Another level for Richardson?

Scott Parse’s training-camp groin injury has put a wrinkle in the Kings’ plans to get more secondary scoring from…Scott Parse. Penciled in as the second-line left winger, Parse isn’t likely to miss much time (if any) at the start of the regular season, but if he does, Brad Richardson will fill that role. In terms of scoring potential, how much of a drop-off is that? Richardson had only 11 goals in 81 games last season, although he did quite a bit of moving around and spent some time on the fourth line. His NHL high is 14 goals (in 73 games with Colorado in 2006-07) but he did score 41 goals in his final junior season with Owen Sound (2004-05). As Terry Murray talks about improving 5-on-5 scoring, and the need to improve internally, can Richardson take a step forward? Perhaps 15 to 20 goals?

MURRAY: “I think there’s more of a range in that area, where he can pop a few more goals than what he did last year. He starts on the fourth line last year and he now settles in as an L.A. King in the past season. So, playing with Williams and Stoll right now, I would love to see what he has talked to me about in the past, in exit meetings, that `I can do it. I’ve done it in the past in junior. I’ve put up pretty good numbers when I look at players that I’ve played with and against in junior.’ And I believe him. He’s got great jump. He holds onto the puck. He’s showing more composure going to the net. I just hope that he continues to build off the training camp that he’s had. It’s been very good, very exciting to see that maybe we can get an extra five goals from him, and then spread it around with maybe an extra three, four, five goals from some other guys. That meets the demand that we want to have, to increase our 5-on-5 scoring.”