The Los Angeles Kings aren't your typical big-market team.

	2001-02 by the numbers
	Record: 40-27-11-4, 95 points (T10th overall, T6th West, T2nd Pacific) Goals for: 214/2.61 (16th overall) Goals against: 190/2.29 (6th overall) Differential: 24 (10th overall) 20-goal scorers: Zigmund Palffy (32), Adam Deadmarsh (29) 50-point scorers: Jason Allison (74), Deadmarsh (62), Palffy (59)

With the Gretzky years long past and the Wings' and Avalanche's dominance sure to last, the Kings are one of a few Western Conference teams stuck in "underdog" mode.

Take last year's ending, for instance. The Kings started their playoff push in January, finishing with a franchise best 11-3-0-0 record and surviving March (7-5-2-1) with 13 of their 15 games against West opponents.

Despite the fact that its payoff was making the playoffs, Los Angeles ran into the same roadblock for the second straight postseason, defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado. The gritty Kings forced a Game 7, but another four-goal loss ended their season.

And since that dramatic decisive game, the hockey world hasn't heard much from the Kings -- and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Looking at next season
In a league where big money and big names doesn't automatically equal success (i.e. the Rangers), Los Angeles is keeping its core intact and building its future around its strong development system. Putting some faith in the farm also has freed up some extra cash for the Kings to re-sign some key pieces to the puzzle.

With Zigmund Palffy, Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh, the Kings have a solid and near-perfect top line that combines speed, skill and toughness. The trio topped the team in scoring last season -- Allison leading with 19 goals and 54 assists for 73 points, then Deadmarsh (29-33-62) and Palffy (31-27-58). The Kings were also able to re-sign forwards Steve Kelly, Eric Belanger and winger Mikko Eloranta.

That extra financial room also helped Los Angeles work out a one-year deal with backup goalie Jamie Storr. At 26, he posted a 8-4-3 record, 2.03 goals-against average and .907 save percentage in 18 games playing behind Felix Potvin. "The Cat" went 31-27-8 with six shutouts in 71 games. Storr might receive a few more starts in 2002-03 in order to ease Potvin's workload.

Now, here is where Los Angeles' prospect hopefuls step in.

The Kings did suffer a loss on defense, losing Philippe Boucher to the Pacific-rival Stars via free agency. Boucher had evolved into a reliable source for the Kings, climbing into the top 10 in team scoring last season with 30 points and an even rating in 80 games.

With Boucher gone, the Kings could look to Joe Corvo to fill the void. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound two-way defenseman has the skating ability and stickhandling that can earn him a permanent spot on the roster. In 80 games last season with the American Hockey League's Manchester Monarchs, Corvo was second in scoring with 13 goals, 37 assists and a plus-6 rating. Another prospect likely to move up the roster ranks is Andreas Lilja (6-3, 220 pounds), who played 30 games with the Kings last season, including five in the playoffs.

For the forwards, the future looks just as bright for Los Angeles. One of the team's top priorities this offseason was to sign Alexander Frolov, and they did so with a three-year contract on July 15. The 6-3, 191-pound left winger impressed observers at the 2002 World Junior Championships, scoring six goals and totaling eight points for the Russian national team. He has improved and matured since being drafted 20th overall in 2000. The rookie will be at training camp and many expect him to be on the starting roster. Then, there are centers Jared Aulin and Mike Cammalleri. Aulin is more dangerous one-on-one and is a strong passer and finesse kind of player. Acquired in the Rob Blake deal two seasons ago, Aulin has yet to cash in. The Kings signed the 20-year-old after Aulin posted 33 goals and 34 assists in 46 games for the Kamloops Blazers last season. He also scored four goals and added five assists to help teammate Cammalleri and the Canadian junior team win silver at the WJC.

Cammalleri, 20, decided to skip his senior year at Michigan and inked a multiyear deal. Despite missing 15 games with mononucleosis, he still managed to lead the Wolverines with 23 goals and was named best forward at the World Juniors. Past winners of that award include names like Gretzky, Lindros, Forsberg, Bure and Iginla.

All of the Kings' top prospects have proven themselves in their respective leagues, but obviously the NHL is different. And with the Stars and Coyotes picking up top free agents like Bill Guerin and Tony Amonte, respectively, the Pacific Division will be that much more competitive in 2002-03.

But another thing to consider is that with the youth movement, the Kings are not giving up size and power, they are gaining it. Coach Andy Murray has a defensive unit that averages 6-2 in height, and has an offensive unit that averages 6-1.

Will Los Angeles revel in that underdog role? Will the Kings go farther than the first round?

The answers will start coming in Oct. 4 against Phoenix.