Depth Reigns Supreme: Kings Still Undecided on Third and Fourth Line

For the first time in a long, long time, the Kings have a ton of depth. What’s this mean exactly? Well for starters, players who could already be NHL-ready, like Brandon Kozun and Martin Jones, have already been cut from the Kings camp, as both were assigned to Manchester on Sunday. But more than those two guys, and aside from the fight for the Doughty role(which is swinging heavily towards Slava Voynov), the Kings are absolutely with loaded third and fourth line forwards. In years past, the Kings struggled to maintain four lines, but at the moment, they could field five or six lines and still have a snub or two.

For now, the debate as to who makes it and who doesn’t, revolves around winger Scott Parse. Parse missed all but five games a season ago, and made a cameo in the playoffs against San Jose after battling back from injury. His play on the ice this preseason has left much to be desired, and after Sunday’s loss to Anaheim, Terry Murray wasn’t shy in classifying the play of Parse, saying “his plays and decisions with the puck are not real good.” Gann Matsuda of Frozen Royalty, wrote on Tuesday that “Scott Parse May Be Playing Himself Out Of A Job“, which is a pretty accurate assessment.

Murray has said he wishes for Parse to play alongside Jarret Stoll and Kyle Clifford on the Kings’ third line, but his play, coupled with the other forwards who have actually been impressive, leaves Parse in doubt.

Veterans Trent Hunter and Ethan Moreau came to camp looking for a spot on the roster, and while Moreau’s contract is a guaranteed NHL deal, Hunter’s is not. He, unlike Parse, has played well enough to earn a role with the Kings, possibly the aforementioned third line role on the Stoll line. Hunter got ice-time both Tuesday and Wednesday night, playing a big role in both.

Against Colorado on Wednesday, Hunter tallied two assists and got a good look on the Power Play for Terry Murray. Murray called his play “good” after the game on Tuesday, and Hunter felt confident after the game in Denver, saying, “It felt good. It has definitely felt better each night, trying to get the timing back and get rid of the rust. I think I was just going to the net tonight and trying to create some havoc.”

Despite Parse’s decline and Hunter’s rise in stock, the Kings still have more forwards than roster spots, which in all actuality, is a great problem to have.

Brad Richardson and Trevor Lewis should be locks, as both played big boy minutes last season and have been willing to play both at center and on the wing. Richardson centered the Kings’ top-line in the series against the Sharks, but with Lewis and Andrei Loktionov battling for the fourth line center spot, Richardson will likely return to the wing.

He’s okay with it however, as he told the Mayor on Wednesday that “any forward position is fine”, in addition to solidifying that he’s comfortable on both the left and right. Richardson’s versatility is a huge plus for the Kings and the decision making of Terry Murray and Dean Lombardi. When it comes down to the time to decide who stays and who goes, flexibility is key.

As for Lewis, he’s in the thick of the battle with Loktionov, but his play on the penalty kill is what sets him apart. Loktionov has been impressive so far, showing he’s fully healthy after a season-ending shoulder injury last February.

While both played wing for the Kings at times last season, it’s easy to point out that both are natural centers and play better in the middle of the ice. Lewis had stretches last season, notably in the absence of Anze Kopitar, when he looked like a playmaking center (see the game at Edmonton). While it’s not exactly his game, his versatility gives the Kings an added dimension in the competition between the two. Terry Murray spoke on both centers Wednesday and here’s what he had to say on their battle so far:

"You’re looking for that competition situation, and I think we’ve got it with Lokti, with Lewie. They’re both great kids and have worked very hard. Lewis played very well for us last year, and I thought his game last night was real good. He’s able to carry the puck in situations and makes good, veteran decisions with it. But I’m very happy with how Loktionov has gone through the training camp also."

While Lewis showed flashes of strong play at center last season, I think his game at center is most valuable to the Kings on the penalty kill, allowing him to play wing at even strength. Should Terry Murray decide to opt with that plan, the Kings would be able roll four skilled lines. Try this on for size:

Penner-Kopitar-Williams
Gagne-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Hunter
Richardson-Loktionov-Lewis

If I’m Terry Murray, I’d be more than pleased with those four lines, especially given the versatility, but remember that Kevin Westgarth is guaranteed a spot on the Kings roster as the goon, which really throws a wrench in any straightforward line comibnations.

At this point, Westgarth and Moreau are the two wild cards. Moreau’s guaranteed contract adds an interesting dilemma, as it’s a strong possibility that the Kings could opt to assign Loktionov to Manchester and slot Moreau into a platoon with Westgarth. And knowing Terry Murray, if a bet had to be made, that would probably be the safest.

While Westgarth adds little to the Kings, especially compared to what Loktionov brings offensively, his grit is a plus in the wake of Wayne Simmonds’s departure to Philadelphia, and Moreau is a huge upgrade over Loktionov in terms of both experience and leadership.

Don’t expect Moreau to chip in ten to fifteen goals, but we’ve time and time again how important experienced third and fourth liners are. The Red Wings have long had a few buried veteran stalwarts on their bottom six, with names like Modano, Draper and Holmstrom bolstering their lines a year ago. The Bruins had Mark Recchi, and the list goes on and on. While Moreau lacks the career of Modano and Recchi, he’s a former captain and has Stanley Cup experience, which for a fourth line winger, is more important 500 goals.

So, the Kings are eight days away from the season opener against the Rangers in Stockholm, but there’s still plenty of movement on the Kings’ forward lines left to be done.

And that doesn’t even include that one guy. You know, the one that hasn’t signed yet.

For up-to-the-minute buzz, follow us on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan Page.