of uncertainty, and unless they can outperform their projections, they are likely staring at a strenuous transition ahead.