Thursday brought to a close the ‘practice and drills’ portion of LA’s 2021 Development Camp. With that in mind, we’ll share a few notes, quotes, and observations below.
TODAY’S CAMP NOTEBOOK
— Our first two notes aren’t really Dev Camp related, as they come from the action that took place earlier in the morning…
https://twitter.com/mayorNHL/status/1430932496363884545
For the first time in a Kings jersey, we present Viktor Arvidsson pic.twitter.com/aZ5um6yAnO
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
— As reported previously, highly rated prospects Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte have missed a few days of Camp now and we’re starting to get more clarity on the situation. From what we’ve been able to gather, the plan is to keep Byfield off the ice the remainder of the week. Unfortunately, that means he’ll miss the big event at Staples Center on Saturday (at least the on-ice skills portion). Regarding Turcotte…
Hearing Turcotte will miss the remainder of camp. He had an appendectomy. Should be good to go in a few weeks.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
And as a quick follow up, there have been NHL players who had an appendectomy during the playoffs and returned in a few days without any complications. This shouldn't be a big issue for Turcotte. Expect him to fully be ready for Rookie Camp next month. https://t.co/6RmKz9deAQ
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
— Some video and photos…
Some photos of hockey players doing drills on the ice.#LADevCamp pic.twitter.com/3tBlPr1j3w
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
Working to get European players ready for the smaller North American ice…#LADevCamp pic.twitter.com/MOIK57n9Po
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
— Keeping the theme of the week going…
Going a little off the board for today's Dev Camp MVP.
It was defenseman Cam Supryka.
He's one of the invitees in camp and was teammates with @Arthur_Kaliyev on @BulldogsOHL squad.
Read more about him here https://t.co/3dFbBYpLmP#LADevCamp https://t.co/2exkI7huSH pic.twitter.com/kHrl0ysArZ
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
— Friday’s schedule features the much-anticipated scrimmage at 9am.
THURSDAY QUOTES
Forward Andre Lee on overall impressions from Dev Camp
I’ve definitely grown, physically and mentally. Back in 2019, you come in and you’re a little bit nervous. This time, I feel more comfortable with the guys, and the coaches. It feels great out there. … I think my game has been good. There are some good guys here, so it’s really competitive. And, that’s what I love, as a hockey player. I like to compete and I like to win. … Everyone here is a very good hockey player. Each day, it’s something different. Monday we worked on protecting the puck. We worked on wall play, we worked on shooting, and stuff like that. It’s definitely great to get that little head start before I head back to Lowell for the upcoming season.
Lee on adapting to the North American-sized ice over the past few seasons
I think I’ve adapted really well. I’ve been here three years now, so I work on it in practice. Over here, it feels like you have less time and less space, so you work on that in practice and then work on it in games too. I feel like I’ve developed really well over these three years to adapt to this American hockey style.
Andre Lee with the big smile on his face when I asked about him and Meehan going to the Red Sox game last week. Says he's trying to get more into baseball.
Good thing Clague isn't here to corrupt him. (That's a comment for all the @kingsofthepod listeners)
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
Lee says he and a couple of the other Swedes has dinner together last night and his eyes lit up when I mentioned LA's ever-growing Swedish Army, with the additions this summer. Continued to repeat that it's his dream to play for the LA Kings. He's focussed on making it happen.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
If you're not familiar with forward prospect @Andrelee71 (Andre Lee) this podcast is a MUST LISTEN!
I challenge you. Try it and tell me I'm wrong.
As many of you know by now, he's my sleeper pick among the @LAKings prospect pool. https://t.co/5y2gZG8Cgk
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
Tyler Madden looks like a different player from six months ago. He carries himself differently. There's a noticeable change, he just comes across more comfortable in his own skin
We'll borrow Wrobo's phrase here… He has that earned confidence.
Dude is poised for a big season.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 26, 2021
Tyler Madden on his stated goals of getting bigger, stronger, faster this summer
I’ve definitely gained some weight. I’m feeling pretty good out there with my stride and everything. I got a little bit faster. I’ve been here for most of the summer, so that’s definitely helped out.
Madden on the change in Camp the past few days with Turcotte out
Turc and I think the game the same way, so every time we get out there together, we can find each other very easily. It’s kind of like we know where each other is going to be. In terms of reps, when you lose a guy, we get a little bit more. That’s always good though, it helps us get a little bit better every day.
Madden on things looking like they’re returning to normal after an awkward first year in the organization due to all the restrictions
I think that first year under my belt, even though I didn’t get a lot of games because of my injury, I think it was a real good way to start. I think this is what I’m going to consider being my first year of pro. But, last year definitely helped me out, changing to a pro-style life. It’s good to be back at Dev Camp. I always love these things, you learn some things. It’s all good. I’ve been healthy since the beginning of summer, back to 100%. I’ll be good to go when the season comes. … This year, I need to establish myself as a top line player for the Reign and play some big minutes. Hopefully, my game can take over from there.
Madden on the fact he looks like a different player right now, carrying more confidence
I think those couple of games at the end of the season were just me getting back into it. I like to play with confidence. That’s a big part of my game. If I’m confident, then my game is going to be at its highest.
If you missed Madden and his Stanley Cup winning dad, John, during their double-hit on Kings Of The Podcast recently, be sure to check out the link below.
RELATED CONTENT:
Kings Of The Podcast: Episode 100 with Tyler and John Madden
Lead Photo via Daniel Stopani
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Any Dodger hat sightings on Kale yet?
He’ll be in town next month. Stay tuned.
If the Kings bring in any more Swedes, Volvo will have to replace Toyota as a team sponsor.
Glad to hear Madden is looking better. He lit up the preseason last year and I had hopes he would have a strong regular season. Then it seemed like he got hurt right away and that was the regular season for him.
Similarly, I hope it is not indicative of Turcotte’s future luck that he had a standout first day of camp, and then his appendix went goofy on him. At least you only get acute appendicitis once.