The Kings need to stay healthy ... and grow up fast

SI.com hockey columnist Darren Eliot will analyze each NHL team prior to the start of the season. Here's his take on the Los Angeles Kings.

Goaltending

	Roenick's health will be a key issue this season. Noah Graham/Getty Images
	Kings At A Glance HEAD COACH Andy Murray LAST TIME WE SAW THEM The Kings finished third in the Pacific Division with 81 points and failed to make the playoffs. ARRIVALS Forwards: Jeremy Roenick, Pavol Demitra, Valeri Bure, Craig Conroy, Ken Belanger. Defensemen: Brad Fast. Goalie: Mathieu Garon, Jason LaBarbera. DEPARTURES Ian Laperriere, Cristobal Huet, Anson Carter, Jason Allison, Scott Barney, Jozef Stumpel, Martin Straka, Zigmund Palffy, Trent Klatt. FIVE KEY QUESTIONS 1) How many games will Roenick play this season? 2) Will one of the young goalies emerge as a No. 1? 3) Can Frolov double his goal output from the previous season? 4) Is Cammalleri ready to take the next step? 5) Is the defensive depth too thin?
	Darren Eliot's Season Previews Western Conference | Eastern Conference

The Kings enter the season with unproven NHL goaltending, which is never an ideal situation. Both Mathieu Garon from the Canadiens organization and Jason LaBarbera from the Rangers have impeccable AHL credentials. Both have seen some NHL action and are entering their prime puck-stopping years as well. Still, uncertainty in goal can have a ripple effect through a team that is hard to overcome.

BOTTOM LINE: Garon had a fine 2004-05 season for the Kings' AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, making him the front-runner for the No. 1 job. Don't be surprised, though, if the Kings end up employing a platoon system, which also poses problems due to the fact that both goaltenders are looking to establish themselves as starters at the NHL level.

Defense

Captain Mattias Norstrom is as dependable as they come and veteran Aaron Miller is similarly steady -- when healthy. Both need to stay on the ice because the dropoff after this pair is significant. Lubomir Vishnovsky, who is excellent on the point on the power play, Nathan Dempsey and Joe Corvo all return, but the Kings need youngsters Tim Gleason and Denis Grebeshkov to push for quality minutes.

BOTTOM LINE: Undersized, not that fleet of foot and lacking depth, the Kings blue line isn't exactly what you'd hope for, especially with unproven goaltending added to the scenario.

Forwards

Certainly the strength of the Kings, this group is divided into three categories -- past, present and future. Luc Robitaille, the long-time King and NHL leader in most left-wing scoring categories; Jeremy Roenick, added via a trade with Philly but already bothered by concussion problems; and unrestricted free agent Val Bure, at one time a 30-goal threat -- these three fall into the past category, as in their most prolific days are behind them. In the present -- guys in their prime -- the Kings added two-way centerman Craig Conroy from the Flames before the lockout and Pavol Demitra this summer from the Blues. And the future category has Alexander Frolov, who led the Kings with 24 goals in the 2003-04 season; Mike Cammalleri, who was second in AHL scoring last year with 109 points; and rugged winger Dustin Brown.

BOTTOM LINE: There is plenty to work with here, as the guys in the future category are legit and close to being ready now. Merging the three groups into one cohesive unit will be the trick.

Coaching

Andy Murray has done a terrific job in moving the Kings forward every season, never using injuries as an excuse. That's good, because his roster is full again of guys who have shown a propensity to miss stretches of time.

BOTTOM LINE: Murray is an innovator on special teams. He should be in his element this season with the projected increased incidence of power play opportunities. Plus, GM Dave Taylor focused on improving his club's goal scoring capacity, which is a good thing because the Kings might need to win games by a 6-4 score on a regular basis.

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