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You are here: Home / HockeyBlog / LA Kings Need to Make Quick Roster Decisions in Next Few Days

LA Kings Need to Make Quick Roster Decisions in Next Few Days

December 18, 2020 By John Hoven

With word now circulating that the NHL and NHLPA are on the brink of finalizing their agreement to play the 2020-221 season, NHL teams will have some quick decisions to make. From what we understand, only about 36 players will be allowed to training camps.

There is word tonight NHL & NHLPA have tentative deal on 56-game season.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 19, 2020

Building on @FriedgeHNIC report that NHL/NHLPA deal is close for 2021 season, now is when things get fun — in the details.

Hearing training camps will be limited to about 36 players. With rosters expanded to 28-30 (via taxi squads) once games start.

Curious where it all lands.

— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) December 19, 2020

Some more points on NHL/NHLPA agreement:
– 24 teams in 2019-20 RTP start camps Jan 3
– 7 teams that missed RTP start camps Dec 31
– Players have the option to opt-out of season
– Clubs can have a small taxi squad to travel/practice with, players paid AHL salary unless 'called up'

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) December 19, 2020

We’ve heard two dates for a possible start to the Kings training camp, both December 30 and 31st. Regardless of which date ends up being official, LA management is expecting camp rosters to be limited to about 36 players.

Here’s a quick look at the players they’ll have on the board… and it’s more than 36 at the moment:

Forwards

Alex Iafallo – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Adrian Kempe – Gabriel Vilardi – Martin Frk
Carl Grundstrom – Blake Lizotte – Jeff Carter
Austin Wagner – Jaret Anderson-Dolan – Matt Luff
Michael Amadio, Trevor Moore

Defensemen

Olli Maatta – Drew Doughty
Mikey Anderson – Matt Roy
Kurtis MacDermid – Sean Walker
Kale Clague, Tobias Bjornfot

Goaltenders

Jonathan Quick
Cal Petersen

The above list is comprised of what is believed to be LA’s projected roster for the 2020-21 season (with Clague and Bjornfot rotating between the NHL and AHL rosters). That was put together prior to any notion of a taxi squad or expanded rosters. And that total number comes out to 24 players; which would only allow for 12 additions if the Kings camp roster needs to be at 36. Thus, the following players would most likely be in consideration:

Forwards

Lias Andersson
Quinton Byfield
Aidan Dudas
Mikey Eyssimont
Sammy Fagemo
Arthur Kaliyev
Rasmus Kupari
Akil Thomas
Alex Turcotte
Tyler Madden
Johan Sodergran

Defensemen

Mark Alt
Daniel Brickley
Sean Durzi
Cole Hults
Jacob Moverare
Markus Phillips
Austin Strand

Goaltenders

Troy Grosenick
Jacob Ingham
Matt Vilalta

That’s another 21 players. However, one aspect that will at least make things a little easier to whittle that list to 12 is the fact a handful of players are tied up until early January at the World Junior Championship — namely Byfield, Kaliyev, Turcotte, and Bjornfot (from the initial list of players above).

Today's @kingsofthepod also has all the latest updates re: injury status of Rasmus Kupari, Tyler Madden, Cole Hults, etc. – including who will be ready for LA Kings training camp in a few weeks.

Plus, what's the status of Fagemo, Andersson, Grundstrom, other players in Europe?

— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) December 10, 2020


https://twitter.com/mayorNHL/status/1337160105666625537

The migration to SoCal has begun…

Hearing Carl Grundstrom is on his way back to Los Angeles to begin quarantine, in advance of training camp potentially opening.

Several of the Kings other prospects currently in Europe are expected to play games on Dec 17/18, then head back.

— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) December 13, 2020

Then, as we reported last week, there’s the fact several European players are already on their way to Los Angeles to begin their mandatory 8-day quarantine. Adding them into the mix brings things into focus.

Take the initial list above (23 = 24 – Bjornfot), add one additional goaltender to it. That’s 24.

Then add Lias Andersson, Aidan Dudas, Mikey Eyssimont, Sammy Fagemo, Rasmus Kupari, Akil Thomas, Tyler Madden, and Johan Sodergran. That’s a total of 32 players.

Which would most likely leave room for four more defensemen in camp; probably Mark Alt, Sean Durzi, Jacob Moverare, and Austin Strand.

12/19/2020 UPDATE – Additional information regarding the Kings roster, including which 36 are coming to camp and key plans for their top prospects, was posted here.

Now, about those divisions…

So the new "Pacific" Division is now…

Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Colorado Avalanche
LA Kings
Minnesota Wild
San Jose Sharks
St. Louis Blues
Vegas Golden Knights

Or, just wait an hour and it will change again.

— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) December 12, 2020

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Filed Under: HockeyBlog, Kings, NHL Tagged With: Andersson, camp, comments, Dudas, Durzi, Fagemo, hockey, Ingham, interview, Kings, Kupari, Los Angeles, Madden, Mayor, MayorsManor, Moverare, NHL, roster, training

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a former member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He's also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles and Hockey Blog of the Year. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" below for a full bio.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hockeyfrog says

    December 19, 2020 at 8:17 am

    So the Kings sit out since last March. The last two teams finished in September. Most others finished in August. The king’s and the other 6 teams only get 3 days extra ? What happened to the 1-2 weeks that was mentioned earlier. Until the owners cried for more $ and wasted a few weeks.

  2. John Craig says

    December 20, 2020 at 8:10 am

    You slept on Jordan Spence. He quietly made team Canada and looked sharp in the red vs white scrimmages. Anothet mid round pick that speaks to the phenomenal work Mark Yanetti & staff have done with scouting .

    • John Hoven says

      December 20, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      How did we sleep on him? We’ve hyped him in nearly every radio interview over the past six months and discussed him in detail on KOTP multiple times. He was also listed as making Team Canada in every roster projection we tweeted. If I mentioned him any more, may have needed to collect a referral fee.

      One year ago at this time, he wasn’t a Top 15 prospect in the organization. Perhaps that’s what you’re referencing? See here – http://mayorsmanor.com/2020/01/la-kings-2020-prospect-rankings-honorable-mentions/

      Credit to him. He’s made huge strides since then, as can happen in a short period with young players.

      The last paragraph in that scouting report linked above stated:

      This is definitely a player to watch over the next two seasons. He has a high hockey IQ, above average puck movements, can read coverage well, and locate his options. Spence provides quickness to play with his transition game. One of his key strengths is his play from within the offensive zone blueline, especially on the power play. Like most prospects his age, he’ll need to find another step in his skating, add some speed, and needs to build strength (which will also enhance his skating). As one scout noted to us, ‘If Spence can find half the skating improvement that Aidan Dudas found after being drafted, he’s a sure-fire NHL player.’

  3. DL says

    December 22, 2020 at 9:50 am

    Where is Nick Halloran?

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Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 147 with Jordan Spence

Kings Of The Podcast returns for another all-new episode, and this time around John Hoven and Dennis Bernstein are joined by LA prospect Jordan Spence. Some of the topics covered in this hour-plus KOTP edition include: — Mark Yannetti and the NHL Draft — Being born in Australia and relocating to Japan, then Canada — […]

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