For the Los Angeles Kings, the focus this year is to change a franchise narrative that they can't get out of the first round. It has been four straight years with an early playoff exit, all by the Edmonton Oilers, and as a team, they need to prove to the league they can get over that hurdle.
However, there are several players who have individual narratives that they are going to want to change this season. When looking at the roster, these are three players in particular on the Kings that can help rewrite the story this season.
Corey Perry
Narrative: Can't win a second Stanley Cup
This first narrative is tough for Corey Perry as it will be reliant on the Kings collectively, but it is an individual narrative that he would love to erase. He does have a Stanley Cup to his name, but won that in his first trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
He has come very close recently and has made the Stanley Cup Final five times in the past six years. Unfortunately, he has been on the losing end each time, but what is even more remarkable is that it has been with four different teams.
This stretch began with the Dallas Stars in 2020, before stops with the Montreal Canadiens (2021), Tampa Bay Lightning (2022), and then the last two with the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings probably are not viewed as a Stanley Cup contender, so Perry might not even get a chance to change his narrative, but if they do make a run, this is something he probably desperately wants to move on from.
Alex Turcotte
Narrative: First-round bust
When teams are drafting near the top of the first round, the expectation is that these players are going to be difference makers or players a team can build around for the next decade. The Kings hoped they might get that with Alex Turcotte when they drafted him with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
However, it hasn't worked out that way and he has slowly been moving towards being a key NHL player. Prior to last season, Turcotte had only 32 career NHL games with one goal and three assists. He had a bigger role this past season and appeared in 68 games with nine goals and 16 assists.
The Kings could use some help in the offensive zone, and Alex Turcotte could be a big reason for their improvement if he takes that next step. The challenge for him is that time is somewhat running out, and he is inching closer to the dreaded label of draft bust.
This season is where he can certainly change that if he has a breakout season.
Drew Doughty
Narrative: No longer a top defenseman
Drew Doughty has been a cornerstone for the Los Angeles Kings for over a decade after he was drafted second overall in the 2008 NHL Draft. He was a big part of the two Stanley Cup teams and has over 1,200 games with the Kings.
There is no question that he is on the back half of his career and will be turning 36 years old this season. Last season, though there were some signs that he is slowing down as he had only four goals and 13 assists in 30 career games (all career lows).
However, he missed a majority of the season due an ankle injury suffered in the preseason and even when he returned it seemed like the injury was still impacting his performance. This season though, now that he is essentially a year removed from the injury, gives him a chance to bounce back and establish himself as one of the elite defenseman in the league.