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Pacific Division Preview: How Ducks, Kings stack up against the rest

By Redan Lopez

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings and Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the third period at Honda Center on March 10, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings and Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the third period at Honda Center on March 10, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 09: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to referees after receiving penalties for tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 09, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 09: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to referees after receiving penalties for tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 09, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

7. Los Angeles Kings (8th last season)

The Kings have a long way to go to get back to playoff contention. Last season was an absolute disaster for them and not much will change this season. I thought the Kings missed out on a huge opportunity this offseason to shed some salary and rid themselves of some aging veterans.

I really felt that center Jeff Carter or goaltender Jonathan Quick were on their way out to allow some of the young talent to come in. Thinking that their aging core can lead them to the playoffs and another Stanley Cup, the Kings stayed pat.

The Kings really need to find and establish an identity this season because they are no longer that dominant defensive team that can hold teams to low scoring totals. They supplied only 199 goals last season, 30th in the NHL, which goes to show they can’t outscore their opponents like a Tampa Bay or Toronto.

The Kings did not do much this offseason to boost their stock other than re-signing some of their current talent:

Though this trio could help as well as some of the young talent mentioned earlier, the Kings just do not have enough to be considered a playoff contender.

Quick will need to be better after sporting career-worst numbers of .888 save percentage and 3.38 GAA (goals-against average). Star center Anze Kopitar also should have a better season after only scoring 60 points last year, but his improvement will not get the Kings over the hump.

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