Rounding out the forward group, today we're taking a too early look at the Los Angeles Kings' fourth line.
Using the previous articles to finish off the forwards, the Kings have a few options for the fourth line and four main options.
Amongst signed forwards, Alex Turcotte, Akil Thomas, Trevor Lewis and Samuel Fagemo make up the likely fourth line.
Arthur Kaliyev maybe enters the fold if he signs a new contract and depth signing Jack Studnicka could also challenge for a spot, but they both feel like outsiders looking in right now.
Among the four main options, Fagemo feels like the odd man out. He's quickly becoming a classic 'tweener' player who lights up the AHL but can't fit into a bottom six role.
Some combination of Turcotte, Thomas and Lewis seems like the likely combination.
The Line: Turcotte-Thomas-Lewis
Reasons for Pessimism:
This fits into what Rob Blake has said this summer, stating that young players will get an opportunity but need to work their way up from the fourth line.
If you've been reading my work for a while, you know I hate that plan for development.
It hasn't served the Kings well and has been a contributing factor in them getting so few impact players out of their "rebuild."
Players like Turcotte and Thomas should be getting looks higher in the lineup to start training camp.
Expecting skilled players to make an impact playing 8-10 minutes a night with limited touches and long stretches without touching the ice is not a recipe for success.
Yes, Thomas and Turcotte both have 'B' games that will serve them well in fourth line roles, but that shouldn't be the ceiling you place on players.
Assuming they don't want Lewis to play 82 games again I'd expect someone like Fagemo or Kaliyev to cycle in on this line, but again, not a great use of these players.
The Kings have gotten more physical this summer but that doesn't extend to this fourth line. They'll have a big skill advantage but potentially bigger size disadvantage against the oppositions fourth line.
I'm more "old-school" when it comes to fourth lines. I prefer a more traditional look, with size and speed who you can reliably throw out to bang bodies and play a safe game.
The Kings don't have that here. They have a skilled fourth line who will have to find a way to make an impact in limited minutes.
Reasons for Optimism:
Turcotte and Thomas are both good players and that should bring some level of optimism for Kings fans.
The potential for them to cut their teeth on the fourth line and work their way up the lineup is there.
If they decide the best way to not play Lewis for 82 is to utilize the 11-7 setup again both players could also see more ice time that way.
The optimism for this line lies with those two young forwards and their ability to move up the lineup.
However, as I mentioned above, I don't like the construction of this fourth line and I think it's a poor use of those players.
Swapping one of them with someone like Tanner Jeannot, a more fitting fourth liner, would be better.