Toffoli, Schultz up, Pearson, Vey down, Kozun traded

The Los Angeles-Manchester shuffle continued Wednesday as forward Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Jeff Schultz were recalled from the Kings’ AHL affiliate and forwards Tanner Pearson and Linden Vey were reassigned.

Toffoli, 21, had been assigned to Manchester on January 14. During the team’s three game set in St. John’s that concluded yesterday, the forward recorded a natural hat trick in the Monarchs’ 6-0 win over the Ice Caps on January 20 as part of a four-point night. He was held scoreless in losses to the Winnipeg affiliate on January 17 and 20. In 33 games with the Kings, Toffoli has 17 points (9-8=17).

Schultz, who has proven to be somewhat of an insurance policy after having signed a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, joined the Kings for three days in early December but did not draw into the lineup. Because Willie Mitchell’s knee has held up well and the team’s defensive corps has remained relatively healthy, the 27-year-old’s opportunity hasn’t yet arrived. With Matt Greene in the process of returning from a concussion, there is a chance that his opportunity may come in the near future.

Vey, 22, appeared in 12:44 of ice time in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 15 games with Los Angeles, he has five assists. Pearson, 21, has one goal in eight games with the Kings. He recorded 10:15 in last night’s loss.

There’s also the report that minor league forward Brandon Kozun has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs:

#LAKings have traded Brandon Kozun to Toronto Maple Leafs. #TML

— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) January 22, 2014

 

This report was confirmed by a member of the Kings’ hockey operations. I’ve heard that the Kings will receive a player, not a draft pick, in exchange for Kozun. The news should be announced relatively soon, though I’m about to get back into the car and head to Dodger Stadium, where the first skates will touch the outdoor ice at 5:25 p.m. I’ll have more on these developments from Chavez Ravine.

UPDATE: The news is out. It’s 21-year-old Andrew Crescenzi heading to Los Angeles in exchange from Kozun. Crescenzi, a 6’5, 208 pound center, has two points (1-1=2) and a minus-2 rating in 32 games with AHL-Toronto. The former Kitchener Ranger split time with AHL-Toronto and ECHL-San Francisco last season.