Kings Potential New 30-Goal Scorers in 2024-25

For three-straight seasons the Los Angeles Kings have had a 30-goal scorer.

Trevor Moore was the lone 30-goal scorer last season, taking over from Adrian Kempe who had hit the mark in the two seasons prior. 

Before Kempe's 35-goal outburst in 2021-22, the Kings had not seen a 30-goal scorer since 2017-18, when Anze Kopitar netted a career-high 35 goals.  

With a new season around the corner, what are the odds of a new 30-goal scorer being added to the roster? Here are the candidates:

Alex Laferriere

Currently projected to play on the top line, Alex Laferriere has an opportunity to be the next new 30-goal scorer based simply on usage. Playing next to both Kopitar and Kempe represents a two-sided coin. Yes, you will be playing with two of the more dominant players on the roster. However, you will see top competition regularly.

There's no beating around the bush here; Laferreire did not have a season to brag about last year. He was saddled on a line with Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Dubois performed exponentially better when away from Laferriere. His 12 goals on an 8.2 shooting percentage might have been harsh for the first-year player. But analyzing him to be the next "Alex Iafallo" with more skill is somewhat farfetched. He's more of the next Trevor Lewis, and that's still a great compliment to be compared to a two-time Stanley Cup winner. 

However, there's also a history of goal-scoring with Laferriere. He's been a productive shooter at every level prior and if he can find that finish at the next level there's the potential for a massive breakout on the horizon. 

I expect the second-year pro to get that shot on the top line but to be shifted around when the undoubted struggles arise from playing top competition on a nightly basis. 

Warren Foegele

Foegele was acquired from the rival Edmonton Oilers, where he's coming off his first-ever 20-goal season. He was fourth on the Oilers roster in even strength points. Foegele averaged just shy of 14 minutes a game and has seen most of his ice time as a utility player that can be plugged throughout the top nine.

After chipping in 20 goals, he now has the opportunity to play a bigger role on the Kings. He plays a brand of hockey coaches love, so there should he plenty of opportunity fr him to shine next season. Though not an obvious candidate, there's a world where more minutes to a freshly made 20-goal scorer can push 30 goals with an elevated role.

The Duo of Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala

Quinton Byfield is coming off his first full season of play in theNHL, during which he collected 20 goals and 55 points. The young center took off in a big way and has given the Kings the hope they needed that the franchise is heading in the right direction. Byfield is more of a playmaker and will likely see most of the time with new partner Kevin Fiala, an offensive dynamo. Fiala had a successful partnership in Minnesota with young star Matthew Boldy, something that could translate well to the youth of Byfield.

Boldy was on the opposite wing, and Byfield is a center. There's a big difference between the two positions, and the King's center ice duties have been notably heavier on the defensive side of the puck.

Thirty goals for Byfield seem possible, but it relies upon his usage (he is likely to be a 3C) and his potential union with Fiala.

As mentioned above, Fiala and Byfield will likely be paired as a duo to wreak havoc on opposing teams' bottom six. Fiala scored 29 goals last season and has a lethal shot. He's been a force offensively for the Kings, with 145 points in 151 games simce being acquired.

His line with Byfield could deliver some good results. Byfield is a natural playmaker, but so is Fiala. Fiala is likelier to be the shooter for that line and could be a force if chemistry gets established. 

He's also shown the ability to score 30 before with 33 in his last season with the Minnesota Wild.  

He's got the best shot of being the newest 30-goal scorer amongst the small list of candidates. Laferriere is likely to drag down the top line compared to what Byfield did for the top line. Foegele, a $3 million player, will see utility time and be up and down the lineup, and it would be beneficial if he returned 15 goals instead of 30. Byfield hit 20 as a winger on the top line but will move to center and likely defer to Fiala.

All eyes should be on the duo of Fiala-Byfield to crack the 30-goal mark.