Quarter-Season Impressions from Kings General Manager Ken Holland: A Deep Dive
The LA Kings Insider presents an in-depth analysis of the team's performance through the first quarter of the season, as assessed by General Manager Ken Holland. Holland emphasizes the significance of the 20-game mark as a pivotal point for evaluating a hockey team's trajectory.
Historical Context and Trends
Historically, around American Thanksgiving, 12 out of 16 playoff-bound teams have secured their positions. However, Holland clarifies that this is a trend rather than a scientific rule. The key takeaway is that by the 20th game, teams start to reveal their true potential.
Current Team Performance
Holland expresses optimism about the team's progress, highlighting several positive aspects:
- Winning Streak: The Kings have won 9 out of their last 13 games, showcasing a strong run.
- Road Warriors: They boast the second-best road record in the league, indicating a strong away performance.
- Defensive Improvement: The team's goals against have improved, currently ranking 7th in the league.
- Penalty Killing: Holland acknowledges recent progress in penalty killing, a critical aspect of the game.
However, there are areas of concern:
- Goal-Scoring: The team's goal-scoring output has dipped, currently ranking 21st in the NHL, which is below their pace from last season.
- Power Play: The power play has struggled, ranking 29th, which is a significant drop from their earlier performance.
Individual Player Performance
Holland believes that the 20-game mark provides a fair assessment of individual players' progress:
- Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, and Quinton Byfield: These players have been producing at an acceptable rate during this period.
- Danault Line and Andrei Kuzmenko: Holland identifies these players as underperforming offensively.
Parity in the League
Holland discusses the intense competition within the NHL, noting that parity is at an all-time high. The Kings have faced a significant number of playoff-bound teams early in the season, making it challenging to assess their true standing.
Consistency and Improvement
Despite some inconsistencies, Holland remains optimistic about the team's trajectory:
- Winning Hockey: The Kings have played winning hockey, as evidenced by their recent performances.
- Penalty Killing and Power Play: Holland highlights the team's improved penalty killing and the need for better power play performance.
Contract Negotiations and Trades
- Adrian Kempe's Extension: Holland met with Kempe's agent, J.P. Berry, to discuss a potential extension, indicating progress in negotiations.
- Dumoulin/Ceci Pairing: Holland addresses the -5 rating for the Dumoulin/Ceci pairing and the subsequent adjustments made by coach Jim Hiller.
- Clarke's Development: Clarke has shown significant improvement, moving ahead of his performance from last season, according to Holland.
Looking Ahead
Holland promises a deeper analysis of the team's performance in the upcoming weeks, focusing on both positive and negative aspects.
The Kings will continue their journey, with a crucial game against the Capitals on Monday, and the team's progress will be closely monitored.
