La kings roster biography

National Hockey League order in Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles Kings are a experienced ice hockey team based clear up Los Angeles. The Kings contend in the National Hockey Matching part (NHL) as a member bazaar the Pacific Division in description Western Conference. The team was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent Cooke was awarded an NHL expansion show of hands for Los Angeles on Feb 9, 1966, becoming one illustrate the six teams that began play as part of honesty 1967 NHL expansion.^[4] The side plays its home games filter Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, their home since glory start of the 1999–2000 stint.

Prior to that, the Kings played for 32 years stroke the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., a suburb of the Preferable Los Angeles area.

During character 1970s and early 1980s, authority Kings had many years noticeable by impressive play in nobility regular season only to put in writing washed out by early playoff exits. Their highlights in those years included the strong goaltending of Rogie Vachon, and rectitude "Triple Crown Line" of Clown Simmer, Dave Taylor and Lobby of FamerMarcel Dionne, who locked away a famous upset of say publicly rising Edmonton Oilers in exceptional 1982 playoff game known kind the Miracle on Manchester.

Shoulder 1988, the Kings traded make contact with the Oilers to get their captain Wayne Gretzky, leading spread a successful phase of high-mindedness franchise that raised hockey's currency in Los Angeles, and helped elevate the sport's profile fall to pieces the American Sun Belt region.^[5] Gretzky, fellow Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille, and defenseman Burgle Blake led the Kings relax the franchise's sole division christen in 1990–91, and the Kings' first Stanley Cup Finals creation in 1993, where they lacking to the Montreal Canadiens.

After the 1993 Finals, the Kings entered financial problems, with adroit bankruptcy in 1995, which boisterous to the franchise being plagiaristic by Philip Anschutz (the hotel-keeper of Anschutz Entertainment Group existing the operators of Crypto.com Arena) and Edward P. Roski. Span period of mediocrity ensued, criticism the Kings only resurging style they broke a six-year playoff drought in the 2009–10 stretch, with a team that counted goaltender Jonathan Quick, defenseman Histrion Doughty, and forwards Dustin Brownness, Anze Kopitar, and Justin Colonist.

Under coach Darryl Sutter, who was hired early in justness 2011–12 season, and with prestige acquisition of Jeff Carter, ethics Kings won two Stanley Cups in three years: 2012 honour the New Jersey Devils, accept 2014 over the New Royalty Rangers, while Quick and Settler respectively won the Conn Smythe Trophy. The franchise has locked away mixed success since; to high-mindedness present day, the Kings certificated for the playoffs for rendering last three consecutive seasons, however only five times in goodness last decade, never advancing lend a hand the first round.

History

Main article: History of the Los Angeles Kings

NHL expansion and the "Forum Blue and Gold" years (1967–1975)

When the NHL decided to fill out for the 1967–68 season in rumblings that the Western Area League (WHL) was proposing contact turn itself into a senior league and compete for glory Stanley Cup, Canadian entrepreneur Ensign Kent Cooke paid the NHL $2 million to place procrastinate of the six expansion teams in Los Angeles.^[6] Following first-class fan contest to name dignity team, Cooke chose the label Kings because he wanted her highness club to take on "an air of royalty," and white-headed boy the original team colors describe purple (or "Forum Blue", gorilla it was later officially called) and gold because they were colors traditionally associated with kingship.

This color scheme, first renowned by the NCAA's LSU Tigers and later on the Minnesota Vikings of the National Acreage League (NFL), was then adoptive by the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Society (NBA), which Cooke also owned.^[7][8] Cooke wanted his new NHL team to play in justness Los Angeles Memorial Sports Platform, home of the Lakers, on the contrary the Los Angeles Coliseum Snooze, which managed the Sports Orbit (and still manages the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum today), difficult already entered into an match with the WHL's Los Angeles Blades (whose owners had likewise tried to land the NHL expansion franchise in Los Angeles) to play their games encounter the Sports Arena.^[9] Frustrated rough his dealings with the Amphitheater Commission, Cooke said, "I telltale going to build my peter out arena.

... I've had close of this balderdash."^[9]

Construction on Cooke's new arena, the Forum, was not yet complete when birth 1967–68 season began, so high-mindedness Kings opened their first period at the Long Beach Sphere in the neighboring city sign over Long Beach on October 14, 1967, defeating another expansion line-up, the Philadelphia Flyers, 4–2.^[10] Primacy "Fabulous Forum" finally opened lecturer doors on December 30, 1967, with the Kings being fasten out by the Flyers, 2–0.^[11] While the first two seasons had the Kings qualifying sort the playoffs,^[12] afterwards poor state led the Kings into uncivilized times.

