Season Preview: Los Angeles Kings
Updated: Oct 4, 2022
Conference: Western
Division: Pacific
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Offseason
Additions: Kevin Fiala, Pheonix Copley
Subtractions: Dustin Brown, Andreas Athanasiou, Olli Maatta, Kale Clague
Although there wasn't an abundance of moves, the Kings saw decorated winger Dustin Brown retire and replaced him with one of the NHL offseason's biggest moves in acquiring winger Kevin Fiala. The rest of the team's departures are sure to be replaced by up-and-coming youth, as the Kings' prospect system remains one of the league's most stocked.
Injury Report
Probable For Opener: -None-
Questionable For Opener: -None-
Out To Begin Season: -None-
Out For Season: -None-
The Los Angeles Kings expect to be fully healthy come the start of the season.
Projected Lineup
(league ranks in parentheses)
Forwards (20th)
Adrian Kempe - Anze Kopitar - Kevin Fiala
Trevor Moore - Phillip Danault - Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo - Quinton Byfield - Rasmus Kupari
Brendan Lemieux - Blake Lizotte - Arthur Kaliyev
Defense (10th)
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Alex Edler - Matt Roy
Tobias Bjornfot - Sean Walker
Goalies (8th)
Jonathan Quick
Calvin Petersen
If Fiala gets time with Kopitar's line, there could be a big boost in offensive production from them. The Moore-Danault-Arvidsson line instantly clicked last season, and is likely to stick together to begin this campaign. This leaves Iafallo - a good player in his own right - as the odd-man out of the top-six, but playing a key role alongside a former 2nd overall pick in Byfield, who is primed for a breakout season.
The Kings' blueline was decimated by injuries last season and never seemed to skip a beat. They return their original starting six knowing that they have plenty of depth in the cupboard.
In net, Quick had quite the resurgence last season when it seemed like Petersen was primed to take over the majority of starts. No matter who Los Angeles rolls out, they should be just fine between the pipes.
Dynamic Players
Snipers: -None-
Playmakers: Kevin Fiala | Viktor Arvidsson
Volume Shooters: Kevin Fiala | Adrian Kempe | Viktor Arvidsson | Trevor Moore | Arthur Kaliyev | Sean Walker
Play-Drivers: Alex Edler
Shutdown Defenders: Drew Doughty | Mikey Anderson | Arthur Kaliyev | Brendan Lemieux
Shot Blockers: Alex Edler
Hitters: Brendan Lemieux
Enforcers: Brendan Lemieux
Penalty Drawers: Adrian Kempe | Brendan Lemieux
PP Specialists: -None-
PK Specialists: -None-
Faceoff Specialists: Anze Kopitar | Phillip Danault
Fantasy Impact
Studs: Kevin Fiala
Duds: -None-
Sleepers: Adrian Kempe, Viktor Arvidsson, Calvin Petersen
Other Roster Worthy: Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty
The Kings aren't exactly a fantasy hockey powerhouse, but due to their reputation as a low-scoring team they do provide plenty of fantasy value. Fiala is a borderline top-15 fantasy winger, and can lift Kempe to career bests if the two play together for the majority of the season.
Arvidsson hasn't received much powerplay time which limits his value, but is strong enough at even-strength to be fantasy relevant. If there are games he gets a chance on the top powerplay unit, he will be one of the better values in daily fantasy.
If Petersen takes over and runs with the starting goalie job, he becomes one of the better goaltending plays in the league. Until then, the old guard of Quick, Kopitar, and Doughty will be solid options to round out your lineups.
2022-2023 PuckLuck Projections | | | | | | | | |
PLAYER | POS | G | A | PTS | W | GA | SV | SO |
Kevin Fiala | F | 36 | 53 | 89 | | | | |
Adrian Kempe | F | 31 | 25 | 57 | | | | |
Viktor Arvidsson | F | 23 | 32 | 55 | | | | |
Jonathan Quick | G | | | | 27 | 116 | 1274 | 4 |
Anze Kopitar | F | 22 | 39 | 61 | | | | |
Drew Doughty | D | 11 | 39 | 50 | | | | |
Calvin Petersen | G | | | | 20 | 83 | 929 | 3 |
Betting Impact
PuckLuck Projection: 99 points
Floor: 83 points Ceiling: 110 points
Projection Data Confidence: 76%
(League Average: 70%)
PuckLuck Odds:
Stanley Cup: +800
President's Trophy: +950
Conference: +350
Division: +350
DraftKings Sportsbook Lines:
Stanley Cup: +3500
President's Trophy: +4500
Conference: +1500
Division: +500
We find a team with great futures-betting value in Los Angeles as the Kings aren't the flashiest pick for the betting public, but one of the smarter ones. Defense is much tougher to predict year-to-year than offense, and the Kings added some offense and have a huge wildcard in Byfield that could really lift this team to new heights. They did finish 3rd in the division last year, and might be worth an outside chance at winning it this season.
Los Angeles, in part because of their stellar goaltending, were great unders bets last season. With the additional offense, it might be worth some fliers on the overs early this season hoping for some goaltending regression from Quick. Also, if you're a believer in the talent, they could be a solid underdog play against mid-to-top-tier teams.
Season Outlook
Division Projection: 4th
Conference Projection: 6th
League Projection: 13th
Playoffs? Likely
As previously noted, seeds one through five in the Pacific Division this season project to be tight. They'll have to fend off the bulk of the Central Division teams to lock down a wildcard spot if they can't lock up the top three in their own division, but there's not a lot of holes in the Kings lineup where they could see a big drop-off in the standings. They fought through significant injury trouble last season, and enter 2022-2023 with even more talent.
Will the Los Angles Kings make the playoffs?
- Yes
- No