Los Angeles Kings Need Scoring Help
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Adan Virk on NHL Now on the NHL Network last week and discussed the Los Angeles Kings. He reiterated the Kings aren’t making a coaching change, as the focus is on getting scoring help.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: Los Angeles Kings Still Need Goal Scoring
Adnan Virk: “Last thought for a real quick here, Dave. The Kings, right now, can’t win at home. They have lost (four) straight, (7-10-7). Is a coaching change imminent, with regards to Jim Hiller?”
Dave Pagnotta: “Still No. Still, the notion out of Los Angeles. And the word there is that they’re not considering a coaching change at this time. The focus for LA and GM Ken Holland is to find some offence. They’re looking for that. They’re looking for goal scoring. It’s been a big struggle for them all year. This year, they are 29th, 30th, whatever they are right now in the NHL in goals per game.
They’re trying to find more of it. Now, it was nice to get a point (Wednesday and Friday) night against Vegas and tie that game late before losing an OT. But this is a team that still wants to improve its positioning in the standings. As it shows right there, tied with San Jose (Seattle and Anaheim). A couple of points back to the (Utah) Mammoth.
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They still feel they’re a legitimate playoff contender, but Ken Holland is more focused on finding additional scoring punch for this roster than on making a coaching change right now. They go in a big dip, and they start losing 10 in a row, we’re talking about a different thing.
But right now, the focus is adding some offense to this group, not making a coaching change. That’s the focus right now for Ken Holland.”
Artemi Panarin and Alex Tuch in the Kings Future
During an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Steve Kouleas and Dennis Bernstein, Dave Pagnotta discussed the idea of the Los Angeles Kings going after Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres and Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers either via trade or in free agency.
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Pagnotta on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio: “I think if (Artemi) Panarin and (Alex) Tuch become available. I think LA is one of the teams that checks in on both, either whatever, one of those guys to try to bring them in. They hit the open market as a free agent. I also think LA is going to go after those guys to try to bring one of them in. But they’re looking for scoring, and that’s what they’re trying to do. And if other options become available, they’ll jump at that.”
Could the Kings Be in the Market for a Puck-Moving Defenseman
During the same segment, Bernstein tells Pagnotta and Kouleas on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio that the Los Angeles Kings need a puck-moving defenseman to help spark the offence as well.
Dennis Bernstein on Sirius XM NHL Network: “But here’s the challenge with that. Dave. You would look at the lineup and say scoring forward, because (Wednesday night, Jeff Malott, who’s a fourth liner, is on the first line, scoring winger. But here’s the real issue, here’s why the power plays isn’t any good. Here’s why they can’t score on offense.
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They have one puck-moving defenseman on this team, Brandt Clarke. Drew Doughty throws a great stretch pass. He’s not a puck mover anymore. (Mikey) Anderson isn’t. (Cody) Ceci isn’t, (Brian) Dumoulin isn’t, and Joel Edmundson isn’t. So that’s why they can’t get traction offensively. And you can’t move any of these players.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Los Angeles Kings have been looking for a fourth since the offseason. They tried to get Mitch Marner and Brock Boeser. In addition, the Kings will need depth at center, given Anze Kopitar‘s retirement at the end of the season. So GM Ken Holland has a lot of work to do.
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