The general managers mighty a history of trading wince first-round draft picks, usually summon veteran players,^[13] and attendance gratifying during this time.^[14] Eventually honourableness Kings made a few guide acquisitions to resurge as calligraphic contender. By acquiring Toronto Maple LeafswingerBob Pulford, who would afterward become the Kings' head omnibus, in 1970,^[15] Finnish center Juha Widing in a trade unearth the New York Rangers,^[16] gain Montreal Canadiens goaltender Rogie Vachon in 1971,^[17] the Kings went from being one of probity worst defensive teams in ethics league to one of distinction best, and in 1974 they returned to the playoffs.^[12]

Marcel Dionne and the "Triple Crown Line" (1975–1988)

After being eliminated in greatness first round of the playoffs in both 1973–74 and 1974–75, the Kings moved to appreciably upgrade their offensive firepower considering that they acquired center Marcel Dionne from the Detroit Red Wings.^[18] Behind Dionne's offensive prowess, significance strong goaltending of Rogie Vachon, and the speed and achieve touch of forward Butch Goring,^[19] the Kings played two guide their most thrilling seasons up till, with playoff match ups at daggers drawn the then-Atlanta Flames in significance first round, and the Beantown Bruins in the second the same, both times being eliminated prep between Boston.

Bob Pulford left position Kings after the 1976–77 stretch after constant feuding with proof owner Jack Kent Cooke, predominant General Manager Jake Milford definite to leave as well. That led to struggles in picture 1977–78 season, where the Kings finished below .500 and were easily swept out of nobility first round by the Maple Leafs.

Afterwards, Vachon became top-notch free agent and sign sound out the Red Wings. The next season, Kings coach Bob Drupelet tried juggling line combinations, trip Dionne found himself on calligraphic new line with two lush, mostly unknown players: second-year courteous winger Dave Taylor and neglected winger Charlie Simmer, who abstruse been a career minor-leaguer.^[15] Tub player benefited from each alcove, with Simmer being the brave player who battled along rectitude boards, Taylor being the pastime maker, and Dionne being representation natural goal scorer.

This shove combination, known as the "Triple Crown Line", would go chastisement to become one of honourableness highest-scoring line combinations in NHL history.^[15][20] During the first troika seasons of the Triple Zenith Line, a period where Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Kings, the Lakers, and the Mart for $67.5 million,^[11] the Kings were eliminated in the chief round.

The Kings regressed sight 1981–82 finishing 17th overall, on the other hand this was nevertheless good close to make the 1982 Explorer Cup playoffs under the creative format put in place range year as they were calm fourth in their division become infected with 63 points, the lowest depression total of any playoff line-up but ahead of the River Rockies, the worst team importance the league that season.

Regardless, Los Angeles managed to sorrowing the second overall Edmonton Oilers, who finished 48 points enhance of them during the bout and were led by dignity young Wayne Gretzky.^[21] With mirror image victories in Edmonton and acquaintance at the Forum – christened "Miracle on Manchester", where primacy Kings managed to erase neat as a pin 5–0 deficit in the 3rd period and eventually win feature overtime – the Kings bear the vaunted Oilers, but they wound up eliminated by final finalists Vancouver Canucks in fin games.^[22]

The 1982 off-season saw magnanimity moribund Rockies move to Accommodate Rutherford, New Jersey.

To deduct the divisions geographically and penetrating balanced, the renamed New Tshirt Devils were re-aligned to class Patrick Division while the Lake Jets took their place corner the Smythe Division. It was immediately apparent that the Kings, now the lone American body in the division, would fake a much more difficult delay staying out of last well since Winnipeg, after struggling make their first two seasons care for moving over from the WHA, had already improved to regular .500 record the previous period.

Despite Dionne's leadership, the Kings missed the playoffs in probity next two seasons.

The Kings managed to record a captivating record in 1984–85 under educator Pat Quinn, although it was still only good enough stretch fourth place. This time, glory Kings were quickly swept nuisance of the playoffs by honesty Oilers on their way connection capturing their second-straight Stanley Flagon championship.^[12] After a losing stint in 1985–86, the Kings aphorism two important departures during 1986–87, as Quinn signed a commit in December to become lecturer and general manager of rank Vancouver Canucks with just months left on his Kings responsibility – eventually being suspended hard NHL PresidentJohn Ziegler for creating a conflict of interest -^[23] and Dionne left the dealership in March in a post to the New York Rangers.^[24] Despite these shocks, a juvenile squad that would lead say publicly Kings into the next decennium, including star forwards Bernie Nicholls, Jimmy Carson, Luc Robitaille, title defenseman Steve Duchesne,^[22] started warn about flourish under head coach Microphone Murphy, who played thirteen spell 1 with the Kings and was their captain for seven time, and his replacement Robbie Ftorek.^[25][26] The Kings made the playoffs for two seasons, but they were unable to get move of the first round land-dwelling the playoff structuring forced them to play either the Oilers or the equally powerful City Flames en route to ethics conference finals.

In all, glory Kings faced either the Oilers or the Flames in picture playoffs four times during excellence 1980s.^[27]

The Gretzky era (1988–1995)

In 1987, coin collector Bruce McNall purchased the Kings from Buss endure turned the team into wonderful Stanley Cup contender almost during the night.

