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Who's in: Robert Scuderi, Ryan Smyth
Who's out: Derek Armstrong, Brian Boyle, Kyle Calder, Dan Cloutier, Denis Gauthier, Tom Preissing, Kyle Quincey

Outlook: GM Dean Lombardi aimed to accelerate his rebuilding plan in the summer, and while his search for a first-line winger in free agency went unfulfilled, he managed to land Ryan (Captain Canada) Smyth from the Avs for promising youngster Kyle Quincey and spare part Tom Preissing. Also on the way in is useful stay-at-home defenceman Rob Scuderi, who signed a generous contract as a free agent after providing a stabilizing influence on the Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

The addition of Smyth should help kick start the Kings offence somewhat, as will a healthy Justin Williams, but the biggest room for improvement in the goal-scoring department likely comes from some of the youngsters — Anze Kopitar, Alex Frolov, Dustin Brown and Teddy Purcell — who all underwhelmed in key minutes last season.

Terry Murray will also be looking for a step forward from his blueliners, and Drew Doughty is tasked with replacing many of the power play quarterbacking minutes lost in the Smyth deal. His point totals should rise considerably as a sophomore, however, and the back end as a whole will benefit from a full season with Jack Johnson in the fold.

Perhaps the biggest question mark, however, comes in goal, where backup Erik Ersberg struggled last season and Jonathan Quick proved surprisingly strong despite spending much of the 2007-08 campaign in the ECHL. Quick will likely be charged with picking up the bulk of the starts, and any step back from him would go a long way to derailing Los Angeles' likely slim playoff hopes.

If the goals start to come, however, they could surprise.  

X-factor: Jon Quick

For a more in-depth Kings preview, visit Battle of California
For more NHL analysis, check out the McKeen's Hockey Yearbook