While there is no case for celebration for Kings fans, there is a distinct optimism rarely found for teams that are in dead last in any professional sport. The Kings have definitely underachieved so far this season after many picked them to be a playoff team at the outset. The Kings have been in the top 5 in the Western conference in goals scored all season and boast some of the NHL's best power-play and penalty kill numbers and yet have the worst record in the NHL. Which is very puzzling because most often when teams are rebuilding offensive skill and output are the last and most difficult areas to develop.
While the struggles of the Kings goaltending and defense have been well chronicled, it should be noted that in the teams recent three game winning streak goalie Jason LaBarbera has stopped 103 of 109 shots faced for a defense that has blocked 52 shots in the process. The youth of the team has really shown as they have been by far the most inconsistent and frustrating team in the NHL this season. The Kings lack size on the defensive side of the puck beyond Rob Blake and have been turning the puck over at very inopportune times so far this season.
The reasons for optimism in Los Angeles though are evident as this is the first season of general manager Dean Lombardi to have all of his coaches and scouts in place. Lombardi is credited with the turnaround of the San Jose Sharks and is well respected throughout the NHL as having a great eye for talent. Lombardi believes in rebuilding from bottom up which starts with quality scouts, one on one meetings and evaluations with prospects and a process of developing young quality defenseman and goalies. While the players Lombardi has drafted on the offensive side of the puck have paid huge and instant dividends, defenseman and goalies generally take longer to develop.
Perhaps the most encouraging thing for Kings fans comes in there current weakness, their youth. With such gifted offensive talents as Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Patrick O'Sullivan, Mike Cammeleri and Alexander Frolov the Kings look set on the offensive side of the puck for years to come. The defense doesnt look bad either with hickey and martinez playing well in the minors the top two defensive players selected by the kings in last years draft and who could forget mentioning Jonathan Bernier who dominated junior hockey for team canada in goal. Id say even though the team is in last place there is reason to be optimistic for kings fans.