from Curtis Zupke at NHL.com,

The Kings should be humbled and re-energized after they played 64 playoff games the previous three seasons. They added power forward Milan Lucic in the offseason, but they lost significant pieces from their two Cup-winning teams and their depth will be challenged.

Right wing Justin Williams signed with the Washington Capitals, and center Jarret Stoll signed with the New York Rangers as free agents. The Kings terminated the hefty contract of center Mike Richards.

Last season's uphill path started with the defensemen. Slava Voynov was suspended in October and Alec Martinez and Robyn Regehr missed significant time with injuries, as did midseason acquisition Andrej Sekera. That forced Doughty to lead the NHL in total ice time, and coach Darryl Sutter consistently said it was too much for the Norris Trophy finalist.

Regehr retired and Sekera signed with Edmonton, which left Los Angeles with little depth after the core of Doughty, Martinez, Jake Muzzin and Matt Greene. Voynov's situation remained unresolved as of mid-August.

The push for the playoffs ultimately forced Sutter to play Quick 72 games, tying his NHL career high; his total ice time was the second-most among goalies behind Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals.

Offensively, the Kings remain a top-heavy team, but the addition of Lucic, acquired from the Boston Bruins for goalie Martin Jones, defenseman prospect Colin Miller and the 13th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, gives them two lines as good as any in the Western Conference.

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