The Los Angeles Kings have announced their opening night roster ahead of Wednesday nights game one against the Colorado Avalanche at Crypto.com arena. The roster is what one might have thought as there are no real surprises but they have a stacked roster.
Kings Roster is Loaded Ahead of Season Opener
The roster is listed below and there have already been a few transactions.
Forwards (12)
9 Adrian Kempe
11 Anze Kopitar
12 Trevor Moore
22 Kevin Fiala
24 Phillip Danault
33 Viktor Arvidsson
46 Blake Lizotte
55 Quinton Byfield
61 Trevor Lewis
78 Alex Laferriere
80 Pierre-Luc Dubois
91 Carl Grundstrom
Defenseman (6)
3 Matt Roy
5 Andreas Englund
7 Tobias Bjornfot
8 Drew Doughty
44 Mikey Anderson
84 Vladislav Gavrikov
Goaltenders (3)
29 Pheonix Copley
31 David Rittich
39 Cam Talbot
There is one name that is absent from the starting lineup for the forwards and that is Arthur Kaliyev. Kaliyev was suspended for four total games, two preseason and two regular season. Once he returns for game five then Laferriere will likely be sent to the Ontario reign, American Hockey League affiliate. Forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan and defenseman Jordan Spence have also been outright sent to the Reign. If injuries pile up on defense, Spence and Bradnt Clarke, who was also sent down, will be the first to get the call.
In another transaction, goaltender David Rittich was put on waivers for the intent of sending him to the Reign. If he clears, that will give the Kings a duo of Copley and Talbot.
As far as the roster for opening night, head coach Todd McLellan was sure that he would not use 13 forwards, as he was going with 12 forwards and six defenseman. If Rittich is sent down to Ontario, he will form a tandem with Erik Portillo and/ or J.F. Berube.
As for the schedule, the Kings have a rough schedule to start the season. After the game with Colorado, Los Angeles plays the Carolina Hurricanes, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, a back-to-back against the Arizona coyotes, and then the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Kings look to avenge the poatseason loss to the Edmonton Oilers last season. With a stacked Pacific Division, Los Angeles has a tough road ahead but with the addition of Dubois the offense looks the best it has in years. With the defense, Gavrikov was signed on for another year, strengthening the defense. The only question this season surrounds the goaltending. Will Copley repeat his first half success from last season. Can Talbot step in and be a success between the pipes?
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
