By Bobby Berger
The Los Angeles Kings appeared to be turning a corner, having gotten points in 5 out of 7 games, but then the proverbial wheels fell off. Since that short hot streak the Kings have gone 3-8. What appears to be the problem? We asked a 30 year season ticket holder that question and the answer was brutally honest, "Well, the team isn't scoring, nobody is playing defense, and the goalie can't stop a beach ball."
That honest assessment may be close to the truth. Almost every player is underachieving this year. The lone exceptions appear to be young guns Taylor Raddysh and Cameron York who are both having career seasons. Outside of that, nobody is playing well and as a result nobody will be safe with the trade deadline approaching.
One player who likely won't be traded only because of his endorsement is goaltender Viktor Fasth. However, if he hits his endorsement early, their may still be a window for a deal. Fasth, the former #1 overall pick just hasn't put it together this season, posting his worst save percentage of his career. Maybe a change of scenery in the offseason could do him well, or does he catch fire and become the goalie who who set his own record for wins just a season ago? The second half will tell. The one thing that remains true...thank god the Kings didn't trade their first this year.
12/28/2022 - 235 words
