Los Angeles Kings confident about Stanley Cup contending chances with pumped up roster -NHL Update
After the end of the 2010-2011 National Hockey League (NHL) season and playoffs, many people might not have thought Los Angeles Kings would be one of the top contending seasons next time around, but according to the Western Conference franchise, they are
more than ready to take the most coveted championship in the hockey world.
During the 2011 offseason, Los Angeles received some of the top players in the league through surprise trades and signings, which have certainly put them up with some of the highest ranking clubs.
Acquiring Mike Richards from Philadelphia Flyers in a surprise exchange, Kings have gained that much needed shooting power, which they had only in superstar forward, Anze Kopitar.
The 26-year-old from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, was drafted 24th overall during round-one of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by Philadelphia. In his six seasons with the team, Richards has been one of the highest contributing players by scoring at least
60 plus points each season for the past four.
Last season, Richards potted 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 81 games and could help Los Angeles Kings reach new heights.
"We feel we can compete for the Stanley Cup, and that's what we're preparing for", defenseman, Willie Mitchell, said. "The big thing is when your general manager and the ownership goes out and makes the moves and spends the money that they did, it's a vote
of confidence in us as a group to say that they think we're ready. It's like anything in life. When people believe in you, you tend to get the best out of people".
Los Angeles also signed on a top-notch scorer, Simon Gagne, after he became a free agent earlier in July following 10 seasons with Philadelphia Flyers and Mike Richards along with a single year with Tampa Bay Lightning.
Having a concrete goalie like Jonathan Quick in the net and recently re-signing one of the league’s most valuable defenseman, Drew Doughty, to a long term contract, Los Angeles does not have a line-up to be reckoned with.
It will certainly be thrilling to see what the Los Angeles team will be capable of doing next season.
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