The Los Angeles Kings have built a deep prospect pool over the last few years and now, we’re starting to see those prospects make the jump to the NHL.
While some key prospects have already joined the Kings, many of the organization’s brightest young players have yet to win a spot with the team. Below are four prospects who could fight to earn a spot with the Kings next season.
This list obviously won’t include Tobias Bjornfot, who’s a recent draft pick but has already earned a spot with the team or Lias Andersson and Kale Clague, who split their season between the NHL and AHL.
QUINTON BYFIELD
Of any of the team’s prospects, Byfield is the most likely to join the Kings full-time next season. Selected second overall in last year’s draft, Byfield spent the year with the AHL’s Ontario Reign, scoring eight goals and 20 points in 32 games. He was also called up to play six games with the Kings at the end of the season and could take a spot in the middle-six next season.
Additionally, Byfield still has another year of CHL eligibility remaining. This means that if Byfield doesn’t make the Kings’ roster, he’ll have to head back to the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves, rather than playing in the AHL once again. It would seem like an odd choice for his development to send him back to junior, given that Byfield was dominant in the OHL in the 2019-20 season and adjusted to playing professionally last season.
ARTHUR KALIYEV
Kaliyev is a bit of a wildcard to earn a spot but it’s still possible, after a strong first professional season. The winger scored 14 goals and 31 points in 40 games with Ontario, and also picked up his first NHL goal in his only game with the Kings.
Kaliyev is going to be a talented scorer in the NHL and is looking like a steal for the Kings, after being selected 33rd overall two years ago. While it’s probably unlikely he earns a permanent spot as early as next year, it’s certainly possible that we could see him get into more game action with Los Angeles.
RASMUS KUPARI
Kupari, who was selected by the Kings with the 20th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, had a great start with the AHL’s Ontario Reign this year. This earned him a look with the Kings and in two separate stints in the NHL, Kupari scored a goal in seven games.
He cooled off a bit in the AHL later in the year but still finished the season with eight goals and 23 points in 32 games with the Reign. Given that he’s already gotten into game action, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him push for a spot on the wing in the middle-six with the Kings.
ALEX TURCOTTE
Like Byfield and Kaliyev, Turcotte also made the jump to professional hockey this past season. With the Ontario Reign, he scored six goals and 21 points in 32 games.
The 2019 fifth-overall pick projects to be a long-term top-six forward with the team but a key question for Turcotte is where the Kings plan to use him. Given the organization’s center depth, it’s certainly possible we could see Turcotte playing on the wing with the Kings. Either way, while I think it’s likely Turcotte may start the season back in the AHL, it’s possible he could push for a spot with the Kings right out of the gate.
Some honourable mentions are Samuel Fagemo, Akil Thomas and Sean Durzi, who could potentially earn their way into game action as well. However, we probably got a hint as to who the Kings will prioritize bringing into the lineup, given who got into games with the Kings last year. Up front, there are only so many spots right now and on the blue line, the Kings also just integrated three prospects into the lineup this season, in Mikey Anderson, Tobias Bjornfot and Kale Clague. So while all of these players and more will likely push for a spot down the road, it seems less likely that they’ll be able to earn a full-time spot next year.
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Which prospect do you think is most likely to earn a full-time role with the Kings next season?
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