In Monday night’s game, Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper was taken off the ice in the first period after being hit in the head by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantainen.
No penalty. No reaction from the Kings on the ice. No response from the line that came out after this happened.
The Kings have had this problem a lot recently when something like this happens if the other team is physical. The Kings lack toughness, and it has been that way for a while.
In terms of physical players, Dustin Brown led the way for a while. If you are talking pure toughness in the form of fighting, the Kings have not had a legit tough guy since defenseman Marty McSorley.
Los Angeles has been pushed around the past few years, and we do not need to look further than the last four playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers.
Looking ahead, here are two names who could instantly change the look and playing style of the Kings.
Nicolas Deslauriers
Currently on the Philadelphia Flyers, Nicolas Deslauriers is the top heavyweight in the league. He is not afraid to drop them on any occasion, and he is a tough guy, but he stays within the rules. He has gone with the biggest and toughest in the league. At 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds, he is not the biggest, but he is one of the scariest players in the league.
While he is scoreless in 13 games this season, he does have 17 penalty minutes. For his career, he has 778 penalty minutes in 690 games. He would make an immediate impact, and Kings fans would love him for his style of play.
Logan Stanley
On defense, the Kings could also use size and toughness. Enter Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley, all 6-foot-7 and 231 pounds of him. The Kings lack size on the back end, and they need toughness in front of the net. Stanley can provide offense, be a physical force, and fight when needed. He is the complete defenseman that Los Angeles lacks.
He will be a free agent after this season, but could be the subject of a bidding war. The Kings cannot afford that and should be willing to give up a premium piece and some picks for his services.
This season, he has six goals and six assists for 12 points and 55 penalty minutes in 32 games. For his career, he has 11 goals and 37 assists for 48 points and 260 penalty minutes in 234 games.
Kuemper has been placed on injured reserve because of the incident, and goaltender Pheonix Copley has been recalled from the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. For Kuemper, the number one goalie and the one who has stood tall to get wins, has to be frustrated that not one Kings player came to his defense.
Not then, or at any time after the incident. This team needs to get toughness and protect all teammates.
The playoffs are around the corner, and this team will be out in the first round again if they allow the opposition to push them around.
They require a move that lands them a Deslauriers or Stanley in preparation for the playoffs.
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