Kings Must Treat 24-25 Season as a Transitional One

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The Los Angeles Kings have spent the last few seasons desperately trying to compete in the remaining years of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty's careers.

They've traded future assets to acquire NHL ready talent and set their sights on Cup contention.

Their reward has been three-straight first round exits, each of which coming quicker than the last.

The Pierre-Luc Dubois trade that was supposed to take them to the next level blew up in their face and they're back to square one of trying to find that missing piece.

With around $10 million in cap space with Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence both in need of raises, the Kings can't go acquire said missing piece.

Instead, they need to finally accept that taking a step back in the short-term can be a long-term step forward.

They're currently without a clear LW1 and are in need of an NHL caliber top-nine winger on top of that.

Without the necessary funds to acquire those players on the open market, it's time for a transition year.

A year where players like Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Spence and even players like Akil Thomas, Alex Turcotte and maybe Samuel Fagemo take on more significant roles.

Would this mean collecting fewer points than last season? Probably, but that's okay.

The Kings' goal shouldn't be making the playoffs for the sake of it, their goal should be building a true contender.

Fewer points next season while also properly developing some of the aforementioned you g players, particularly Byfield and Clarke, should be viewed as a successful season.

If Byfield gets closer to being a 1C, Clarke begins his process of becoming the headliner for LA's backend and at least one of the other forwards proves their a top-nine forward, that's a good season for the Kings.

This isn't just the right move, it's the only move at this point for LA.

The alternative is forcing players into roles they aren't suited for and continuing to spin their tires in the mud.

Could they put Warren Foegele into a top six spot and Tanner Jeannot a top nine spot? Sure, they could also continue their over-reliance on Kopitar and Doughty, but to what end?

To make the playoffs again as a three seed and get knocked out again in round one, getting no closer to contending any time soon.

If the Kings want to make next season a successful one they must finally commit to their young players. Accept the speed bumps that come with it and look towards the future.

Their current roster is not a Cup contender and the only way to get there is by turning the keys over to younger players.

Let the future be now.