The LA Kings have passed the 20 game mark, which is about a quarter of the regular season. While many things remain unclear, a somewhat crisp picture of player production can begin to be painted. Let’s see how some of the key parts in Los Angeles are projected to do in 2024-25.
The Cream of the Crop
Anze Kopitar
Current: 20GP - 5G - 16A - 21P
On Pace: 82GP - 21G - 66A - 87P
Father Time may be undefeated, but when facing Anze Kopitar, it might come down to a split decision. Although he is on pace for the second highest point total in his career, he’s been prone to cold stretches throughout his Hall of Fame career. Kopitar will likely land in his usual 70-75 point range, but he remains just as reliable as he was at his peak.
Adrian Kempe
Current: 20GP - 9G - 9A - 18P
On Pace: 82GP - 37G - 37A -74P
After seeing a dip in his goal total last season, Adrian Kempe looks to be headed back to the 35-40 goal range. However, in order to reach that type of output, Kempe will have to see an uptick in power play goals. He had 11 goals on the man advantage in his 41 goal campaign two seasons ago, but is only sitting at a single goal this year.
Brandt Clarke
Current: 20GP - 2G - 11A - 13P
On Pace: 82GP - 8G - 45A - 53P
There was a point where Clarke was on pace for over 70 points. Even the most optimistic observer understood that it was an unsustainable output. That is now being compounded by the fact that Jim Hiller and the Kings moved Clarke from the top power play unit to the second group. This has even made his current projected output of 53 points feel like a long shot, especially with the eventual return of Drew Doughty.
The Concerning starts
Trevor Moore
Current: 20GP - 3G - 10A - 13P
On Pace: 82GP - 12G - 41A - 53P
Moore had a breakout season in 2023-24, scoring a career-high 31 goals and 57 points. While his point totals for the current season aren’t far behind, he’s trailing last year’s goal scoring pace by a staggering 19 goals. That’s a significant concern for a team that has historically gone through dry offensive spells.
Phillip Danault
Current: 20GP - 1G - 9A - 10P
On Pace: 82GP - 4G - 37A - 41P
Moore’s line-mate Phillip Danault has also been slow out of the gate. It took him 12 games to notch his first goal of the season, and he’s been goalless in the last 8. Similar to Moore, his assist totals are fine and in Danault’s case, hovering around his career average. His goal total and projection, however, are at career low levels.
Jordan Spence
Current: 19GP - 1G - 3A - 4P
On Pace: 81GP - 4G - 13A - 17P
Spence’s numbers are a concern partly due to expectations. When Drew Doughty went down in the pre-season, all signs pointed to Spence’s role being expanded. He started the season on both the Kings’ top pair and top power play unit. Both were short-lived promotions and Spence is now pacing to fall short of his 2023-24 output. Ironically, the worst thing that has happened to Spence might be Brandt Clarke, who has emerged as the more impactful player of the two thus far.
The Scary Scenarios
Kevin Fiala
Current: 19GP - 7G - 5A - 12P
On Pace: 81GP - 30G - 21A - 51P
After consecutive 70 -plus point seasons in Los Angeles, Kevin Fiala seems to have hit a wall. Although his goal scoring hasn’t faltered, his usually elite playmaking has all but evaporated in these first 20 games. If his projected 21 assist total becomes a reality, it would be the lowest number of helpers Fiala has registered since 2016-17, his rookie season as a 20-year old. To say that the Kings need their most gifted forward’s offense to come alive would be an understatement. Just having to make a statement like that is a scary proposition for LA’s fate this season.
Quinton Byfield
Current: 20GP - 2G - 7A - 9P
On Pace: 82GP - 8G - 29A - 37P
It’s hard to gauge just how concerned the Kings are with Byfield’s slow start this season, but anyone who watches the team regularly has noticed red flags. After a breakout season where he came into his own as a play driver, Byfield has chosen to mostly defer to teammates in these first 20 games. Far too many times, he has gone the passive route on zone entries, electing to pull up and wait for the second wave of attackers instead of using his tantalizing size and speed to take defenders straight to the net with him.