Kyle Garcia 
Five years ago, the LA Kings entered a rebuild. Not having a deep prospect pool when taking over the reins as general manager, Rob Blake traded away players such as Jake Muzzin, Tyler Toffoli, and Alec Martinez. All three were fan favorites. It’s a tough part of the business as a team transitions from one era to the next.
With the first lottery pick in the rebuild, they selected center Alex Turcotte out of the U.S. National Development Team, who was committed to playing in the NCAA at the University of Wisconsin. Right-handed defenseman Jordan Spence and forwards Arthur Kaliyev and Samuel Fagemo were also drafted in that same draft as Turcotte.
The following two drafts saw the Kings add to their pipeline with Quinton Byfield (second overall in 2020), Brock Faber, Helge Grans, Alex Laferriere, Martin Chromiak, Brandt Clarke, Francesco Pinelli, and Samuel Helenius. Add in Gabriel Vilardi, Akil Thomas, and Rasmus Kupari from the two drafts before 2019 and the future had promise. It had so much promise that the Kings were ranked first or second (depending on who you follow) in prospect pool rankings.
Fast forward five years after that rebuild; the Kings are now a team stuck in the middle with management thinking they were ‘right there’ after their first-round playoff series loss to the Edmonton Oilers for a third straight year. With some additions and subtractions to the roster, the Kings may have eight players under 25 to start the season, and finally, the youth will have a chance to make an impact.
Below are six players who need to have a vital role for LA this season:
Alex Laferriere
The Harvard product had a strong training camp and start to the regular season. Then the honeymoon phase was over and the rookie hit a wall. Moving up and down the lineup during the season Laferriere finished with 23 points in 81 games, and is not waiver-exempt this upcoming season.
I was high on Laferriere during his collegiate season and Harvard, but this year he will need to take the next step offensively and defensively. With a spot open on the first line, Laferriere needs to have a better season if he gets that spot, otherwise, it’ll be a revolving door in that spot.
Quinton Byfield
Quinton Byfield is expected to go back to the center position, one he is familiar with. After finally having his breakout season, there is confidence from fans, and I’m sure from within too, that Byfield will continue to grow and take the next step in his progression. If he can have another season like last year’s, while playing center and taking that next step, there is no doubt everyone will have confidence he can be that 1C when Anze Kopitar retires.
Akil Thomas and Alex Turcotte
Thomas and Turcotte have grown up in the organization together. They’ve suffered injuries that have halted their development and have gone through some highs and lows. Now, they are both expected to make the opening night roster and play a vital role for the Kings. Thomas is a player I can see being used up and down the lineup, while Turcotte plays at 4C.
Production and health. Those are the two question marks with these two. Thomas had a healthier season of the two and produced in his short stint with the Kings (four points in seven games). However, both must provide valuable production to the bottom six for LA, which will be completely different from last year’s. If not, that creates a big hole in that spot of the lineup.
Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence
Finally! If you have been hoping that the Kings use Clarke and Spence in the lineup, you will get your wish. Having Clarke and Spence in the lineup will give the Kings a puck-moving defenseman on each pair. With Spence, you have an underrated defenseman who had a good playoff showing, while Clarke is getting his feet wet and brings plenty of offensive potential.
While Clarke will have struggles on the defensive side, you can live with that with the skill and creativity he brings to the offensive side. How these two perform will show if the Kings can get production from the blue line as the team has relied on Drew Doughty for offense.
The Kings’ season can go either way. They could surprise people or go up in flames, but a critical season for the youth will be needed, not only for this year but hope for the future.
Featured image credit: Brad Penner/Getty Images
Laffy should have been sent down when he slumped, they could use the waiver exemption until closer to the TDL , this season.
I guess if he is up for it , he can make them look smart by performing.
Maybe it was on TMAC anyway.
Super interdicting plot lines developing here.
Don’t forget Blake got Burroughs and Clarke can still be sent down for a while and made to earn a post on both sides of the puck.
A successful Fiala , Byfield pairing would go away to making the playoffs.
Spence was a good pick just hope he can handle the defense of a top 4 D.
Competition is built in, especially between Akil and Turcs.