Jason Lewis: What Does the Pacific Division Hold in Store for the LA Kings?

Good read Jason, but I have a few issues with your write-up on the Canucks. You said "the time has come for Vancouver to re-tool", I'm not sure if you haven't noticed or just see things differently but the Canucks have been re-tooling since Jim Bennng took over.

The list of players now gone that were in their lineup when Benning took over is long! In the past 24 months he's either traded or let go Kesler, Hamhuis, Bieksa, Garrison, Higgins, Kassian, Vrbada, McCann, Bartkowski, Vey, Bonino, Clendening, Corrado, Kenins, Santorelli, Mathias, Richardson, Stanton, Schroeder, Booth and the list goes on.

As long as they have the Sedins they'll try and be as competitive as they can. And rightfully so.

@LeftCoaster

I think the biggest reason most people don't view them as a threat is the lack of elite talent (whether at forward or defense). In my opinion, they've got what amounts to a great supporting cast in guys like Horvat, Baertschi, Hutton, and Tanev being backed up by vets like the Sedins, Edler, and Hansen. They have a wave of higher end talent in Boeser, Demko, and Juolevi (along with a couple boom/bust guys in Virt and Tree), but they're still lacking a top-grade talent at C (or two) and a serious offensive threat from the blueline (#PrayForSubban).

I think getting one of those last two pieces I mentioned changes the whole dynamic and perspective on the team, but for that they're far better off striking out for one more year and hopefully landing a guy like Patrick.

My thoughts are essentially unchanged from almost two months ago (no surprise, since the landscape hasn't really changed in all of that time). LA is noticeably worse on paper than last year, but is fortunate that last year's non-playoff teams were so far behind in a highly polarized division. There's a lot of cushion there (20pts between #3 and #4, to be precise). LA should slip, while teams like EDM and CAL should improve. A team like LA, which is historically prone to not taking the regular season or bottom-feeding teams all that seriously, is particularly susceptible to bleeding points to teams like those two, and enough of those "4-point" games can really close the gap.

Right now, I see LA in the #3 spot, the last guaranteed playoff spot in the division, but all it takes is for one of the bottom 4 teams to have a season like Calgary did the season before last and LA could find itself outside of the playoff picture again (especially if the Central stays strong and sends 5 teams again). So, there's not much room to go back to their ways of coasting through the regular season, have many players underachieve/disappoint or have many injuries (especially to the core players, whom they'll rely on more heavily than usual).

LA might just hold on this season, but the following season ('17-'18) is where things may really get dangerous. If EDM, CAL or ARI (the #4 team last season, let's not forget), improve into "black hole" territory (just missing the playoffs by, say, a dozen points or less) this season, they could really challenge for playoff spots and cause real problems for LA in '17-'18, especially with LA's cupboard being bare. That's looking beyond the current matter at hand, this season, though.

Good read! That being said, I disagree on one point: Anaheim. They lost a lot of forward depth and have brought back a coach who operates off some awfully regressive ideals. They're banking pretty hard on Ritchie taking some major steps forward and they're playing hardball with one of their better scorers (Rakell). One injury to their big 3 (Getzlaf, Perry, and Kesler) and they could be in deep trouble. That being said, there D corps may be good enough to handle it- assuming they get Lindholm signed pretty quick.

I don't think I have ever agreed with anyone's opinions about so many different things at once.

The division is more wide open this year imo.

The only thing I would point out is Anaheim may have taken a slight down turn with Carlyle and even less forward depth than normal even.

Good read! That being said, I disagree on one point: Anaheim. They lost a lot of forward depth and have brought back a coach who operates off some awfully regressive ideals. They're banking pretty hard on Ritchie taking some major steps forward and they're playing hardball with one of their better scorers (Rakell). One injury to their big 3 (Getzlaf, Perry, and Kesler) and they could be in deep trouble. That being said, there D corps may be good enough to handle it- assuming they get Lindholm signed pretty quick.
- MaximumBone

Please reread what Jason wrote. That "forward depth", were ancillary players, and Jason noted such. Murray can bring replacements, if needed, in before the trade deadline. I think some of the kids will get a chance (Ritchie, possibly Noessen). An injury to any "big 3" (ie. Kopitar, Carter, Toffoli) would be devastating. The injury argument would apply to any team. It has no bearing on how well they're projected to perform. I applaud Jason for being objective with the Ducks. I think he recognizes the strength in their D is such that it might mitigate any regression from the forward corps. Carlyle, well that's another story.

