1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season

1996–97 Los Angeles Kings
Division6th Pacific
Conference12th Western
1996–97 record28–43–11
Home record18–16–7
Road record10–27–4
Goals for214
Goals against268
Team information
General managerSam McMaster
CoachLarry Robinson
CaptainRob Blake
Alternate captainsKevin Stevens
Ed Olczyk
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Average attendance12,297
Minor league affiliate(s)Phoenix Roadrunners
Knoxville Cherokees
Mississippi Sea Wolves
Team leaders
GoalsRay Ferraro (25)
AssistsDmitri Khristich (37)
PointsDmitri Khristich (56)
Penalty minutesMatt Johnson (194)
Plus/minusDmitri Khristich (+8)
Vladimir Tsyplakov (+8)
WinsByron Dafoe (13)
Stephane Fiset (13)
Goals against averageByron Dafoe (3.11)

The 1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season, was the Kings' 30th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Kings missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

Offseason

Defenseman Rob Blake was named team captain.[1][2]

Regular season

Final standings

Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 Colorado Avalanche 82 49 24 9 277 205 107
2 4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 36 33 13 243 231 85
3 7 Edmonton Oilers 82 36 37 9 252 247 81
4 9 Vancouver Canucks 82 35 40 7 257 273 77
5 10 Calgary Flames 82 32 41 9 214 239 73
6 12 Los Angeles Kings 82 28 43 11 214 268 67
7 13 San Jose Sharks 82 27 47 8 211 278 62

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Colorado Avalanche PAC 82 49 24 9 277 205 107
2 Dallas Stars CEN 82 48 26 8 252 198 104
3 Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 38 26 18 253 197 94
4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 36 33 13 245 233 85
5 Phoenix Coyotes CEN 82 38 37 7 240 243 83
6 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 36 35 11 236 239 83
7 Edmonton Oilers PAC 82 36 37 9 252 247 81
8 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 34 35 13 223 210 81
9 Vancouver Canucks PAC 82 35 40 7 257 273 77
10 Calgary Flames PAC 82 32 41 9 214 239 73
11 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 82 30 44 8 230 273 68
12 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 28 43 11 214 268 67
13 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 27 47 8 211 278 62

