Glad Thursday, Insiders!
Some roster motion this morning for the Kings, with 4 offers introduced prematurely by the group earlier than the group skates.
The Kings known as up three gamers—defender Tobias Bjornfoot, in addition to forwards Samuel Vagimo and Alex Turcotte—from the Ontario period within the AHL. As well as, the group positioned ahead Karl Grundström on injured reserve as a consequence of a lower-body harm.
Calling Bjornfoot is sensible. The Kings have solely had six defensemen since Jordan Spence was named reigning again on Jan. 12. And the Kings have their subsequent seven video games right here over the following 13 days, in seven cities, beginning tonight towards Dallas. With back-to-back video games over his final two nights in Colorado, it might make tonight 3-on-3 for Bjornfot in check-in, so we would not anticipate to see a blueline change, however he brings stable skating capability and information of the Kings, with 110 video games to his identify.
“He was actually good within the American League and I believe he was stable tonight,” McClellan mentioned of Bjornfoot after his season debut. “He performs effectively when he is utilizing his legs, when he is energetic, when he is up, he is again, he is off. If he is simply standing round, ready for issues to come back to him, it isn’t going to go effectively. Tonight, he put his legs to good use.”
When it comes to forwards, the Kings have 11 wholesome forwards for certain, with Gabi Vilardi presently each day. Velarde can nonetheless play tonight and we’ll see his availability and hopefully he’ll be right here after snowboarding within the morning. Nevertheless, in fact, Kings is not going to solely fulfill the potential availability, but additionally enhance the strikes of the checklist.
Beginning with Fagemo he can be the most certainly choice to play tonight if Velarde cannot go. Fagemo did not play Reign yesterday, in what was definitely a preemptive transfer for tonight’s Kings match. Fagemo has a aim and an help from three NHL video games performed to this point this season and has been talked about extremely in a restricted position, which has principally been fourth-line duties. Fagemo has 12 targets from 27 AHL video games this season, 30 over the course of his full AHL roster, which is greater than stable. Kings Head coach Todd McClellan is a registered supporter of Fagemo, and we’ll assume he’ll be the primary man to come back on board this night.
“I believed it was the perfect I’ve seen Sammy play this 12 months,” McClellan mentioned of Vagimo after his season debut in December. “We talked about his coaching camp, we have been actually hoping he’d be right here full time, however he did not have the camp we anticipated and I am certain of himself. That is the perfect recreation I’ve seen Sammy play, exhibition and common season this 12 months. Hats off to him as a result of he is made an influence.”
On Turcotte, he has to earn one other summons. Turcotte has definitely had a tough journey this season, beginning with a difficult summer time as he recovered from a head harm sustained in the course of the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs in Might. Turcotte did not make his first season with the AHL membership till mid-November, and he is battled a number of further diseases since then, however he is been enjoying some good hockey these days, with six factors (3-3-6). He performed his final 5 matches. Turcotte gives versatility, with the power to play each heart and wing, which is essential when the Kings hit the street. A well-deserved call-up to an Illinois native.
“It was nice,” mentioned Marco Storm after a two-point evening in late December. “I believed it was his greatest recreation immediately. He seemed pleased. I believe he is a greater midfielder anyway, however we would have liked a person.” [at center] And we thought we did the best factor. I nonetheless assume we did the best factor, however I believe he is extra of a center man and you may see immediately. Sure, we have now to work with him particularly on the defensive facet of him, however he did some actually good issues immediately and I used to be actually pleased along with his recreation.”
Relating to Grundstrom, he was injured throughout coaching on Tuesday, and give up snowboarding early. Grundstrom didn’t prepare with the group yesterday, and coach Todd McClellan indicated that he is not going to accompany the group on its upcoming six-game journey and will probably be out of motion till the top of that journey, which lasted ten days. Among the many video games on the opposite facet of it. Extra on Grundstrom’s harm, in addition to the day-to-day scenario of striker Gabe Vilardi, right here.
The Kings are on the ice for our morning ski right here in a couple of minutes and we’ll see if we get an replace on the standing of Velarde after that. Do not anticipate Bjornfot or Turcotte on the ice, as they will not return in time, however Fagemo is anticipated to be there. Extra to observe within the recreation preview!
From the group’s official assertion –
Bjornfot, 21, had an help (0-1=1) in 4 video games for the Kings after opening the season with the Reign scoring 4 factors (2-2=4) with a plus-5 ranking in 29 video games. The twenty second general choose within the 2019 NHL Draft is a veteran of 110 NHL video games with the Kings and has accrued 15 factors (1-14 = 15). The 6-0, 200-pound defender scored 23 factors (8-15=23) in 74 AHL video games with Ontario.
Fagemo, 22, has appeared in three video games with the Kings this season, scoring his first two NHL factors (1-1=2), together with his first NHL aim on December 3 towards Carolina. The 6-0, 200-pound ahead additionally suited up in 27 AHL video games with Ontario, amassing 18 factors (12-6=18). In 122 AHL video games with the Reign, Goteborg, the Swede native, has accrued 80 factors (49-31=80) with 46 penalty minutes (PIM) and a plus ranking of 8.
Turcotte, 21, has skated in 18 video games with Ontario this season, recording 12 factors (5-7=12) and a plus-5 ranking. Turcotte was drafted fifth general within the 2019 NHL Draft, and has appeared in eight NHL contests with the Kings After making his debut within the NHL final season. The 5-11, 185-pound ahead scored 51 factors (17-34 = 51) with a 52 PIM and a plus-19 ranking in 77 profession AHL video games.
Grundstrom, 25, has made 34 appearances for the Kings this season, choosing up 10 factors (6-4=10) to complete his aim tally for the third straight season. Initially drafted within the second spherical of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 6-0, 195-pound ahead was acquired by the Kings on January 28, 2019 together with Sean Durzi and a 2019 first-round choose. 2019. A local of Umeå, Sweden, Grundstrom has appeared in 166 NHL video games, all with the Kings, incomes 46 factors (26-20=46).