{"id":2508,"date":"2016-10-16T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2016-10-16T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=2508"},"modified":"2016-10-16T16:44:46","modified_gmt":"2016-10-16T20:44:46","slug":"los-angeles-kings-rebuild-closer-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/10\/16\/los-angeles-kings-rebuild-closer-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Kings Rebuild is Closer Than Most Think"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Kings<\/a> <\/strong>have been one of the NHL’s elite teams over the last few years. They have won two Stanley Cups in that time under the regime of general manager Dean Lombardi<\/strong> and head coach Darryl Sutter<\/strong><\/a>. However, lean times are ahead for the Kings.<\/p>\n

Lean Times Ahead for the Los Angeles Kings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Current Roster<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Kings entered the season with a solid NHL roster. Is it a roster that makes them contenders in the West? That seems very unlikely. The current core consists of\u00a0Anze Kopitar<\/strong><\/a>, Tyler Toffoli<\/strong><\/a>, Jeff Carter<\/strong><\/a>, Drew Doughty<\/strong><\/a> and Jonathan Quick<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

While that core is a great start, the depth the Kings once had is now gone. Age, free agency, the salary cap, long playoff runs and a weak farm system have contributed to the Kings current lack of depth, as well as declining production.<\/p>\n

The lower body\u00a0injury to Quick<\/a> on opening night could sideline him for at least the first half of the season. With Jeff Zatkoff<\/strong>\u00a0and Peter Budaj<\/strong>\u00a0expected to carry the load, this could put the Kings in a whole that will make it tough for them to make the playoffs this year.<\/p>\n

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The Jonathan Quick news keeps getting worse for\u00a0Kings https:\/\/t.co\/A6rBFouiZB<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) October 15, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n