McNabb practices with L.A. for first time, is ready if needed

The Kings’ practice yesterday was open to several more players than usual, even if forward Jeff Carter didn’t participate. Brayden McNabb, the 23-year-old defenseman acquired from the Buffalo Sabres at the trading deadline along with a pair of second round draft picks in exchange for Hudson Fasching and Nic Deslauriers, took the ice for the first time with the main club after his Manchester Monarchs season came to an end following a first round defeat at the hands of the Norfolk Admirals last week.

“It was pretty cool,” said the 6-foot-4, 208-pound McNabb. “It was fun out there, especially it’s a little bit faster and crisp and it’s good to see and get to know guys a little bit better. It’s been fun.”

McNabb was acquired to address an organizational need. “We felt that given where our team was at, that it was going to be at some point here critical that we get a young defenseman who has a chance to play in your top-four,” Dean Lombardi said at the time, noting that McNabb had been “highlighted” a talented AHL-based player who could fit the mold of a many-situations defenseman and has “got some snarl.”

Though all eyes turned to Jeff Schultz when Robyn Regehr joined Willie Mitchell amongst the team’s injured defensemen, Los Angeles is only one injury on the back end away from considering whether McNabb (37 games of NHL experience), or Andrew Bodnarchuk (five games), or Andrew Campbell (three games) would make their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.

“Being here, there is always a chance. You never know in the playoffs with injures and stuff,” McNabb said. “So I’m going to be ready if it happens. So I’m just going to continue on thinking that way.”

The former captain of the Kootenay Ice, the Davidson, Saskatchewan native won a WHL Championship in 2011. Selected in the third round, 66th overall, by Buffalo in 2009, the left-shooter has amassed 102 points (20-82=102) and a plus-28 rating in 159 games. In 37 NHL games with the Sabres, he has one goal and eight points.

Brayden McNabb, on his reaction to being traded to the Kings organization:
I was pretty surprised. I mean my agent called me five minutes before it happened. We were on the plane about to take off back home to Rochester, he said you might be getting traded. I didn’t know what to think and then I saw a tweet about it and I was in the air so I really didn’t know. It was definitely surprising, but it’s been good so far.

McNabb, on his development in Manchester:
It was huge going there, especially getting used to the systems. The different systems, getting used to all their guys, it’s definitely a tough transition but it went well and it’s good to be here and to see everything and practice. Obviously it was a tough end to the year in Manchester, but you have to learn from it and try to get better up here.

McNabb, on his skill set, and any players who inspired him:
Growing up, I was always watching forwards so that wasn’t big for me. I like to be an all-around two-way guy taking care of my own end first and taking advantage of offensive opportunities when they come.

McNabb, on whether he was a fan of Rob Blake:
Yeah, actually when he was in Colorado I was a pretty big fan of that team. So it’s kind of cool that he’s here.

McNabb, on aspects of his game he’s working on:
A lot of it is just my feet. Getting that first two steps going and the transition. It definitely needs some work and I’m going to continue work on it here and into summer.

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