Future Looks Positive for the Los Angeles Kings

The 2007-2008 season has given the Los Angeles Kings nothing to be happy about. With just 10 games left in the season, Los Angeles holds onto a 28-38-6 record. Although the Kings are headed to the off season earlier than 16 other teams, they can look foward to the future.

This season, the younsters on the Kings roster have proven they can lead the team in the next decade. The top five leading scorers for the Kings consist of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov, Patrick O'Sullivan, and Michael Cammalleri. On the positive side, these guys are all 25 years old or younger, meaning the Los Angeles Kings are in store for some good seasons to come.

Not only did the young veterans contribute this season, but so have the rookies and top prospects. Signing as a free agent after last season, Teddy Purcell has proved to be a quality player scoring a 17-47-64 line in 53 games for the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. A bigger suprise thus far has been 6'7 250 lb foward Brian Boyle. Boyle, also coming out of the Kings farm club, scored 4 goals and added an assist in just 8 games this season. As for the AHL, Boyle recorded 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 57 games.

Other notable fowards to look out for in the Kings system are Trevor Lewis, who scored 21 points in 60 games for Manchester, Oscar Moller who has a 39-40-79 line in 61 games for Chilliwack of the WHL, Wayne Simmonds who has 69 points in 58 games in the WHL and represented Team Canada in the World Juniors, and Matt Moulson who almost got a point a game in the AHL scoring 40 points in 43 games as well as getting 9 points in 22 games for the Kings.

As for Defensemen, the Kings went out of their way in the 2007 draft snatching Thomas Hickey, and 89, 4th overall. Hickey, a rather small 5'10 180 lb defenseman, put up some big number this season for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL scoring 11 goals and adding 33 assists. Hickey currently stands 11th among defensman in points, behind Ty Wishart and other. Wishart leads all WHL defensemen with 64 points in 70 games and is the number two prospect in the San Jose Sharks organization. Along with Hickey, the Kings have Peter Harrold, a 25 year old who has done well in the AHL with 43 points in 49 points and has done time with the Kings as well this season. 

It has been said for the past 3 or 4 years now that the primary problem to the Kings failure is their goaltending. 

Well Kings fans, be happy because Jonathan Bernier and Jonathan Quick are two special young goalies. Although the two combined for a 2-5 record this season, the 19 and 22 year old duo shine for their other clubs.

Jonathan Bernier kciked the season off in London playing against Anaheim, but was moved down shortly afterwards. Bernier moved back to his QMJHL club, the Lewiston Maineiacs and did well with an 18-12-2 record, .907 save %, and a 2.77 GAA. Bernier, only 19 years old, has a long road ahead of him as we all look foward to him playing with the Kings soon.

As for Quick, selected in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft, backed up Dan Cloutier in Manchester. Quick only played 9 games, but held a 4-5 record with a .911 save % and a 2.56 GAA.

Say as you please of Los Angeles this year because they dont have much to back them up, but watch out for them to make a big impact in the NHL within the next 2-3 years and look for them to be a contender for a while once they get their flow together.