After an offseason of changes, the Los Angeles Kings have laid out their blueprint for success.
It’s amazing what a couple of Stanley Cups will do. Over the past seven seasons, the legion of Los Angeles Kings season ticket holders has swollen to record numbers. With 213 consecutive regular season sellouts (and counting), the days of hockey playing second fiddle to basketball for winter sport dominance in Tinsel Town are ancient history. Los Angeles is a hockey town now.
The diehard fans finally got the taste of winning during a brilliant stretch from 2012 to 2014. During those dominant seasons, the Kings and their fans were flying high in the stratosphere of elite NHL teams.
However, success, dominance and notoriety can be a double-edged sword. Los Angeles is a town that demands excellence on a daily basis. From the Hollywood box office to the idyllic weather and their sports teams, there is no resting on laurels. After three subpar Los Angeles Kings seasons, there is a palpable urgency to return to glory.
The Kings’ ravenous fans have made it clear they prefer the rarefied air on the top of the mountain. This was on full display at the Microsoft Theater across the street from Staples Center and its statues of Luc Robitaille and Wayne Gretzky.
An invitation only event for season ticket holders gave fans a chance to vent their concerns and frustrations with Robitaille (President), Rob Blake (General Manager), Rob Futa (Asst. General Manager) and John Stevens (Head Coach), who sat down for a wide-ranging question and answer session.
The number one question was how do the Kings create an offense that is capable of scoring goals on a regular basis. Ranked 25th in the league a year ago, and on the outside looking in when the playoffs rolled around, the top glaring weakness was in both cases goal scoring.
Stevens explained, “We’re looking to improve our neutral zone entries and offensive play. We’re looking to take plays away from the boards and more into higher scoring areas in the middle of the attacking zone.”
He then showed a graphic of exactly what he and his assistant coaches would be emphasizing in training camp and into the season.
IMPROVE OFFENSIVELY
- Mobile D connected to attack
- Offensive Zone Entries – Detail & structure
- Offensive Zone Play
- Focus on driving inside
- Stronger Net Presence
- Constant Slot Presence
- Back of the net
- D connected 5 man attack
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Robitaille told the assembled crowd that the players have been working hard through most of the summer. He noted that Drew Doughty has been taking shooting lessons. Also, Jonathan Quick has been skating with the young newcomers at the Kings Development Camp this summer.
As for the newcomers, Futa was ebullient about Gabe Villardi, the Kings first round pick in 2017. “Gabe has experience leading a team to a championship with Windsor on the Canadian Junior Hockey, that is an intangible that really stood out for us. Additionally, he has great hockey sense, makes smart plays, protects the puck really well, is a big centerman, and despite reports to the contrary, he skates well too.”
As for how he intends to change the culture in and out of the clubhouse, Stevens wants to “emphasize camaraderie, encouraging the guys to know each other, bond, etc.” His belief is that “guys that know each other, guys that care about each other translates onto the ice”.
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It’s almost time to lace ’em up. Fans will soon see if all of this talk can translate into success. The Los Angeles Kings will hit the ice for the 2017-18 season with a fresh new outlook and blueprint.