The 1996–97 Los Angeles Kings season, was the Kings' 30th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Kings missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Offseason Defenseman Rob Blake was named team captain.
Regular season
Final standings
Schedule and results
|1||October 4, 1996||1–0 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Islanders (1996–97) ||1–0–0 ||
|2||October 6, 1996||6–7 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||1–1–0 ||
|3||October 9, 1996||3–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||1–2–0 ||
|4||October 10, 1996||4–5 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||1–3–0 ||
|5||October 12, 1996||4–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||2–3–0 ||
|6||October 15, 1996||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||3–3–0 ||
|7||October 17, 1996||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||4–3–0 ||
|8||October 20, 1996||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||4–4–0 ||
|9||October 21, 1996||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||4–5–0 ||
|10||October 24, 1996||2–8 || style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||4–6–0 ||
|11||October 26, 1996||0–0 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||4–6–1 ||
|12||October 29, 1996||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||5–6–1 ||
|13||October 30, 1996||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||5–6–2 ||
|14||November 2, 1996||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||6–6–2 ||
|15||November 4, 1996||4–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||6–6–3 ||
|16||November 7, 1996||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||7–6–3 ||
|17||November 8, 1996||4–7 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||7–7–3 ||
|18||November 14, 1996||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||8–7–3 ||
|19||November 17, 1996||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||9–7–3 ||
|20||November 19, 1996||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||9–8–3 ||
|21||November 20, 1996||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||9–9–3 ||
|22||November 23, 1996||0–6 || style="text-align:left;"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||9–10–3 ||
|23||November 27, 1996||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||10–10–3 ||
|24||November 28, 1996||0–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||10–11–3 ||
|25||November 30, 1996||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||10–12–3 ||
|26||December 3, 1996||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||11–12–3 ||
|27||December 5, 1996||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||11–13–3 ||
|28||December 7, 1996||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||12–13–3 ||
|29||December 10, 1996||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||12–14–3 ||
|30||December 12, 1996||1–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||12–15–3 ||
|31||December 14, 1996||4–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||12–15–4 ||
|32||December 17, 1996||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||12–16–4 ||
|33||December 18, 1996||0–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||12–17–4 ||
|34||December 20, 1996||2–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||12–18–4 ||
|35||December 22, 1996||4–7 || style="text-align:left;"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||12–19–4 ||
|36||December 26, 1996||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||13–19–4 ||
|37||December 28, 1996||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||13–20–4 ||
|38||December 30, 1996||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||13–21–4 ||
|39||January 2, 1997||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||13–22–4 ||
|40||January 4, 1997||0–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||13–23–4 ||
|41||January 7, 1997||6–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||14–23–4 ||
|42||January 9, 1997||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||15–23–4 ||
|43||January 11, 1997||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||16–23–4 ||
|44||January 14, 1997||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||16–23–5 ||
|45||January 15, 1997||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||17–23–5 ||
|46||January 21, 1997||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||17–24–5 ||
|47||January 22, 1997||2–7 || style="text-align:left;"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||17–25–5 ||
|48||January 25, 1997||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||17–25–6 ||
|49||January 27, 1997||2–7 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||17–26–6 ||
|50||January 29, 1997||3–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||17–27–6 ||
|51||January 30, 1997||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||18–27–6 ||
|52||February 1, 1997||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||18–28–6 ||
|53||February 3, 1997||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||19–28–6 ||
|54||February 5, 1997||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||19–29–6 ||
|55||February 9, 1997||1–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||19–30–6 ||
