Kings' rebuilding must leave ground floor

General manager Dean Lombardi has had to build the Los Angeles Kings from the ground up, similar to the challenge he faced in San Jose when he got the Sharks pointed in the right direction. But now, as the franchise enters its fourth season under the Lombardi regime, everyone wants to see some positive results.

Ryan Smyth(notes) hopes to be to the Kings what Mike Ricci(notes) was to the Sharks.

(Victor Decolongon/Getty)

The Kings haven't visited the postseason since 2001-02, the last three misfires on Lombardi's clock which have included consecutive last-place finishes following a fourth-place showing in the Pacific Division. Don't even remind Kings fans how many playoff series have been won in the last 15 years – that would be exactly one.

On one hand, the Kings might need to reverse those recent fortunes to extend Lombardi's employment, but on the other hand, there is a legitimate reason to believe the team is on the right track. Lombardi's five-year plan put an emphasis on drafting and developing, and Los Angeles is starting to benefit from the franchise's patience.

Anze Kopitar(notes) has 204 points in his first 236 NHL games, and he hasn't missed a contest in each of the last two years. The first-line center has already established himself as a star in the league at age 22 and not far removed from being drafted 11th overall in 2005.

The Kings have two young defensemen to build around – Jack Johnson(notes) and Drew Doughty(notes), first-round picks each. And while there's no guarantee he'll make the team or emerge as the team's No. 1 this season, 21-year-old goalie Jonathan Bernier(notes) (selected 11th overall in 2006) is viewed as a franchise netminder.

Few building teams are set up as well as the Kings, who are working to support the young core with the right veterans. While in San Jose, Lombardi didn't have high-end players emerge from those drafts, but he turned the Sharks around by bringing in quality veterans to guide the youngsters. Players such as Tony Granato, Marty McSorley, Bernie Nichols, Kelly Hrudey and Murray Craven, to name a few, were rewarded handsomely to join a struggling franchise and provide mentorship.

Lombardi was able to overpay the veterans to lure them to San Jose under the rules of the previous collective-bargaining agreement (i.e. no salary cap), but that strategy doesn't work in today's NHL economic equation. Lombardi probably would have liked to be more active in the offseason, but he had to choose his spots.

His acquisition of Ryan Smyth is a typical Lombardi move. He'll count on Smyth being the Mike Ricci of that San Jose team he had. Smyth won't necessarily be asked to resurrect his scoring touch as much as providing the example of working hard every night, bringing energy and going to the dirty areas on the ice.

Lombardi

The hot rumor last week was the Kings' efforts to land former Sharks captain Patrick Marleau(notes), whom Lombardi drafted second overall in 1997. The move makes sense in terms of Lombardi's familiarity and history with Marleau, who could play a supportive role to Kopitar in much the manner that hasn't worked as well as forecast with Joe Thornton(notes) in San Jose.

Last season: 34-37-11 (79 points), fifth place Pacific Division, 14th place in the Western Conference and 26th place overall. The Kings, which had a difficult road schedule to finish the year, didn't fare well late and finished last in the division for a second straight season. They've missed the playoffs six straight years, too.

Imports: LW Ryan Smyth (Colorado) and D Rob Scuderi(notes) (Pittsburgh).

Exports: D Tom Preissing(notes) (Colorado), D Kyle Quincey(notes) (Colorado), C Brian Boyle(notes) (N.Y. Rangers) and D Matt Moulson(notes) (N.Y. Islanders).

Re-signings: D Jack Johnson.

Salary cap: The Kings had a ton of cap room this time last year, but now they've got approximately $51.6 million committed and have about $8.6 million available, assuming the budget allows for spending to the ceiling.

Scuderi

Three keys: The Kings' young core of forwards, led by Anze Kopitar, need to take charge. Kopitar was complimented by Lombardi for his attention to offseason conditioning, a part of his game that was lacking until this offseason.

Kopitar's display of leadership could go a long way in establishing a new culture in Los Angeles. The Kings have high hopes for Oscar Moller(notes), 20, Wayne Simmonds(notes), 21, and Teddy Purcell(notes), 24, to follow.

Second, Rob Scuderi and Ryan Smyth have to bring the right mix of a calming influence blended with a contribution in their own way. Lombardi picked the defenseman and forward, respectively, to bring that presence that was missing on the roster, and he's guessing both will be the perfect candidates to mentor the younger players in the locker room

Third, Terry Murray has to be patient and remain as much of a teacher as a hard driving coach behind the bench. Marc Crawford was not the right personality to lead a young team, and it cost him his job. He wasn't willing to let the younger players make mistakes and leaned on the veterans too much. Murray is seen as a better fit for the group.

Jonathan Quick got a taste of success last season, but one slip might have him looking over his shoulder.

(Christian Petersen/Getty)

On the hot seat: Jonathan Quick seized the goal last season when the Kings were clearly looking for a go-to guy and had given a number of different goalies the chance to win the job over the last two years. Quick, 23, and in the final year of his contract, needs to be solid from the start or Los Angeles will consider promoting Jonathan Bernier if it appears he's ready to take over.

Poised to blossom: He already opened a lot of eyes last season as a rookie playing beyond his tender years and experience, but look for teenager Drew Doughty to at least double his offensive production while casting aside any idea of a sophomore jinx.

Doughty, the second player selected in 2008, displayed tremendous poise and fortitude as a rookie last season when he scored six goals and piled up a modest 27 points in 81 games. He led the Kings in average ice time (23:50), too.

Time has passed: Overall, the Kings are going to be a young team – as many as 13 players on the roster could be 27 years old or younger – but they are still paying veteran Sean O'Donnell(notes) $1.25 million this season to patrol the blue line. The 37-year-old averaged 20 minutes a night last year, and hopefully the Kings won't need him to skate that much this season. If so, that means someone is not progressing or playing as well as needed.

Prediction: The Kings will need to improve at least 14 to 16 points in the standings to have a shot at the playoffs, and that's a significant leap. They won't have the killer late-season road schedule they had last season, but just the same the competition isn't getting any easier. Los Angeles has to take advantage of a team that slips – Dallas? Minnesota? Edmonton? St. Louis? Will the Kings be in a position to do that? It says no here.