Please reread what Jason wrote. That "forward depth", were ancillary players, and Jason noted such. Murray can bring replacements, if needed, in before the trade deadline. I think some of the kids will get a chance (Ritchie, possibly Noessen). An injury to any "big 3" (ie. Kopitar, Carter, Toffoli) would be devastating. The injury argument would apply to any team. It has no bearing on how well they're projected to perform. I applaud Jason for being objective with the Ducks. I think he recognizes the strength in their D is such that it might mitigate any regression from the forward corps. Carlyle, well that's another story.
- quackup

I get that injuries to any "big 3" will hurt most teams, but I just don't see Anaheim set up to handle it in the same way as others. Let's take Edmonton for example (not a team the Ducks should compare unfavourably to in any regard). For argument sake, let's say their big-3 are McDavid, Eberle, and Lucic. If any one of them get injured, they have a bunch of guys ranging from Nuge and Draisaitl to Pouliot and Maroon to Yakupov and Puljujarvi that could step in for them. All but Puljujarvi (a blue-chip, top tier prospect) have had experience on a scoring line before and, as such, could hypothetically fill-in with some success.

Now, let's say any of Anaheim's big-3 go down and that the rest of their top-6 consists of Ritchie, Silfverberg, and Cogliano (two of which already aren't proven scorers). Unless I'm missing someone, all they've got as a scoring fill-in is Rakell (once he's signed). Who fills in on the third line then? Vermette? Raymond? Wagner? Noesen might be able to step in, but he was a .5 ppg player last year as a 22 year old- not exactly scorers pedigree.

I'm not saying it's all doom-and-gloom as I even mentioned in that same comment that their D may well be enough to mitigate those concerns, but it has to be a concern nonetheless. Any legitimate Cup contending team (as I'd imagine Anaheim plans to be) HAS to have better forward depth than that going into a season. I don't see a TDD acquisition or two fixing that either.

I get that injuries to any "big 3" will hurt most teams, but I just don't see Anaheim set up to handle it in the same way as others. Let's take Edmonton for example (not a team the Ducks should compare unfavourably to in any regard). For argument sake, let's say their big-3 are McDavid, Eberle, and Lucic. If any one of them get injured, they have a bunch of guys ranging from Nuge and Draisaitl to Pouliot and Maroon to Yakupov and Puljujarvi that could step in for them. All but Puljujarvi (a blue-chip, top tier prospect) have had experience on a scoring line before and, as such, could hypothetically fill-in with some success.

Now, let's say any of Anaheim's big-3 go down and that the rest of their top-6 consists of Ritchie, Silfverberg, and Cogliano (two of which already aren't proven scorers). Unless I'm missing someone, all they've got as a scoring fill-in is Rakell (once he's signed). Who fills in on the third line then? Vermette? Raymond? Wagner? Noesen might be able to step in, but he was a .5 ppg player last year as a 22 year old- not exactly scorers pedigree.

I'm not saying it's all doom-and-gloom as I even mentioned in that same comment that their D may well be enough to mitigate those concerns, but it has to be a concern nonetheless. Any legitimate Cup contending team (as I'd imagine Anaheim plans to be) HAS to have better forward depth than that going into a season. I don't see a TDD acquisition or two fixing that either.
- MaximumBone

Fair enough.

Depends on the trade. If Fowler or Theodore are part of any package, you can be sure quality F is coming back, or there's no trade.

I love how there is no love for Calgary for upgrading their goaltending tandem. While they might be a wild card based off of last year...its a bad year if they miss the playoffs again.

There is too much young skill and talent on that blueline to miss again. They were a solid team offensively and had literally the worst tandem or carosuel of goaltending in the league.

Gaudreau and Monahan are only gettig better. Another year of Sam Bennett should be a step in the right direction. Giordano only gets better with age, and Brodie and Hamilton are moving in the right direction

This team is not far off...they are close to being consistent and contenders in the Western Conference and within the next 5-10 years, there is enough talent for them to contend for a Cup. (Before some genius flies off the handle, Im not saying theyre contenders this year but down the line they will be)

Calgary is a playoff team this year and a little under the radar is never bad

Fair enough.

Depends on the trade. If Fowler or Theodore are part of any package, you can be sure quality F is coming back, or there's no trade.
- quackup

If they could get a JVR and another depth guy (Stempniak-level), then I can see them being contenders. You just don't see those sorts of hockey trades (JVR for Fowler, that is) at the TDD all that often.

I love how there is no love for Calgary for upgrading their goaltending tandem. While they might be a wild card based off of last year...its a bad year if they miss the playoffs again.

There is too much young skill and talent on that blueline to miss again. They were a solid team offensively and had literally the worst tandem or carosuel of goaltending in the league.