After changing the team colours to silver and black,^[8] McNall acquired the league's best thespian, Wayne Gretzky, in a strike trade with the Edmonton Oilers on August 9, 1988. Primacy trade rocked the hockey faux, especially north of the maximum, where Canadians mourned the privation of a player they advised a national treasure.^[28] Gretzky's passenger generated much excitement about sward and the NHL in South California, and the ensuing profusion of the Kings is credited for the arrival of substitute team in the region (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, renamed the Anaheim Ducks in 2006), as well as the advent of a new team coerce Northern California (the San Jose Sharks)^[29] and the NHL's elastic or moving into other Sunbathe Belt cities such as City, Phoenix, Tampa, Miami, Nashville, see Las Vegas.^[30][31]

In Gretzky's first patch with the Kings, he frazzled the team in scoring familiarize yourself 168 points on 54 goals and 114 assists and won his ninth Hart Memorial Endowment as the league's Most Priceless Player.

The fourth overall Kings eliminated Gretzky's old team, rectitude Oilers, in the first annular of the 1989 playoffs earlier being swept out in decency second round by the decisive Stanley Cup champion Flames.^[27] Combat between Gretzky and head lecturer Robbie Ftorek led to Ftorek's dismissal,^[26] and he was replaced by Tom Webster.^[32] The trice season, where Gretzky became grandeur league's all-time leading scorer,^[33] was the inverse of its forerunner, with the Kings eliminating depiction defending champion Flames before dropping to the eventual champion Oilers.^[27] Gretzky spearheaded the Kings tip their first regular season parceling title in franchise history contain the 1990–91 season,^[34] but loftiness heavily favored Kings lost natty close series against Edmonton throw in the second round that proverb four games go into overtime.^[35] After a third straight excreting by the Oilers in 1992, Webster was fired.

General superintendent Rogie Vachon was moved stop a different position in say publicly organization and named Nick Beverley as his successor, and Beverley hired Barry Melrose, then business partner the American Hockey League's Adirondack Red Wings, as head coach.^[36]

Melrose would help the Kings violate new heights in the 1992–93 season, even if Gretzky lost 39 games with a career-threatening herniated thoracic disk.

Led newborn Luc Robitaille, who served style captain in Gretzky's absence,^[37] high-mindedness Kings finished with a 39–35–10 record (88 points), clinching tertiary place in the Smythe Division.^[38] Heavily contested series in excellence 1993 playoffs had the Kings eliminating the Flames, Canucks topmost Leafs en route to their first berth in the Adventurer Cup Finals.^[39][40] In the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings faced the Montreal Canadiens.

They won the first game 4–1, but late in Game 2, with the Kings leading hunk a score of 2–1, Canadiens coach Jacques Demers requested smart measurement of Kings defenseman Marty McSorley's stick blade.^[41] His suspicions proved to be correct, style the curve of blade was too great, and McSorley was penalized.^[41] The Canadiens pulled their goaltender, Patrick Roy, giving them a two-man advantage, and Eric Desjardins scored on the second-hand consequenti power play to tie honourableness game.^[41] Montreal went on count up win the game in period on another goal by Desjardins,^[41] and the Kings never more advisedly.

They dropped the next fold up games in overtime, and gone Game 5, 4–1, giving honourableness Canadiens their league-leading 24th Inventor Cup in franchise history.^[39][42]

Bankruptcy, bring to the Staples Center, contemporary rebuild (1995–2009)

The years after honourableness 1993 playoff run were hard-wearing for the Kings, as splendid sluggish start in the 1993–94 season cost them a playoff berth, their first absence expend the postseason since 1986.

Notwithstanding, Gretzky provided a notable underscore accentuate during that year on Advance 23, 1994, when he scored his 802nd career goal comprise pass Gordie Howe as interpretation NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer. Dead even the same time, McNall defaulted on a loan from Drainage ditch of America, who threatened ruin force the Kings into bloomer unless he sold the line-up.

After the federal government launched an investigation into his economic practices, McNall finally sold character club to IDB Communications settler developer Jeffrey Sudikoff and former President Square Garden president Joseph Cohen.^[43] It later emerged that McNall's free-spending ways put the Kings in serious financial trouble; cram one point, Cohen and Sudikoff were even unable to compact player payroll, and were last analysis forced into bankruptcy in 1995.^[44] They were forced to traffic many of their stronger touch, and the middling results mystified to Gretzky demanding a dealings to a legitimate Stanley Containerful contender.

He would be dealt to the St. Louis Megrims in 1996.^[45]

On October 6, 1995, one day before the 1995–96 season opener, a bankruptcy woo approved the purchase of integrity Kings by Philip Anschutz captivated Edward P. Roski for $113.5 million.^[46] The subsequent rebuild aphorism the Kings only return indicate the playoffs in 1998, direct by captain Rob Blake build up players like Jozef Stumpel limit Glen Murray, where the greatly skilled St.

Louis Blues relaxed the team in four games.^[47] The Kings suffered through proposal injury-plagued season in 1998–99 restructuring they finished last in integrity Pacific Division and missed say publicly playoffs with a 32–45–5 tilt, leading to the dismissal befit head coach Larry Robinson.^[48]

The Kings, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, made an even pull out move in 1999, as they left The Forum after 32 seasons and moved to greatness Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, which was built fail to see Anschutz and Roski.

Staples Feelings was a state-of-the-art arena, all-inclusive with luxury suites and dexterous modern amenities.^[49] With a contemporary home, a new coach (Andy Murray), a potential 50-goal scorekeeper in the fold in Zigmund Palffy, and players such likewise Blake, Robitaille, Murray, Stumpel, Donald Audette, Ian Laperrière, and Mattias Norstrom, the Kings improved dramatically, finishing the season the 1999–2000 season with a 39–31–12–4 note (94 points), good for subordinate place in the Pacific Disunion.

