2023-08-14 06:07:53
As part of the 32-for-32 series, NHL.com’s poolers team identifies some players to target at the Los Angeles Kings.
32 IN 32 KINGS: Preview of the 2023-24 season | Three issues to watch | The best hopes
NOTE: Players are ranked by their value in a pool this season. The point projections presented here are approximate and do not necessarily reflect a player’s full potential in a hockey pool.
Anze Kopitar, C — Kopitar had 28 goals and 74 points last season, his highest totals since setting career highs in both categories in 2017-18 (35 goals, 92 points). He led Los Angeles in points and power-play points (53) in addition to being the most utilized Kings forward on average per game (20:18) and on the power play (3 :01). Since entering the league in 2006-07, Kopitar ranks fifth in the NHL in points (1,141 in 1,292 games).
Projection: 72 points
Kevin Fiala, LW/RW — Fiala averaged over a point per game in his first season with Los Angeles (72 points in 69 games). He is one of 38 players who have played at least 50 games over the past two seasons to have at least one point per game over that span (1.04 points per game; 157 points in 151 games). Fiala’s value remains high as he is likely to evolve with Pierre-Luc Dubois on the second line.
Projection: 71 points
Adrian Kempe, C/LW/RW — Kempe set career highs in goals (41), assists (26) and points (67) last season as he established himself for a true scorer with a second consecutive campaign of 35 or more goals. With 76 goals over the past two seasons, he’s tied with Jake Guentzel (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) for 14th in the NHL over that span. Kempe is a reliable option for poolers, having missed just seven games in the past six seasons.
Projection: 70 points
Video: EDM@LAK, #6: Kempe finds the skylight in AN
Pierre-Luc Dubois, C — Dubois will be playing his first season with the Kings following having his best NHL campaign with 63 points in 73 games with the Winnipeg Jets last year. He is likely to pivot the second line with Fiala at his side. Dubois has scored at least 20 goals in four of his first six NHL campaigns and has reached 60 points in each of his last two seasons.
Projection: 68 points
Drew Doughty, D — Doughty played in 81 of his team’s 82 games last season, recording 52 points (nine goals, 43 assists), the highest for him since scoring 60 points in 2017- 18. He’s a staple on the power play for the Kings, who finished fourth in the league last season (25.3 percent). Doughty finished 10th among league defensemen in power-play assists (23) last season, and he’s a close to the top-20 in his pool position.
Projection: 56 points
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Other Kings players to consider in the pools: Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW; Phillip Danault, C; Brandt Clarke, D.
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