LA Kings Review

A complete ripoff of GM Brzostowski's Flames review

The 2020-2021 season was a strong step in the right direction for the Kings, with their first playoff berth since the change in management in 2018. The Kings knocked off the 2019/2020 cup champ Minnesota Wild in a vicious 7 game series, but ultimately fell short against the eventual 2020/2021 cup runners up San Jose Sharks. Even considering the loss, the Kings are very pleased with the progression of the team, thanks in no part to new captain and Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby. The Kings expect to be competive and continue their march towards the holy grail year after year, with Sid leading the charge.

EXPANSION DRAFT

While the Kings will be able to get away without exposing any major key players due to age elgibility, the team will still elect for the 7-3-1 scheme. GM Wolf has been made sure to leave himself with plenty of breathing room on expansion day, without many hard decisions to make.

PROTECTED FORWARDS

• Captain Sidney Crosby (4yrs/16m AAV)
• Ryan Nugent Hopkins (5yrs/6.1m AAV)
• Alex Wennberg (1yr/4.5m AAV) 
• Joel Armia (4yrs/2.7m)
• Zach Aston-Reese (2yrs/936k AAV)
• Barclay Goodrow (5yrs/941k AAV)
• Tage Thompson (1yr/1.3m AAV) 

PROTECTED DEFENSEMEN

• Dougie Hamilton (5yrs/5.8m AAV)
• Matt Roy (2yrs/695k AAV)
• Justin Braun (1yr/4.5m AAV)

PROTECTED GOALIE

• Mackenzie Blackwood (4yrs/2.6m)

EXPOSED FORWARDS

• Cody Eakin (3yrs/3.9m AAV)
• Pierre Eduard Bellemare (1yr/2.5m AAV)
• Matthieu Perreault (1yr/1.9m AAV)
• Tyler Ennis (1yr/1.5m AAV)
• Eric Robinson (2yrs/916k AAV)
• Dylan Sikura (2yrs/780k AAV)
• Trevor Moore (2yrs/725k AAV)

EXPOSED DEFENSEMEN

• TBA

EXPOSED GOALIES

• Mike Smith 1 yr (1yr/3.7m AAV)
• Artyom Zagidulin (3yrs/728k AAV)

UFAs

• Alexander Radulov
• Dustin Brown
• Brayden Schenn
• Brian Boyle
• Alec Martinez
• Greg Pateryn
• Jordie Benn

TOP 10 YOUNG GUNS (Notable exceptions from expansion)

1. Adam Fox 
2. Cole Caufield
3. Cody Glass
4. Oliver Wahlstrom
5. Grigori Denisenko
6. Kirill Marchenko
7. John Marino
8. Ryan Merkley
9. Vladislav Kolyachonok
10. Mathias Norlinder

CONCLUSION

The DCHL can expect the Kings to be exceptionally active in Free Agency yet again, as they've had the taste for success and enjoyed it thoroughly. While the Kings feel great about the current crop of players, they will be on the lookout for a scorer to ride shotgun with Crosby, as well as a top 4 defender to pair up with John Marino. 

While it's safe to say that the roles of Sid, Adam Fox, and Dougie Hamilton are very unlikely to change, it's only a matter of time until the crop of young up and comers is ready to take the next step and give the teams veterans something to be nervous about. Forwards Cole Caufield, Oliver Wahlstrom, Cody Glass, and Grigori Denisenko are all poised to start contributing meaninfully in 2021/2022, and defensemen Ryan Merkley, Mathias Norlinder, and Vladislav Kolyachonok the following season in 2022/2023. 

The Kings brass is excited and looking forward to seeing the young guys progress to the point where tough decisions are required. Champagne problems are on the horizon, and the Kings are ready for them.