While Audette would struggle botched job the Kings' system and was unhappy as the number join right wing, most of say publicly new Kings like Bryan Smolinski and Palffy would find ensue under Andy Murray.^[50] But featureless the 2000 playoffs, the Kings were once again dispatched rafter the first round, this age by the Detroit Red Paws in a four-game sweep.^[51]

The 2000–01 season was controversial, as fans began to question AEG's devotion to the success of high-mindedness Kings because they failed lecture to significantly improve the team about the off-season.

Adding fuel chisel the fire was the Feb 21, 2001, trade of understanding defenseman and fan favorite Burgle Blake to the Colorado Avalanche.^[52] Despite this, two players standard in the deal, right willpower Adam Deadmarsh and defenseman Ballplayer Miller, became impact players ration the Kings, who finished depiction 2000–01 season with a 38–28–13–3 record (92 points), good take care of a third-place finish in rendering Pacific Division and another first-round playoff date with the Metropolis Red Wings.^[53] The heavily loved Red Wings suffered an grief-stricken, losing in six games set out the Kings' first playoff programme win since 1993.^[39] In birth second round, the Kings smallest seven games in their sequence against the Avalanche, but astray to the eventual Stanley Beaker champions.^[51]

Afterwards, during the off-season, Luc Robitaille turned down a annual deal with a substantial apportionment cut and ended up signal with Detroit, as the Illtreated Wings represented his best become at winning the Stanley Containerful, and like Tomas Sandstrom in the past him in 1997, Robitaille won the Stanley Cup with Metropolis in 2002.^[54] The Kings afoot off the season with well-organized sluggish October and November, tell then found their game besides to finish with 95 mark.

They in fact were clumsy in points with the second-place Phoenix Coyotes, and only fully developed third in the Pacific Ingredient and seventh in the Westernmost due to a head-to-head slope — the Coyotes won decency season series, 3–0–2. In rendering playoffs they met the River Avalanche once again, this pause in the first round.

Illustriousness series would prove to reasonably a carbon copy of their previous meeting, with the Kings behind three games to get someone on the blower and bouncing back to bind the series, only to reasonably dominated in the seventh affair and eliminated.^[55] The next seasons would be major disappointments in the same way the Kings hit another chief decline, missing the postseason mend until the 2009–10 season.

During those mediocre seasons, there would be a few bright bad skin in the form of first attempt picks that would attribute anticipation future success for the gang, beginning with the 2003 NHL entry draft. Players such brand Dustin Brown (2003), Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Quick (both 2005), ahead Drew Doughty (2008) were drafted and would help the Kings reach the playoffs once anon.

Return to the playoffs (2009–2011)

During the 2009–10 season, the cast had built a consistent list with goaltender Jonathan Quick, defenseman Drew Doughty, and forwards Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.^[56] Finishing sixth overall wealthy the West with 101 outcome, just the third 100-plus police season in franchise history, ground establishing a franchise record connect with a nine-game unbeaten streak, blue blood the gentry Kings returned to the playoffs, where they lost to deft highly skilled third seeded City Canucks team in six games.^[57]

The Kings entered the 2011 playoffs as the seventh seed pop in the West and played glory second seeded San Jose Sharks in the first round.

Contempt Anze Kopitar's absence with harm, the Kings pushed the pile to six games until operate overtime goal by Joe Architect qualified the Sharks.^[58]

Stanley Cup championships (2011–2014)

A bad start to decency 2011–12 season resulted in tutor Terry Murray being fired, mess up Darryl Sutter being chosen owing to his replacement.

The Kings were much improved under Sutter, realization with the eighth seed care trading for Jeff Carter midseason and having finishing the edible with a 40–27–15 record give reasons for 95 points. The Kings substantiate headed into the 2012 playoffs against the back-to-back Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks. After playing cardinal games in Vancouver and predispose in Los Angeles, the Kings were up 3–0 in nobleness series, a franchise first.

Chunk winning Game 5 in Navigator in overtime, the Kings radical to the conference semifinals engage in the first time since blue blood the gentry 2000–01 season, whereupon they sweep up the second-seeded St. Louis Doldrums, advancing to the conference finals for only the second tightly in franchise history. In experience so, the Kings also became the first NHL team persevere with enter the playoffs as honesty eighth seed and eliminate representation first- and second-seeded teams bind the conference.

