LOS ANGELES KINGS: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 32-43-7 71 points
DIVISION: 5th
CONFERENCE: 15th
RESULT: Missed playoffs

OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: C Jarrett Stoll(EDM), RW Brad Richardson(COL), D Matt Greene(EDM), D Denis Gauthier(PHI), D Sean O'Donnell(ANA)
DEPARTURES: D Rob Blake, LW Mike Cammalleri, LW Shaun Thornton, D Lubomir Visnovsky, RW Brian Willsie

The Kings are in obvious re-build mode, more than ever after the off-season. Veterans Rob Blake, Lubomir Visnovsky, Shaun Thornton and Mike Cammalleri were all traded or in Thornton's case left to sign with someone else. Their replacements, Jarret Stoll, Matt Greene, Brad Richardson and 2nd overall pick Drew Doughty. Only veterans Denis Gauthier and Sean O'Donnell were brought in and more to get the Kings closer to the cap floor than anything. The Kings are younger than ever and have a very bright future. They had to over pay Stoll and his contract extension to help get them to the floor cap but otherwise the Kings money is invested well in their young players. Stoll has the potential to live up to his contract. The Kings still have some work to do to get to the floor but are still in negotiations with Patrick O'Sullivan and a contract extension for him, which will be a hefty raise. Things haven't been sounding good coming out of it, so the Kings are hoping they wont have to deal O'Sullivan which would be a huge blow to the franchise.

CAP HIT: 32.72 million

FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- P.O'SULLIVAN-A.KOPITAR-D.BROWN
2- T.PURCELL-J.STOLL-A.FROLOV
3- K.CALDER-M.HANDZUS-B.RICHARDSON
4- M.ELLIS-D.ARMSTRONG-R.IVANANS
E- M.MOULSON-B.BOYLE-J.ZEILER

The Kings will have no problems scoring goals lead by Anze Kopitar, Patrick O'Sullivan, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov who all have he potential to score 30 goals this season. Everyone else will be looked upon to follow suit and add some secondary scoring. Stoll will look to rebound from a awful year offensively in Edmonton and Teddy Purcell will have to take the next step and become a top-6 forward. Kyle Calder and Michael Handzus bring the leadership to the group and will be a good 3rd line. Richardson should join them on the right side and will have to take the next step and become an everyday NHLer. Derek Armstrong could be moved to the wing if 6 foot 6 Brian Boyle impresses enough in camp to be the Kings 4th line center.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- J.JOHNSON-D.DOUGHTY
2- M.GREENE-S.O'DONNELL
3- T.PREISSING-P.HARROLD
E- D.GAUTHIER-A.MARTINEZ

Much like the forwards, this years group of defensemen are young with a few veterans. Jack Johnson will be the Kings #1 defensemen and will be looked upon to join the few elite defensemen in the league. Him and Doughty could form another good young pairing in the league but both have alot to learn. Doughty has the potential to win the Calder and will be put in every situation.
Matt Greene who came over in the Visnovksy deal will be looked to take the next step and become a top-4 defensemen. Tom Preissing and new acquisition Sean O'Donnell bring the leadership to the group and will be looked to play valuable minutes if the young guys falter. Peter Harrold and Denis Gauthier will battle for the last spot.

GOALIES:
1- J.LaBARBERA
2- J.BERNIER
3- E.ERSBERG

There are the most questions surrounding the goaltending than any other position. It remains to be seen who will even be the starting goaltender for the Kings for the up-coming season. Jason LaBarbera was good at times last season but is probably better suited as a back-up. The battle will be between young guns Jonathan Bernier and Erik Ersberg for potentially the starting job but at least the back-up role. Bernier could have the upper hand with his time with the club last season and with him slotted as the goalie of the future.

OVERALL:

The Kings are still too young to compete this season and there will once again be alot of headaches and dumps in the road during the 08-09 season. The Kings are headed in the right direction with the core of Kopitar, Frolov, O'Sullivan, Brown, Johnson, Doughty and Bernier it is just a matter of time and a few more pieces before the Kings will be legitimate contenders.

PREDICTION: 5th Division, 15th Conference