From NHL.com's Kevin Weekes' "Friday Four":

4. Kings not looking royal

The Los Angeles Kings are concerning because they are such a great group in terms of management and coaching staff. They're coming off a tough year, not making the Stanley Cup Playoffs after winning the Cup. A lot of their top guys came back in top shape, but it hasn't translated into their performance yet. They hardly get any shots on goal. There's no spark to their game.

I think Milan Lucic has a great opportunity as a pending free agent to come in there and play the way he is capable of playing. He's a big man, he's from the West Coast, but he hasn't been a fit so far. When he is on his game, he can be a game-changer, but it's not really all on him. A lot of guys in their group are not showing any spark. All the hunger they said they had has not translated into their game.

Their speed guys aren't even playing the speed game that we know. Marian Gaborik, Jeff Carter, "That 70s Line," those guys are fast players; but right now, they are not playing physical or fast. It's been disappointing watching them so far because I know they are way better than they've shown. The Kings are a two-time Cup champion team, but we're not seeing that right now.

Continued with notes regarding the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Coyotes...