Bobby Kittleberger: Why the Kings are the Dark Horse to Win the Pacific Division in 2019 My argument for believing the Kings are one of the most underrated teams in the Western Conference and primed for a Pacific division title run.

I think Kovy could be a good signing, but I could also see him go the Gaborik route (scores a lot in the games he plays, but plays limited games due to injury).

I think Kovy could be a good signing, but I could also see him go the Gaborik route (scores a lot in the games he plays, but plays limited games due to injury).

Kovy doesn't have anywhere near the injury of Gaborik. I seriously doubt Kovy will run into any issues like that. The biggest concern is going to be his first year back after 5 years in the new NHL. If he adjusts fine then he will do quite well.

Not a hope. They will be hard pressed to equal last year.

Is it April Fools day already?! You are trippin if you think the over the hill gang will finish anywhere near the top. Like Anaheim, you guys are on a slow decent...like the Titanic

I definitely agree that the Kings will be near the top of the pack. There are some questions though:

1) Will Kopitar continue to be as dominant as he was last year?
2) Was Brown's year an anomaly or a categorical shift?
3) Can Quick stay healthy?

I agree about the Coyotes and Calgary, and even though Edmonton hasn't done much, I'd put them in the same boat.

I also think Vegas will be fascinating again this year. They are no longer able to use their "let's prove everyone wrong" mantra from last season. In fact, as division winners, I'd say they are the team everyone comes ready to play against.

My only concern with the Kings would be regression this year from Kopi and Brown. Quick should be fine. Kovy is a wait and see.

Ducks decimated with injuries last year. Had Bieksa and Beauch on D. Kesler a mess and Perry was meh. The team still had 100 points. D younger and faster this year with the two mentioned above gone. Eaves back full time. Gibson 25 and only getting better. They could crap the bed this year, could also win the division. Time will tell as they say.

My only concern with the Kings would be regression this year from Kopi and Brown. Quick should be fine. Kovy is a wait and see.

Ducks decimated with injuries last year. Had Bieksa and Beauch on D. Kesler a mess and Perry was meh. The team still had 100 points. D younger and faster this year with the two mentioned above gone. Eaves back full time. Gibson 25 and only getting better. They could crap the bed this year, could also win the division. Time will tell as they say.
- quackup

Agreed, it's definitely a wide-open division. I'm an Anaheim fan and I'm lower on them this year than I've been in awhile.

Agreed, it's definitely a wide-open division. I'm an Anaheim fan and I'm lower on them this year than I've been in awhile.
- BobbyKittleberger

Awesome. Keep these blogs up!

It's pretty courageous to predict something that hasn't happened in a quarter of a century in just your third blog on the job. I sort of admire it, but I'd never do it. If there's one thing that you can count on, it's on the Kings not winning their division. They've done almost everything else--winning the Cup twice and finishing in the bottom 5 of the league several times--but the division lead is something that they've always managed to choke away, even when it's looked like it's finally theirs. Every year, similar to how many pick teams like Arizona and Calgary to make the playoffs or SJ to win the Cup, some fall for picking LA to win their division. I don't blame 'em, as it's so tempting, but I wouldn't do it.

I'm an Anaheim fan and I'm lower on them this year than I've been in awhile.
- Bobby Kittleberger

I bet that you just made a lot of friends .

I think you can count on the Kings defense and goaltending - you know what you're going to get and it will be pretty good. The question always is the Kings offense as it is again this season and there are pluses and minuses to consider. The pluses are the addition of Kovy and hopefully a full season of Carter. The minuses are that Kopitar and Brown probably won't have the same production as they did last season - more of a return to the norm for them.

The good news for the Kings is that most likely the other Pacific teams haven't improved much and some may not be as good as last year. I agree Arizona and Calgary aren't good enough to challenge for the top spot and Anaheim's core players are another year older so their window maybe be closing fast. Vegas caught lightning in a bottle last season but that chip on their shoulder esprit de corps they rode last year is probably not sustainable over multiple years - so I don't expect them to be as good. Vancouver isn't rebuilt enough yet to be a factor so I think the two remaining Pacific Division teams will be the Kings biggest competition - San Jose and Edmonton. San Jose is probably my pick to win the Pacific and it's hard to predict what Edmonton will do but at some point McDavid is going to drag that team to success and maybe it starts this season?

