Outside of the LA Kings’ first line, there are several unknowns regarding where the team will get the bulk of their goals in 2021.
Given the youth movement and consequently a shift in veteran presence over the last couple of seasons, the LA Kings struggled to score goals in the 2019-2020 season. The club finished with the second-fewest goal total in the NHL. Heading into the 2021 campaign, we know the Kings’ first line will consist of Alex Iafallo, Anze Kopitar, and Dustin Brown.
The trio combined for 55 goals or approximately 31 percent of the team’s total. The Kings will have a difficult task of immediately replacing the production of guys like Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson. Having said that, the future looks bright in Los Angeles, with Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, and Arthur Kaliyev headlining the prospect pool.
Charting Hockey recently performed a simulation of what is expected to be a 56-game schedule for the upcoming season. The simulation produced a dreadful 10-38-8 record for the Kings, which, if true, projects to be a difficult year in a number of areas. However, until the season gets underway, the following players could lead the Kings in secondary scoring next year.
Adrian Kempe
Adrian Kempe needs to have a strong performance in the upcoming shortened season. As a former first-round pick, he has proved inconsistent thus far in 3+ seasons in LA. Last year, he was on pace to come close to his rookie season production, finishing with 11 goals and 21 assists to go along 7.4 shot percentage.
Kempe is under contract for another two years, but he could be a prime trade candidate as the prospects make their way to the NHL. Of course, the 24-year-old winger could have some say in that with a strong 2021. I’d like to see him return to a 15-20 goal scorer and 20-25 assists player, appropriately proportioned for the shortened season though.
Outside of the top line, who leads the #LAKings in scoring this season?
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) December 4, 2020
Gabe Vilardi
If the end of the 2019-2020 campaign was any indication, Gabe Vilardi could contend for the Calder Trophy this year. Finally, putting the injury concerns behind him, the 21-year-old recorded seven points (3 G, 4 A) in just ten games. He’s penciled in at the 2C position for next season, projected to play alongside Ontario Reign linemate Martin Frk. The duo accounted for 32 goals combined in the AHL last season, which would bode well for the LA Kings if that production continues in 2021.
Jeff Carter
At 35 years of age and two years left on his contract, Jeff Carter will slide down to the third line and play at the right wing. He scored 17 goals with 10 assists in 60 games last year. How will he return from having surgery to repair a core muscle injury? Can he put up 15-ish goals on the third line?
A couple of questions that will be answered as the 2021 season unfolds, but there is reason to believe Carter can still produce at a high level. He’s three years removed from a 32-goal, 34-assist season. He doesn’t have to be that player anymore for the Kings, but he can provide valuable production alongside Blake Lizotte.
Honorable Mention: Samuel Fagemo
While he’s projected to begin the year in Ontario, Samuel Fagemo could be one of the first prospects promoted to the LA Kings. Drafted in the second round, Fagemo scored 14 goals with 11 assists in 42 games with Frolunda in his draft year.
He followed up with a 22-point season in 2019-2020 and exploded at the World Juniors, scoring eight goals with five assists in seven games for Team Sweden. He’s currently loaned to Södertälje and has six goals with five assists in 18 games.