The Los Angeles Kings came into this season knowing they would need major contributions from their young stars.
Up until now Tyler Toffoli and Adrian Kempe have struggled and have not shown much. They may be turning the corner in a critical time.
Tyler Toffoli
Toffoli was counted on to be a top scorer, if not top goal scorer, sooner than later with the Kings. Struggling for much of the year he seems to have found his game, at least over the last 10 games he has. Toffoli has 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points during that span and has placed second on the team in scoring.
Adrian Kempe
Kempe was in the same boat. He too, like Toffoli, seems to be turning the corner. In those same 10 games, he has the same amount of points but has recorded 8 goals and 5 assists. Kempe was projected as a scoring winger but, since he has struggled, he found himself up and down the lineup.
Let us hope he has turned it around, for his sake and the team’s because Kempe and Toffoli are extremely talented young forwards.
The Kings, although 1-4 in their last 5, have been playing better of late but are just got getting the results. With Kovalchuk now gone, it is time for others to step up for scoring and defensive play. Toffoli and Kempe are more than capable of producing points and helping out defensively. They, just like the Kings, have had a rough year. The Kings need secondary scoring to make that push towards the wild card, or even the playoffs.
Whether Toffoli and Kempe are both here or just one after the trade deadline remains to be seen. Where will Toffoli and Kemp finish, both in scoring and in roster form?
Will the Kings claim one of those wild card spots?
Featured Image: Josh Gold-Smith/thescore.com
