Although it was a tough season for these three LA Kings, next season should be better for them.
As a whole, this season ended up being a disappointment for the LA Kings and their fans. Although the team wasn’t a preseason favorite to be a playoff contender, hope sprang eternal in February when a six-game winning streak fueled a belief that the fourth playoff spot in the NHL Honda West Division was in reach. A record of 5-7-2 in March and a 5-9-0 record in April would precipitate a tumble down the standings, and ultimately the Kings’ playoff hopes were dashed.
That’s not to say there weren’t any bright spots for this season. During the aforementioned six-game win streak, the Kings actually looked like a team that was ready to emerge from its rebuild and start living up to its potential. Speaking of potential, you may have heard that the LA Kings have one of, if not the top-rated prospect pool in the NHL.
When given a chance to see what they can do with the big club, prospects such as Quinton Byfield, Rasmus Kupari, and Lias Andersson all showed they could be legit NHL players if not stars. Heck, even Arthur Kaliyev scored a goal in his lone game with the Kings this season.
Even still, with a disappointing season comes players who had subpar seasons. Big changes are expected for the LA Kings roster this offseason, and some of the players who were in LA this season will not be there next season. If these three players are still wearing the silver and black, next season will be much more kind to them.