1994–95 Los Angeles Kings season

The 1994–95 Los Angeles Kings season, was the Kings' 28th season in the National Hockey League. It saw the Kings finish fifth in the Pacific Division with a record of 16–23–9, for 41 points. Defense proved to be problematic for the Kings, as they allowed a league-high 1,668 shots (34.8 per game) and finished tied for 23rd overall in goals allowed, with 174. Their offense was more reliable, as the Kings averaged nearly 3 goals scored per game. Despite missing a quarter of the season, Rick Tocchet still led the team in goals with 18.

1994–95 Los Angeles Kings
Division4th Pacific
Conference9th Western
1994–95 record16–23–9
Home record7–11–6
Road record9–12–3
Goals for142
Goals against174
Team information
General managerSam McMaster
CoachBarry Melrose (Jan-Apr)
Rogie Vachon (Apr-May)
CaptainWayne Gretzky
Alternate captainsRob Blake
Rick Tocchet
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Average attendance15,397
Minor league affiliate(s)Phoenix Roadrunners
Knoxville Cherokees
Muskegon Fury
Team leaders
GoalsRick Tocchet (18)
AssistsWayne Gretzky (37)
PointsWayne Gretzky (48)
Penalty minutesMichel Petit (84)
Plus/minusTony Granato (+9)
WinsKelly Hrudey (14)
Goals against averageKelly Hrudey (3.14)

On May 2, the Dallas Stars were in 7th place in the Western Conference with 42 points while the Kings were tied with the San Jose Sharks for 8th place with 41 points (16–22–9). However, the Kings lost the final game of the season on May 3 to the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 5–1. This meant that the Kings finished in 9th place and therefore miss the playoffs and both San Jose and Dallas clinch playoff berths. After that, the Sharks came from behind to tie the Vancouver Canucks 3–3 in their final game of the season and, in doing so, jumped up to 7th place while the Stars fell to 8th place.

Offseason

Regular season

On April 21, head coach Barry Melrose was fired after six consecutive losses and replaced by Kings president Rogie Vachon.[1]

Final standings
Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
12Calgary Flames482417716313555
26Vancouver Canucks4818181215314848
37San Jose Sharks481925412916142
49Los Angeles Kings481623914217441
511Edmonton Oilers481727413618338
612Mighty Ducks of Anaheim481627512516437

[2]

Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1p – Detroit Red WingsCEN483311418011770
2x – Calgary FlamesPAC482417716313555
3St. Louis BluesCEN482815517813561
4Chicago BlackhawksCEN482419515611553
5Toronto Maple LeafsCEN482119813514650
6Vancouver CanucksPAC4818181215314848
7San Jose SharksPAC481925412916142
8Dallas StarsCEN481723813613542
9Los Angeles KingsPAC481623914217441
10Winnipeg JetsCEN481625715717739
11Edmonton OilersPAC481727413618338
12Mighty Ducks of AnaheimPAC481627512516437

