Kings Reasons for Optimism Heading Into 24-25 Season

On Wednesday, I discussed why the Los Angeles Kings' top nine inspired little confidence heading into next season. 

While I still hold this opinion, I wanted to be my own devil's advocate and discuss why there's some room for optimism heading into next season. 

Rob Blake made it very clear in his exit interview where he and head coach Jim Hiller thought this team needed to improve. 

Blake highlighted getting to the front of the net, blocking shots and playing more physical as ways to increase that desire to win. 

While you could argue Blake has overcorrected, it's hard to argue the Kings didn't need to add those elements. 

They've been pushed around in the playoffs three years in a row and struggled to own the dirty areas of the ice in both the offensive and defensive ends. 

The league has become more skilled, but you still need to control these areas in the playoffs and LA hasn't in the last few seasons. 

Warren Foegele, Tanner Jeannot and even Joel Edmundson, flaws and all, will help the Kings in these areas. 

Whether these additions end up being a net positive is yet to be seen, but Blake did address a need with the off-season additions. 

Going back to my article on why LA's projected top nine inspired little confidence, I'll expand on what I said about understanding the plan in theory. 

The Kings are trying to build out a top nine that is better than the sum of its parts. 

Instead of getting a lot of really good ingredients and trying to fit them in later, they're attempting to create a functioning recipe that includes boring but effective ingredients. 

The Kings are setting up three center-wing combos they feel can carry lines and trying to surround them with hard-working complementary players.

In the Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield-Kevin Fiala, and Phil Danault-Trevor Moore pairs, the Kings' front office feels they have the foundation for an impactful top line.  

That's the filet mignon and lobster of their surf and turf. 

In Alex Laferriere, Tanner Jeannot and Warren Foegele they have their steamed vegetables. 

Yeah they're a little boring and won't get anyone jumping out of their seats, but they bring the meal together. 

Foegele's speed and rounded offensive game will help any line, Laferriere is a hard-worker who gives an honest and predictable shift every time and Jeannot brings a new element of physicality to the team. 

Will any of those players show the skill necessary to impact a top nine, outside of Foegele, I'm not sure, but the framework for a functioning top nine is there. 

You don't need any of those three to put up huge numbers, they need to be a catalyst for their linemates to put up the big numbers while making the Kings harder to play against. 

There's no beating around the bush, the Kings' defense group is worse heading into next season. 

Essentially swapping Brandt Clarke for Matt Roy and Joel Edmundson for Andreas Englund is a net loss. 

However, let's not forget who we're talking about with Clarke. 

He's arguably one of the top offensive-defenseman prospects in all of hockey. He put up huge numbers in the AHL last season and has produced at every level he's played in. 

Will he be equal to Roy? Certainly not to start the season, but he'll give the Kings' defense an offensive thrust they haven't had in a long time. 

There's also the likely improvement in Jordan Spence's game which could help offset the lose of Roy. 

While it sounds like the plan is for players like Akil Thomas, Alex Turcotte or Samuel Fagemo to start on the fourth line, things can change quickly. 

A monster training camp, similar to the one Gabe Vilardi had two summers ago, could see them thrust into the top nine and change the look of this team. 

While I wouldn't call it likely, it's entirely possible that at least one of those players has that kind of camp and that should excite fans. 

I get why a lot of fans have reacted negatively to the Kings' moves this summer, and I share a lot of their concerns about this teams roster building. 

I'm certainly not saying everything will be fine and this team is a contender now, but there is room for optimism here.