Eklund: Who is next year's LA Kings? My money would be on The Wild..Here's Why...

I'll go with the Leafs. Here's why:

-young defensemen with lots of upside: Gardiner, Schenn, Gunnarsson and Franson along with quality vets like Phaneuf and Liles.
-a potent offense led by Kessel, Lupul and Grabo.
-a strong season (after a terrible one) by Kulemin
-a bounce back season by Reimer
-a strong defensive system with an excellent coach

Eklund: Who is next year's LA Kings? My money would be on the Flyers..Here's Why...
- Eklund

the kings didn't come out of nowhere.

they had a hugely disappointing regular season but if you rewind to last year's pre-season, the kings were seen as a real contender in the west.

double double.

And No.

The Kings have been on the cusp for great things for 2-3 years now. They added key components like Gagne, Richards, Carter, Penner in the past 2 years to a young and up and coming team who have been just that little step behind the West.

This season people predicted great things for the kings but they struggled in the regular season. They were an 8th seed but far from a regular 8th seed.

Minnesota is still a bottom dwelling team who needs help throughout the line-up, specifically on D. No chance they come even within 2 rounds of the SCF.

If you are looking for a darkhorse if you want to call them that then the NYR. Their D is young but Stellar, their goaltender is among the best in the league, their forwards have a great blend of young and old and they have a GM who will try to improve even more.

And No.

The Kings have been on the cusp for great things for 2-3 years now. They added key components like Gagne, Richards, Carter, Penner in the past 2 years to a young and up and coming team who have been just that little step behind the West.

This season people predicted great things for the kings but they struggled in the regular season. They were an 8th seed but far from a regular 8th seed.

Minnesota is still a bottom dwelling team who needs help throughout the line-up, specifically on D. No chance they come even within 2 rounds of the SCF.

If you are looking for a darkhorse if you want to call them that then the NYR. Their D is young but Stellar, their goaltender is among the best in the league, their forwards have a great blend of young and old and they have a GM who will try to improve even more.
- willey101

well sure if you wanna go into detail...

Eklund: Who is next year's LA Kings? My money would be on The Wild..Here's Why...
- Eklund

every team faces injuries, sure the wild had some major ones, but that doesnt excuse such a steep fall in the standings, minny has prospects but thats what they are prospects and you cant expect them to come in and play huge their 1st year

also even though they were first, they didnt score many goals and if they are going to be next years kings they would need to add someone who can put the puck in the net (kings started scoring when carter was in the fold)

and well the wild goalies dont match up to quick, let alone see if they could stay healthy for a full season

Yeah, the Kings didn't come out of no where, lol. They had been building up a lot of talent for the past few years and over the past 2-3 years, every hockey outlet said the Kings were building up to be a power house in the west.

who will replace Doughty on the Kings blueline once he goes to jail for rape?

Update.. Staal will not be dealt at the draft…."but next week is a whole different ball-game" says a source

This would make a great book.

Almost a full 24hrs, and this is what we get: an opinion piece.

So, there's lots of rumors, and we get an opinion on who next years' sleeper is?
Is this still a rumor website?

Parise to MIN

who will replace Doughty on the Kings blueline once he goes to jail for rape?
- Symba007

Charges were dropped remember. Girl was a nut job

How???the Kings already had an established YOUNG core in Brown, Kopitar and Doughty all they did was add some components such as Carter and Richards for more secondary scoring.

The Wild have a rotting Heatley a injury prone Latendresse and Bouchard and Koivu is starting to see 30 ,so is Backstrom. It will take time before Granlund, Coyle, Hackette and the rest will be able to carry this team.

Eklund: Who is next year's LA Kings? My money would be on The Wild..Here's Why...
- Eklund

That's Wild!

Yeah, the Kings didn't come out of no where, lol. They had been building up a lot of talent for the past few years and over the past 2-3 years, every hockey outlet said the Kings were building up to be a power house in the west.
- deader2818

I meant more that they were horrible during the season and turned it around quickly...I actually picked the Kings to win the Cup before last season

The Jets are going to be the out of nowhere team if they can sort out Kane and a goalie

Update.. Staal will not be dealt at the draft…."but next week is a whole different ball-game" says a source
- Eklund

Makes sense, since they can't talk contract, until he's in the last year of his contract.

On Minnesota, they may become a decent playoff team, like Nashville, but I don't see enough elite talent, ont this team.

The Jets are going to be the out of nowhere team if they can sort out Kane and a goalie
- numbear

Thats a good pick. But they need a good 2-3 years years of playoff experience first

I would see TOR being next LA Kings

So after going 20-8-4 as a healthy team, they were hit hard by injuries and they went 9-23-7 over the next three months.
- Eklund

Every team gets hit with injuries. Some teams handle it better than others. Preds were absolutely decimated with injuries last season, starting on Day 1 with Pekka Rinne's injury on opening night. They still managed to make the playoffs that year.

I think Minnesota is probably a little further away from being the next LA Kings than you think they are.

LA Kings were picked by many before the season as favorites to win the Stanley Cup.