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

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

Schedule and results
1994–95 regular season[4]
January: 1–4–1 (home: 1–3–1; road: 0–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1TJanuary 20, 19953–3 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1994–95)0–0–1Recap
2LJanuary 22, 19953–4Edmonton Oilers (1994–95)0–1–1Recap
3LJanuary 24, 19952–4Dallas Stars (1994–95)0–2–1Recap
4LJanuary 26, 19951–3@ St. Louis Blues (1994–95)0–3–1Recap
5WJanuary 28, 19954–2Winnipeg Jets (1994–95)1–3–1Recap
6LJanuary 29, 19953–6Chicago Blackhawks (1994–95)1–4–1Recap
February: 4–5–3 (home: 1–4–1; road: 3–1–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
7WFebruary 4, 19954–3Detroit Red Wings (1994–95)2–4–1Recap
8LFebruary 5, 19952–3Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95)2–5–1Recap
9TFebruary 7, 19955–5 OT@ St. Louis Blues (1994–95)2–5–2Recap
10WFebruary 11, 19955–2@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95)3–5–2Recap
11TFebruary 12, 19954–4 OT@ Detroit Red Wings (1994–95)3–5–3Recap
12WFebruary 15, 19953–1@ Dallas Stars (1994–95)4–5–3Recap
13LFebruary 17, 19950–2San Jose Sharks (1994–95)4–6–3Recap
14LFebruary 18, 19952–6Vancouver Canucks (1994–95)4–7–3Recap
15LFebruary 20, 19952–8@ Vancouver Canucks (1994–95)4–8–3Recap
16TFebruary 23, 19953–3 OTCalgary Flames (1994–95)4–8–4Recap
17WFebruary 25, 19954–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1994–95)5–8–4Recap
18LFebruary 28, 19954–8Chicago Blackhawks (1994–95)5–9–4Recap
March: 6–6–2 (home: 1–3–1; road: 5–3–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
19LMarch 4, 19954–5Vancouver Canucks (1994–95)5–10–4Recap
20LMarch 6, 19952–8@ Dallas Stars (1994–95)5–11–4Recap
21WMarch 9, 19954–3@ Chicago Blackhawks (1994–95)6–11–4Recap
22WMarch 11, 19954–2@ Winnipeg Jets (1994–95)7–11–4Recap
23WMarch 13, 19954–1@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95)8–11–4Recap
24LMarch 14, 19952–5@ Detroit Red Wings (1994–95)8–12–4Recap
25TMarch 16, 19952–2 OTSt. Louis Blues (1994–95)8–12–5Recap
26LMarch 18, 19953–5Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95)8–13–5Recap
27WMarch 20, 19955–3St. Louis Blues (1994–95)9–13–5Recap
28TMarch 21, 19953–3 OT@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95)9–13–6Recap
29LMarch 25, 19951–3San Jose Sharks (1994–95)9–14–6Recap
30WMarch 26, 19957–3@ San Jose Sharks (1994–95)10–14–6Recap
31WMarch 28, 19955–3@ Calgary Flames (1994–95)11–14–6Recap
32LMarch 29, 19952–5@ Vancouver Canucks (1994–95)11–15–6Recap
April: 4–7–3 (home: 4–1–3; road: 0–6–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
33TApril 1, 19957–7 OTWinnipeg Jets (1994–95)11–15–7Recap
34WApril 3, 19957–2Edmonton Oilers (1994–95)12–15–7Recap
35WApril 6, 19953–2Dallas Stars (1994–95)13–15–7Recap
36LApril 7, 19954–7@ Calgary Flames (1994–95)13–16–7Recap
37LApril 9, 19951–5@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95)13–17–7Recap
38LApril 12, 19951–4Calgary Flames (1994–95)13–18–7Recap
39LApril 16, 19950–2@ San Jose Sharks (1994–95)13–19–7Recap
40LApril 17, 19952–5@ Calgary Flames (1994–95)13–20–7Recap
41LApril 19, 19950–2@ Edmonton Oilers (1994–95)13–21–7Recap
42TApril 21, 19953–3 OTEdmonton Oilers (1994–95)13–21–8Recap
43TApril 23, 19952–2 OTMighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95)13–21–9Recap
44WApril 25, 19955–1Detroit Red Wings (1994–95)14–21–9Recap
45LApril 28, 19950–4@ San Jose Sharks (1994–95)14–22–9Recap
46WApril 30, 19952–1Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95)15–22–9Recap
May: 1–1–0 (home: 0–0–0; road: 1–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
47WMay 2, 19952–1@ Winnipeg Jets (1994–95)16–22–9Recap
48LMay 3, 19951–5@ Chicago Blackhawks (1994–95)16–23–9Recap
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.
Regular season
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM
99Wayne GretzkyC48113748−206
22[lower-alpha 1]Rick TocchetRW36181735−870
7Dan QuinnC44141731−332
17Jari KurriRW38101929−1724
21Tony GranatoLW33131124968
25Darryl SydorD4841923−236
33Marty McSorleyD4131821−1483
19John DruceRW4315520−320
44Randy Burridge†LW3841519−48
24Michel PetitD4051217484
28Eric LacroixLW459716254
15Pat ConacherLW487916−912
13Robert LangC364812−74
4Rob BlakeD244711−1638
12Kevin ToddC333811−512
14Gary ShuchukC22369−26
77Rob CowieD32279−620
29Chris SnellD32279−722
39Yanic PerreaultC26257320
2Alexei Zhitnik‡D11257−327
8Kevin BrownRW23235−718
55Troy CrowderRW29123099
11Mike Donnelly‡LW9112−74
6Sean O'DonnellD15022−249
26Philippe Boucher†D6101−34
34Matt JohnsonLW141010102
10Jeff ShevalierLW110110
35Arto Blomsten†D401120
22Charlie Huddy‡D9011−66
9Rob BrownRW2000−20
31Grant Fuhr†G140002
32Kelly HrudeyG350000
36Pauli JaksG10000
38Eric LavigneD1000−10
10Warren Rychel‡LW7000−519
35Robb Stauber‡G10000
31Jamie StorrG50000
27Dave ThomlinsonLW1000−10
3Denis Tsygurov†D21000−211
5Tim WattersD100010

Goaltending
  • † = 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.
Regular season
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
32Kelly Hrudey35141351099993.14.91001894
31Grant Fuhr†14173379474.04.8760698
31Jamie Storr5131152173.87.8880263
36Pauli Jaks10002523.00.920040
35Robb Stauber‡1000627.33.667016

