Kings Season Preview: Fiala has been added to the mix of accomplished veterans and youthful core

The 2022-23 NHL season begins on October 7th. With training camps opening soon, NHL.com takes a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster matters, and the prospective lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today the Los Angeles Kings.

Coaches: Todd McLellan (fourth season)

Last season: 44-27-11, third in Pacific Division; lost to Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the Western Conference

3 KEYS

1. What’s next?

The Kings are energetic after leading the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round last season, and have the ideal mix of youth and experience to continue to develop this season. Earn Forward Kevin Fiala in a June 29 trade with the Minnesota Wild and signing a seven-year contract, Los Angeles gives a potential difference; The 26-year-old had a career-high 85 points (33 goals, 52 assists) with Minnesota last season. There is also hope for local buyers Adrian Kempe continues to break through after the 26-year-old forward hit a career-high 35 goals last season.

2. Who is next?

Kempe, Arthur Kaliyev21, Rasmus Kupari22 and Quinton Byfield, 20, are part of a forward core that drives long-term success. Byfield, the 2020 NHL draft pick, is entering his first full NHL season healthy and with the highest cap. He used the off-season to work on face-offs, met with his skating coach 2-3 times a week, and made video calls with player development coach Jarret Stoll to discuss defensive positioning.

3. The Old Guard

How much longer can captain Anze Kopitar35, defender Drew Doughty32, and goalkeeper Jonathan Schnell, 36, fend off father time? Kopitar’s 67 points (19 goals, 48 ​​assists) were his highest since a career-high NHL 92 (35 goals, 57 assists) in 2017-18. Quick is entering the final season of a 10-year contract after a delay Cal Petersen with his best overall results (23 wins, 2.59 goals against average, 0.910 percent save rate) since the same season. Doughty led the Kings defensemen with 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) and a 25:44 ice time average despite being limited to 39 games. He had a bruised knee, was on NHL COVID-19 protocol and stopped playing after March 7 due to a wrist injury that required surgery on April 11.

Video: NHL Tonight talks about Adrian Kempe’s contract extension

roster overview

make the cut

In between there will be competition on the left side of defence Brand Clarke, SeanWalker, Tobias Björnfot and Jordan Spence. Walker is a wild card after undergoing six games of surgery last season for a cruciate ligament and MCL tear. Any extra time he needs could create a chance for Clarke, a 19-year-old who was picked No. 8 in the 2021 NHL draft, or Spence, a 21-year-old who averaged 19:45 in 24 ice time completed regular season games and 18:01 in three Stanley Cup playoff games.

The most interesting addition

Fiala works with Kopitar and Kempe on the right wing of the first line; He finished last season with 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in his last 41 games. For the season, Fiala had 17 power play points (five goals, 12 assists) and should have a power play that ranked 27th in the NHL (16.1 percent).

Biggest potential surprise

Outside of the organization, it was easy to forget this Alex Turcotte, a 21-year-old center whose career was cut short by two concussions that kept him away from ice activity at development camp. The No. 5 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft is on the pick for the Rookie Faceoff Prospect tournament that started Friday. Turcotte is expected to play for Ontario in the American Hockey League for most of this season. When he’s healthy and has game, he looks like a player who can ignite the kings on the track. He had 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 27 AHL games last season.

Ready to break through

Though Kaliyev has had a promising rookie season on paper (27 points; 14 goals, 13 assists in 80 games), the numbers camouflage three goals in his last 26 regular-season games and no points with a minus-3 rating in seven playoff games. He will reunite with the center Blake Lizotte and play with the left wing Alex Jafallo on the third line. Its ceiling is in the top six.

fantasy sleeper

Trevor MooreLW/RW (drafted average in Fantasy) — Last season, he had NHL career bests for points (48), goals (17), assists (31), plus/minus (up-20), and shots on goal (202). Moore finished third with the Kings in 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes (1.97) and is a fantasy sleeper who plays in their top-six forward group, who get a boost from the acquisition of Fiala should. – Anna Dua

PLANNED PLACEMENT

Adrian Kempe – Anze Kopitar – Kevin Fiala

Trevor Moore– Philip Danault — Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo – Blake Lizotte – Arthur Kaliyev

Gabriel Vilardi — Quinton Byfield — Rasmus Kupari

Mikey Anderson — Drew Doughty

Tobias Bjornfot — Matt Roy

Alexander Edel — Sean Durzi

Jonathan Schnell

Cal Petersen