Happy Friday, Insiders!
The Kings are back on the ice this morning coming out of yesterday’s day off. With two groups at it again today, the Kings have practices over the next two days, in advance of Sunday’s preseason tilt with the Anaheim Ducks. Sunday’s game will be the first of the season at Crypto.com Arena, with the Kings set to skate twice on true home ice during the exhibition season.
Day 9 Schedule
• 11:00 a.m. – Group A Practice
• 12:30 p.m. – Group B Practice
Here’s how the Kings will line up today, with a couple of key additions. Viktor Arvidsson is naturally the biggest note from today, as he re-joins the main group for the first time during training camp. Arvidsson had back surgery during the offseason and has been skating on his own during the first eight days of training camp. He reclaims his usual spot skating alongside Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault on the nice line, one that gelled instantly last season, proving to be an effective and productive second unit during the 2021-22 campaign. Arvidsson begins in a non-contact red jersey, but that’s to be fully expected as he reintegrates into the group for the first time. Arvidsson’s recovery timeline has been followed thus far, with the player where the team expected him to be at this stage.
Also back in black is defenseman Sean Durzi, who will skate in a full-contact jersey for the second straight practice. Durzi took his first skate back with the main group on Wednesday, as one of 10 defensemen on the ice that morning. Today he takes his spot back alongside Alex Edler on the third pairing, a good step forward in his own recovery process. Durzi had offseason shoulder surgery and was in a non-contact jersey during the first six days of training camp.
A great sign for both players to be back with the full group!
Group A
Kevin Fiala – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore – Phillip Danault – Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Iafallo – *Quinton Byfield – Arthur Kaliyev
Brendan Lemieux – Blake Lizotte – Carl Grundstrom
Jaret Anderson-Dolan – Rasmus Kupari – Gabe Vilardi
Mikey Anderson – Drew Doughty
Sean Walker – Matt Roy
Alex Edler – Sean Durzi
Tobias Bjornfot – Brandt Clarke
Jonathan Quick
Pheonix Copley
*Update – Quinton Byfield did not skate today due to an illness.
Group B
Lias Andersson – T.J. Tynan – Samuel Fagemo
Martin Chromiak – Aidan Dudas – Taylor Ward
Justin Nachbaur – Samuel Helenius – Jacob Doty
Alan Quine – Akil Thomas – Tyler Madden
Austin Wagner – Nate Thompson
Jacob Moverare – Jordan Spence
Tobie Bisson – Helge Grans
Kim Nousiainen – Frederic Allard
Cameron Gaunce – Cameron Supryka
Matthew Villalta
Jacob Ingham
David Hrenak
Additionally, forward Austin Wagner cleared waivers earlier this morning. Wagner is in the final year of a three-year contract signed back in 2020, and is expected to be a part of Ontario’s training camp, which is currently slated to begin on Monday. Wagner scored 13 goals and collected 22 points from 55 games played with the Reign last season, and has appeared in 171 NHL games played with the Kings throughout his career.
More to follow, Insiders! Will have key notes and quotes from today’s skate later this afternoon on LAKI!
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