Early Wednesday morning, Mayor’s Manor reported defenseman Jordan Spence was being recalled to the NHL by Los Angeles. However, this wasn’t your typical call-up from the AHL, it comes with additional context.
LA KINGS ROSTER MOVE
Look for defenseman Jordan Spence to be recalled to NHL
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) March 8, 2023
For starters, this is likely tied to the hit that Sean Durzi took in Monday’s game vs. the visiting Washington Capitals. The 24-year-old missed the remainder of that game, yet coach Todd McLellan offered the following update that night:
McLellan on Durzi —
Had to be evaluated. Takes time, clock just ran out. Saw him, he looks fine. We'll see in the morning l, but he should be fine.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) March 7, 2023
Because NHL rosters are allowed to expand after the Trade Deadline, the Kings didn’t need to make a corresponding move to add Spence — even though they were already carrying 23 active players.
Secondarily, there’s another pair of rules applicable to this situation that aren’t necessarily widely understood:
— Players on an NHL roster at noon of Trade Deadline Day (this past Few day) cannot be sent down to the AHL for the balance of the season. Therefore, those players are ineligible for the Calder Cup playoffs.
— Additionally, each NHL club can only recall four players to the NHL for the balance of the regular season.
How does this impact the Kings?
For starters, this is why the Kings sent Quinton Byfield and Rasmus Kupari down on Friday and then recalled them — it was all designed to make them eligible for AHL postseason play (should that need arise).
In doing so, it left LA with only two remaining call-ups for the balance of 2022-23… Until today, that is.
With the recall of Spence, they now only have one call-up left for non-injury purposes.
There is a clause that allows for special emergency exceptions if a team doesn’t have enough healthy players available. That isn’t applicable here, as Sean Walker could replace Durzi in the lineup and allow the Kings to field a full squad of six defensemen.
Looking ahead, the Kings could choose to use their final call-up on one of their prospects sometime over the next six weeks. Alex Turcotte, Sammy Fagemo, Martin Chromiak, Tyler Madden, Toby Bjornfot, and Jacob Moverare would be among the leading contenders. At the moment, we’d suggest Fagemo or Chromiak as leading candidates to eventually get the nod. However, nothing has been set in stone just yet.
Now that you’re in the mood to read more about the rules of hockey, be sure to check out our article below regarding where NHL prospects are allowed to play and why.
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I’ve seen a much more mature and capable Kings team the last few games.
Not sure if it’s the influence of Gavrikov, the play of the first line and suddenly better play from the second line..
This is a Kings squad that the rest of the league is watching. Yes, the Bruins, Rangers, and Hurricanes are sitting atop the NHL power rankings. However, if they keep up the pace and follow the game plan I think they can compete with any team in the NHL.
It’ll be interesting to see if Spence plays, how the defense looks without Durzi. Somebody is moving teams this off season as there needs to be room for Clarke and maybe Spence. Edler is definitely going and hopefully Gavrikov gets signed to a long term deal. Walker, Durzi and maybe Roy are potential players not on the Kings roster next season.
Spence won’t play tonight. I mean it wouldn’t hurt to give him a game, but Walker has 56 GP this season where Spence has 3. Spence is just a healthy scratch until Durzi is ready to play.
Walker is the odd man out even though he has played really well after 2 years of being sidelined with major injuries. Spence to LA next season and Clarke to Ontario next season. Clarke needs to get bigger and play big minutes in Ontario. Assuming he is not injured expect Clarke to start with the team opening night in the 24-25 season. Spence was drafted 2 years earlier and has developed his game in the pros longer than Clarke. That’s the main reason Spence is over Clarke next season. Once an injury happens or any issues than Clarke is in. Bjornfot is 21 and a left handed shot. He’s in between Spence and Clarke in age, but with Gavrikov(assuming he is resigned) in that makes Bjornfot the odd man out. So just due to cap issues and being the odd man out unfortunately Walker is most likely the 1st to leave. Than assuming Spence replaces him next season there will be 1 year remaining on Roy’s contract. After he is gone that’s where and when Clarke replaces him and is in the NHL. Also Clarke will be using his 1st year of his entry level contract, so even though I don’t see it right now there is a huge possibility that Clarke comes up next season in a handful of games. I just don’t see him leapfrogging over Spence. And I definitely don’t see the Kings choosing Spence over Durzi.
Durzi has played great on his offside, and next year he should be even better with not only the experience, but he will be playing where he is comfortable on the right side. Also McLellan and Blake must love Durzi because he can play either side which makes him more valuable than any other right handed shot because of the versatility.
Joe —
Would like to politely point out there are a lot of inaccuracies in those comments. Spence is scheduled to play tonight, as reported earlier today. Gavrikov signing won’t have an impact on Bjornfot. Edler leaving and Bjornfot’s waiver status are far more important factors in any decision regarding next year’s lineup. As for the Clarke plan for next season, it was covered on KOTP recently. Encourage you to check it out.
I’m curious about the possibility of Brandt Clarke joining the team if his OHL season ends prior to the end of the NHL season, could he be the final call-up?
Kings won’t burn a year off his entry level contract. Clarke would never had gone back to the OHL if he was ready to play with the team. Not to say he isn’t ready, but the Kings are not ready to make a roster spot for him this season.
Clarke would most likely join the Kings as a black ace’ should they still be playing after his OHL season ends. That isn’t the plan though, as Barrie believes they are going on a deep playoff run of their own.
If he does come to LA in this capacity, it will have no impact on his Entry Level Contract.
Does that mean that Spence isn’t going back to the Reign this season?
No. Spence is free to go back to the AHL, if he isn’t getting enough playing time in LA.