It appears that the Los Angeles Kings are done with their rebuild, according to head coach Todd McLellan. In an interview with the Los Angeles Time, McLellan discussed the upcoming season, and how the Kings are ready to move forward, and past their rebuild.
"The players that are coming back this year, they're long-term players for us," McLellan said Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. "I heard (general manager) Rob Blake talk to each of the individuals saying, 'Listen, we are basically done with the initial phase of the rebuilding.' We've moved players around and out and brought different players in. It's time to turn the ship and let's start growing all of this."
With core players like Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty still leading the team, there will be an influx in high calibre prospects on the way, as early as this coming season. 2020 first round pick Quinton Byfield, Alex Turcotte, Rasmus Kupari, and Arthur Kaliyev are all options for the Kings this season. They are all capable of playing at a high level, and McLellan will certainly hope that they can help turn around the Kings offence.
“If I'm one of the five long-term veterans coming back, I got to be excited to hear that. I've got to be excited about seeing [Blake] bring guys like Maatta in and trading for Lias Andersson."
"That's signaling that we're trying to make our team better and trying to push now up the hill rather than just waiting, not necessarily to bottom out, that's a bad term, but for the cleanse to finish. I think there's more stability."
The NHL is still undecided on when they plan to begin the 2020-21 season, but the league is targeting a January 15th start, with training camps opening around New Year's Day.
The NHL is also being forced to re-align for the upcoming season, one of the reasons being that the Canada/US border is still closed. The Kings are likely to end up in the West division alongside Anaheim, San Jose, Vegas, Arizona, Colorado, and St. Louis.