Gaudreau and Monahan are only gettig better. Another year of Sam Bennett should be a step in the right direction. Giordano only gets better with age, and Brodie and Hamilton are moving in the right direction

This team is not far off...they are close to being consistent and contenders in the Western Conference and within the next 5-10 years, there is enough talent for them to contend for a Cup. (Before some genius flies off the handle, Im not saying theyre contenders this year but down the line they will be)

Calgary is a playoff team this year and a little under the radar is never bad
- TheMayor9312

I mean, he projected them to progress. They patched up their goaltending and replaced Colborne's production with a vet in Brouwer, but there's still some fair questions to ask before most will unequivocally project them as a playoff team. How will Elliot fare behind a much weaker team defensively? Will it be a repeat of his Ottawa and Colorado days? How will Gulutzan run the team? Has he improved his staff's PP? All fair questions to have while still projecting improvement.

@LeftCoaster

I think the biggest reason most people don't view them as a threat is the lack of elite talent (whether at forward or defense). In my opinion, they've got what amounts to a great supporting cast in guys like Horvat, Baertschi, Hutton, and Tanev being backed up by vets like the Sedins, Edler, and Hansen. They have a wave of higher end talent in Boeser, Demko, and Juolevi (along with a couple boom/bust guys in Virt and Tree), but they're still lacking a top-grade talent at C (or two) and a serious offensive threat from the blueline (#PrayForSubban).

I think getting one of those last two pieces I mentioned changes the whole dynamic and perspective on the team, but for that they're far better off striking out for one more year and hopefully landing a guy like Patrick.
- MaximumBone

I would agree with that, but I'm still of the opinion they are re-tooling to get younger, it takes time and you only get around seven draft picks a year. Benning, who I'm not a big fan of outside of his drafting, has only been on the job 26 months.

I think it will be a tough division to play next year . Kings probably get the third spot just beating out the missing the playoffs buy 1 point . They will draw SJS again

Enjoy this last year with seven teams, because next season begins a new era of an eight team Pacific division with the Las Vegas Desert Black Sandy Flying Something Knights entering the mix with captain Dustin Brown.

Just an edit for you in the closing, Jason.

Its still the weakest division in the NHL, and I think it still belongs to California. I dont see what youre getting at with the Sharks. I see them as a very strong team this season. The Stanley Cup hangover certainly does not affect the losing team as much as the winning team. The last two seasons have seen the losing team from the SCF return to the conference finals, while the winning team from the last two years has lost in the first round and missed the playoffs, respectively. With the divisional playoff format, San Jose might have one of the easier paths to the conference final once again.

With the Kings this upcoming season, I see good things. With Lucic, Vinny, and Schenn leaving and Scuds being on his way to Ontario, I see addition by subtraction. Gilbert, Gravel, and Forbort will do good things this year and if McNabb falters, I see one of them stepping up into that top four already giving us a much better defensive corps than that of last season. Schenn was awful. I hated that trade. He was never going to replace Greene, no chance. (I don't know what will happen with Greene but I don't think he will play as a King again).

Purcell is a much craftier player than Lucic and I think he fits in well with Kopitar and Gabs. Lucic can go to the net, big deal. He couldn't carry the puck for squat. I hated that trade with a passion as well. Gabs should get going as well as a healthy Carter who wasn't the same after returning from injury. That 70's line should play well.

The bottom six has Brown, King, Clifford, who have been there and done that as far as winning cups goes, and Latta should make it a deeper and tougher group. I'm thinking Shore may end up with a few more points this season as well. Brown's reemergence as a tough to play against will be something to watch. Dustin has a chip on his shoulder as his C was taken away, so that will be an interesting story line.

I don't care about what our feathered frIends say. The Kings will win this division and loathsome Carey Perry will be the only one scoring goals at the pond. Be well, friends.

"I mean, he projected them to progress. They patched up their goaltending and replaced Colborne's production with a vet in Brouwer, but there's still some fair questions to ask before most will unequivocally project them as a playoff team. How will Elliot fare behind a much weaker team defensively? Will it be a repeat of his Ottawa and Colorado days? How will Gulutzan run the team? Has he improved his staff's PP? All fair questions to have while still projecting improvement."


Elliott has developed a long ways away from his days in Ottawa and Colorado. If you saw his performance in the playoffs, I think he stole a few games and he kept St. Louis in the entire Hawks and Stars series. Elliott was St. Louis's best player last year in the playoffs and he's an underrated talent. Without Elliott's stellar play, St. Louis doesn't get past Chicago as much as I don't like to say it. Giordano, Brodie and Hamilton might be as well as and if not better than Shattankirk, Parayko and Bouwmeester. While he did project improvement, I think people are projecting them to be better but not light the world on fire (no pun intended).

