#4 LA Kings
On the ice… The difference between LA and San Jose will come down to Jonathan Quick. The Kings will struggle to score, but under coach Stevens they will work hard enough to claw their way into a battle for the final playoff spot. I am concerned with the Cammalleri signing and how much they are counting on him. They shouldn’t be in a position where a player like this matters to this extent. I have to believe Kopitar rebounds under new coaching…
Potential Surprises…. * Jake Muzzin seems primed for a true breakout season… * Tanner Pearson has quietly been getting better and better every year…If Tanner were to break the 30 goal mark it would help the Kings to bigger things..
In the rumor mill…
Drew Doughty says he wants to win…and yet he hedged a bit this summer when asked about the Kings….He is not a UFA until 2019….but if Muzzin continues to raise his game it could be possible to imagine Doughty moving,,,,but only for an AMAZING return.
Best Case Scenario: Quick plays out of his mind and the Kings are playoff team finishing in 4th: 20% Worst Case: The Kings look slow and old and Quick is injured…the Kings finish is 7th :20% Most Likely: They are a playoff bubble team and it will depend on how good the Central Wildcard teams are…They finish 4th or 5th . 60%
Crazy Prediction… Jake Muzzin is a Norris finalist.
Coming up shortly, #3