Los Angeles Kings Season Preview

The Kings have not been able to repeat the success of their two Stanley Cups over the past three seasons as two of them have ended with no playoffs while the other was a quick first-round exit. The team will get Jonathan Quick back after he missed most of the year but the biggest question mark is still the offence as it has struggled to score for a while now. If Quick and Kopitar return to form, they could be a playoff team but if not another year without the playoffs will come.

Arrivals/Departures

Arrivals: Mike Cammalleri, Darcy Kuemper, Christian Folin
Departures: Ben Bishop, Jarome Iginla, Brayden McNabb, Matt Greene, Devin Setoguchi, Teddy Purcell



Forwards:

Anze Kopitar can still be one of the best centers in the NHL but his offence will need to improve back to the level it was at during LA's Stanley Cup runs. Even if Kopitar can not get his offence back up from 52 points, he may still be the best two-way forward in the league alongside Patrice Bergeron. Jeff Carter replaced lots of Kopitar's offence as he netted 32 goals; Kopitar and Carter form one of the best one two punches at center in the NHL. Tyler Toffoli was another King who struggled to score last season as he cut his goal total in half from the previous season; expect a bounce back year. The other member of Carter's and Toffoli's line is Tanner Pearson who could push for 30 goals next year. Marian Gaborik will most likely play on the top line and after another down season with only 10 goals he is not a very good top-line forward. The other top-line forward will be former King Michael Cammalleri who was signed as a free agent but after a 10-goal campaign he is not first line worthy either. Nick Shore will likely center the third line; he is a good two-way player but could work on his offence like most of the Kings. Adrian Kempe got a sample size of the NHL last season and based on the Kings' offensive problems he will be asked to provide depth scoring from the bottom six. Dustin Brown may be the most overpaid player in the NHL but he will provide leadership and maybe some depth scoring. Kyle Clifford has been a staple in the bottom six for a while as he will continue to provide toughness in 2017-18. Trevor Lewis also returns on the bottom six to provide defence from the forwards. Nic Dowd will probably be the other regular forward after an OK rookie season. Andy Andreoff and Jordan Nolan will be the depth forwards again this season while Jonny Brodzinski might make the team after a six-game call up last year.



Defenceman:

Drew Doughty is still among the elite defenceman in the NHL even after a year which would be amazing for others but was average for Doughty. Doughty was beat more than usual but even with those odd plays he contributed offensively and stopped the best in the game. Jake Muzzin is a solid number-two shutdown defenceman but he took a step back from back-to-back 40-plus point seasons to 28 points. Alec Martinez may mostly be remembered for his Stanley Cup clinching goal in overtime vs the Rangers but he has turned into a very solid defenceman. After those three. the defence has question marks though as it is full of young unknown defencemen. Derek Forbort will likely fill out the top four as he was protected during the expansion draft so the Kings see something they like in him. Christian Folin has been a depth defenceman his whole career with the Wild and will look to secure a full-time roster spot. The Kings other two young defencemen fighting for a spot are Kevin Gravel and Paul LaDue as they both got sample sizes a year ago.



Goaltending:

Even after missing most of last year, Jonathan Quick is still regarded as one of the game's best goalies as he can make the Kings a playoff contender on his own. Even though Quick has historically been a better playoff performer like many of his teammates he will steal tons of games for you. Former Minnesota Wild backup Darcy Kuemper will be Quick's new backup unless Jeff Zatkoff can take it from him.

Projected Lineup:

Mike Cammalleri	Anze Kopitar	Marian Gaborik
Tanner Pearson	Jeff Carter	Tyler Toffoli
Adrian Kempe	Nick Shore	Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford	Nic Dowd	Trevor Lewis
Andy Andreoff	Jonny Brodzinski	Jordan Nolan

Jake Muzzin	Drew Doughty
Derek Forbort	Alec Martinez
Christian Folin	Kevin Gravel
Paul LaDue	Oscar Fatenberg

Jonathan Quick

Darcy Kuemper

Jeff Zatkoff

Top 10 Players:

10. Marian Gaborik

9. Mike Cammalleri

8. Tanner Pearson

7. Alec Martinez

6. Tyler Toffoli

5. Jake Muzzin

4. Jonathan Quick



3. Jeff Carter

2. Anze Kopitar

1. Drew Doughty

Projected Finish: 89 Points (5th in Pacific)
Last Year: 86 Points (5th in Pacific)

Photo credit for Mike Cammalleri goes to http://www.tsn.ca/. Anze Kopitar goes to http://bleacherreport.com/. Drew Doughty goes to http://www.nhl.com/. Jonathan Quick goes to http://www.espn.com/.