|56||February 11, 1997||1–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||19–31–6 ||
|57||February 13, 1997||4–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||19–31–7 ||
|58||February 15, 1997||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||19–31–8 ||
|59||February 17, 1997||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||19–32–8 ||
|60||February 18, 1997||1–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||19–33–8 ||
|61||February 20, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||20–33–8 ||
|62||February 22, 1997||4–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||21–33–8 ||
|63||February 25, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||22–33–8 ||
|64||February 27, 1997||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||23–33–8 ||
|65||March 1, 1997||3–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||24–33–8 ||
|66||March 4, 1997||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||24–34–8 ||
|67||March 6, 1997||2–6 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Rangers (1996–97) ||24–35–8 ||
|68||March 8, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||25–35–8 ||
|69||March 10, 1997||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||25–35–9 ||
|70||March 13, 1997||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||25–36–9 ||
|71||March 15, 1997||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||25–37–9 ||
|72||March 19, 1997||2–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||25–38–9 ||
|73||March 22, 1997||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||26–38–9 ||
|74||March 24, 1997||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||26–38–10 ||
|75||March 27, 1997||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||26–39–10 ||
|76||March 29, 1997||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||26–40–10 ||
|77||March 30, 1997||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||26–41–10 ||
|78||April 3, 1997||4–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||26–42–10 ||
|79||April 5, 1997||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||26–42–11 ||
|80||April 9, 1997||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||26–43–11 ||
|81||April 12, 1997||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||27–43–11 ||
|82||April 13, 1997||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||28–43–11 ||
Legend:
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. Player Regular season 8 C 75 19 37 56 8 38 20 C 81 25 21 46 −22 112 7 RW 67 21 23 44 −22 45 9 LW 67 16 23 39 8 12 25 LW 69 14 20 34 −27 96 43 LW 65 10 22 32 −9 10 4 D 62 8 23 31 −28 82 21 RW 67 16 11 27 −3 22 44 C 41 11 14 25 0 20 28 D 60 7 18 25 0 25 22 C 62 8 15 23 −25 102 14 D 80 1 21 22 −4 84 6 D 55 5 12 17 −13 144 11 RW 44 8 8 16 −7 74 27 D 32 3 11 14 −10 4 19 LW 26 4 9 13 −6 6 33 D 33 4 5 9 3 22 12 C 29 4 5 9 −7 60 42 RW 79 3 6 9 −15 32 27 RW 11 5 3 8 −2 8 5 D 41 2 6 8 −9 24 23 LW 31 4 3 7 −7 26 41 LW 18 4 2 6 −2 15 15 D 30 3 3 6 −13 25 40 LW 26 3 2 5 −8 93 29 D 54 2 3 5 −8 84 17 LW 52 1 3 4 −4 194 24 C 15 1 3 4 −8 8 10 C 19 0 4 4 −9 0 85 RW 8 0 4 4 −7 2 37 C 6 1 0 1 −2 6 2 D 57 1 0 1 −22 116 32 G 1 0 0 0 0 34 G 40 0 0 0 0 35 G 44 0 0 0 2 26 C 1 0 0 0 −2 0 7 LW 9 0 0 0 1 37 52 C 3 0 0 0 −3 0 1 G 5 0 0 0 0
Goaltending Player Regular season 34 Byron Dafoe 40 13 17 5 1178 112 3.11 .905 0 2162 35 Stephane Fiset 44 13 24 5 1410 132 3.19 .906 4 2482 1 Jamie Storr 5 2 1 1 147 11 2.49 .925 0 265 32 Jean-Claude Bergeron 1 0 1 0 35 4 4.30 .886 0 56
Awards and records
Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Rob Blake Dmitri Khristich Team Best Newcomer Stephane FisetLos Angeles Kings 2014–15 Media Guide, p. 201–03 Bill Libby Memorial Award Dmitri Khristich Defensive Player Ian Laperriere Jim Fox Community Service Dan Bylsma Byron Dafoe Leading Scorer Dmitri Khristich Most Inspirational Ian Laperriere Most Popular Player Dan Bylsma Ian Laperriere Outstanding Defenseman Mattias Norstrom Unsung Hero Byron Dafoe
Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Kai Nurminen October 4, 1996 Steve McKenna March 24, 1997 Jason Morgan April 9, 1997
Transactions The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.
Trades June 20, 1996To Los Angeles KingsStephane Fiset 1st round pick in 1998To Colorado AvalancheEric Lacroix 1st round pick in 1998 August 22, 1996To Los Angeles KingsPetr KlimaTo Tampa Bay Lightning5th round pick in 1997 October 25, 1996To Los Angeles KingsFuture considerationsTo Pittsburgh PenguinsPetr Klima November 19, 1996To Los Angeles KingsChris MarinucciTo New York IslandersNicholas Vachon November 22, 1996To Los Angeles KingsNeal BrotenTo New Jersey DevilsFuture considerations November 28, 1996To Los Angeles KingsBrad SmythTo Florida Panthers3rd round pick in 1997 March 18, 1997To Los Angeles KingsGlen MurrayTo Pittsburgh PenguinsEddie Olczyk
Free agent signings May 23, 1996From Merrimack College (HE)Steve McKenna July 8, 1996From Winnipeg JetsEddie Olczyk (2 years, $2.15 million) July 23, 1996From Toronto Maple LeafsPaul DiPietro (1 year, $325,000) August 2, 1996From Chicago BlackhawksBrent Grieve (1 year, $325,000) August 28, 1996From Tampa Bay LightningJean-Claude Bergeron (1 year, $300,000) September 6, 1996From Buffalo SabresMark Astley (1 year, $350,000) December 13, 1996From Boston BruinsRick Zombo (1 year, $724,500)
Free agents lost