Los Angeles Kings' Future Is Coming

With the World Junior Championship well over, the Los Angeles Kings cannot wait for a kid that for now goes by the name of 'Captain Canada.' 

Thomas Hickey, who led the Canadian World Juniors to their fifth-straight gold, was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with the fourth-overall pick in the 2007 draft.

The Los Angeles Kings have picked three-consecutive defensemen in the first round—Hickey in '07, and Drew Doughty and Colten Teubert in '08.

Doughty already plays for the Kings, is second among King defensmen with points, and first with average ice time per game.

Hickey and Teubert both playing in the WHL (Western Hockey League). Hickey suits up for the Seattle Thunderbirds and Teubert for the Regina Pats.

Both Hickey and Teubert lead their teams in plus-minus, and Hickey leads the Thunderbird defenseman in goals, assists, and points.

Teubert leads the Pats' defenseman in goals, but trails the leading defenseman by four points—despite playing 11 fewer games.

The Los Angeles Kings' current defenseman have an average age of 26.5. This will get lower once Teubert and Hickey suit up for the Kings.

Let's not forget about the last line of defense—the goalie. Jonathan Bernier was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2006 with the 11th-overall pick. He started the first game of the 2007-08 NHL season against the Anaheim Ducks in London, England.

He led the Kings to a 4-1 win, and was named the second star. Despite his great effort, the Kings sent him down to the AHL, where he is currently playing.

On offense, the Kings again used the draft to help them build a strong offensive core. For example—Anze Kopitar (2005, round one, pick 11), Dustin Brown (2003, round one, pick 13.) Alexander Frolov (2003, round one, pick 20).

The Los Angeles Kings have also brought in talent that only strengthens the offensive core. Example: Patrick O'Sullivan and Jarret Stoll. The average age for the offensive players on the LA Kings is 25 years old.

Will the Los Angeles Kings be contenders this year? Not at all.

Give them one or two more years, though, and they will be fighting for the top of the Pacific Division and hopefully the Western Conference.