Los Angeles Rams Season Preview

In the Rams' first season in L.A. they struggled big time being unable to score due to terrible coaching and weak quarterbacks as well as a no-run game or offensive line. Jared Goff will be thrown into the fire this year as he looks to work with the youngest head coach in the modern era in Sean McVay. The defence still looks good but with no quarterback this team will once again be one of the teams not qualifying for the post-season.

Arrivals/Departures:

Arrivals: Connor Barwin, Lance Dunbar, Nickell Robey-Coleman, John Sullivan, Kayvon Webster, Andrew Whitworth, Tyrunn Walker, Robert Woods
Departures: Tim Barnes, Kenny Britt, Benny Cunningham, William Hayes, Case Keenum, Lance Kendricks, TJ McDonald, Brian Quick, Coty Sensabaugh, Eugene Sims



Offence:

Last year's first-overall pick Jared Goff will be given the starting quarterback job from the start of the season after backing up Case Keenum although he struggled in the games he appeared in. With Sean Mannion as the backup, the Rams better hope Goff can start living up to his potential or another terrible year in L.A. will occur. After a tremendous rookie season, Todd Gurley was terrible last year, partly due to a terrible offensive line but Gurley will need to improve no matter what line he is running behind. Kenny Britt was the bright side of the offence last season but they let him go and brought in the unproven Robert Woods to be the number one receiver. Tavon Austin can be very good in the slot if used properly but last year he was not. Cooper Kupp was drafted in the third round and he could be a steal proving he can be a the number one receiver in his rookie year. The tight end spot will be a competition at camp between Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee and Cory Harkey who are all backups. Andrew Whitworth is one of the best left tackles in the NFL but he might not even be able to contribute with such a weak offensive line. John Sullivan is another addition to the line and brings a veteran presence. The rest of the starters will be Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein and Rodger Saffold.



Defence:

The defence is good and should win the Rams a couple games but not good enough to make up for a terrible offence. Aaron Donald dominates the trenches as the best interior lineman in the NFL and after only three seasons he should keep getting better. Alongside Donald will be Ethan Westbrooks and Michael Brockers as the team transfers from a 4-3 defence to a 3-4. Robert Quinn is a very good player but his production as steadily dropped over the past years from his career high in 2013 when he got 19.0 sacks. Connor Barwin also comes over as a good pass rusher from Philadelphia but he is past his prime. Alec Ogletree will be the leader of the linebackers as he is a tackling machine and former safety-turned-linebacker Mark Barron, who has a bright future, will be the other starter. Trumaine Johnson is the secondary's best player and will shadow receivers on the franchise tag with EJ Gaines and Kayvon Webster competing for the other starting corner back job. Nickell Robey-Coleman will be the nickel corner and he is one of the best nickel corners in the league. The free safety position belongs to Lamarcus Joyner and the strong safety belongs to Mo Alexander.



Special Teams:

Greg Zuerlein was an average kicker last year so the Rams brought him back but they will expect more this upcoming season. Johnny Hekker is the best punter in the NFL and for a team that punts all the time he could be very valuable. Tavon Austin is among the most electric returners in the NFL capping off one of the best special teams units in the NFL.

Starters:

Offence	Defence
Robert Woods	Ethan Westbrooks
Tavon Austin	Aaron Donald
Cooper Kupp	Michael Brockers
Andrew Whitworth	Connor Barwin
Rodger Saffold	Robert Quinn
John Sullivan	Alec Ogletree
Rob Havenstein	Mark Barron
Jamon Brown	Trumaine Johnson
Tyler Higbee	Mo Alexander
Jared Goff	Lamarcus Joyner
Todd Gurley	EJ Gaines

2017 Draft:

44. Gerald Everett
69. Cooper Kupp
91. John Johnson
117. Josh Reynolds
125. Samson Ebukam
189. Tanzel Smart
206. Sam Rogers
234. Ejuan Price

Top 10 Players:

10. Mark Barron

9. Michael Brockers

8. Connor Barwin

7. Tavon Austin

6. Alec Ogletree

5. Trumaine Johnson

4. Todd Gurley

3. Andrew Whitworth

2. Robert Quinn



1. Aaron Donald

Season Prediction: 3-13 (4th in NFC West)
Last Year: 4-12

Photo credit for Andrew Whitworth goes to https://www.si.com/. Todd Gurley goes to http://bleacherreport.com/. Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn goes to http://www.espn.com/.

