If you can hear the tick-tock of a clock nearby, that’s just time moving along at the slowest possible pace. Hockey will return — eventually — even though it still seems so far away.
Things will really start to get going just after Labor Day Weekend, with Rookie Camp opening a few days later, and then the big six-team NHL Rookie Faceoff tournament starts on Saturday, September 7. The third game that day is really the marquee event, as the Kings and Ducks meet up at Great Park Ice in Irvine.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Full Day passes are already sold out. Single game tickets are still available for just $10. If you plan on going — especially to Kings/Ducks — do it now. https://t.co/bDuypLqgrT pic.twitter.com/aHPyEXNhlM
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 13, 2019
Before previewing this year’s Rookie Camp roster, we have a few tidbits to pass along first…
– In checking with Kings management earlier today, there is really nothing new to report on the Adrian Kempe contract front. All signs point to things being on track, no hurdles are expected, a three-year deal likely, etc. Basically, all the stuff we’ve reported previously. Why it’s taking so long is a good question, but not one that appears to have either side too worried.
– Over the past few months we’ve routinely been asked if the Kings plan to add any additional free agents (i.e. defenseman Jake Gardiner) or even any players to tryout contracts (PTOs) prior to main camp opening up in Los Angeles. As of this morning, neither of those ideas were currently in the works. For a look at the team’s projected Opening Night roster see here.
– Several additional camp/roster notes appear near the end of this article.
LA Kings 2019 Rookie Camp roster
Forwards:
#28 Jaret Anderson-Dolan – 2017 RD2, Spokane Chiefs, WHL
#87 Aidan Dudas – 2018 RD4, Owen Sound Attack, OHL
#48 Mike Eyssimont – with Ontario Reign last season
#68 Samuel Fagemo – 2019 RD 2 [note: only coming over for camp]
#52 Arthur Kaliyev – 2019 RD 2, Hamilton, OHL
#89 Rasmus Kupari – 2018 RD1, Kupart, SM-Liiga
#46 Blake Lizotte – 2019 UFA signing, St. Cloud State
#63 Brad Morrison – 2018 UFA signing, Ontario Reign
#88 Johan Sodergran – [important update: now expected to stay in N. America]
#86 Akil Thomas – 2018 RD2, Niagara IceDogs, OHL
#79 Jonathan Yantsis – Camp Invitee, Kitchener Rangers, OHL
UPDATE: Other forwards scheduled to attend – Drake Rymsha and Mason Bergh (Ontario Reign, AHL only contracts); as well as Joseph Garreffa, and Stephen Baylis (camp invitees)
Defensemen:
#44 Mikey Anderson – 2017 RD4, Minnesota-Duluth, NCAA
#54 Tobias Bjornfot – 2019 RD1, Djugardens J20 of Sweden
#74 Billy Constantinou – Camp Invitee (MM Dev Camp notes here)
#50 Sean Durzi – acquired from Toronto, Guelph Storm, OHL
#58 Markus Phillips – 2017 RD4, Guelph Storm, OHL
#53 Jordan Spence – 2019 RD4, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
#71 Austin Strand – 2017 UFA signing. Ontario Reign
UPDATE: Other defensemen scheduled to attend – Max Gottlieb and Sevigny (camp invitees)
Goalies:
#37 Jacob Ingham – 2018 RD6, Mississauga Steelheads, OHL
#33 Lukas Parik – 2019 RD3, Headed to Spokane Chiefs, WHL
#75 Matt Villalta – 2017 RD3, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
FULL ROSTER can be downloaded here.
Definitely Not Attending:
– College bound players (i.e. Alex Turcotte, Cole Hults, Andre Lee, David Hrenak, etc.) are not eligible to attend Rookie/Main Camp. Until they declare they are turning pro, the only time you’ll see them on the ice in SoCal is at the annual Summer Development Camp.
– We’ve confirmed several of the ‘big name’ prospects from last season have already been given a free pass and will report to directly to Main Camp. This list includes: Daniel Brickley, Kale Clague, Matt Luff, Cal Petersen, Sheldon Rempal, Austin Wagner, and Sean Walker.
– It’s true, Nicolai Prokhorkin is finally Coming to America. You’ll just have to wait an extra week to get a first glimpse of him, as he’s too old for Rookie Camp. He’ll take to the ice in a Kings jersey for the first at Main Camp.
– As we noted just prior to Dev Camp earlier this summer, Bulat Shafigullin is expected to remain in Russia for at least one more season.
– Jacob Moverare — who was at Rookie Camp last season and had a much improved regular season — remains on the Kings radar, but will not be coming over for Rookie Camp next month.
As expected, Kings prospect Jacob Moverare won't be at training camp in September. Instead, he'll play for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League next season. The 20yr old dman is looking to build upon a much improved year in 2018-19, could be an option to come over next summer.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) July 23, 2019
And What About Vilardi:
– Now for the big news. Seemingly everybody wants to know about Gabe Vilardi. From what we’re hearing, he is “doubtful” for Rookie Camp. Word is, he’s “progressing” but they’re not at a point where a definitive decision has been made yet. Thus, we now return you to your regularly scheduled summer programming.
RELATED CONTENT:
10 Tidbits on Nikolai Prokhorkin – Finally Coming to America
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About John Hoven
You would think that if Vilardi had returned to skating, it would be difficult to keep that a secret even in Kingston. I would imagine that He will have to go through another 4 to 6 week training period where he skates and works out with a trainer before he returns to practice/playing.
I think it’s time to move on from Villardi. He’s got upside, but a back injury that’s sidelined him for two seasons? That’s huge risk to try and anchor a team upon. Get what you can for him in trade.
That’s not happening. As we’ve stated countless times, they’ll wait and let this play out. They still own his rights for several years.