Los Angeles Kings: 3 Players Who Will Have a Big 2012

The 2011-2012 season started out as a promising one, but all that promise soon turned to disappointment.

The Los Angeles Kings could not find ways to score and ways to win, which led to the firing of head coach Terry Murray.

Still, the Kings have responded well under new head coach Darryl Sutter, going 4-0-3 since his hiring.

While the wins have been coming, Kings players are still having difficulties putting the puck into the net.

The Kings have slowly started to turn their season around, so let’s look at three players looking to turn their fortunes around.

Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown tops the list of Kings players who have struggled early on.

He has looked out of place at times this season, not knowing exactly what to do when he entered the offensive zone with the puck.

In the first part of the season, he posted a measly five goals in 30 games. He has not lived up to his billing as the Kings’ premier power forward who pots close to 30 goals a year.

He has shown signs of life lately, however, with five goals in his last 10.

With his drive and offensive touch rediscovered, look for Brown to have a productive calendar year in 2012.

Justin Williams

Justin Williams has not had a season to remember.

Los Angeles is one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL and Williams’ numbers reflect that fact.

The two-time 30-goal scorer has amassed only six goals through the first half of the season.

Williams has the ability to score 20-30 goals every year. He is also surrounded by talented forwards who could help him do it.

Sooner or later, the Kings will bust out of their offensive funk and with seven points in nine games, Williams is already proving he is busting out of his.

Drew Doughty

Drew Doughty is too talented to be playing this poorly.

Fresh off signing a monster eight-year, $56 million contract, Doughty was expected to continue to rise up the ranks as a premier offensive defenseman in the NHL.

He may trying to do too much as he tries to earn his new contract.

He is on pace for a mere 32 points this season, well off from the 50-60 points expected of him.

With seven points in his last 10 games, Doughty looks to be turning it around. The best players always find a way.

If he can simplify his game and get back to doing what he does best, then he will grow into one of the league’s best defensemen.