• 2009-10: 46-27-9, 101 points, lost to Vancouver in first round of playoffs

• Key additions: D Willie Mitchell, F Alexei Ponikarovsky

• Key losses: RW Alexander Frolov, RW Raitis Ivanans, D Sean O’Donnell

• Overview:

The Kings were once considered the favorites to sign Ilya Kovalchuk, who would have been arguably the most important hockey arrival in Los Angeles since Wayne Gretzky. When Kovy signed (at least twice) in New Jersey, the Kings’ slow summer seemed like a letdown. But coming off a 101-point season, a few minor tinkers could prove sufficient for a young team aiming for more than just a playoff berth. A healthy Mitchell is an upgrade over O’Donnell, and Ponikarovsky has more size, if not skill, than the enigmatic Frolov. The biggest addition in L.A. could be goaltender Jonathan Bernier from the American Hockey League. The 22-year-old former first-round draft pick ought to give the Kings a better goaltending duo – with Bernier as either the starter or the backup to Jonathan Quick – than last season.

• What they’re missing:

Playoff experience might have been the biggest difference in the first-round loss to the Canucks. Will another year translate to a Cup run for Quick, Bernier, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Wayne Simmonds and captain Dustin Brown — all 25 or younger? If not, expect general manager Dean Lombardi to trade for another veteran or two like he did last year with Fredrik Modin and Jeff Halpern.

• Players to watch in camp:

The Kings’ pool of talented prospects is considerably deep after four years of rebuilding under Lombardi. And with higher expectations for success, several youngsters have a shot at making the team if the veterans don’t perform. The Bernier/Quick competition could be a running storyline. Forwards Oscar Moller, Brayden Schenn and Andrei Loktionov, and defensemen Thomas Hickey, Vyacheslav Voinov and Colten Teubert, will push for NHL jobs in training camp. Also, Mitchell must show that he’s fully recovered from the concussion that ended his 2009-10 season.

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