Navigating a Rough Patch: The Los Angeles Kings’ Search for Center Stability
The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in a precarious situation as they approach a pivotal juncture in their organizational structure. For the last twenty years, Anze Kopitar has served as the backbone of the franchise as a premier number one center, alongside fellow stars Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty—together defining a triumvirate crucial to the Kings’ two Stanley Cup victories. However, with Kopitar announcing his retirement at the end of the current season, the Kings face an urgent need for skilled centers to fill this significant void.
Once regarded as future stars, the Kings now look to the past to understand the resigned state of their roster. Their former success has been marred by issues since the Lombardi administration, particularly related to personnel decisions involving key players like Mike Richards and Slava Voynov. Quick is now a backup in New York, while Doughty remains but is not the solution moving forward. The urgency for a sound succession plan becomes evident as Kopitar’s tenure comes to a close, signaling a critical moment for team management.
Drafting for the Future
In previous drafts, the franchise tried to secure its future at the center position. After a disappointing fall from the second overall choice in 2019 to fifth, the Kings rebounded in 2020, selecting Quinton Byfield with the second pick—integrating Alex Turcotte as well. Both were expected to evolve into pivotal figures for the next chapter of the Kings but have struggled to meet those expectations and assumptions.
Under GM Rob Blake‘s stewardship, the roster has cycled through numerous centers—many exiting through trades or waivers—leaving Byfield and Turcotte as the remaining hopes. Other drafted centers like Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, and Akil Thomas have all been discarded in a bid to stabilize this key position. With both Byfield and Turcotte finding it challenging to adapt, concerns grow that the Kings may be slipping into a stagnant middle-tier club rather than pursuing top-tier success.
Performance Challenges
Byfield, who had been heralded as a possible successor to the Hall of Famer Kopitar, has shown some promise but hasn’t consistently delivered, currently trending towards the mold of a mid-level second center rather than the elite player he was projected to be. Turcotte’s development has also been hampered by injuries and competition, leaving him unable to seize his chance to solidify a meaningful scoring role. Their combined underwhelming performances have contributed to a concerning trend, with the Kings now recording their lowest offensive output in over a decade, despite boasting strong defensive capabilities.
Furthermore, the structure of the Kings’ strategy is problematic. Built on an emphasis on defensive prowess and a rigid game plan, the team has struggled to generate offense effectively. They’re reliant on forechecking and strategic play rather than inventive tactics, leading to difficulties in scoring. This overarching approach raises the stakes for the Kings’ centers, who must navigate a challenging environment while facing improved competition.
Future Prospects
Despite these setbacks, the organization is hesitant to label Byfield a bust. The developmental journey can be inconsistent, and examples abound of players previously perceived as disappointments who later thrived in different settings. However, the case of Turcotte is more concerning, as his trajectory veers closer to disappointment rather than potential glory.
Currently, Kopitar remains the team’s leading scorer, coupled with a mix of productive and underwhelming centers in Byfield and Turcotte. This precarious arrangement leaves the Kings in a challenging predicament, especially after a series of trades and waivers that have stripped the team of emerging talent.
As discussions unfold regarding who can fill the gap left by Kopitar, names like Alex Laferriere have been discussed as potential additions. Laferriere has shown flashes of promise, but the thought of him simply stepping into a more critical center role indicates desperation, highlighting the ongoing struggle of the organization to create a robust plan moving forward.
Byfield and Turcotte are still considered legitimate NHL centers, yet both fail to meet the high standards set at their draft positions. With a history of respectable performances by players like Kopitar during the Lombardi era, the Kings now find themselves in a situation highlighting their need for true foundational pieces.
With Kopitar’s salary coming off the books and an increasing league salary cap, the Kings might seem to have newfound flexibility in the offseason. However, merely alleviating cap space won’t automatically resolve their center dilemma, particularly when past behaviors suggest a preference for stabilizing measures over transformative strategies. As the Kings confront these issues, they stand at a crossroads, requiring bold decisions that recognize the need for clarity and a move away from a precarious middle-ground approach, which could inhibit their progression in the years ahead.
