Saturday morning brought a myriad of roster moves by the LA Kings. As we first reported on Twitter, forward Rasmus Kupari was recalled.
Look for some LA Kings roster movement this morning…
Rasmus Kupari is being recalled from AHL Ontario.
If Christian Wolanin clears waivers at 11am, he'll be headed to the Reign. Meanwhile, Olli Maatta expected to be activated today. Will he play? Morning skate at 10:30.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 16, 2021
To make room for Kupari on the roster, Lias Andersson has been placed on injured reserve.
Originally selected in the first round (20th overall) at the 2018 NHL Draft, Kupari made his NHL debut for the Kings last season. The 21-year-old appeared in seven games and scored his first NHL goal on May 8 against Colorado. Last season with the Reign, Kupari recorded 23 points (8G, 15A) in 32 games.
Andersson had appeared to solidify a spot on the Kings third line, opposite Gabe Vilardi and Vladimir Tkachev, prior to sustaining a groin injury during the team’s final preseason game. After trying to take to the ice during practice earlier this week, he quickly exited and has been on the sidelines ever since. His stint on IR will be retroactive to October 9.
That wasn’t the only news at forward today.
Add Brendan Lemieux to the list of LA Kings roster moves today. He's been placed on the non-roster/COVID list.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 16, 2021
On defense, Olli Matta is expected to be activated today. He’s been practicing in a regular colored jersey for several days; abandoning the red no-contact jersey he had been in previously.
To make room for Maatta on the 23-man roster, Christian Wolanin was placed on waivers yesterday. Should he clear — the announcement should come shortly after 11am — Wolanin will be assigned to AHL Ontario.
UPDATE: Wolanin was claimed.
BUF Claims Wolanin
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 16, 2021
Will Maatta play vs. the Wild or slide in as the seventh defenseman? We’ll see how morning skate plays out.
In advance of the games tonight, we’ll have lineups for both the Kings and Reign posted later this afternoon.
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Kings Place Wolanin on Waivers, Maatta Ready to Return; Creates New Options
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