With the NHL’s shortest offseason in history now officially over, it’s time for what will be an extended exhibition season. For the first of four pre-season games this week, the Kings will face the Coyotes in Arizona.
Things are going to be a bit murky heading into Game 1 tonight. Even after cutting all of the invitees from training camp on Sunday, the Kings still have nearly 60 players in camp and want to get down to around 30-35 as quickly as possible.
Camp invitees were cut from Kings roster this morning. Hearing next major round of cuts will come after Frozen Fury on Thursday.
McLellan will have three preseason games this week to play with lineups.
Then the real fun begins. https://t.co/5a6OytVuAL
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) September 26, 2021
As we understand things, the current plan is to send the OHL players back to their respective junior teams on Wednesday – this includes Francesco Pinelli and Martin Chromiak.
Then, after the road trip later this week, the AHL guys will be assigned to camp with the Ontario Reign. That will be a much longer list and includes names like Brett Sutter, TJ Tynan, Johan Sodergran, etc.
There is a serious competition among 13 players for the final four roster spots at forward. Thus, the real question becomes, ‘How long will guys like Turcotte and Kaliyev stick around?’
The roster projection for tonight is only one side of the coin, as coach Todd McLellan has indicated his roster for tomorrow night’s game in San Jose will almost certainly be made up of a different 20 players.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. COYOTES
Kempe – Vilardi – Frk
Pinelli – Byfield – Kaliyev
Moore – JAD – Chromiak
Lemieux – Kupari – Fagemo
Other options include: Turcotte and Grundstrom
Anderson – Walker
Phillips – Durzi
Moverare – Grans
Petersen (starter)
Villalta
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm. Unfortunately, tonight’s game in Arizona is not being broadcast by the Kings or Coyotes, so there won’t be any place to watch it on/off-line. Radio only; just like the 1930s.
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