Kings Must Embrace Their Underdog Status for 2024-25 Season

There is a reason why even the coaches of powerhouse teams often engage in playful debates over which side is the underdog in a playoff series. It’s almost as if they’re trying to convince their own teams of it.

A truly unified team that feels slighted is a very dangerous opponent and the Los Angeles Kings are desperate to be a dangerous team once again. Except they don’t have to convince anyone that they’re underdogs, they’re the genuine article.

Coming off a tumultuous season that began with lofty but realistic expectations, the Kings went back to the drawing board and revamped their roster, only to return with what might be their least talented lineup in three years.

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With the departures of Viktor Arvidsson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Blake Lizotte, and Carl Grundstom, it can be argued that the Kings are weaker on offense. With the departure of Matt Roy, it can be argued that the Kings are weaker on defense. With the departure of All-Star Cam Talbot, it can be argued that Kings are worse (or no better) in goal. The Kings did, of course, add players as well. More on that later.

The LA Kings’ current roster comprises successful holdovers, some veteran additions, and a group of young players eager to make their big league mark. It’s not a build that inspires confidence, but it does sound familiar.

It's a bit reminiscent of the 2021-22 Kings. Despite adding Arvidsson, Philip Danault and Alex Edler that summer, the team entered the season with tempered expectations, opening as a +6600 betting underdog to win the Stanley Cup and having an 85 point over/under total. They outperformed most predictions, finishing with 99 points and securing their first playoff berth in three seasons.

In terms of sheer talent, that ‘21-’22 playoff team paled in comparison to the ‘23-'24 team. Yet, the former pushed the eventual Western Conference finalist Edmonton Oilers to a Game 7 without a single playoff appearance from Drew Doughty or Arvidsson. That team had something though… an intangible quality not captured by traditional statistics or bloated player data cards. Humorously, the ‘21-’22 LA Kings actually were “right there” with the Oilers, and ironically, it wasn’t because of their talent, but rather an undeniable buy-in all across the board.

That’s what Rob Blake prioritized this offseason – not the acquisition of the most skilled players, but the “right” players who will buy-in and drag the Kings into the fight with them. For whatever criticisms there are surrounding Warren Foegele, Tanner Jeannot and Joel Edmundson – and there are plenty – they’ve never been accused of being self-serving. Furthermore, they, along with Darcy Kuemper, are in the “underdog” stage of their careers. All four have been written off to some degree, and considering the high character individuals that they are, it would be no surprise to see them play some of the most inspired hockey of their lives.

Then we have head coach Jim Hiller. From being drafted 207th overall by the Kings, to being named the 30th head coach in team history, he has faced nothing but skepticism in Los Angeles. However, when you listen to the man speak, there is a spirit of humility to Hiller; an overwhelming sense of self-awareness that makes you believe that he grasps the magnitude of the opportunity he has earned. You can’t help but root for him. He’s always been an underdog.

All this is not to suggest that the Kings are better than they were this time last season. They’re clearly not. A lack of scoring, particularly on the man advantage, was a big problem in the playoffs. Their big three acquisitions from this summer combined for 61 points last season, with 41 coming from Foegele. While being more difficult to play against is crucial, doubts about this team's ability to score are entirely justified.

But perhaps that’s not the point for this team, at least not right now. Perhaps the point is that they once again have a chance of becoming just that… a team.

After three years of arguable regression, building a team with the priority of cohesiveness instead of championships will be a tough pill to swallow for Kings fans, especially when looking at the Western Conference landscape.

At worst, the Kings will miss the playoffs and Blake will be dismissed, meaning Hiller would likely be gone, too. Perhaps it will expedite another retool under new management, something much of the fan base is impatiently waiting for. But at best, there could be elements here for the Kings to do something inspiring, a sentiment that was rarely felt by anyone throughout last season.

Love it or hate it, though, Blake is moving forward, perhaps by taking a step backward. With his job on the line, in what could be his final off-season as General Manager, he has gone back to the old school principles of building a respectable hockey team, even if it’s a team no one thinks he can win with.