Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Kings have begun training camp with big expectations heading into the 2025-26 season. Both veterans and young stars have a lot to prove during training camp and preseason,but there are three Kings players who have a lot riding on the season ahead. Defenseman Brandt Clarke, forward Quinton Byfield, and goaltender Anton Forsberg are three names in particular that have big expectations. How will they perform going ahead?
Brandt clarke
The eighth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft started coming into his own last season, leading the defense in points with 33 on five goals and 28 assists. While his 33 points were a career high, much more is expected from him offensively. With Drew Doughty getting older and Jordan Spence now with the Ottawa Senators, the focus is on Clarke for offense. he showed flashes of greatness last season and what the future holds but this season is a big one for him. Next season the defense could be his and he needs to prepare for such.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Quinton Byfield
The second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has many eyes on him this season. With captain Anze Kopitar announcing he will retire after this season, the ball is now in Byfield’s court. he will likely be taking Kopitar’s spot on the top line and be counted on to be a top offensive contributor. Last season he produced 54 points on 23 goals and 31 assists. This season, the Kings need him to be closer to 70-75 points and prepare to take over the offensive load next season. He may also take more power play time as Kopitar was an offensive wizard on the man-advantage and they need him to replace that production on the power play. Huge expectations for the young star this season.
Anton Forsberg
Goaltender Anton Forsberg quietly has expectations for himself to lead the Kings. While Darcy Kuemper will be the starter, Forsberg has the job of holding the backup spot as it has not been successful in the past.The Kings have had a hard time finding quality backup goaltenders to fill in while the starter has a night off and that is where Forsberg needs to come up huge. After spending last season with the Ottawa Senators in which he posted a record of 11-12-3 with a 2.72 goals against average, a .901 save percentage, and three shutouts, he signed a two-year deal with the Kings worth $4.5 million. He needs to prove that this is his job and that he is capable of steady and reliable goaltending. Kuemper will do his part but Forsberg needs to be stable between the pipes, willing to give the Kings a solid backup effort every night he is in net.
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