Three bounce back candidates for the LA Kings next season
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.
Bounce Back Candidate No. 1: Gabe Vilardi
It’s hard to imagine a 21-year-old rookie looking to have a “bounce back” season, but hear me out.
Expectations were high for Gabe Vilardi coming into the 2021 season. He put up three goals and four assists in the first 10 games of his NHL career at the end of the 2019-20 season. The future was looking very bright for the LA Kings 2017 first-round draft pick.
Finally fully healthy after overcoming the back problems that had plagued him since his draft year, Vilardi started the 2021 season as the Kings’ second-line center. Things did not go as smoothly this season as last season, however, and Vilardi struggled for the most part. Some critics said he did not shoot the puck enough, others pointed to his struggles at the faceoff dot, but perhaps Vilardi’s biggest critic was Kings head coach Todd McLellan.
Related Story. Coach Gallant speaks highly of Vilardi, JAD. light
On multiple occasions, the coach, either directly or indirectly, made it known that he was not pleased with the youngster’s play. McLellan would go so far as to healthy scratch Vilardi for two games, perhaps as a motivational tool, “tough love,” or even a chance for a mental reset for the young center.
Despite this season’s struggles, Gabe Vilardi’s talent is undeniable. He actually finished the season strong, posting three goals and two assists in his final six games. LA Kings management could help unlock his potential by acquiring a legitimate goal-scorer to pair Vilardi with to complement his extraordinary passing ability.
During next season’s training camp, Vilardi will compete with the likes of Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, Rasmus Kupari, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Akil Thomas, among others, for the three remaining center spots after Anze Kopitar.
Expect Gabe Vilardi to learn from this season’s struggles and have a much better 2021-22.
Bounce Back Candidate No. 2: Austin Wagner
This is not to suggest that Austin Wagner will be a 30-goal-scorer next season — far from it. With four goals and four assists in 44 games played this season, however, the only place to go is up.
Wagner was drafted by the LA Kings in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. His calling card is his blazing speed, and in his time in Los Angeles, Wagner has been one of the fastest skaters on the team. In his rookie season of 2018-19, Wagner potted 12 goals to go along with 142 hits. Although a very raw talent, it looked like the Kings might have a future Michael Grabner type of player on their hands.
From that promising start, Wagner’s offensive numbers have steadily declined. He gets plenty of breakaway goal-scoring chances thanks to his wheels, but he has trouble converting them to the dismay of many Kings fans.
Austin Wagner will never be a top-six forward for the Kings, but the goal-scoring chances will be there because of his speed. Forgotten sometimes is the fact that Wagner is a physical player as well, averaging over two hits per game for his career. With his speed, physicality, and forechecking ability, converting a few more of his scoring chances could turn him into a very effective bottom-six forward. The percentages have to start going his way at some point, right?
Bounce Back Candidate No. 3: Martin Frk
Remember this guy?
Picked up as a free agent from the Detroit Red Wings in 2019, the 27-year-old right-wing impressed during his brief time with the LA Kings in 2019-20. He started the season playing in the AHL for the Ontario Reign, but his excellent play eventually earned him a call-up to Los Angeles.
In only 17 games played, Frk scored six goals on 26 shots. He also showed chemistry with center Gabe Vilardi, which had carried over to Los Angeles from their time together with the Reign earlier that season. His play prompted the Kings to give Frk a two-year contract extension.
Frk’s calling card is his blisteringly hard shot, and this was on full display at the 2020 AHL All-Star Skills Competition. During the Hardest Shot event, he hit 109.2 MPH on the speed gun — breaking the AHL record in that category. Get in front of a Martin Frk slapshot, and you better have an icepack on standby.
Excitement was high coming into the 2021 season about the potential of the Vilardi-Frk combination. This excitement turned to disappointment almost immediately as Frk injured his groin on opening night and missed an extended amount of time. He would ultimately finish the season in the AHL with the Reign.
With a full offseason to recover from the injuries that derailed his 2021 season, Frk will once again be looking to impress the LA Kings. In this coming season, roster spots will be highly contested in training camp as team expectations will be elevated.
Team reportedly close to signing Vladimir Tkachyov. dark. Next
If Frk can earn a roster spot and stay healthy, he could be one answer to the Kings’ scoring woes that have haunted them in recent seasons.