Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
Anyway, my favorite to win the division this year is the Kings. I think its a fair statement that the Kings have improved as much as anyone in the division from last season to this season.
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You are essentially basing this on Phaneuf being a bigger improvement over Ryan than Neal is over Kovie (which was a huge backpedal, BTW). Yet IMO Phaneuf didn't move the needle much for LA (who also lost Gaborik and Shore in the deal). Carter returning was bigger IMO.their record with and without Carter is pretty significant. The Kings were 28-23-4 without him, which is 89 points in 82 games. 17-5-4 with him. 12-5-3 from when he went back in after injury.
You have also discounted the Czarnik addition as zero. It's unknown, but it's more than zero, even if pushes Mangiapane or Foo.