Let the lineup carousel begin – even if this feels similar to other articles we’ve written of late…
Right on schedule, an LA Kings prospect is set to return to Ontario’s lineup tonight.
A little more than a week ago, we reported Akil Thomas was set to return this weekend vs. Tucson. And that checks out.
Additionally, the Reign had to play their past few games shorthanded at forward, as several players were up with the Kings for a road trip. This time around, the Kings sent Jacob Moverare back to the AHL before leaving for the East Coast on Friday. However, they also took several of Reign mainstays with them, including: Alex Turcotte, Sammy Fagemo, Christian Wolanin, Austin Strand, and Matt Villalta.
Update on Kings roster plans…
— Jacob Moverare will play games in Ontario this weekend.
— With status of Kempe and Athanasiou still TBD, team plans to carry 8 defensemen, 15 forwards, and 3 goalies to start the trip. Obviously, this includes a few taxi squad spots. https://t.co/C7JIEHLV8F
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) January 21, 2022
Follow up to several morning tweets…
Look for LA Kings to callup defensemen Christian Wolanin and Austin Strand for the road trip.
✈️
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) January 21, 2022
From what we understand, working IDEA is for Kings to switch out taxi players midway through the trip. Nothing set in stone in 2022.
Also have the Kempe and Athanasiou returns as TBD. Lots of moving pieces.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) January 21, 2022
In addition to Thomas, Ontario will see three other forwards return to the lineup tonight. Martin Frk had spent a few games up with the Kings, followed by a stint in protocol. He’ll be back tonight and slide in on the top line. Russian forward Vladimir Tkachev returns after his own time in protocol. Out since January 2, playing Tucson would seem like a good place to start back up. In three previous games against the Roadrunners, he’s recorded at least a point in each of them. On December 18, Tkachev scored his most recent goal while playing Tucson. And he recorded three assists vs. the Coyotes minor league affiliate back in November.
After playing in 48 games for the Reign last season, Kings prospect Johan Sodergran had only seen action in five games this season before going down with an injury. He had two goals in his brief run back in October, so he’ll be looking to pick up where he left off.
In goal, one of the Kings top goaltending prospects, Jacob Ingham, is scheduled to get the start. This will only be his third AHL start, playing one game last season and then another one earlier this year vs. Abbotsford. It’s obviously a very small sample size, yet he still carries an impressive .938 save percentage thus far.
ONTARIO REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. TUCSON ROADRUNNERS on 1/22
Burke – Tynan – Frk
Vilardi – JAD – Madden
Tkachev – Thomas – Dudas
Sodergran – Johnson – Wagner
Other options include: Doty, Pavlychev
Gaunce – Spence
Moverare – Grans
Phillips – Kasastul
Other options include: McIvor
Ingham (starter)
Parik
Puck drop is scheduled for 6pm tonight in Ontario and the game can be viewed on AHL TV.
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Lead photo via Daniel Stopani
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