Five players I’m excited to watch the LA Kings play
By Ryan Sikes
Alex Pietrangelo, Golden Knights
The big, free-agent splash for the Golden Knights, Alex Pietrangelo, ended a 12-year run with the St. Louis Blues, who replaced their captain with Torey Krug. The former fourth overall pick of the 2008 NHL Draft was part of a top-heavy defensemen draft class, with Drew Doughty selected two picks ahead of him.
Pietrangelo brings a much-needed veteran presence for the Golden Knights, who are Stanley Cup contenders in 2021. Last season, the 30-year-old scored 16 goals with 36 assists in 70 games. Division realignment or not, Pietrangelo will be a problem in the Pacific Division for the foreseeable future.
Trending. McLellan confirms roster spot for this young player. light
Kevin Fiala, Wild
Kevin Fiala is a shining star on a Minnesota Wild team flirting with a rebuild. Fiala aside, the Wild’s top four point-producers were at least 32 years of age or older. The 24-year-old was drafted 11th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators but was traded to the Wild in February 2019. He flourished in the COVID-19 shortened campaign, scoring 23 goals and 54 points in 64 games.
Like MacKinnon, Fiala is dangerous on special teams, scoring nine goals with nine assists for the Wild last season. He played all over the top-nine forwards last season, so he’ll be a tough task for LA Kings’ defenders regardless of which line he plays. We tabbed him as one of three players to watch on the Minnesota Wild.