Los Angeles Chargers Season Preview

The Chargers will be relocating from San Diego to Los Angeles this season making a team in an already stacked division struggle even more to make the playoffs. Philip Rivers finally has many weapons and the defence is average if healthy but they have to compete with the Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos. If they stay healthy the Chargers will be in the playoff mix but ultimately the move to LA will prove too much.

Arrivals/Departures:

Arrivals: Kenjon Barner, Russell Okung
Departures: Brandon Flowers, DJ Fluker, Stevie Johnson, Manti T'eo, Danny Woodhead



Offence:

Even after leading the NFL in interceptions a season ago, Rivers returns for another go with the Chargers but this time in a new city. Rivers is still among the good quarterbacks in the NFL but he will need to work on his ball security for the Chargers to be successful. Melvin Gordon broke out in his sophomore season after failing to record a touchdown in his rookie year giving the Chargers a viable running option with Branden Oliver behind him. Keenan Allen missed 15 games last year and is the number one receiver on this team; getting Allen back gives Rivers his best weapon back. Mike Williams was drafted seventh overall to add to the air attack and he should like he did for the National Champion Clemson Tigers.



Speedy Travis Benjamin will work out of the slot with reliable Dontrelle Inman and last year's breakout star Tyrell Williams giving the Chargers five very good receivers. Antonio Gates is one of the best tight ends ever and even with age gives Rivers a solid target as he mentors future star tight end Hunter Henry. Russell Okung was the biggest free agent addition at left tackle as the Chargers try to improve a weak offensive line. Joe Barksdale will be the other starting tackle while Matt Slauson and rookie second=round pick Forrest Lamp start at the guard positions. Spencer Pulley and Max Tuerk will compete for the starting center job.

Defence:



Joey Bosa won defensive rookie of the year after missing the start of the season as he got to the quarterback with ease and he should keep improving as he gets used to the NFL. Patrolling the defensive line with Bosa will be Brandon Mebane and Corey Liuget who both mainly clog up the running game. Melvin Ingram is the best linebacker on this team as he does a good job getting to the quarterback but he is no star yet. Denzel Perryman is good at stopping the run but is just average while Jatavis Brown and Kyle Emanuel need to improve. If those two don't improve, Jeremiah Attaochu and Joshua Perry could compete for a starting position midway through the season. Casey Hayward exploded last year in his first year with the Chargers as he led the NFL in interceptions and became a shutdown corner. Jason Verrett is underrated but he struggles to stay healthy only appearing in four games last season. If he stays healthy the Chargers could have two true lockdown cornerbacks. Desmond King was drafted to be the nickel cornerback and will play in three cornerback sets. The safeties need some work as Dwight Lowery and Jahleel Addae or below average with Adrian Phillips, Craig Mager and Trovon Reed backing them up.

Special Teams:

The kicker will be Josh Lambo for the Chargers while Drew Kaser - coming off a good rookie season - will be the punter again. The kick returns will be done by Isaiah Bruce while Travis Benjamin gets a shot at punt returns with Bruce behind him if he does not succeed.

Starters:

Offence	Defence
Mike Williams	Joey Bosa
Keenan Allen	Brandon Mebane
Travis Benjamin	Corey Liuget
Russell Okung	Melvin Ingram
Matt Slauson	Jatavis Brown
Spencer Pulley	Denzel Perryman
Forrest Lamp	Kyle Emanuel
Joe Barksdale	Jason Verrett
Antonio Gates	Jahleel Addae
Philip Rivers	Dwight Lowery
Melvin Gordon	Casey Hayward

2017 Draft:

7. Mike Williams
38. Forrest Lamp
71. Dan Feeney
113. Rayshawn Jenkins
151. Desmond King
190. Sam Tevi
225. Isaac Rochell

Top 10 Players:

10. Denzel Perryman

9. Mike Williams

8. Antonio Gates

7. Melvin Ingram

6. Jason Verrett

5. Keenan Allen

4. Joey Bosa

3. Melvin Gordon



2. Casey Hayward

1. Philip Rivers

Season Prediction: 7-9 (4th in AFC West)
Last Year: 5-11

Photo credit for Russell Okung goes to http://www.denverbroncos.com/. Philip Rivers goes to http://www.cbc.ca/. Joey Bosa goes to https://www.si.com/. Melvin Gordon goes to http://www.cbssports.com/.