The Los Angeles Kings didn't improve in the division standings or playoffs in 2022-23. By bringing in Pierre-Luc Dubois, the Kings are pushing hard.
Today is Day 2 of the NHL draft, and THN.com continues its ongoing series in which we analyze every team’s 2022-23 season and their outlook entering next season. We’ve looked at teams in alphabetical order, and in this file, we’re breaking down the Los Angeles Kings – already one of the busiest teams this off-season.
2022-23 Grade: B–
Biggest Positive Heading Into the Off-Season
The Kings played essentially the same season in 2022-23 as they did in 2021-22, finishing third in the Pacific Division both times and losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs both times.
That relative stagnation might lead some to question the team’s direction, but L.A. GM Rob Blake has been bold thus far this summer, and he’s given the Kings a new look for 2023-24. The status quo wasn’t an option for them.
On Tuesday, Blake made a blockbuster trade with the Winnipeg Jets, bringing in center Pierre-Luc Dubois in return for now-former Kings forwards Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari.
Prior to that, Blake unloaded the contract of goalie Cal Petersen, and last week, Blake traded young defenseman Sean Durzi to Arizona.
All-in-all, the Kings now look decidedly different than the team that lost to the Kings in Round 1 in both 2022 and 2023. Blake has only about $3.7 million in cap space and still has to sign six players to fill out a 23-man roster, so further adjustments may be necessary for the Kings to be cap compliant.
In any case, the Kings will have a distinct difference when next season begins. Those L.A. fans who were disappointed that progress wasn’t linear this past season are now supporting a team that ultimately decided its chemistry was indeed in need of change for 2023-24. You can’t argue that Blake isn’t actively trying to improve the group, and though he’s certainly incurring risk this coming season, he’s put together a lineup that may well be better balanced and set to go on a deep playoff run.
Biggest Need Heading Into the Off-Season
Blake and the Kings have just five NHL-level defensemen signed for 2023-24, including 22-year-old rookie Jordan Spence.
Although Blake re-signed trade deadline acquisition Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year contract, the Kings will need almost all its remaining cap space on depth D-men and, more importantly, a veteran goaltender to serve in a platoon with Pheonix Copley. They may have an outside shot at retaining netminder Joonas Korpisalo, but that will be easier said than done in a weak goaltending free-agency market.
The departures of Vilardi, Kupari and Iafallo depleted the Kings’ talent base on the wings. But now, L.A. has a solid one-two punch with Anze Kopitar and Dubois as their top two centers. That could prove to be the difference-maker that wasn’t there for the second straight post-season against the Oilers. But don’t fool yourself – in making the changes, the need Blake has created this summer is help in the Kings’ own zone.
Bottom Line for Los Angeles This Off-Season
Blake has been Kings GM for more than six years now, and we’ve liked many of the moves he’s made since starting the job. But it feels like there’s a little more impatience from him this past season and now, this summer. It’s admirable that he’s raised expectations and isn’t accepting another status quo year, but with his recent trades, Blake is pushing through the idea that nothing less than a couple of playoff series wins will be acceptable in 2023-24.
The Kings decided there can’t be another season like the past two seasons – and, one way or another, Blake has almost assured that will be true. Either L.A. will take a step forward, or a more disastrous season could be at hand.