The one thing the Kings have going for them that none of the other Pacific teams have is the Cup winning pedigree of their core players. If the Kings make the playoffs, they may not be the best team on paper but I wouldn't bet against them.

Not much of a sleeper IMO.

Kings have underperformed in the last 2 years but still have a strong team. Age is the only thing holding them back and Kovy really doesn;t change that.

SJS and Kings are easily the best two teams in the division IMO.

Ana is losing steam.
Vegas HAS to come back down to earth... right?
Edmonton, Calgary, Van, and Arizona all really have not changed much and are bad to bubble currently.

Kings need to be: Healthy, top guys produce and lead with goals including Toffoli & Pearson, Quick being at his best, .........and THE BOTTOM SIX DOING SOMETHING!
Clifford, Thompson & Lewis are not the answer, wasted doe. Put 3 rooks in.
Kempe, Iafallo & Vilardi would be fantastic 3rd line for 82 games.

Kings need to be: Healthy, top guys produce and lead with goals including Toffoli & Pearson, Quick being at his best, .........and THE BOTTOM SIX DOING SOMETHING!
Clifford, Thompson & Lewis are not the answer, wasted doe. Put 3 rooks in.
Kempe, Iafallo & Vilardi would be fantastic 3rd line for 82 games.
- Kings fan since72

Lewis performs quite well tbh.

1 division title in 51 years so I'm not putting any money on it. Not complaining though, I'll take the two cups.

I definitely agree that the Kings will be near the top of the pack. There are some questions though:

1) Will Kopitar continue to be as dominant as he was last year?
2) Was Brown's year an anomaly or a categorical shift?
3) Can Quick stay healthy?

I agree about the Coyotes and Calgary, and even though Edmonton hasn't done much, I'd put them in the same boat.

I also think Vegas will be fascinating again this year. They are no longer able to use their "let's prove everyone wrong" mantra from last season. In fact, as division winners, I'd say they are the team everyone comes ready to play against.
- hdd23

But a full season from Carter will help.

Agreed, it's definitely a wide-open division. I'm an Anaheim fan and I'm lower on them this year than I've been in awhile.
- BobbyKittleberger

You're kidding right? I'm a die hard Kings, been one since day one! I still say, no I insist that they need one more goal scorer. The third line of Iafalo, Kempe and maybe Gabe might be okay but a Skinner or Panarin would make them so better.

You're kidding right? I'm a die hard Kings, been one since day one! I still say, no I insist that they need one more goal scorer. The third line of Iafalo, Kempe and maybe Gabe might be okay but a Skinner or Panarin would make them so better.
- Dario58

They can’t afford either to re-sign them and they can’t trade away draft picks and top prospects for possible rentals. Might as well have not fired DL if they want to continue to make moves like that.

Glak18, comparing Kovalchuk to the injury prone cull is absurd. You know nothing about your Flyers yet make ridiculous comments elsewhere, give us a break.

The Kings will be much better with the addition of Kovalchuk and a full healthy season of Jeff Carter. I do think Vilardi makes the team and he is an impact player down the road. Kovalchuk is an aging superstar but no worries he is going to produce playing with Kopitar and Brown. Not really a Kings fan but if they stay healthy they will challenge for top spot. IMO

Bye the way, nice blogging Bobby Kittleberger

Lewis performs quite well tbh.
- poisondhearts37

I agree, Lewis is a blue collar type that does a good job at whatever he is asked to do. Solid hockey player that is capable of doing it all. Like him lots.

Rose colored glasses are pretty.

You place a lot of bank in a player who has been playing in an inferior league for 5 years. Plus, he's 35.

Yes, Jeff Carter could be 100% next year, Trump might also finally build that wall of his.

Kopitar, Brown, and Doughty did have good years...Last season. It doesn't mean that any of those guys will automatically repeat what they did when the upcoming battles are all in the bag.

Finally, counting on a few teams ahead of LA to take a step back is also hugely optimistic especially when teams are pushing the kings from behind as well.

I predict the Kings will find themselves on the bubble come playoff time, and ultimately take a few steps back this year.