A lot of buzz in regards to the Kings this 12 months after two first-round exits after rising from their post-dynasty abyss, after which including Pierre-Luc Dubois. Besides it’s not clear what Dubois really does. The Jackets sucked with him. The Jets sucked with him. Certain, he’ll get to trip in Anze Kopitar’s wake, however Anze Kopitar may begin taking part in like he’s in his late 30s, after which what? PLD simply isn’t that man, and the Kings are about to be the third crew to seek out that out.
But when Kopitar can nonetheless be Kopitar for yet one more season, and Phillip Danault can take the dungeon shifts, then it is going to by no means arrange higher for Dubois to really be, y’know, good.
The goalie scenario remains to be ass, and a midseason commerce can be essential if the Kings are going to make severe noise. Drew Doughty can also be getting up there, and there isn’t anybody else round to select up the slack ought to Doughty often want a walker to get round. Coach Todd McLellan will get essentially the most of no matter’s right here as a result of that’s his factor, however in the event you’re searching for a shock crew to interrupt by way of the Avs-Oilers-Knights axis, it ain’t right here.