Zach Dooley, Manager of Editorial Content for the Kings, noted today that Los Angeles’ roster is all set, currently at 23 players, barring any unexpected injuries. Dooley says that fans can expect the full regular group to wrap up the Kings’ remaining preseason games tomorrow and Saturday.
A well-balanced squad of 13 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders, the Kings look to climb further than last year’s first round defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.
Anze Kopitar will begin his 20th and final season in Los Angeles surrounded by a core forward group mostly the same as last year’s, besides key additions in Corey Perry (currently injured) and Joel Armia. The veteran Perry’s absence likely opened the door for Jeff Malott, a 29-year-old later-bloomer who posted an impressive 51 points for AHL Ontario last year. Otherwise, stars like Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe are expected to put up big numbers again.
Something many franchises struggle with, the Kings have done a great job of supplementing their aging core with young talent in order to give Kopitar and Doughty another window. Many eyes will be on Quinton Byfield, a candidate for a large breakout, and Alex Turcotte, who is starting to face real pressure to live up to his high potential.
Two veterans will join Los Angeles’ defense corps led by Doughty, in the form of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin. Ceci, signed to a somewhat questionable four-year deal at $4.5MM per season, will look to slot into a role similar to the one he had in Dallas to wrap up last year. Kings fans will be eager to watch electric youngster Brandt Clarke, as he looks to build off a strong 33-point campaign last year.
Finally, the Kings bring back veteran Darcy Kuemper in net, paired with newcomer Anton Forsberg, who comes over after four respectable seasons in Ottawa.
Without a doubt, the group will be motivated to have a strong swan song season for their franchise icon Kopitar. The Kings eagerly await Perry’s return as well, and while it will be a bit strange to see the 40-year-old in the black and silver, his presence is undeniable, as the Kings set their sights on a run next spring. The journey will begin in Colorado on October 7th.
I was surprised, Akil Thomas didn’t get in.
Wasn’t that good last year in his limited action!
Very well written article, but she could’ve listed all 23 players
Pretty sure Zach Dooley is a He! Click where it says “noted today”. You are welcome!
A lot of age on the back end. They will miss the playoffs in an improved western conference.
The Central is still the best division in hockey by a country mile, And has been for a long while, I see LA in 2nd place in the Pacific at the end.
Nah Kings are still a very good team. Swapping Gavrikov for Dumoulin isn’t going to make them collapse
Questionably the best defensive defenceman for a
… Dumoulin?
It definitely doesn’t make them better.
Kings are not ‘missing’ the Playoffs… If not 3rd in Pacific, then a 7 or 8 wild card spot in conference. They still have plenty of weapons to make the post-season.
Kings are still good but it’s plausible that they miss out. Only need one of Canucks/Kraken/Ducks/Flames to have a breakout year while the 2 wild cards come out of the Central again and the Kings go golfing in April
Dumo and Ceci really should be #7’s . And they still have Joel Edmunsson, another questionable Defenseman. This D could be a dumpster fire.
How do you know this?
Was it though? The whole last paragraph was completely inaccurate. NO ONE is eagerly awaiting a 40 year old coming off a serious knee injury. Especially a jerk-40 year old. I have yet to talk to any Kings fans that think Perry was a good signing… His presence is undeniable? Huh? Tell me that you’re out of touch with the fanbase without telling me that you’re out of touch with the fanbase… ken.
While I agree nobody is thrilled with the signing (including myself) it’ll all change if he contributes in the post season and they get past the first round.
Just a guess but I highly doubt that Kings management is worried about being in touch with you and other screaming, tantrum tossing members of the fan base.
Yep. And that’s exactly why people were calling for Luc to be fired with Blake. It’s the good ol’ boys club now, and Holland is proving our point by throwing money away on a risky 40 year old player, etc… We can only hope that classless-perry can somehow help this team in the playoffs instead of just stealing valuable playoff experience from someone else.
Sean Avery disagrees!
What about Greentree??? No mention of our top prospect who really should be playing in the AHL? This article was not written by a King’s fan…
Keep up! He is ineligible play in Ontario. It’s Juniors or the Kings only!
Are you serious? I know that he’s too young. Greentree, as far as his talent is concerned, should be playing in the AHL. He was on the bubble for the NHL… but I’m sure you knew that.
How about you keep up… Avery hasn’t been a king for ages, and before you say anything else dumb, I was referring to our younger players. I was just arguing with Daryl Evans at the rookie faceoff… How do these kids get better in the playoffs??? YOU PLAY THEM IN THE PLAYOFFS!