Double OT: Patience will pay off for Kings (THN)

[Michael Zampelli]

It takes patience to build a winner.

When The Hockey News Yearbook comes out in late August, it will come as no surprise we have picked the Kings to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Let’s be honest, the Western Conference remains very competitive and even if they improve, it is hard to imagine the Kings passing enough teams to make it into the post-season.

That said, you have to like a defense that will one day include Jack Johnson, Drew Doughty, Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert. Also, the acquisition of banger Matt Greene from Edmonton gives the Kings an authority figure in their own zone. With the departure of veteran Rob Blake, Doughty should have an opportunity to step right into the NHL from junior and be an impact player.

Up front, center Anze Kopitar remains one of the NHL’s deep, dark secrets despite the fact he finished 23rd in league scoring with 32 goals and 77 points in 82 games in his second season. The crafty 6-foot-4, 220-pound pivot has the potential to be a top 10 scorer in the league and it might just take that kind of output to get him the recognition he deserves.

The Hockey News: Double OT: Double OT: Patience will pay off for Kings

[BurgerKingSty59]

I know this, yet I am so impatient. I have been patient with the Kings for 20 years! A lot of you longer. I would feel a lot better if we had our franchise players under contracts.

[oseone]

Patience my ASS, I want to shoot somebody.

[sheisty]

The Kings will win the Stanley Cup....someday.

[KingFanMGM]

The author must be drinking the same Kool-Aid as I am, because I honestly think we'll be a better team in 2008 than we were last year. I am fairly certain we will struggle early on, but shortly after the All-Star break (barring injuries to our top forwards) we'll hear that the Kings are one of the hottest teams in the league and I believe that we will continue to improve from that point.

I'd love to see our young defensemen get partnered up with their "Future Pairings" immediately and just let them learn to grow as a team together.

[Stemmer]

You can really wreck D-men if they aren't handled properly...Patience my dear fellow...

[FlyinKIng]

Originally Posted by sheisty

The Kings will win the Stanley Cup....someday.

Yeah, but will we see it!

[DCSMARTIN]

Yes, i'm very impatient aswell, but i rule the day i rub in back into a doubters face!