Ben Shelley: Kings’ forward group is looking very crowded

There's reportedly going to be an agreement between the NHL/CHL/AHL this season that will allow any junior player that played 20+ games in the AHL last season to remain in the AHL rather than requiring that they be returned to junior if they don't make their NHL rosters. That's good news for Byfield, who will likely get to spend the entire season with the Reign. It's not finalized yet, so it's not for certain, but it's looking like this will be the way they go.

The way I see it, they have 17 guys competing for 14 spots. I'm sure all players will be given the chance to earn their spots on the NHL roster, but I suspect that Wagner, Tkachev, and Frk will be the odd men out. JAD looked good enough to earn a permanent spot in the lineup last year, but they might sacrifice him to the AHL if they decide they want to keep Wagner or Frk, simply because of his waiver exemption. Tkachev is likely to start the season in the AHL, although they risk losing him back to Europe if he decides to invoke his European assignment clause. If they think that's likely, then they could get rid of Lemieux instead.

I think Andersson is a lock for the NHL roster. I don't think any of Kupari, Turcotte, Byfield, or Kaliyev will start the season with LA. The Kings will want them all playing together down in the AHL.

I just don’t get the reasoning behind the incredibly slow moving path to the NHL for Byfield…

Guys all across the league that were drafted just as high and are just as young, and many without his level of talent, are and have been making an impact at the NHL level and making much further progress with their development.

Maybe I’m just not understanding something…

I just don’t get the reasoning behind the incredibly slow moving path to the NHL for Byfield…

Guys all across the league that were drafted just as high and are just as young, and many without his level of talent, are and have been making an impact at the NHL level and making much further progress with their development.

Maybe I’m just not understanding something…
- SimpleJack

He's almost a full year younger than most of the kids in his draft class. He's much closer in age to the players that were just drafted a few weeks ago than the ones from last year (he hasn't turned 19 yet). Not sure why it's "incredibly slow moving" he spent one shortened season in the AHL after being drafted.

The Kings hired the developmental coach from the US junior development team to come in and develop the kids the right way. Keeping him in the AHL for another season where he would be a 1C on top contender for the Calder Cup (Ontario's top six is insane) is preferable to being a 3C on a borderline bubble team in the NHL.

Quotes not working, but the above post gave me some clarification. Thx

There's reportedly going to be an agreement between the NHL/CHL/AHL this season that will allow any junior player that played 20+ games in the AHL last season to remain in the AHL rather than requiring that they be returned to junior if they don't make their NHL rosters. That's good news for Byfield, who will likely get to spend the entire season with the Reign. It's not finalized yet, so it's not for certain, but it's looking like this will be the way they go.

The way I see it, they have 17 guys competing for 14 spots. I'm sure all players will be given the chance to earn their spots on the NHL roster, but I suspect that Wagner, Tkachev, and Frk will be the odd men out. JAD looked good enough to earn a permanent spot in the lineup last year, but they might sacrifice him to the AHL if they decide they want to keep Wagner or Frk, simply because of his waiver exemption. Tkachev is likely to start the season in the AHL, although they risk losing him back to Europe if he decides to invoke his European assignment clause. If they think that's likely, then they could get rid of Lemieux instead.

I think Andersson is a lock for the NHL roster. I don't think any of Kupari, Turcotte, Byfield, or Kaliyev will start the season with LA. The Kings will want them all playing together down in the AHL.
- tkecanuck341

Byfield being able to play in the AHL was announced quite some time ago. Kupari is the most likely of the group to start in the NHL according to Hoven. Tkachev is a big wild card. Maata is our 7th Dman unless Bjornfot starts in ontario.

Byfield being able to play in the AHL was announced quite some time ago. Kupari is the most likely of the group to start in the NHL according to Hoven. Tkachev is a big wild card. Maata is our 7th Dman unless Bjornfot starts in ontario.
- poisondhearts37

The CHL/AHL agreement is not official yet. The fact that it's been publicly reported on means signing it is probably just a formality at this point, but it can still fall through.

I don't think they'll risk losing Clague to waivers when they can send down Maatta who will surely clear. They could trade Clague, in which case Maatta would be the 7th defenseman.

Well said on all accounts tkecanuck. As always -- appreciate your insight.

If we think this year's line-up is going to be crowded -- just wait until how interesting next year is going to be (is it to soon to think about that?).

Just about anyone that can play in the AHL (without clearing waivers) will start in the AHL this season. Although I agree with the above post the JAD certainly earned a full time role (personally, I also liked Grundstrom and think he earned a role -- but he'll also start with the Reign due to how many players are fighting for spots).

I also agree that Byfield should probably be a full time NHLer next season, but probably won't start in that position, which isn't terrible considering his age/development.

This year is fun enough to think about -- but what do the Kings do when all the Kids are ready to play next season?

If you are looking for a fun puzzle -- arrange these players into four lines.

Kempe - Byfield - Arvidsson
Turcotte - Kopitar - Kalyiev
Iafallo - Danault - Vilardi
Anderson - JAD - Kupari
Grundstrom - Lizotte - Moore
Lemieux - Wagner

And that's assuming we lose Brown and Athanasiou. I think at some point the Kings are going to make a pretty significant trade, sending a few players out in order to solve this riddle and bring in a central puzzle piece.

At any rate -- Completion is the word that will drive the next season or two.

Edit:

Competition is the word.

I suppose Completion is a word also -- although that one is probably best left to crossword puzzles.

Edit:

Competition is the word.

I suppose Completion is a word also -- although that one is probably best left to crossword puzzles.
- Cabbages and Kings

To be honest, I think both work for the Kings roster.