After taking the Colorado Avalanche to seven games in each of the past two playoffs, the L.A. Kings took a conservative approach this offseason and stayed out of the free-agent market. Having come so close to advancing in the postseason, is now the time to turn the reins over to youngsters?

ESPN.com asked for your thoughts about the Kings. Here is an edited sampling of your responses:

I live and die by the Kings. It seems to me that we have the heart, but are one or two players away from being a serious Western Conference threat. With no real moves in the offseason to produce consistent second-line scoring, L.A. fans are holding their breath hoping the prospects can step in and make solid contributions on a regular basis. If not, we will probably make the playoffs again and lose in the second, if not first, round. Seems that our future is in the hands of rookies unless a trade is made during the season.

Matt Law
Canyon Country, Calif.

I agree the Kings are improving, and are on the right track, and will still be underdogs, and will relish it. But there is one move that would deliver the Cup this year: five first round picks and a chunk of change for Jarome Iginla. Iginla, Alexander Frolov and Mike Cammalleri replacing Cliff Ronning, Kelly Buchberger, Nelson Emerson and (please) Steve Heinze would make the Kings the most improved team on Earth. Five first-round picks is a lot, but it's likely to be five 20th-25th overall picks for the league's leading scorer who would give the Kings Wings-like depth on its first two lines. Also, I think Bryan Smolinski would like it. Of course, the Kings won't do this, but I'm still happy with their chances. I love Dave Taylor, and especially love the fact that he trades the players I can't stand (Jozef Stumpel, Glen Murray, Rob Blake, Jari Kurri, Marty McSorley) for players I love (Ian Laperriere, Mattias Norstrom, Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh, Mikko Eloranta, Aaron Miller). Isn't that what a GM is supposed to do?

John Mattson
Los Angeles

If the Kings are to be truly successful, they need to follow the Avs' lead and let the youngsters play!! Andy Murray is not a very patient coach (except for a few favorites) and he tends to pull the plug right before things start to click (note: Dave Tippett putting together Allison, Deadmarsh and Zigmund Palffy while Murray was out injured, which Andy had only previously tried for a few games). If Murray gives a few of the kids a chance, we may see a new king in the Pacific...again!

Tom Celaya San Dimas, Calif.

The only area that this team might possibly be weaker is at defense. By trusting the farm system they are gambling, but consider this: Blake, Sydor, Zhitnik and a host of other All-Star defensemen were brought up through this very same system. Losing Boucher hurts, but Lilja or somebody else will step up. The only thing that this team needs to worry about is getting past the Avs and not making another bonehead trade for a proven over-the-hill defenseman.

James Ercek
Austin, Texas

Dave Taylor has built this team the right way. The core veterans will be there, with Allison, Palffy, and Deadmarsh. Now, it's time for the young prospects to play their part. If you look at the successful teams (Colorado, New Jersey, etc.), they have had contributions from their prospects. The farm system is critical for success in the NHL, and the Kings finally have one worthy enough to make some waves. The Kings play a solid two-way game and Potvin has stabilized the goaltending. The Kings' defense continues to be underrated, and even with the loss of Boucher they are a formidable group. Andy Murray will lead this group into the playoffs again this season, and I see the Kings being serious contenders for the Cup within the next few years.

Paul Henry
Claremont, Calif.

Should my Kings survive the fight for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, I don't see why they couldn't win the entire thing. The one thing that this team has shown is it can play with anybody in the league. The Kings have taken Colorado to Game 7 the past two years, and this year possess the exact same team except with more depth and more potential. However, there are questions and holes to fill. Who will replace the defense of Philippe Boucher and leadership of Kelly Buchberger? Who will score behind the JAZ line? How much of an impact will the rookies have? The Kings might not win it this year, but this team is built for the long haul and will (not could) become a dominant team in a year or two.

Travis Burns
Laguna Niguel, Calif.

By not following the lead of teams like the Rangers, the Kings have shown they have confidence in Dave Taylor and the system he has in place. In terms of the future, the Kings are in much better shape than had they traded prospects and spent heavily on free agents. The only responsible way to achieve success is by the accountability they are showing, building the organization, from within, for the long haul. Short-term fixes do not seem to work, and I applaud Dave Taylor and the Kings organization for acting responsible and doing the right thing for the true Kings fans.

Hugh Pike, Jr.
Cathedral City, Calif.

As an avid King's fan I am a little disappointed at the lack of criticism set forth in your article. When Blake was traded, the Kings indicated that instead of paying Blake they could use that money to bring in one or two more players for the same cost. Well, I am still waiting. They are a one-line team and will not be serious contenders until they can demonstrate an effective second line that can score. This was, in my opinion, the key reason they fell short in the playoffs last year. They have some very fine prospects, but they are only prospects and there is no guarantee they will develop into consistent scorers. I am disappointed because for the past two years they have come very close, but will not spend the money to bring in that one guy who can be a difference maker. I hope one of these young guys pans out to be the difference, but it's a crap shoot that compromises their commitment to winning.

David Jacobs
Santa Barbara, Calif.

Pathetic! I can just see it now: Robitaille, Boucher, and Buchberger riding past the Kings preseason camp laughing. Luc rolls down the window and they all yell in unison, "Suckers!" whereupon the remaining Kings shuffle their feet and hang their heads. Once again, the Kings have missed their chance to be a contender, losing every one of their important free agents from a thin lineup and gaining none. Do they really think Derek Armstrong and Erik Rasmussen (who?) will make a difference? Here are the Kings: one legitimate line, one legitimate defense pairing, one legitimate goalie, and 14 guys who can disappear for weeks at a time (a few should realistically disappear into the AHL for good). The Kings' division rivals all got better this offseason. So did most of the Western Conference. The Kings got worse. You do the math.

Steve Muzzo
San Diego

While I believe the Kings will make the playoffs with their current roster, there are too many "ifs" for them to be considered contenders. If Brian Smolinski and Steve Heinze can bounce back, if the young players can step right in and contribute, if Andreas Lilja or Joe Corvo can replace Philippe Boucher's contributions from the blue line. As much as it pains me, the Kings will be pretenders until these questions are answered.

Erik Rader
Camarillo, Calif.

It's hard to keep from getting all giddy about this team. This is basically the same team that pushed Colorado to a Game 7 the last two years. And when was the last time you could say that LA had such a talented bunch of hungry young prospects? That said, it's not going to make a huge difference this year. They'll be good, and they'll make the playoffs, but it'll take a couple of years before these youngsters are ready to make a big impact. By that time, the inconsistent Potvin should be out, and Jamie Storr, who last year made the leap in maturity he needed to be a #1 goalie, will lead them to Lord Stanley's promised land.

Mike Heil
Riverside, Calif.