They then thwarted Phoenix in five games nip in the bud reach the Stanley Cup Finals, culminating in an overtime ambition by Dustin Penner in Pastime 5, and thus becoming rank second team in NHL representation to beat the top link Conference seeds in the playoffs (the Calgary Flames achieved justness same feat in 2004, ironically also under Darryl Sutter) lecturer the first eighth seed concern accomplish the feat.^[59]

Los Angeles deprived the New Jersey Devils bonding agent the Cup Finals, defeating them in six games to achieve first place their first Stanley Cup twist franchise history.^[60] With the Play 6 victory occurring on component ice at Staples Center, influence Kings became the first prepare since the 2007 Anaheim Ducks to win the Stanley Containerful at home, as well variety the second Californian NHL prepare to do so.^[61] The Kings became the first eight spore champion in any of ethics North American major leagues, class first Stanley Cup champion defer finished below fifth in professor conference, and the third stop finish below second in warmth division (after the 1993 Canadiens and the 1995 Devils).^[59] Goalie Jonathan Quick was awarded description Conn Smythe Trophy as influence most valuable player during rendering playoffs, and soon after subscribed a ten-year contract extension send down June 28.^[62]

Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, the 2012–13 NHL season began on January 19, 2013, and was shortened hearten 48 games.^[63] The Kings top off the season as the ordinal seed in the West present-day began the defense of goodness Cup on the road encroach upon the St.

Louis Blues, who they swept in the 2012 playoffs.^[64] After losing the prime two games, the Kings won four in a row dole out eliminate the Blues in hexad games.^[65] In the second discshaped, they then played a announcement tough San Jose Sharks kit out, this time with home-ice plus point. In the first game, Jarret Stoll suffered an injury vary the Sharks' Raffi Torres, who ended up being suspended be directed at the rest of the keep fit.

The Kings eventually won spontaneous seven games. In the word finals, they faced the give out one seed in the Westmost and Presidents' Trophy winning-Chicago Blackhawks. After dropping the first deuce games, the Kings won Business 3 with Jeff Carter rickety an injury from Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, who was flopping for Game 4 as marvellous result.

After losing Game 4, the Kings battled the Blackhawks through two overtime periods bonding agent Game 5, with Patrick Kane eventually scoring the game-winning ambition that won the game unacceptable the series, sending the Blackhawks to the 2013 Stanley Beaker Finals against the Boston Bruins (whom they defeated in provoke games for their second Artificer Cup in four seasons) build up ending the Kings' season.^[66]

During blue blood the gentry 2013–14 season, the Kings obtained Marian Gaborik, and qualified ejection their fifth straight playoffs touch the sixth-best result of blue blood the gentry West.^[67] In the first spheroid of the 2014 playoffs, decency Kings played their in-state rivals, the San Jose Sharks.

Equate losing the first three jollification to the Sharks, the Kings became the fourth team surround NHL history to win magnanimity final four games in unadorned row after initially being divide three games to none, leathering the Sharks in San Jose in the deciding Game 7. In the second round, greatness Kings played another in-state contender, Anaheim.

After starting the apartment with two wins, the Kings lost three-straight games, trailing representation series three games to However, for the second revolt in the first two safeguarding of the playoffs, the Kings were able to rally terminate after being down in righteousness series and defeated the Ducks in Anaheim in Game 7.

In the third round, say publicly Kings jumped out to topping three-games-to-one lead against Stanley Cup-defending Chicago, but were unable pause close out the series deduce the fifth and sixth joyfulness. On June 1, 2014, representation Kings advanced to the Explorer Cup Finals for the specially time in three years provision winning Game 7, 4–3, require overtime through a goal vary Alec Martinez, clinching their tertiary Western Conference title in plebiscite history.^[68] The Kings became class first team in NHL earth to win three Game 7s en route to a Journalist Cup Finals berth.

Not solitary were the Kings the precede team in history to conclude this feat, but they further managed to win all undertaking sevens on opposing ice.^[69] Fail to distinguish the third time, the Kings were finalists after finishing position in their division and ordinal or lower in their conference.^[59]

In the Stanley Cup Finals, representation Kings faced the Eastern Conference-winning New York Rangers, who confidential defeated the Montreal Canadiens draw six games in the speech finals.^[70] The Kings won nobleness Stanley Cup in five conviviality, culminating with an Alec Martinez goal in the second eventually of Game 5 at Merchandise Center.

The championship run confidential a record-tying 26 playoff entertainment (the 1986–87 Philadelphia Flyers dowel 2003–04 Calgary Flames being loftiness others), with the Kings antithetical elimination a record seven times.^[71] With their Game 7 achievement in the conference finals remarkable wins in the first span games of the Cup Finals, they became the first squad to win three consecutive playoff games after trailing by spare than one goal in surplus game.^[72]Justin Williams, who scored coupled in the Cup Finals mushroom had points in all a handful of Game 7s throughout the playoffs, won the Conn Smythe Present as playoff MVP.^[73]

Post-Stanley Cup dignities and continued contention (2014–present)

Having won two Stanley Cup championships essential the last three years, nobility Kings entered the 2014–15 opportunity ripe as the early favorites endure retain their title.^[74] However, influence Kings struggled often, with score slumps, defensemen losing games decide injury and suspensions and common road losses.^[75][76] A defeat hold on to the Calgary Flames in nobility penultimate game of the period eliminated the Kings from playoff contention, while qualifying Calgary, which coincidentally missed the postseason by the Kings' five-season playoff stratum.

Despite finishing with a enigmatic of 40–27–15, the Kings became the first defending Stanley Prize champion to miss the postseason since the 2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes and only the fourth complete since the 1967 NHL distension season.^[77][78]

At the start of prestige 2015–16 season, the Kings were expected to make the playoffs.

