Dempsey
Mark it zero
After three years of missing the playoffs, the HFNHL LA Kings surprised many teams last year, though eventually missing out on the post-season once again. The club was hoping to take more of a step forward this season, but poor NHL performances by many players last year have left the team struggling once again. At this time last season the team was hopeful players such as Jussi Jokinen, Sergei Kostitsyn and Erik Christensen could make up a halfway decent second line; certainly nothing to write home about, but a step up from what Kings fans were used to nonetheless. This trio proved to actually regress, and with a season-ending injury to young center Derrick Brassard, the Kings present status was once again bleek, though fans remained optomistic on the teams' future.
Fast-forward one year, and things are indeed looking up. Taking steps forward in the NHL this year are Gilbert Brule, Alex Goligoski and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Brassard is healthy, Jamie Benn adds a second line scorer, and Patrick Kane continues to be the key player of the young forward core. Veterans Steven Reinprecht, Michal Handzus and Jussi Jokinen are exceeding expectations on the stat sheets, as well. The Kings even happily took a second rounder as compensation from Carolina after they signed waiver wire favorite Erik Christensen as a RFA.
The HFNHL LA Kings in 2010 may end up icing a lineup such as:
While the above lineup will surely struggle many nights, it should be a big step up from recent years. Now let's take a look at the Kings' top 10 prospects:
Alex Pietrangelo - Defenseman
Highly-skilled blueliner that needs some patience. Will play for Canada in the upcoming U20 WJC.
Ryan Ellis - Defenseman
Another skilled defenseman who will play for Canada this holiday season. Kings fans are eager to see how his game will transition when he turns pro.
Jamie Benn - Winger
Benn has stepped right in the NHL Dallas Stars lineup and should provide 40+ points this season. Will be graduating off the prospects list shortly.
Oscar Moller - Winger
Kings management believe Moller will develop into a valuable second line player. Good stats so far in the AHL this season.
Brad Marchand - Winger
Marchand has transitioned his game to the AHL nicely. May be an NHL regular as early as next season.
Jonas Junland - Defenseman
Already a top AHL defenseman, Junland has a knack for scoring goals from the blueline.
Jack Skille - Winger
Skille continues to play in the minors, but will hopefully get his shot to become a third line winger with speed and strength soon enough.
Billy Sweatt - Winger
Sweatt should turn pro next season. Fans will get a chance to see if his hands can match his feet at the AHL level.
Jared Staal - Center
Kings management was stuck on who to draft: Jared Staal or goaltender Jacob Markström. They went with Staal!
Alexander Vasyunov - Winger
Vasyunov is skilled but terribly inconsistent. Improving in his second AHL season, but still a long-shot.
Fast-forward one year, and things are indeed looking up. Taking steps forward in the NHL this year are Gilbert Brule, Alex Goligoski and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Brassard is healthy, Jamie Benn adds a second line scorer, and Patrick Kane continues to be the key player of the young forward core. Veterans Steven Reinprecht, Michal Handzus and Jussi Jokinen are exceeding expectations on the stat sheets, as well. The Kings even happily took a second rounder as compensation from Carolina after they signed waiver wire favorite Erik Christensen as a RFA.
The HFNHL LA Kings in 2010 may end up icing a lineup such as:
Code:
Reinprecht Brassard Kane
Benn Brule J.Jokinen
Brouwer Handzus S.Kostitsyn\Shannon
Pandolfo Malhotra Kaleta
Goligoski Hejda
Wideman Whitney
Hjalmarsson Skrastins\Fistric\Cumiskey
WardWhile the above lineup will surely struggle many nights, it should be a big step up from recent years. Now let's take a look at the Kings' top 10 prospects:
Alex Pietrangelo - Defenseman
Highly-skilled blueliner that needs some patience. Will play for Canada in the upcoming U20 WJC.
Ryan Ellis - Defenseman
Another skilled defenseman who will play for Canada this holiday season. Kings fans are eager to see how his game will transition when he turns pro.
Jamie Benn - Winger
Benn has stepped right in the NHL Dallas Stars lineup and should provide 40+ points this season. Will be graduating off the prospects list shortly.
Oscar Moller - Winger
Kings management believe Moller will develop into a valuable second line player. Good stats so far in the AHL this season.
Brad Marchand - Winger
Marchand has transitioned his game to the AHL nicely. May be an NHL regular as early as next season.
Jonas Junland - Defenseman
Already a top AHL defenseman, Junland has a knack for scoring goals from the blueline.
Jack Skille - Winger
Skille continues to play in the minors, but will hopefully get his shot to become a third line winger with speed and strength soon enough.
Billy Sweatt - Winger
Sweatt should turn pro next season. Fans will get a chance to see if his hands can match his feet at the AHL level.
Jared Staal - Center
Kings management was stuck on who to draft: Jared Staal or goaltender Jacob Markström. They went with Staal!
Alexander Vasyunov - Winger
Vasyunov is skilled but terribly inconsistent. Improving in his second AHL season, but still a long-shot.
