LA Kings Enjoy Quiet Off-Season, Now Ready to Defend Cup

After winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in three seasons, the Los Angeles Kings enjoyed a quiet, relatively uneventful off-season–which is exactly what they needed. While most players were making arrangements for how to spend their day with the Cup, Kings’ General Manager Dean Lombardi was busy re-signing playoff hero Marian Gaborik, and veteran defenseman and team leader Matt Greene. Unfortunately, there was no room, salary cap wise, to re-sign defensive stand-out Willie Mitchell.

May 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) celebrates after a goal in the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While Greene had become somewhat of a liability on the blue line last season, and spent significantly less time on the ice, Gaborik was a huge asset to the team after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade before the trade deadline. After scoring 16 points in 19 regular season games with the Kings, Gaborik actually led all NHL players with 14 goals during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The next two closest players were teammates Jeff Carter with 10, and Justin Williams with nine. Gaborik ended up scoring 22 points in 26 playoff games.

The Kings, of course, played the most games in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as they endured grueling seven-game series with the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Chicago Blackhawks–famously winning all three Game 7s on the road. Most Kings players have been quick to admit during the pre-season that they made a concerted effort to take more time off this off-season to relax and recuperate.

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With the regular season opener upon us, it appears that the Kings’ projected lines are identical to last season’s, minus Willie Mitchell. With defenseman Jake Muzzin deemed questionable for opening night against the San Jose Sharks with an undisclosed upper-body injury, youngster Brayden McNabb is likely to replace him alongside Drew Doughty. 23-year-old McNabb was acquired last season from the Buffalo Sabres, and the team is hoping that he will be the next great, young Kings defenseman. With a crowded blue line, however, it may still be awhile before he’s a fixture in the lineup.

Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) skates around the rink with the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings otherwise look to have a healthy, recharged time. Jonathan Quick has already recovered from off-season wrist surgery and has played well during the pre-season. Jarret Stoll had off-season hip surgery, but also returned to the ice during the pre-season. With several of their key players, such as Stoll, Justin Williams, Robyn Regehr, and Marian Gaborik, into their 30s, Head Coach Darryl Sutter will have to make a concerted effort this season to manage their minutes and try to keep them healthy for another Cup run next May and June.

With the experience of winning the Cup twice in three seasons, and having lost to the eventual Cup champions in the Western Conference Final the season in between, the Kings are hoping to be the first team to establish a dynasty since the Detroit Red Wings won the Cup three times between 1997-2002. With the Cup-winning line-up remaining essentially intact, the Kings should have every opportunity to do just that.

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