Awards and records

Awards
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
Team Best Newcomer Rick Tocchet [5]
Bill Libby Memorial Award Kelly Hrudey [5]
Defensive Player Pat Conacher [5]
Jim Fox Community Service Tony Granato [5]
Leading Scorer Wayne Gretzky [5]
Most Inspirational Kelly Hrudey [5]
Most Popular Player Kelly Hrudey [5]
Outstanding Defenseman Darryl Sydor [5]
Unsung Hero Pat Conacher [5]

Milestones
Milestone Player Date Ref
1,000th game played Jari Kurri February 11, 1995 [6]

Transactions

The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 1994–95 season.[7]

Trades
June 25, 1994 To Los Angeles Kings
7th round pick in 1995 – Benoit Larose		 To Ottawa Senators
Jim Paek
July 11, 1994 To Los Angeles Kings
Yanic Perreault		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
4th round pick in 1996 – Mikael Simons
July 26, 1994 To Los Angeles Kings
Sean O'Donnell		 To Buffalo Sabres
Doug Houda
July 29, 1994 To Los Angeles Kings
Rick Tocchet
2nd round pick in 1995 – Pavel Rosa		 To Pittsburgh Penguins
Luc Robitaille
August 8, 1994 To Los Angeles Kings
Ruslan Batyrshin
2nd round pick in 1996 – Marian Ciser
6th round pick in 1996 – Brian Willsie		 To Winnipeg Jets
Brent Thompson
6th round pick in 1996 – Robert Esche
October 3, 1994 To Los Angeles Kings
Eric Lacroix
Chris Snell
4th round pick in 1996 – Eric Belanger		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Dixon Ward
Guy Leveque
Shayne Toporowski
Kelly Fairchild
February 10, 1995 To Los Angeles Kings
Randy Burridge		 To Washington Capitals
Warren Rychel
February 14, 1995 To Los Angeles Kings
Philippe Boucher
Denis Tsygurov
Grant Fuhr		 To Buffalo Sabres
Alexei Zhitnik
Robb Stauber
Charlie Huddy
5th round pick in 1995 – Marian Menhart
February 17, 1995 To Los Angeles Kings
4th round pick in 1996 – Justin Davis		 To Dallas Stars
Mike Donnelly
7th round pick in 1996 – Eoin McInerney
March 27, 1995 To Los Angeles Kings
Arto Blomsten		 To Winnipeg Jets
8th round pick in 1995 – Fredrik Lovén

Free agent signings
June 7, 1994 From Moncton Hawks (AHL)
Dan Bylsma
June 14, 1994 From Calgary Flames
Michel Petit
June 14, 1994 From Dallas Stars
Rob Brown
July 7, 1994 From Adirondack Red Wings (AHL)
Barry Potomski
July 8, 1994 From New York Islanders
Rob Cowie
August 31, 1994 From Detroit Red Wings
Troy Crowder
September 3, 1994 From Ottawa Senators
Dan Quinn
September 22, 1994 From Montreal Canadiens
André Racicot

Free agents lost
July 20, 1994 To Detroit Vipers (IHL)
Bob Jay
September 6, 1994 To Hartford Whalers
Bob Wren

Waivers
January 18, 1995 To St. Louis Blues
Donald Dufresne

Draft picks

Los Angeles' draft picks at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft held at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.[8]

Round Pick Player Nationality College/junior/club team
17Jamie Storr (G) CanadaOwen Sound Platers (OHL)
233Matt Johnson (LW) CanadaPeterborough Petes (OHL)
359Vitali Yachmenev (RW) RussiaNorth Bay Centennials (OHL)
5111Chris Schmidt (C) CanadaSeattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
7163Luc Gagne (RW) CanadaSudbury Wolves (OHL)
8189Andrew Dale (C) CanadaSudbury Wolves (OHL)
9215Jan Nemecek (D) Czech RepublicHC České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
10241Sergei Shalamai (LW) RussiaHC Irkutsk (Russia)
S7Quinn Fair (D) CanadaKent State University (NCAA)

Notes
  1. Tocchet wore number 92 through March 14.

References
  • "Los Angeles Kings 1994-95 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  • "1994-95 Los Angeles Kings Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  1. "NHL NOTES / Kings Fire Melrose As Coach". sfgate.com. April 22, 1995. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  2. Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
  3. "1994-1995 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. "1994-95 Los Angeles Kings Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  5. Los Angeles Kings 2014–15 Media Guide, p. 201–03
  6. Dillman, Lisa (February 12, 1995). "Kings Finally Savor a Victory : Hockey: Shaken by trade rumors, they defeat Maple Leafs, 5-2, in Toronto, as Kurri plays 1,000th NHL game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 12, 2023. Kurri plays 1,000th NHL game
  7. "Hockey Transactions Search Results".
  8. "1994 NHL Entry Draft". hockeydb.com.
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