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The Los Angeles Kings placed two players on waivers this week, while six prospects won medals at the World Juniors. Here's the weekly recap:
HUTTON JOINING DUCKS ON PTO
Defenseman Ben Hutton, who spent the 2019-20 season with the Kings, has signed a professional tryout with the Anaheim Ducks. After Olli Maatta was acquired, it became clear that Hutton wouldn’t be returning to the Kings, though it is surprising that Hutton didn't sign a contract in the offseason.
KINGS WAIVE BRICKLEY AND IMAMA
The Kings placed defenseman Daniel Brickley and forward Boko Imama on waivers. Both players spent the 2019-20 season in the AHL.
SIX KINGS PROSPECTS WIN MEDALS AT WJC
Six of nine Kings prospects who competed at this year’s World Juniors left with medals. Brock Faber, Arthur Kaliyev and Alex Turcotte won Gold with the United States, Quinton Byfield and Jordan Spence won Silver with Canada and Kasper Simontaival won Bronze with Finland.
As for our poll questions this week, we asked the following question:
"Do you think the Kings will finish ahead of this team in the standings this year?"
Here are the results:
DUCKS
(Votes: 170)
Yes: 68%
No: 32%
It will depend how each team’s young players develop but as of now, I think Anaheim’s current roster gives them an edge. That said, the Kings do have more high-end prospects, which could go a long way, based on who wins a spot in the lineup this year.
COYOTES
(Votes: 91)
Yes: 68%
No: 32%
Despite the majority vote here, I have the same stance as a I do with the Ducks. The Kings have more potential if they use some top prospects in the lineup but based on the current roster, Arizona likely has the better roster.
AVALANCHE
(Votes: 80)
No: 90%
Yes: 10%
Not much of a surprise here. Colorado is a contender who could do some damage within the division.
SHARKS
(Votes: 80)
Yes: 68%
No: 32%
Oddly, three votes were by the same 68 - 32 margin. Regardless, I’d bet on the Sharks right now based on their forward group but if Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen can figure things out while Devan Dubnyk and Martin Jones continue to struggle, the Kings could pull ahead.
WILD
(Votes: 71)
Yes: 55%
No: 45%
It’s good to see optimism for the season, based on readers feeling as though the Kings would finish ahead of four of five teams they were asked about. That said, I see this being another year focused on development, where the Kings aren’t necessarily more competitive than the majority of these teams.
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OTHER KINGS ARTICLES FROM JANUARY
Breaking down the Kings’ training camp roster
Trevor Lewis signs PTO with Jets
Weekly Recap: Kings Edition (January 3)
West Division Comparison: Kings/Ducks
West Division Comparison: Kings/Coyotes
Six Kings prospects earn medals at World Juniors
West Division Comparison: Kings/Avalanche
West Division Comparison: Kings/Sharks
West Division Comparison: Kings/Wild 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
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