Kempe has had back-to-back career years. Two seasons ago, he achieved a truly unique feat by scoring 41 goals, a milestone not seen since Luc Robitaille's. Last season, he may have fallen short of the 30-goal mark with 28, but he still led the team in points with 75 in 77 games, a testament to his exceptional performance.
He's been an all-encompassing forward and the most prominent bright spot in the three recent playoff series with Edmonton, which have been one-sided. He's been a plus player on a top line with Anze Kopitar, being a combined +35 in the last two seasons (+22, +13).
The trio of Kempe, Kopitar, and Quinton Byfield formed a formidable line. Byfield was an integral part of the top line, using his 6'5 "frame and speed on the forecheck and cultivating excellent chemistry with Kempe.
Since he will start the season, and hopefully for the rest of his time with the Kings, at center, Alex Laferriere will slot at wing next to Kopitar and Kempe.
Laferriere was saddled with Pierre Luc Dubois last season in a largely forgettable performance in the second half of last season. The numbers reflect however, that it was Laferriere who weighed down Dubois. With a fresh season on the way, Laferriere on the top line and the top powerplay unit as a right-handed replacement for Viktor Arvidsson should invoke more growth as a more reliable top nine player.
How he fares against top competition by playing on the top line will seal his fate for this season.
After recording 54, 67, and 75 points in three consecutive seasons, 35, 41, and 28 goals in three straight seasons, is a regression coming to Kempe?
Kopitar is an absolute horse and has aged like fine wine, but at this stage of his career, can he still be the center to help Kempe produce top-of-the-line numbers? Will Laferriere be a suitable replacement for Byfield on the top line, or will he weigh down Kopitar and Kempe while putting up subjective numbers that qualify him for a more extended look?
Another season of leading the Kings in points looks suspect, but considering the internal competition relies on the new chemistry between Kevin Fiala and Byfield, the door is still wide open.
He is, regardless, a leader for the team on and off the ice, wearing the well-deserved 'A' in the absence of Drew Doughty. Even before the injury, he was being lauded as one of the true leaders by Kopitar back in March, "It's me, Drew and Phil that are wearing letters, but he could have it just as easily. I think it was a nice boost for him too [wearing the 'A'] and yeah, he's been a leader, a quiet leader, but in these last few years, he's evolved. It's great to see him grow and be a big part of this team."
As that leader, he is a threat whenever he's on the ice and stands to be among the few game-breakers the Kings can deploy.
Kempe is also an excellent success story for the Kings, as they have undoubtedly fumbled their prospects or dealt them away over the past few seasons. Few prospects have seen a proper opportunity to take the next step in their development within this organization, with Kempe showcasing his talent on the top line over an entire season, resulting in a breakout and 35 goals.
Kempe will be relied upon heavily this season. I doubt he will be as productive as last season when he was nearly a point-per-game player and the only actual shot threat besides Doughty out on PP1.
He is still going to be that player that opposing coaches circle on the whiteboard prior to gametime, and he will still be a threat. Any regression in points should not be a contention point for a talent pitfall; rather, it should be the variables saddled with.