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By Robert Rodriguez, CNNSI.com

At season's end: Finished third in the Pacific Division, seventh in the Western Conference.

		"I'm happy because I'M GOING TO A TEAM that wants to win." -- Former Kings LW Luc Robitaille

Remember that credit card commercial with the catching phrase -- "Do you know me?" That could very well describe the 2001-02 Los Angeles Kings.

For the first time in many decades, the Kings are missing that high-profile player that attracts fans. How could this happen in a city full of stars? Simple, trades and free agency.

Twelve players on the Kings’ roster at the start of last season are gone, including All-Stars Rob Blake and Luc Robitaille. Blake’s departure this past season from the Kings was a sure thing, but Robitaille’s jump to Detroit during the offseason was harder to swallow. Robitaille spent 12 seasons with the Kings on two different stints. But he felt the Kings waited too long to re-sign him and tried to lowball him once the team made an offer.

The Kings signed Steve Heinze and Randy Robitaille (no relation to Luc) during the offseason and both should enhance an already talented and deep frontline. Adam Deadmarsh, acquired in the Rob Blake trade with Colorado, is a future All-Star. Right winger Ziggy Palffy, already an All-Star, becomes the main offensive threat. Centers Jozef Stumpel and Bryan Smolinski will handle most of the top and second line duties at center.

Mathieu Schneider heads a quality defensive corp. But the gem of the defense could be Lubomir Visnovsky. An All-Rookie selection this past season, Visnovsky finished with a plus-16 and 32 assists. Aaron Miller, another pickup from the Blake trade, is another young defenseman who could excel in L.A.

Netminder Felix Potvin had a resurgence late in the 2000-01 season, especially during the playoffs. But Potvin must be equally sharp this season to avoid losing his job to quality backups Jamie Storr and Stephane Fiset.

The Kings will not sneak up on any teams this season after their Cinderella playoff run. The offense should continue to score, but not as much without Robitaille. What coach Andy Murray needs is someone to be a leader the way Robitaille was if the Kings want playoff success.

For more on the Kings, please check back to our NHL Preview section on Wednesday, Oct. 3 for a Sports Illustrated Scouting Report.

		BRIGHT SPOTS		GRAY AREAS
The Kings now know what it feels like to win a playoff game. Los Angeles had 14 straight post-season losses dating back to the ‘93 Cup finals before beating Detroit in Game 3 in the first round this past season. The offense scored the third most points in the Western Conference with 252. Staples Center mystique. As the myth goes, those who are around successful people become successful. The Kings share the same arena as the NBA champion Lakers and WNBA champs Sparks.				Team chemistry. With so many new faces, both young and experienced, Murray will have his hands full piecing together the Kings into the same team that took the Avs into the final game of the conference semifinals. The Kings struck out in the free agent market this offseason. Heinze is a good player, but matching Robitaille’s stats is asking a bit much from him. The Kings ranked near the bottom in penalty killing percentage, staving off only 81.1 percent of power plays.

Prospect Watch

His speed and agility makes him a crowd-pleaser. The Kings marvel at Lehoux's puck-handling and ability to manuever through traffic. But Lehoux tends to make bad decisions and must strengthen up more for the NHL.

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