That was an unsuccessful season for the Kings! After a couple of veteran deals upon his arrival, the new GM Lemyre was hoping to get the Kings into the playoffs.  But it never took off!

Krejci and Staal came in last summer and they are now both gone by today. They didnt not last a calendar year. The Kings will go into a quick youth movement and more precisely, a salary cap relief job is under way. Joe Thornton is gone also, so the Kings are now down to 36 millions in salary cap.  The plan is to make a strong signing in free agency and wait for the kids to develop.  Here the current roster :

Nick Schmaltz C
Mikael Granlund C
Derek Grant C
Ryan Carpenter C
Devin Shore C (To Seattle)
Clark Bishop C
Jonathan Drouin LW
Jonathan Huberdeau LW
Nathan Gerbe LW
Sheldon Dries LW
Chase De Leo LW
Nino Niederreiter RW
Kevin Rooney RW
Josh Archibald RW (To Seattle)
Aaron Ekblad D
Matt Grzelcyk D
Zach Whitecloud D
Mike Matheson D
Dmitry Kulikov D
Jordan Oesterle D
Ilya Lyubushkin D
Josh Brown D
Luca Sbisa D
Scott Wedgewood G
Carter Hart G
Hunter Miska G (Traded to Arizona)
Collin Delia G (Coming from Arizona)

 

The Kings definitively needs help on the right wing.  Hoping to cash in at free agency if possible. Or just make 2-3 ¨fill in¨ signing in later rounds.

As for prospects, Cole Perfetti might needs extra time in the minors but not because of lacking in talent. Just needs some seasoning. Jake Neighbours might be the most NHL ready because of his strong physical attributes and playmaking abilities.  Next in line is Sam Colangelo.  Just like Neighbours but he stands at 6 foot 3. He could create a lot of damage on the forecheck and has also good finishes around the net.  Luke Tuck is another big frame that could surprise a lot with his heavy shot.  So far, he is projected as a good 3rd line winger and he is going to a good hockey school in BU.  Lastly, Topi Niemela was very impressive at the World Junior and was named top defenseman of the tournament.  He could devellop into a good PP specialist and a succesful defenseman playing with a very talented NHL Toronto Maple Leafs team.

 

The Kings now holds the 3rd, 12th and 22nd and 36th overall picks in this summer draft. Even though they have limited amount of scouting notes available, the Kings are confident they will be excellent and promising picks.