I'm actually encouraged that there were many positives this year:
1. Byfield and Kaliyev got to play in the AHL and get Pro experience, play against men, learn the system. Perform well. This puts their development
to the point of making the Kings this coming season. If they had played in the OHL, they would not be ready. Are they ready to make the Kings? I think
with a good Summer and camp, yes. Would they have been ready with a season in the OHL? More likely, no.
2. Mikey Anderson and Tobias Bjornfot became capable NHL defensemen. They both will be even better next year. Anderson said in exit
interview, he will add muscle and work on offensive game. He's also an emerging leader. Bjornfot is scratching the surface and will get better.
3. Signing Iafallo and Roy to good contracts IS HUGE. Needed to lock up them up.
4. Lias Andersson was looking MEH at the start of the year...then got his game back in the AHL and had 17 pts in 15 games there and came
back to the Kings and had great chemistry with Vilardi. He has vision, skills, can finish too. Improved his skating since the Rangers days. He will be even better next year. 15G / 20A / 35 pts yr possible.
He will be solid, going forward. Still only 22. Can play 3rd line and enough skill to move up, if needed. Great trade.
5. All of these players got a very valuable year of Pro hockey: (Byfield and Kaliyev, as already mentioned) Kupari, Turcotte, Thomas,
Fagemo, Dudas, Moverare (great to have him back in North America) and Madden; although injured.
6. Brock Faber was stellar and looked as good or better than #5 overall Sanderson at the WJC. He had a monster year and
will only get better. If the draft was redone, he would possibly go in the teens. Great future and leader. His offense will pick up.
Had a 5 assist game, I believe in the NCAA tournament. This kid is going to be awesome.
7. The Kings have tons of cap room and tons of assets in prospects and picks. Of course, it's up to Blake to manage that and
make some deals, but that is possible, due to the high number of quality assets, cap room and a flat cap - can take advantage
of other teams' problems. Instead of going after a 10 million, injured Eichel, find next tier type of player that needs a change.
Kind of like a David Perron, that was in Edmonton, Pittsburgh, the Ducks, Vegas, back to Blues....and is now pretty much a force. Or a Burakovsky...the AVS got him for a second round pick and he's been awesome for them. WHERE / WHO are these types, the Kings could target?
There must be some players that are like him, that will benefit from a change.
8. I'm going to list Kupari too. He was all but forgotten, after a MEH start in Ontario (tried to play euro style and not use teammates)
and the terrible knee injury setback....came back strong, bigger, and his skating was as good or better! He has the tools, skating
and ability to be a great player. You can see it. A year ago, you could not count on him to even be decent in the AHL and you're
now looking at a top level prospect, ready NOW to step in and be a good NHL player. Look for him to surprise even more, this coming season. He can really shoot the puck, too.
Be encouraged. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not an oncoming train!
