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Los Angeles Kings
Overall: 38
Title track: T11
Ownership: 16
Coaching: 29
Players: 38
Fan relations: 53
Affordability: 81
Stadium experience: 19
Bang for the buck: 63
Change from last year: +1
The Kings rose as high as fifth in our rankings in 2014 after winning their second Stanley Cup in three seasons, but they have dropped down after missing the playoffs the following year and then losing in the first round this past spring. On the bright side, the Kings haven't fallen out of the top third of our standings in five years and easily won the Ultimate Standings intramural battle with the Clippers (69th) and Lakers (109th), the two other teams that call Staples Center home.
What's good
The painful first-round playoff ouster at the hands of the Sharks has not forced Kings fans to jump ship. After all, the Kings did top 100 points for the second time in three years, and the support remains for Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty and Co. They rank a solid 11th in title track and 16th in ownership. Kings supporters rated the team sixth in the NHL when asked if the team "demonstrates a commitment to winning." Staples Center is in the final year of a three-year, $20 million upgrade, including improvements to 14 of the concession stands on the main and upper concourses, which helps explain a No. 19 ranking in stadium experience. Hockey fans are significantly more fond of Staples than basketball fans: The Lakers and Clippers each rank at least 60 points lower in that category.
What's good
The Kings' lowest ranks were in affordability and bang for the buck, but that can be misleading. Their average ticket price of $66.25 is just a few dollars above the NHL average, and that was still $37 below what it cost to sit and watch the Lakers in Kobe Bryant's farewell tour. The Kings also introduced Flash Seats, which allows fans to securely manage their tickets online or via a mobile app. The fans are still behind the on-ice leadership of Darryl Sutter, but the No. 29 rank in coaching represents an erosion from 20th last season and third overall in 2014.
What's good
A wave of nostalgia contributed to the Kings' solid 22-point leap in fan relations. The organization officially began its 50th anniversary celebration in February and it will continue full bore this season, with Heritage Nights that recognize the franchise's former standouts as it prepares to host the NHL All-Star Game in February. There also is a 50th anniversary jersey that will be worn on Saturday home games. But if you wanted to see those vintage gold uniforms, you had to be there for the home opener on Oct. 14. That was the only night the iconic threads will be worn.
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