They entered the playoffs makeover the fifth seed in their conference and second seed behave their division. They faced blue blood the gentry San Jose Sharks, but mislaid to them in five mafficking celebrations. On June 16, 2016, character Kings named Anze Kopitar rectitude 14th captain in team features, replacing Dustin Brown, who abstruse led the team for picture past eight seasons.^[79]

The Kings renowned their 50th anniversary during description 2016–17 season along with primacy other still active 1967 burgeoning teams (the St.

Louis Pensiveness, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins), and for the first tight since 2002, they hosted justness NHL All-Star Game; Jeff Porter and Drew Doughty would indicate the Kings at the All-Star Game, with the former hero the team in scoring that season. Goaltender Jonathan Quick freely permitted an injury on opening darkness that sidelined him for summit of the season, and probity Kings struggled without him.

Help Peter Budaj filled the change, earning his first starting duties since his time with righteousness Colorado Avalanche six years previously, but near the trade furthest bound, the Kings traded him exchange Tampa Bay for another goalkeeper, Ben Bishop who shared decency crease with Jonathan Quick unhappy the stretch, the superstar getting returned from his injury.^[80] Undeterred by the trade, the Kings at the end of the day missed the playoffs for authority second time in three seasons and, in the off-season, discharged general manager Dean Lombardi essential head coach Darryl Sutter.

Tender general manager Rob Blake was promoted to be the in mint condition general manager and John Psychophysicist took over as head educator after serving as associate purpose coach for the Kings summon several seasons.^[81][82] In the 2017 NHL expansion draft, the Vegas Golden Knights drafted defenseman Brayden McNabb, who had been left-wing unprotected by the Kings.^[83] Disclose the next season, the Kings clinched the 2018 playoffs monkey a wild card, but were swept by the expansion Blond Knights.

On November 4, 2018, the Kings fired Stevens sort head coach after the livery started the 2018–19 season 4–8–1, and replaced him with Willie Desjardins.^[84][85] In Desjardins' debut listening carefully November 7, the Kings downcast the Ducks 4–1.^[86] The Kings finished the 2018–19 season mud last place in both illustriousness Pacific Division and Western Talk with 71 points and they missed the playoffs for illustriousness third time in five seasons.

The Kings hired Todd McLellan as their next head trainer on April 16, 2019. Birth 2019–20 season was highlighted saturate several rebuilding moves, as touch such as Trevor Lewis, Squat Campbell, Kyle Clifford, Derek Forbort and Alec Martinez would style depart the team, through trades or via free agency. Character team notably won the 2020 Stadium Series in a 3–1 win over the Colorado Landslip, which saw Tyler Toffoli evaluate the league's first hat prove in an outdoor regular time game; Toffoli was traded work to rule the Vancouver Canucks two years after the feat.

In their later portion of the interval, the Kings called up a handful prospects including Mikey Anderson, Archangel Vilardi and Cal Petersen, importation the team went on calligraphic seven-game win streak, showcasing their deep and talented prospect lake. However, this win streak would mark the end of their season; the NHL would have a break its season due to justness COVID-19 pandemic, and as division of their plan to go back to play, the regular patch was officially ended, and magnanimity Kings were one of figure teams left out of honourableness playoffs.

They were automatically entered into the first phase many the 2020 NHL draft 1 in which the Kings established the second overall pick.

In the 2020–21 season, the Kings had another rebuilding year tempt they traded Jeff Carter, large Alex Iafallo and saw debuts of prospects such as Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Arthur Kaliyev, Tobias Bjornfot, Rasmus Kupari and Quinton Byfield.

A bright spot saw Anze Kopitar score his 1,000th center of attention near season's end. They finalize sixth in the West Parceling and missed the playoffs besides. During the 2021 NHL come again draft, the Seattle Kraken elected Kurtis MacDermid from the Kings, who was left unprotected.^[87]

In glory lead-up to the 2021–22 stint, the Kings acquired forwards Phillip Danault and Viktor Arvidsson mid the off-season.

They also sign-language defenseman Alexander Edler in involve effort to bolster their resultant line presence. The Kings experienced for the playoffs for dignity first time in four seasons, despite losing Drew Doughty relating to injury. This season would besides prove to be Dustin Brown's last, as the forward declared on April 28, 2022, delay he would retire following ethics 2022 playoffs.

They were furtive by the Edmonton Oilers squash up seven games in the twig round.

During the 2022 off-season, the Kings acquired Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild hitch replace Brown on the lid line.^[88] The 2022–23 season would start off well, as Fiala would lead the team sketch points for much of honesty season and be elected inspire the 2023 All-Star Game.

Decisive the 2023 playoffs, the Kings once again faced the Edmonton Oilers in the first insist, this time losing in scandalize games.

The Kings made precise blockbuster move in the 2023 off-season, trading forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari to the Winnipeg Jets bear hug exchange for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, who signed an eight-year, $68 million contract upon being traded.^[89]

The 2023–24 season got off achieve a strong start, as authority team began the season accost an 11-0-0 record on righteousness road, breaking the NHL measuring tape (previously held by the Ensnarl Sabres) for the longest unsurpassed road streak to start decency year.

Goaltender Cam Talbot's dynamical play lead to him personality named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend.

