The Kings' future at forward got a little less certain in mid-May when the team confirmed that prospect Oscar Moller had chosen to return to his native Sweden and play professionally, likely with a two-year contract. It doesn't, however, prohibit Moller from returning to the Kings.

Moller, 22, was a second-round draft pick of the Kings in 2007 but had yet to make a regular impact at the NHL level. Moller totaled 12 goals and 14 assists in 87 NHL games and often shuttled back and forth between the NHL and AHL levels.

There are questions about Moller's size and strength -- he's listed, perhaps quite generously, at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds -- but the Kings valued Moller for work ethic and leadership potential and a fearless attitude in terms of going to the front of the net and drawing contact.

Moller was expected to contend for a spot on the Kings' 2011-12 roster in training camp but instead is expected to start the season in Sweden. Moller's contract, however, is expected to include an "out" clause that would allow him to return to the NHL at any time.

Moller's departure could make it easier for a prospect such as Brayden Schenn or Andrei Loktionov to crack the Kings' roster next season. Moller is a natural center, the same position as Schenn and Loktionov, but Moller also spent extensive time at right wing.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Spirits, and expectations, soared when the Kings got off to a 12-3 start to the season. A 5-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Nov. 13 concluded a five-game homestand in which the Kings went 5-0-0 and outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 16-4. That excellent start to the season provided some cushion when the Kings wobbled in January.

TURNING POINT
The Kings were angry, and probably a bit nervous, when a disputed goal call went against them in a 2-0 loss to Phoenix on Jan. 20. That loss dropped the Kings to 2-10 in their previous 12 games, and their playoff hopes seemed to be fading. Two nights later, Jan. 22, against the Coyotes again, the Kings picked up a 4-3 win, starting a 10-game run in which they went 8-2 and helped solidify their spot in the top eight in the Western Conference.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.