Rookie Camp will move along quickly. The Kings took to the ice for a 90 minute practice on Friday. They’re scheduled to practice again Saturday morning and then bus to Irvine for a 5pm game vs. the Ducks, as part of the NHL Rookie Faceoff tournament.
Coach Mike Stothers is expected to go with the following lines:
Kupari-JAD-Fagemo
Eyssimont-Thomas- Kaliyev
Morrison-Dudas-Bergh
Sodergran-Lizotte-Yantsis
Defense and goal are still TBD. However, we expect Björnfot, Anderson, Durzi, Strand, and Phillips to be in the lineup; as well as Villalta / Ingham splitting time in net.
UPDATE, 10am Saturday
D pairs look to be:
Anderson – Spence
Bjornfot – Durzi
Phillips – Strand
* Constantinou – Sevigny was another pairing, but don’t expect them to play. Will update further later today.
JAD – "Good first day of practice. It's going to be a little confusing at first, trying to get some chemistry… Last year, we didn't show well. And that momentum carried into camp and the regular season… Last yr, I came in wanting to make the LA Kings and nothing has changed."
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Kupari said he'd really like to play for Finland at the World Jrs. His goal is to be w/ Kings and he understands it's not likely if he's up. However, if he's in AHL, he expects to go.
On GM1 tomorrow – "It will be an explosive start. Rookie Tournament and then main camp starts."
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Durzi – "As soon as I got the call, I was 100% an LA King. I want to prove them right. I saw some of what was said in Toronto after the trade- 'He's not the best prospect. It's fine we got rid of him.' I don't worry about negative comments. I worry about people who believe in me"
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Akil Thomas on only getting two practices and then Game 1 tomorrow night – "I feel like I'm ready to go… I'm excited and want to get things going… Last year, my line didn't have much chemistry early [in the tournament], so I really want to focus on that this time.'
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Adrian Kempe update (and don't be too alarmed)…
He may not be here for the start of camp. Team should know more next week. Waiting on immigration clearance. As I understand things, everything was filed the day he signed. So, it's just a timing thing.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Quick notes from Stothers:
– Those are the lines for Gm 1 vs Ducks
– Goalies will split tourney games, like last yr
– Akil Thomas came in w/ more confidence than last yr
– JAD is all business, makes eye contact when you talk, has an answer when asked
– Dudas never stops talking— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Stothers – "Good to see the players back on the ice. It's even good to see you guys… Sort of."
No training camp needed. Stutts in mid-season form already.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
New @ontarioreign mask for Matt Villalta pic.twitter.com/MiBWqyuDeL
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 6, 2019
Goalie @JacobIngham_ is all set to go with his brand new @OHLRangers mask.
LA Kings prospect was traded to Kitchener over the summer in a big deal. They're high on him after a great season last year. pic.twitter.com/MZB1cwDPQQ
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 7, 2019
Kings scouts have quietly been very high on this guy. Looking forward to seeing what he'll bring to Ontario this year.
Can be a bit of a streaky scorer, very hard worker. Expect Stutts to love him. pic.twitter.com/OCBRIyQ0Zp
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 7, 2019
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Kopitar Out, Can Watch His Son Against Arizona
Per recent tradition, it will be the Kings and Coyotes in a pair of split-squad games to open up preseason on Tuesday night.
LA captain Anze Kopitar will not suit up, but he will get a chance to watch his son play.
Allow us to explain…
“Last season when [Jaret Anderson-Dolan] made the team out of camp and […]