5 bold predictions for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024-25 season
The Los Angeles Kings are ready to kick off the regular season against the Buffalo Sabres later this week but before that, let's make some predictions on the upcoming season.
5 bold predictions for the LA Kings in the 2024-25 season
Los Angeles Kings have a player break 80 points
It has been a while since the Los Angeles Kings have had a player break 80 points, going as far back as the 2017-18 season when Anze Kopitar had 92. However, an average of roughly one point per game is not uncommon in the NHL and last year there were 28 players who finished the regular season with 80 or more points.
Last season, Adrian Kempe was the closest last season as he led the team in points with 75, Kevin Fiala with 73, and Kopitar with 70. For the Los Angeles Kings, it is unlikely that Kopitar will be the one to end the streak that started with his 2017-18 season but there are a few players who could be strong candidates to break this total.
There is a good chance that Kempe or Fiala could be in the discussion but one player who could break out and be in the discussion is Quinton Byfield. He has looked tremendous this preseason as he has moved back to center and could really take the league by storm this year.
Los Angeles Kings have seven players break 20 goals
The offense as a whole should be better for the Los Angeles Kings this season and after having five players finish with 20 or more goals, they should not only match that but expand that total. The five players who surpassed that mark are all returning with Trevor Moore (31), Kevin Fiala (29), Adrian Kempe (28), Anze Kopitar (26), and Quinton Byfield (20).
The hope is that those same five are able to once again break 20 goals and they should be joined by Tanner Jeannot and Alex Laferriere. The Kings traded for Jeannot this offseason and after lackluster seasons with the Lighting he is looking to bounce back. He has shown already in his career that he can surpass 20 goals as he had 24 back in the 2021-22 season.
Between these two players, Laferriere seems to be the player with the better chance to break 20 goals as he is set to play on the top line with Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar. He finished last season with 12 goals and it wouldn't be surprising if he doubled that total this season.
David Rittich emerges as the top goaltender
Right now, Darcy Kuemper should be considered the top goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings but after only 33 games last season and with a save percentage of only .890, he is far from a guarantee to remain in that spot.
Especially when considering David Rittich is the goalie on the roster for the Kings. Rittich was tremendous for the Kings in the second half of the season with eight wins over the final three months and three shutouts over that stretch.
It wouldn't be surprising if the Kings start the year with almost a 50/50 split between the two goals and if that is the case, Rittich has a great chance to show he should be the top goaltender for Los Angeles this year.
Jordan Spence earns more Norris Trophy votes than Drew Doughty
The injury suffered by Drew Doughty creates a major hole on the Los Angeles Kings defense, one that is tough to replace with just one player. However, the player who should benefit the most is Jordan Spence.
The former fourth round pick should step into the top line for the Los Angeles Kings while Doughty is out as he recovers from the fractured ankle. The added ice time should help Spence have a breakout season for the Kings.
In the end, Spence will emerge as one of the top defensemen in the NHL. When considering that Doughty will be missing maybe half the season, the defensemen on the roster who receives the most Norris Trophy votes won't be Doughty but rather Jordan Spence.
Los Angeles Kings make it out of the first round of the NHL Playoffs
The Los Angeles Kings have made the playoffs three straight seasons but each time have matched up with the Edmonton Oilers and have come up short. While the Oilers feel like almost a guarantee to reach the playoffs again, the Kings also have a great chance to get back for the fourth straight year.
However, this season the Kings should be able to avoid the Oilers in the first round as long as they finish second in the Pacific Division as I predicted in the division standings. With veterans like Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and Drew Doughty (when he returns) along with a young core of players like Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence, this team has a chance to be special and finally get over the hump.
If the Kings are able to get out of the first round, it would be the first time in five straight trips to the playoffs and the first time since the 2013-14 season, which was the year they won the second Stanley Cup in franchise history.
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