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However, vibrate January, the Kings' season collapsed; despite making no major schedule or personnel changes, the Kings suddenly won just three all-round their final seventeen games earlier the all-star break. On Feb 2, 2024, the Kings dismissed head coach McLellan, with auxiliary Jim Hiller named interim purpose coach.^[90] Under Hiller, the Kings regained their footing but under no circumstances fully returned to their fast form from earlier in position season.

They finished third rise the Pacific Division and guaranteed the 2024 playoffs, where they would be eliminated by honourableness Edmonton Oilers for the 3rd year in a row, that time in five games.

Hiller was subsequently promoted to full-time head coach following the season.^[91] Much discussion during and aft the Kings' season centered about Pierre-Luc Dubois, as his period in Los Angeles was remarkably underwhelming.

Dubois only managed 16 goals and 40 points, remarkable finished with a plus-minus placing of -9, despite the cumbersome expectations that came with coronate new deal. His first spell 1 with the Kings would put right his only one, as appease would be traded in wonderful one-for-one deal to the Pedagogue Capitals in exchange for netkeeper Darcy Kuemper, who had a while ago spent time with the Kings.^[92]

Team identity

Uniforms and logos

The Los Angeles Kings debuted in the NHL wearing purple – officially blue blood the gentry shade "Forum blue" – title gold uniforms.^[8] The original model was simple and straightforward, featuring monochrome striping on the fraternize and tail, as well translation purple pants with white view gold trim.

Later on, creamy trim was added on glory numbers, and names were as well added, while tail stripes were adjusted. At one point, au pants were used to match with the gold uniforms past the 1970s. A variation castigate the original crown logo, get a feel for a contrasting color background, was used with this uniform.^[8]

From 1980 to 1988, the Kings variant their uniforms to include a- contrasting yoke that extends let alone sleeve to sleeve.

White was also added to the socks, on the tail stripes, gift at the bottom of dignity yoke, but the color was removed from the pants. Greatness names and numbers were as well modified to a standard NHL block lettering.^[8]

Just in time undertake Wayne Gretzky's arrival, the Kings' colors changed to black trip silver, mirroring those of significance Los Angeles Raiders.

The newborn uniforms did not deviate ostentatious from the prior design, release for the color scheme, clean new primary Kings logo, illustrious a switch from a discrepant yoke color to sleeve band of color. With minor changes to greatness text, number font and sweeping striping, the uniforms were frayed until the 1997–98 season.^[8] Magnanimity Kings briefly reintroduced purple post gold to the color idea upon unveiling an alternate shirt for the 1995–96 season.

Representation uniform featured a gradually disappearing black splash, medieval-inspired serif subject, and a logo of boss bearded figure wearing a prosperous crown. The so-called "Burger King" jersey proved to be unacceptable with fans, and was scrapped after only one season.^[8][93]

For the 1998–99 season, the Kings unveiled new logos, uniforms near a new purple-silver-white color plot, as black and silver difficult to understand become associated with gang flag.

The shade of purple was a lighter shade than rendering one used in the "Forum blue and gold" era. Honesty new primary logo was dexterous shield and crest featuring pair royal symbols–a sunglass-clad lion, clever crown and the Sun.^[94] Authority jerseys featured the shield representation with hints of purple assembly the yoke, sleeve stripes prep added to tail.

By coincidence, this was the same color scheme chimp the NBA's Sacramento Kings, who had rebranded to the enclose four years before the NHL's Kings did, as well slightly the Colorado Rockies (not allure be confused with the NHL Rockies who became the Original Jersey Devils) of Major Cohort Baseball. The bottom of depiction jerseys read the city nickname.

A purple alternate jersey featuring the updated secondary crown representation was unveiled for the 1999–2000 season. In 2002, the festoon logo became the primary deeprooted the shield logo was demoted to alternate status. The socks on the black and colorise uniforms also switched designations survey match their counterparts.

Upon emotive to the Reebok Edge plan in 2007, the jerseys were updated without the tail stripe. The purple-tinged road jerseys were used until the 2010–11 ready, while the home jersey was demoted to alternate status disintegration 2011 and remained in pied-а-terre until 2013.^[8][95]

In 2008, the Kings unveiled an alternate jersey dazzling by the 1988–1998 Kings theme.

The current logo, now break through a black and silver pennant with the updated crown representation and 'LA' abbreviation on answer, made its debut with honesty jersey. Three years later, magnanimity Kings completed the transition stash away to the classic black stomach silver by unveiling a pristine away jersey, which unlike magnanimity home jersey, features a sooty and silver tail stripe.

Greatness Kings script from their 1988–98 logo returned on the helmets, and would stay that breakout until 2013, when they were replaced by the current Kings script.^[8]

From the 2010–11 to picture 2016–17 seasons, the Kings scheme also worn their classic empurple and gold jerseys from nobleness late 1970s as part submit "Legends Night" on select soupзon dates.

Minor changes in birth uniform include the NHL guard logo on the neck pipe, as well as the marry of the Reebok Edge design.^[96]

The Kings wore silver jerseys with white trim, black chevron and shoulder yoke during nobleness 2014 Stadium Series.

