This is it. After what was the shortest off-season in NHL history, followed by what felt like one of the longest training camps, the Kings have nearly reached the end of the road. Following Saturday night’s preseason finale vs. the visiting Anaheim Ducks, GM Rob Blake will need to skip any Sunday football plans, as he’ll have a roster to finalize before sending it on to the NHL front office.
While that submission of which 23 players make the Kings 2021-22 opening night roster isn’t actually due until Monday, the process really begins on Sunday because any players who aren’t waiver exempt must be placed on waivers before they can be sent down to the AHL (provided they clear; which is a 24 hour process).
QUIZ TIME…
Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Kempe – Danault – Iafallo
Tkachev – Vilardi – Andersson
Moore – X — X
Lemieux
XSolve for X using:
Grundstrom
JAD *
Kaliyev *
Kupari *
Lizotte
Wagner* Waiver exempt
(And AA will be on IR)
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 8, 2021
At forward, Blake and McLellan have some difficult choices to make. Essentially, there are three spots still to be filled and at least six players to select from; half of which are waiver exempt. With Andreas Athanasiou expected to open the season on injured reserve, LA management will also need to have additional plans fairly well mapped out because when he’s available (estimated to be about another 10 days), they’ll need to create a roster spot for him.
That’s for later, though. The immediate task is giving Arthur Kaliyev one last look tonight to make his case. Coming off of a hat trick on Wednesday, momentum is on his side. Will the Arty Party in LA continue?
If so, it will most likely come at the expense of Grundstrom; who could be headed to the waiver wire on Sunday morning.
With Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Rasmus Kupari already sent back to the AHL, it appears they are out of contention at the moment.
On the blueline, Olli Maatta is expected to play vs. the Ducks. As we’ve reported previously, if he’s good to go, he’s the seventh defenseman. Which also means Austin Strand and Christian Wolanin end up on waivers, with the intention of assigning them to AHL Ontario. From what we’ve gathered, both showed well throughout camp and are thought to be viable alternatives for that role, if needed.
UPDATE: Maatta was still in a red jersey (no contact) at morning skate, so he’s not ready to go yet.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. ANAHEIM DUCKS ON 10/9
Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Iafallo – Danault – Kempe
Tkachev – Vilardi – Andersson
Lemieux – Moore – Kaliyev
Other options: Grundstrom, Lizotte, and Wagner
Anderson – Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Edler – Walker
Other options: Strand, Wolanin, and Maatta
Quick (starter)
Petersen
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm tonight and the game will be televised on Bally’s Sports Network.
RELATED CONTENT:
Where Things Stand with Kings Opening Night Roster; Plans Changing
Kings Sign Vladimir Tkachev – Is He the Next Big Thing out of Russia?
Lead photo via ALo Images
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
I think you forgot to change puck drop time from the other night. It’s a 7:30 start tonight…. You freaked me out for a second there – I have a tight schedule today for getting to the game! 🙂