2. Derek Armstrong
Known for his compete level, insane work ethic, and physical edge that he played with on both sides of the ice, former Kings' center Derek Armstrong was a fan favorite in Los Angeles throughout the 2000s decade. He was well regarded in the locker room and by the fans in Los Angeles during his over five-year-run with the Kings (from 2002-2009).
Armstrong was about as physical and gritty as top and middle-six centers came for the Kings in the 2000s decade. Not only did he play an instrumental role in helping to mentor a young Kopitar in the mid-to-late 2000s, but he also helped to provide important secondary scoring for the Kings at a transitional time in the franchise's history.
The biggest impact Armstrong made on the team wasn't his offensive production. Instead, it was his ability to win puck battles, block shots, and get in the dirty areas of the ice to make plays that are always underappreciated on the stat sheet, but don't go unnoticed by the coaching staff and his teammates for the Kings.
No center played more regular season games for the Kings in the decade than Armstrong, who logged over 350 appearances in his late 20s and early 30s.
Armstrong was the ultimate example of a player who helped the Kings bridge the gap between the rebuilding years of the mid-2000s and the formative years later in the decade that eventually led to the franchise winning two Stanley Cups in the 2010s.
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