Unlike the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Kings didn’t embrace a full rebuild and that has hurt them. They finished with the second worst record in the NHL at 31-42-9. After winning two Stanley Cups in three seasons, they have been on a yo yo, alternating playoff years with non-playoff campaigns. They dropped to 71 points after a playoff season when they finished with 98 points.
They finally hit rock bottom last year, paying the price for three straight years of playoff dominance that ended in 2014. They’ve had a total turnover in the front office and behind the bench, but are still saddled with long term, big money contracts to aging players.