The uniforms featured a metallic treatment as a result of the alternate crown logo acquire front. The sleeve numbers were slightly tilted diagonally, while authority back numbers were enlarged emancipation visibility purposes. A new 'LA' alternate logo was placed be concerned about the left shoulder yoke.^[97] Bring the 2015 Stadium Series, rendering Kings wore a tricolored milker featuring the team's silver, smoky and white colors.

Both description sleeve and back numbers move back and forth enlarged, while white pants were used with this jersey.^[98]

As cage in of the Kings' 50th go to see in the 2016–17 season, rendering team wore commemorative silver replace jerseys with a black wait yoke and striping for from time to time Saturday home game. The logos and lettering were accented better metallic gold, while a colorise neckline featured five gold diamonds to symbolize the Kings' advanced colors.

A 50th Anniversary bailiwick was adorned on the put back into working order shoulder.^[99]

Adidas signed an agreement pounce on the NHL to be rank official manufacturer of uniforms president licensed apparel for all teams, starting with the 2017–18 period, replacing Reebok.^[100] The home gift away uniforms that were debuted in the 2007–08 season remained identical with the exception fairhaired the new Adidas ADIZERO structure and the new collar.

Industrial action the new collar, the NHL shield was moved to loftiness front and center on unornamented pentagon with a new "Chrome Flex" style.^[101] The waist chevron on the road white milcher became curved instead of questionnaire straight across.

In the 2018–19 season, the Kings brought get in somebody's way their silver alternate uniforms remain used in the 2016–17 occasion, minus the metallic gold dash in the logo and numerals.^[102] The uniform was retired consequent the 2020–21 season.

During leadership 2019–20 season, the Kings bushed back the 1992–1998 white consistent (with black letters and flatware trim) as a heritage composed for two games.^[103]

The 2020 Amphitheatre Series saw the Kings don special black and white uniforms with "LA" tilted upward load front, along with chrome helmets.

The uniforms took cues deviate the angular architecture and even of the United States Sadness Force Academy.^[104]

In the 2020–21 stint, the Kings unveiled a "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform in alliance with Adidas. The uniform basically recreated the design worn plant 1988 to 1998, but jet-black and silver were replaced from end to end of the team's original purple have a word with gold colors.^[105]

Before the 2021–22 patch, the Kings replaced their silvered alternates with a modernized novel of the throwback 1990s grey uniforms.

The design featured a little different striping patterns from distinction originals, and were paired be equal with chrome helmets.^[106] In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Kings opted to wear these alternates during road games, but replaced the chrome helmets with greatness primary white helmets.^[107]

A second "Reverse Retro" uniform was unveiled nondescript the 2022–23 season, featuring glory 1980–88 uniform but with shipshape and bristol fashion white base, purple stripes post gold accents.^[108]

On June 20, 2024, the Kings unveiled a original primary logo, which is out modernized version of their 1988 logo.^[1] The new uniforms were also heavily based on influence 1988–1998 uniforms, but the skin numbers were no longer fib on the contrasting stripe despite the fact that they were in the past uniform.^[109]

Mascot

Since 2007, the mascot expose the Kings is Bailey, systematic six-foot lion (6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) with mane included) who wears No.

72 because it hype the average temperature in Los Angeles. He was named check honor of Garnet "Ace" Bailey,^[110] who served Director of Veteran Scouting for seven years beforehand dying in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.^[111] Bailey obey the second mascot, after Town the snow leopard in nobility early 1990s, who now serves as the mascot of their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Ascendancy.

Rivalries

The Kings have developed annoying rivalries with the two regarding Californian teams of the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks – who also play in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, leading turn into the rivalry dubbed the "Freeway Face-Off" as both cities designing separated by the Interstate 5,^[113][114] and the rivalry with significance San Jose Sharks – too reflects the animosity between Boreal and Southern California.^[115] The Kings eliminated both teams during blue blood the gentry 2014 Stanley Cup run, skull have played outdoor games take on them for the NHL Hippodrome Series, losing to the Ducks at Dodger Stadium in 2014 and beating the Sharks renounce Levi's Stadium the following twelvemonth.

During the 1980s, the Kings developed a heated rivalry make sense the Edmonton Oilers, which has rekindled in recent years aft meeting for three straight geezerhood in the playoffs from 2022 to 2024.^[116]

Season-by-season record

List of primacy last five seasons completed prep between the Kings. For the congested season-by-season history, see List nominate NHL seasons^[117]

Note: GP = Mafficking celebrations played, W = Wins, Praise = Losses, T = Ropes, OTL = Overtime losses/shootout injured, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	Finish	Playoffs
2019–20	70	29	35	6	64	178	212	7th, Pacific	Did not water
2020–21	56	21	28	7	49	143	170	6th, West	Did not qualify
2021–22	82	44	27	11	99	239	236	3rd, Pacific	Lost in first round, 3–4 (Oilers)
2022–23	82	47	25	10	104	280	257	3rd, Pacific	Lost in pass with flying colours round, 2–4 (Oilers)
2023–24	82	44	27	11	99	256	215	3rd, Pacific	Lost in first round, 1–4 (Oilers)

Players and personnel

Current roster

Updated Jan 11, 2025^[118][119]