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Schedule and results

1996–97 regular season[4]
October: 5–6–2 (home: 3–2–1; road: 2–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W October 4, 1996 1–0 New York Islanders (1996–97) 1–0–0 Recap
2 L October 6, 1996 6–7 OT San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 1–1–0 Recap
3 L October 9, 1996 3–6 @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 1–2–0 Recap
4 L October 10, 1996 4–5 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 1–3–0 Recap
5 W October 12, 1996 4–3 @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 2–3–0 Recap
6 W October 15, 1996 3–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 3–3–0 Recap
7 W October 17, 1996 4–2 Boston Bruins (1996–97) 4–3–0 Recap
8 L October 20, 1996 1–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 4–4–0 Recap
9 L October 21, 1996 0–3 @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 4–5–0 Recap
10 L October 24, 1996 2–8 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 4–6–0 Recap
11 T October 26, 1996 0–0 OT Calgary Flames (1996–97) 4–6–1 Recap
12 W October 29, 1996 5–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 5–6–1 Recap
13 T October 30, 1996 2–2 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 5–6–2 Recap
November: 5–6–1 (home: 2–2–0; road: 3–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
14 W November 2, 1996 3–2 @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 6–6–2 Recap
15 T November 4, 1996 4–4 OT @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 6–6–3 Recap
16 W November 7, 1996 4–1 Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 7–6–3 Recap
17 L November 8, 1996 4–7 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 7–7–3 Recap
18 W November 14, 1996 4–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 8–7–3 Recap
19 W November 17, 1996 4–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 9–7–3 Recap
20 L November 19, 1996 0–3 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 9–8–3 Recap
21 L November 20, 1996 1–4 @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 9–9–3 Recap
22 L November 23, 1996 0–6 Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 9–10–3 Recap
23 W November 27, 1996 5–1 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 10–10–3 Recap
24 L November 28, 1996 0–2 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 10–11–3 Recap
25 L November 30, 1996 3–5 Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 10–12–3 Recap
December: 3–9–1 (home: 2–4–1; road: 1–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
26 W December 3, 1996 4–1 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 11–12–3 Recap
27 L December 5, 1996 1–2 Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 11–13–3 Recap
28 W December 7, 1996 4–2 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 12–13–3 Recap
29 L December 10, 1996 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 12–14–3 Recap
30 L December 12, 1996 1–5 Calgary Flames (1996–97) 12–15–3 Recap
31 T December 14, 1996 4–4 OT Washington Capitals (1996–97) 12–15–4 Recap
32 L December 17, 1996 3–4 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 12–16–4 Recap
33 L December 18, 1996 0–4 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 12–17–4 Recap
34 L December 20, 1996 2–6 @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 12–18–4 Recap
35 L December 22, 1996 4–7 @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 12–19–4 Recap
36 W December 26, 1996 5–2 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 13–19–4 Recap
37 L December 28, 1996 2–5 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 13–20–4 Recap
38 L December 30, 1996 1–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 13–21–4 Recap
January: 5–6–2 (home: 4–2–1; road: 1–4–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
39 L January 2, 1997 3–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 13–22–4 Recap
40 L January 4, 1997 0–5 Florida Panthers (1996–97) 13–23–4 Recap
41 W January 7, 1997 6–2 Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 14–23–4 Recap
42 W January 9, 1997 6–3 Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 15–23–4 Recap
43 W January 11, 1997 2–1 St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 16–23–4 Recap
44 T January 14, 1997 3–3 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 16–23–5 Recap
45 W January 15, 1997 3–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 17–23–5 Recap
46 L January 21, 1997 1–4 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 17–24–5 Recap
47 L January 22, 1997 2–7 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 17–25–5 Recap
48 T January 25, 1997 2–2 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 17–25–6 Recap
49 L January 27, 1997 2–7 @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 17–26–6 Recap
50 L January 29, 1997 3–6 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 17–27–6 Recap
51 W January 30, 1997 5–3 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 18–27–6 Recap
February: 5–6–2 (home: 4–2–2; road: 1–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
52 L February 1, 1997 2–3 Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 18–28–6 Recap
53 W February 3, 1997 3–2 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 19–28–6 Recap
54 L February 5, 1997 2–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 19–29–6 Recap
55 L February 9, 1997 1–2 OT @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 19–30–6 Recap
56 L February 11, 1997 1–3 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 19–31–6 Recap
57 T February 13, 1997 4–4 OT Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 19–31–7 Recap
58 T February 15, 1997 2–2 OT Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 19–31–8 Recap
59 L February 17, 1997 1–2 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 19–32–8 Recap
60 L February 18, 1997 1–6 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 19–33–8 Recap
61 W February 20, 1997 3–1 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 20–33–8 Recap
62 W February 22, 1997 4–0 Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 21–33–8 Recap
63 W February 25, 1997 3–1 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 22–33–8 Recap
64 W February 27, 1997 6–3 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 23–33–8 Recap
March: 3–8–2 (home: 2–3–1; road: 1–5–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
65 W March 1, 1997 3–0 @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 24–33–8 Recap
66 L March 4, 1997 1–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 24–34–8 Recap
67 L March 6, 1997 2–6 New York Rangers (1996–97) 24–35–8 Recap
68 W March 8, 1997 3–1 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 25–35–8 Recap
69 T March 10, 1997 3–3 OT Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 25–35–9 Recap
70 L March 13, 1997 2–4 St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 25–36–9 Recap
71 L March 15, 1997 2–5 Calgary Flames (1996–97) 25–37–9 Recap
72 L March 19, 1997 2–6 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 25–38–9 Recap
73 W March 22, 1997 2–1 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 26–38–9 Recap
74 T March 24, 1997 2–2 OT @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 26–38–10 Recap
75 L March 27, 1997 1–2 @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 26–39–10 Recap
76 L March 29, 1997 1–4 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 26–40–10 Recap
77 L March 30, 1997 2–5 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 26–41–10 Recap
April: 2–2–1 (home: 1–1–1; road: 1–1–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
78 L April 3, 1997 4–5 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 26–42–10 Recap
79 T April 5, 1997 3–3 OT Dallas Stars (1996–97) 26–42–11 Recap
80 L April 9, 1997 1–4 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 26–43–11 Recap
81 W April 12, 1997 4–1 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 27–43–11 Recap
82 W April 13, 1997 4–2 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 28–43–11 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
8 Dmitri Khristich C 75 19 37 56 8 38
20 Ray Ferraro C 81 25 21 46 −22 112
7 Eddie Olczyk‡ RW 67 21 23 44 −22 45
9 Vladimir Tsyplakov LW 67 16 23 39 8 12
25 Kevin Stevens LW 69 14 20 34 −27 96
43 Vitali Yachmenev LW 65 10 22 32 −9 10
4 Rob Blake D 62 8 23 31 −28 82
21 Kai Nurminen RW 67 16 11 27 −3 22
44 Yanic Perreault C 41 11 14 25 0 20
28 Philippe Boucher D 60 7 18 25 0 25
22 Ian Laperriere C 62 8 15 23 −25 102
14 Mattias Norstrom D 80 1 21 22 −4 84
6 Sean O'Donnell D 55 5 12 17 −13 144
11 Brad Smyth† RW 44 8 8 16 −7 74
27 John Slaney D 32 3 11 14 −10 4
19 Jeff Shevalier LW 26 4 9 13 −6 6
33 Jan Vopat D 33 4 5 9 3 22
12 Roman Vopat C 29 4 5 9 −7 60
42 Dan Bylsma RW 79 3 6 9 −15 32
27 Glen Murray† RW 11 5 3 8 −2 8
5 Aki Berg D 41 2 6 8 −9 24
23 Craig Johnson LW 31 4 3 7 −7 26
41 Brent Grieve LW 18 4 2 6 −2 15
15 Jaroslav Modry D 30 3 3 6 −13 25
40 Barry Potomski LW 26 3 2 5 −8 93
29 Steven Finn D 54 2 3 5 −8 84
17 Matt Johnson LW 52 1 3 4 −4 194
24 Nathan LaFayette C 15 1 3 4 −8 8
10 Neal Broten†‡ C 19 0 4 4 −9 0
85 Petr Klima‡ RW 8 0 4 4 −7 2
37 Paul DiPietro C 6 1 0 1 −2 6
2 Doug Zmolek D 57 1 0 1 −22 116
32 Jean-Claude Bergeron G 1 0 0 0 0
34 Byron Dafoe G 40 0 0 0 0
35 Stephane Fiset G 44 0 0 0 2
26 Chris Marinucci† C 1 0 0 0 −2 0
7 Steve McKenna LW 9 0 0 0 1 37
52 Jason Morgan C 3 0 0 0 −3 0
1 Jamie Storr G 5 0 0 0 0

