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Los Angeles Kings: Predictions for the 2019-2020 season

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Todd McLellan of the Los Angeles Kings behind the bench during a preseason game at at Staples Center on September 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Todd McLellan of the Los Angeles Kings behind the bench during a preseason game at at Staples Center on September 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The 2019-2020 NHL season starts tonight with many fans hoping that the Los Angeles Kings can shake off some of the ugly feelings from last season.

The Los Angeles Kings‘ 2019-2020 season begins in earnest tonight on the road as the Kings face Pacific Division rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are looking to turn around their fortunes a year after missing the playoffs and having their worst point total (71) since the 2007-08 season (also 71 points).

The Kings still retain a core group of players that won two Stanley Cups this decade but with an emphasis on rebuilding their development system and prospect base, the core may be moved for more assets.

These are some predictions we can make about this upcoming season.

The Los Angeles Kings won’t make the playoffs

Last year, the last team to qualify for the playoffs in the Western Conference was the Colorado Avalanche with 90 points. That would be a 19 point improvement for the Kings, which means the Kings would need to get about 10 more wins than last year and with a stacked West, that might not be enough.

The Kings did not add any significant pieces this off-season in a clear sign of a team in rebuild mode. A team trying to rebuild their identity rarely make the playoffs and the Kings will be no different.

Jonathan Quick won’t be on the Los Angeles Kings end of season 

Jonathan Quick is the greatest Kings goalie to ever lace up his skates. Quick holds every Kings’ goalie record in both the regular season and playoffs. With two Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe trophy as part of his resume, one day Kings fans will see his number 32 raised to the rafters at Staples Center.

Quick is also coming off the worst season in his career; now Quick could be playing for his career in a Kings’ uniform this season. If Quick regains his previous form where he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2017, the Kings may finally find someone to take him in a trade. It will be the end of an era but it may be necessary for the team in a rebuild.

There’s a youth movement

When the Kings announced their 23 man roster to begin the season there were quite a few players named that the Kings are looking to develop. On the offense, 21-year-old Blake Lizotte is a college free agent that has impressed in the pre-season and will be on the opening night roster. The Kings are looking for his help to solidify center depth.

dark. Next. Predicting entire Pacific Division

On the defensive side, there is Tobias Bjornfot who made the team after being drafted in the second round of this year’s NHL draft. He is the Kings’ youngest player on the roster and is the only player born this millennium. Like Lizotte on offense, Bjornfot will be watched on the defensive side to see how he develops at the NHL level.

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