20 Aug '05 - + 184 - 98 The new-look L.A. Kings
Having finished the '03-'04 season ten points out of a playoff spot with 81 points, the Los Angeles Kings have made more changes to their team since that time than any other team in the Pacific. They've let several members of that roster go - not even including Allison, who never stepped on the ice due to injury - and added several big-name players that could have a real impact on their team.
It's certainly enough to make them competitive. Is it enough to win them the Pacific?
The truth is, it's difficult to say. Will the league actually change the way it calls obstruction? What players will flourish under the new rules? Is goaltending now more important than ever? The answers to these questions have a huge effect on whether Los Angeles will be successful in the upcoming season. But they've definitely done everything they should to put together the kind of team most people think will win. Not only have they made some key signings, but in spite of their full roster they have several million dollars in cap room. By anyone's measure, that's a successful offseason.
The key question mark right now on the Kings roster is goaltending. While Cechmanek and Huet combined last year for an unimpressive performance in net, this year's tandem of Mathieu Garon and Jason LaBarbera wouldn't instill confidence most fans. Garon could very well turn into a quality NHL goaltender, but if he's not ready the team can't be excited about turning over the netminding to someone with even less experience. Unfortunately, while the funds are there to remedy the situation, the goalies aren't out there to be taken. Garon may well be the best option the Kings have, but they'd be well served by signing a veteran that can handle the load as a backup. If they're leery of re-signing Cechmanek, who is probably the best goalie available as a free agent, L.A. would still be better off with a oldtimer like Tugnutt or Irbe to take over for periods of time. However, Garon showed plenty of reasons to be confident in him last year, and if he can handle the workload he could turn into a top goalie.
Major Losses
- Zigmund Palffy, winger. While a shoulder injury kept Palffy sidelined for the last half of the '03-'04 season, when he was on the ice he was scoring at over a point-per-game pace. Palffy's now in Pittsburgh.
- Jason Allison, center. Another player sidelined by injury, and in his case for the entire season, so he doesn't actually count as a loss since he never played a game in '03-'04. The Kings chose to let Allison become a free agent by failing to extend a qualifying offer last offseason. Allison left for Toronto, who signed him to a one-year contract.
- Josef Stumpel, center. Now in Florida, Stumpel was a sound center for the Kings in '03-'04, helping fill the void left by Allison's injury.
- Jarslav Modry, defenseman. A blueliner working well on the power play, Modry was picked up by the Thrashers. He may be the most missed player listed here.
- Anson Carter, winger. Only playing 15 games as a King and not looking like the same Carter that played in Edmonton, he was picked up late in the season from Washington.
- Martin Straka, winger. A midseason acquisition from the Penguins, Straka played a little under half the season in Los Angeles as a scoring winger.
Acquisitions
- Jeremy Roenick, center. An almost free acquisition from the Flyers because of cap trouble in Philly. Los Angeles met all of Philadelphia's criteria for a trade - they were able to accept the nearly $5 million cap hit, and they were in the Western Conference.
- Pavol Demitra, center/winger. Apparently unsure how to replace the often-injured Allison, the Kings have brought in the often-injured Demitra. Like Allison, he's a great player when healthy. Unlike Allison, however, he played last season.
- Craig Conroy, center. A solid two-way forward that really complements the roster the Kings have put together. He was part of the Flames squad that went to the Cup finals last season.
- Valeri Bure, winger. More scoring, this time from a previous Florida Panther (by way of the Dallas Stars). Bure contributes well on a second line, and could be a sixty point scorer or more if surrounded by the right talent. It looks like he will be here.
- Matheiu Garon, goaltender. As stated before, Garon's only problem is lack of experience. The most games he's played in an NHL season is 19, for a total of 43 NHL games. Without a better backup, Garon will be in for a lot more load than he's ever seen before.
Things to watch
- Goaltending. Garon looks like a solid future goaltender at this point, but if he doesn't fulfill that promise the Kings are in trouble in net.
- Defense. This team was strictly average in defense last season, and has since lost Jaroslav Modry. The top pairing of Norstrom & Miller looks as solid as ever, though, and there are plenty of teams in the same boat after the redistribution of talent.
- Acquisitions. The Kings still have enough money to make one or two good signings and have cap room left, should they choose to do so. And if they can find anyone.
- Injuries. Actually, this is less something to watch out for than a point in the Kings' favor. They lost a massive number of man-games to injury in '03-'04, mostly for players they were counting on. Losing a player like Allison for the year and then lose Palffy for half of it on top of that is bound to affect anyone, so the Kings could have improved just by putting together the same team as before while staying healthy. They're bound to have fewer injuries this year, and that should help.
The Verdict
It's tempting to pick this team to win the Pacific; while contenders San Jose and Dallas have largely stood pat or moved backwards, Los Angeles has unquestionably improved. But San Jose was a much better team than the Kings were last time they played. And Dallas was not only better, but was underachieving at that. Comparing the rosters as they stand right now, Los Angeles looks to be in very good shape. This team should at least contend for the division title. Whether they win it depends largely on their goaltending.
The Roster
Forwards
Jeremy Roenick, C, $4.94
Craig Conroy, C, $2.39
Eric Belanger, C, $.758
Sean Avery, C, $.532
Mike Cammalleri, C, $.5
Derek Armstrong, C, $.76
Luc Robitaille, LW, $1
Alexander Frolov, LW, $2
Jeff Cowan, LW, $.532
Pavol Demitra, RW, $4.5
Valeri Bure, RW, $1.5
Trent Klatt, RW, $.912
Dustin Brown, RW, $.972
Tom Kostopoulos, RW, $.525
Defense
Mattias Norstrom, D, $2.66
Aaron Miller, D, $2.66
Lubomir Visnovsky, D, $1.52
Nathan Dempsey, D, $.874
Joe Corvo, D, $.668
Tim Gleason, D, $.646
Brad Fast, D, $.45
Goal
Matheiu Garon, G, $1.216
Jason LaBarbera, G, $.75