Also with Gulutzan, he works well with the younger guys and helping their development as a coach. He has the chance to be an ideal coach for what this team is looking to do

Looking at this teams depth now, from a year ago, I think they are alot better and they should challenge for a playoff spot and if not claim a wild card/third place spot in the division

With the Kings this upcoming season, I see good things. With Lucic, Vinny, and Schenn leaving and Scuds being on his way to Ontario, I see addition by subtraction. Gilbert, Gravel, and Forbort will do good things this year and if McNabb falters, I see one of them stepping up into that top four already giving us a much better defensive corps than that of last season. Schenn was awful. I hated that trade. He was never going to replace Greene, no chance. (I don't know what will happen with Greene but I don't think he will play as a King again).

Purcell is a much craftier player than Lucic and I think he fits in well with Kopitar and Gabs. Lucic can go to the net, big deal. He couldn't carry the puck for squat. I hated that trade with a passion as well. Gabs should get going as well as a healthy Carter who wasn't the same after returning from injury. That 70's line should play well.

The bottom six has Brown, King, Clifford, who have been there and done that as far as winning cups goes, and Latta should make it a deeper and tougher group. I'm thinking Shore may end up with a few more points this season as well. Brown's reemergence as a tough to play against will be something to watch. Dustin has a chip on his shoulder as his C was taken away, so that will be an interesting story line.

I don't care about what our feathered frIends say. The Kings will win this division and loathsome Carey Perry will be the only one scoring goals at the pond. Be well, friends.
- CRTNLarva_2.0

Add: Leprechauns, Unicorns, Santa Claus

First let me say this was an excellent commentary, but I wouldn't be concerned about Talbot. He got better as the year went along posting a .924 save percentage after December. He was playing in front of an AHL defense after Klefbom and Davidson went down. The Oilers not only have improved with Larsson but having a healthy Klefbom and Davidson means the Oilers finally have an NHL defense. Yes we lost Hall but Lucic will bring other elements to the table and will still score 25 goals playing with Conner. The talent on this team will really show this year and they will make the playoffs and next year we will go deep into the playoffs as we will address the second pairing RH dman after the expansion draft. The age of the California teams is coming to an end they will still be a force this year but going forward will have a hard time competing with Edmonton, Calgary and Arizona.

I don't think LA has a good season at all. I Lombardi is biding time to eliminate or let the mad contracts expire. Not much else we could do at this point. Just have to ride it out.

First let me say this was an excellent commentary, but I wouldn't be concerned about Talbot. He got better as the year went along posting a .924 save percentage after December. He was playing in front of an AHL defense after Klefbom and Davidson went down. The Oilers not only have improved with Larsson but having a healthy Klefbom and Davidson means the Oilers finally have an NHL defense. Yes we lost Hall but Lucic will bring other elements to the table and will still score 25 goals playing with Conner. The talent on this team will really show this year and they will make the playoffs and next year we will go deep into the playoffs as we will address the second pairing RH dman after the expansion draft. The age of the California teams is coming to an end they will still be a force this year but going forward will have a hard time competing with Edmonton, Calgary and Arizona.
- darylfletcher

Nice pull on the Talbot stats. He certainly was less leaky as the year went on.

Nice pull on the Talbot stats. He certainly was less leaky as the year went on.
- Jason_Lewis

I still don't see Talbot as a legit #1 in the league but an upgrade from some of the other tendies in recent memory. Elliot was a good trade, not great but I think having Johnson as a credible back up was key. If Elliot doesn't regain his form, we have a tendie who the team can have confidnece in. I don't know if the same can be said for Gustavsson.

Honestly I think Klef and Larrson are the keys to any success this year for the Oil. Goaltending and the D have been the death of Oilers hopes for too long...

Carlyle was a dumb decision for the Ducks... that only makes me think the Ducks regress.
Kings will be about the same, Sharks are the team to beat (at least one more year), Ducks...meh and the Nucks are????
1 San Jose
2. Kings
3. Flames
4. Oil
5. Ducks
6. Nucks
Flip the Flames/Oil as it'll be close...

Add: Leprechauns, Unicorns, Santa Claus
- quackup

Can I get an idea of interpreter over here? I don't speak chicken.

unless sutter leans heavier on the kids, and one of them surprises, i think the kings will be fortunate for 3rd in the division again. i'm almost more curious if they can rid themselves of a contract like gaborik or brown in the expansion draft, which could have a bigger impact on how the roster/cap mgmt can be dealt with in the future.