Predicting where the Los Angeles Kings finish in the Pacific Division in 2024-25
For the second straight season the Pacific Division was represented in the Stanley Cup Finals. While the Vegas Golden Knights would win in 2023, the Edmonton Oilers came up short in a seven-game series with the Florida Panthers this past season.
Over the past few seasons, the Pacific Division as a whole has been very competitive with four playoff teams each of the past two seasons. As for the Los Angeles Kings, they have finished third the past three seasons but haven't won the division since the 1990-91 season, which was the only time in franchise history they have won the division.
Looking ahead to this season it might be more of the same for the Pacific Division as there seems to be clear separation between the teams who will finish near the bottom and who will compete for a playoff spot. Let's make some predictions on how the 2024-25 season will play out for the Los Angeles Kings and their division rivals.
Predicting where the Los Angeles Kings finish in the Pacific Division in 2024-25
8. Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are clearly looking to rebuild as they continued to trade away key players this offseason, which included goaltender Jacob Markstrom who is now with the New Jersey Devils. On paper, they look to be lacking the talent to compete with the rest of the division and it makes it only tougher with the recent news that Yegor Sharangovich will begin the year on injured reserve.
The Flames weren't even close to a playoff spot last year so the idea of rebuilding is a good one but it will be a few seasons before they are competing once again in the division.
7. Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are another team that is seemingly destined for the bottom of the division and if this prediction holds true will be the fourth straight season where they finish in the bottom two of the Pacific. Similar to the Kings, they are going to be relying on a group of young players to help them take the next step.
The difference though is that the Kings have established stars like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. It would not be surprising if the Ducks look to move some of their older veterans closer to the deadline like goalie John Gibson.
6. San Jose Sharks
The future looks to be very bright for the San Jose Sharks but it is likely another season of struggles. The Sharks did add Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick and made a great trade with the Nashville Predators for Yaroslav Askarov.
It may not be in this order but these three teams feel like certainties to end in the bottom of the division and their point totals should be relatively close.
5. Seattle Kraken
After earning a playoff spot in the 2022-23 season, the Kraken took a step backward as they finished with only 81 points. They made some big moves this offseason by hiring Dan Bylsma as their head coach and agreed to seven-year deals with Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson.
The question is whether that is enough to make a difference for the Kraken to get back to the playoffs. They should be in playoff contention for most of the season but with how top-heavy the Pacific Division is, it is hard to imagine they get in.
4. Vegas Golden Knights
If there is almost a certainty of the three teams in the bottom, these next four teams are going to be competing for a playoff spot. It wouldn't be overly surprising if these teams were separated by only a few points for most of the season.
The Golden Knights would sneak into the playoffs last year after winning the Stanley Cup the year prior. However, would blow a 2-0 lead against the Stars and would exit the playoffs pretty early. They didn't make any big moves in the offseason but did lose their leading goal scorer in Jonathan Marchessault, who signed with Nashville in free agency.
How they replace that production will be one of the determining factors in how successful they are this season.
3. Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are the defending division champions after finishing first in the Pacific Division with 109 points. This would also be their first trip to the playoffs since the 2019-20 season before they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round.
The eventual return of Thatcher Demko from his knee injury will be big for this group and how they navigate those games prior could play a major role in where they finish in the standings. However, with players like J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes, they are going to be very competitive.
2. Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are dealing with their own injuries to key players in Drew Doughty, who will miss a few months, and did lose Cam Talbot in free agency. So the question is why are they going to finish the highest in the Pacific Division since the 2015-16 season?
The Kings still have Anze Kopitar and have a group of young players that are ready to breakout in Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence. The departure of the 1-3-1 will also be a positive development for a team that is trying to make a deep playoff run.
1. Edmonton Oilers
While the Kings find a way to move up slightly in the standings, the Edmonton Oilers also find a way to get over the hump and win the Pacific Division after four straight seasons finishing second. The Oilers had a great season and while they didn't end up winning the Stanley Cup, they should once again be one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
The Oilers still have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and they will get some help in former Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner and former Los Angeles Kings' forward Viktor Arvidsson. If both, or even one, are able to bounce back the Oilers could end up running away with the Pacific Division.
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