4 bold changes the Los Angeles Kings should make to their lines now
The Los Angeles Kings are 4-2-2 on the season but the start of the season has more than its fair share of concerns. The team has been inconsistent to begin the season and outside of Boston and Vegas, they haven't really faced any much tough competition.
Prior to the Montreal Canadiens game, Jim Hiller shuffled his lines to try and get a spark after a disappointing overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators and a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs that seemed to be over after the first period.
However, the results haven't really stuck and the focus for the Kings needs to be to find long-term solutions. These are four changes on the forward lines that can really help achieve the long-term while bringing some immediate improvements.
Move Quinton Byfield back to center alongside Kevin Fiala and Trevor Moore
Entering this season, Quinton Byfield was expected to return to the center position after playing left wing with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. He spent the offseason focusing on the change and looked great through the preseason at the position.
However, he struggled early in the season and Hiller decided to move him back to left wing with Kopitar and Kempe. The problem is that Byfield's greatest potential is at center and the Kings need to commit to some growing pains as he gets comfortable back at that position.
By moving Byfield back to center alongside Kevin Fiala and Trevor Moore as their third line (more on that later), it gives him room to grow this season but still make an impact.
Warren Foegele-Alex Turcotte-Alex Laferriere to the second line
One of the biggest positives from the changes that Jim Hiller made earlier this season was the line of Warren Foegele-Alex Turcotte-Alex Laferriere. Entering the season, Laferriere was going to be on the top line Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar and had three points through the first three games.
The good news is that he has kept that production with the move as he has had four points through the last four games and been physical with 11 hits during that stretch. Along with Laferriere, Alex Turcotte has also been a bright spot for this offense with four points through eight games, matching last year's point total in 20 games.
As for Warren Foegele, he has really made an impact as of late with three goals over the past two games. It doesn't need to be stated based on the stats but this line has been easily the best the Kings have had and with that said they need more ice time.
Tanner Jeannot to the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe
If the Kings were to move Quinton Byfield back to center and lead the third line, there is a big hole at left wing on the top line. It wouldn't be an awful move to bring Alex Laferriere back to that spot but it is hard to imagine that Jim Hiller would want to disrupt what that line has been able to do over the last few games.
This would limit the options but the idea of Tanner Jeannot on the top line brings some intrigue that could help jumpstart that group. The Kings traded for Jeannot from the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason as it seemed Jeannot needed a change of scenery after a few down seasons.
It has taken him a bit to get into the flow, but according to Jim Hiller, he had his best game with the Kings against the Ducks. Jeannot is not going to give a team a ton of offense, but he is a physical forward, and his game could complement Kopitar and Kempe nicely.
Akil Thomas with Phillip Danault and Andre Lee on the fourth line
This one seems the most obvious and it is amazing that the move hasn't been made yet but Akil Thomas needs to get on the ice and be a regular in this rotation moving forward. The former second round pick made the roster coming out of the preseason but has yet to play a game this season.
It is hard to understand why Thomas hasn't played and if they weren't planning on giving him regular ice time, he should be down with Ontario to continue to develop.
While Thomas has primarily been a center, it wouldn't be a bad idea to play him on the wing on this fourth line with Phillip Danault at center. This would leave Andre Lee and Trevor Lewis rotating at the other wing spot.
By working with this line, it gives a good balance of experience to complement the youth that Thomas and Lee brings.
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