Don't let those six-straight victories or that fifth-in-the-league in goals against average thing fool you. There's something wrong with the Los Angeles Kings defense. Or, at least, that seems to be the feeling for Kings GM Dean Lombardi and head coach Darryl Sutter. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed in his most recent "30 Thoughts" column that the Kings and Lombardi and Sutter are amongst those eyeing the addition of a defenseman "or two."
Per Friedman, the Kings are not happy "with their mix." It's a mix that took one significant hit last year and again this offseason with the suspension and subsequent departure of Slava Voynov and another with the loss of Robyn Regehr. The biggest addition to the group was Christian Ehrhoff, the offensive defenseman who slogged his way through a down 2014-15 campaign with the Pittsburgh Penguins before signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Kings.
Through nine games this year, Ehrhoff has yet to light the lamp, managing just two assists and a minus-four, while playing on the second power play unit. Interestingly, despite his limited production and despite dropping to the third pairing, Ehrhoff's sporting a 61.4 Corsi For percentage, according to Hockey-Reference. Still, it's interesting that Friedman would use the word "mix," suggesting that perhaps the perceived issues run throughout the group.
Brayden McNabb has slotted alongside Drew Doughty on the top unit, but he, like Ehrhoff has no goals and just two assists on the season. He's averaging 21:27 of ice time, but hasn't been playing a particularly strong brand of hockey - at least not the kind of hockey that Voynov once played when he was viewed as the question mark going into his rookie season.
Jake Muzzin on the other hand seems to be developing nicely alongside Alec Martinez on the second-pairing. He's rounding into form after a slow start and even scored a goal to tie up the Kings' recent game against the Winnipeg Jets.
So, it's hard to see just where the "mix" is creating problems for Lombardi and Sutter. A 0-3-0 start has disappeared in the rearview mirror and some, like ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, have pointed directly at the Kings' blueline stability as a reason for the team's current 6-3-0 record.
Of course, Jonathan Quick's tremendous nightly efforts are certainly a reason and Tyler Toffoli' red-hot start has contributed as well.
Really, it's hard to see the Kings wanting to shake up what has become a solid top-four of Doughty, McNabb, Muzzin and Martinez, but if there are issues with Jamie McBain, Derek Forbort or Ehrhoff, there certainly could be some changes in the offing for the 5-6.
