LA Kings putting together new top line

Per Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider, the Los Angeles Kings top line of Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will skate with rookie Andrei Loktionov.  The Russian forward has been converted from left wing to center in an attempt to tap his offensive potential as the team struggles to score goals.

Currently, Loktionov is ranked as the team’s fourth best prospect by Hockey’s Future but that speaks more to their depth in the pipeline than his actual talent.  In 29 games last season with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL, the pivot-turned-winger added 24 points in 29 games before getting injured in his first NHL game.

Although he was a healthy scratch in the first two games, the coaching staff feel his hockey sense and talent will blend right in with their top center Kopitar.  Definitely a sleeper worth looking into as many people expect a breakthrough season similar to that of the Chicago Blackhawks of last year.