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
34 Byron Dafoe 40 13 17 5 1178 112 3.11 .905 0 2162
35 Stephane Fiset 44 13 24 5 1410 132 3.19 .906 4 2482
1 Jamie Storr 5 2 1 1 147 11 2.49 .925 0 265
32 Jean-Claude Bergeron 1 0 1 0 35 4 4.30 .886 0 56

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Rob Blake[a] [6]
Dmitri Khristich
Team Best Newcomer Stephane Fiset [7]
Bill Libby Memorial Award Dmitri Khristich [7]
Defensive Player Ian Laperriere [7]
Jim Fox Community Service Dan Bylsma [7]
Byron Dafoe
Leading Scorer Dmitri Khristich [7]
Most Inspirational Ian Laperriere [7]
Most Popular Player Dan Bylsma [7]
Ian Laperriere
Outstanding Defenseman Mattias Norstrom [7]
Unsung Hero Byron Dafoe [7]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Kai Nurminen October 4, 1996 [8]
Steve McKenna March 24, 1997
Jason Morgan April 9, 1997

Transactions

The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.[9]

Trades

June 20, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings
Stephane Fiset
1st round pick in 1998 		To Colorado Avalanche
Eric Lacroix
1st round pick in 1998
August 22, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings
Petr Klima 		To Tampa Bay Lightning
5th round pick in 1997
October 25, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings
Future considerations 		To Pittsburgh Penguins
Petr Klima
November 19, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings
Chris Marinucci 		To New York Islanders
Nicholas Vachon
November 22, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings
Neal Broten 		To New Jersey Devils
Future considerations
November 28, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings
Brad Smyth 		To Florida Panthers
3rd round pick in 1997
March 18, 1997 To Los Angeles Kings
Glen Murray 		To Pittsburgh Penguins
Eddie Olczyk

Free agent signings

May 23, 1996 From Merrimack College (HE)
Steve McKenna
July 8, 1996 From Winnipeg Jets
Eddie Olczyk (2 years, $2.15 million)
July 23, 1996 From Toronto Maple Leafs
Paul DiPietro (1 year, $325,000)
August 2, 1996 From Chicago Blackhawks
Brent Grieve (1 year, $325,000)
August 28, 1996 From Tampa Bay Lightning
Jean-Claude Bergeron (1 year, $300,000)
September 6, 1996 From Buffalo Sabres
Mark Astley (1 year, $350,000)
December 13, 1996 From Boston Bruins
Rick Zombo (1 year, $724,500)

Free agents lost

July 10, 1996 To Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Kevin Todd (2 years, $1.2 million)
July 24, 1996 To Florida Panthers
Craig Ferguson (1 year, $350,000)
August 15, 1996 To San Jose Sharks
Tony Granato (3 years, $4.5 million)
September 14, 1996 To Houston Aeros (IHL)
Gary Shuchuk
October 4, 1996 To Vancouver Canucks
Troy Crowder (1 year, $500,000)

Waivers

January 28, 1997 To Dallas Stars
Neal Broten

Draft picks

Los Angeles's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[10]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
2 30 Josh Green  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
2 37 Marian Cisar  Czech Republic Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
3 57 Greg Phillips  Canada Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
4 84 Mikael Simons  Sweden Mora IK (Sweden)
4 96 Eric Belanger  Canada Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL)
5 120 Jesse Black  Canada Niagara Falls Thunder (OHL)
5 123 Peter Hogan  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
8 190 Steve Valiquette  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
8 193 Kai Nurminen  Finland HV71 (Sweden)
9 219 Sebastien Simard  Canada Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Blake did not play and was replaced by Khristich.[5]

References

  • "Los Angeles Kings 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  • "1996-97 Los Angeles Kings Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  1. ^ "Tardif Assigned to Phoenix". Los Angeles Times. October 2, 1996. Retrieved August 25, 2023. Defenseman Rob Blake, who is battling an arm injury, was named team captain but remains questionable for the opener.
  2. ^ "Rob Blake career timeline". NHL.com. June 18, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2023. Oct. 1, 1996 Named captain of Los Angeles
  3. ^ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. ^ "1996-97 Los Angeles Kings Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  5. ^ White, Lonnie (January 15, 1997). "Khristich Is Blake's All-Star Replacement". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Los Angeles Kings 2014–15 Media Guide, p. 201–03
  8. ^ "1996-97 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results".
  10. ^ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.