Erik Gustafsson, D
The Kings have made it clear that they've wanted to shake things up on the blue line going into the upcoming season. The front office wants to find more puck moving and play-driving defensemen who can more effectively get the puck up the ice in transition and get the puck to the net from the point in the offensive zone.
One of the few players on the Kings' current roster who has experience playing in new head coach Peter Laviolette's system is former New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson. In fact, Gustafsson's two most productive seasons of his NHL career on the blue line came while playing under Laviolette with the Rangers and the Washington Capitals from 2022-2024.
In two seasons playing in Laviolette's system, Gustafsson registered 13 goals and 69 total points, which was good for about 0.5 points-per-game clip with the Capitals and Rangers. What separates Gustafsson from the other two Kings' players to watch on this list is the fact that he is a veteran dark horse.
He also brings a skill set that directly addresses one of the Kings' biggest needs on the blue line from this past season. Gustafsson's ability to move the puck, contribute offensively from the blue line, and potentially provide another option from the point on special teams on the power play could give Laviolette more ways to generate offense from his defensemen.
The one-year contract he signed with the Kings in free agency this offseason largely flew under the radar, especially when compared to other deals Los Angeles signed like veteran winger Mats Zuccarello and center Erik Haula.
That familiarity and proven production in Laviolette's system could give Gustafsson a leg up as the Kings look to shake things up on the blue line going into training camp and the preseason this fall.
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