3. Can defensemen provide more offense?
Brandt Clarke had an NHL career-high 40 points (eight goals, 32 assists) last season to lead the Kings in scoring at the position. There was a significant drop after that. Doughty and Joel Edmundson (two goals, 21 assists), who was paired with Clarke, were tied for second.
Los Angeles knows it needs more scoring this season than last, when it was 29th in the NHL in goals (220). That means the defensemen will have to contribute more too.
Coach Peter Laviolette will bring a style that is expected to focus more on creating offense. Let’s see if the changes he brings will also jumpstart production from defensemen as well.