3. How is the defense doing?
The best pair of Mikey Anderson And Drew Doughty should remain intact. Doughty continues to be a machine; the 34-year-old logged 25:48 of ice time per game last season, second in the NHL to Washington defenseman John Carlson at 25:54.
After that, there are changes. Jordan Spencewho finished the playoffs playing on the third pair with Andreas Englundwill probably move on to the second pair with Vladislav Gavrikov.
Joel EdmundsonThe 31-year-old, who the Kings signed to a four-year, $15.4 million contract ($3.85 million average annual value) on July 1, is likely on the third pairing. The 31-year-old brings plenty of experience, having played 530 career games with the St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.
This experience should help his expected third pair partner, Brandt Clarkewho played 16 games with the Kings last season and is ready for a bigger role.
