Training Camp Observations Through Three Days

Consider Segment 1 of Training Camp to be in the books.

The Kings held three days of an identical schedule, consisting of three groups of players, relatively evenly spread and spaced out, with the groups rotating through the spots each day. Included on each day were three practices, with two of the three groups contesting a scrimmage on each day. Groups A, B and C each scrimmaged twice, once against each of the other teams.

In past camps, including what we saw last year, the groups were much more heavily tilted towards two groups, with Group C interchanging players each day but generally featuring players on tryouts or AHL contracts.

This season, the Kings changed things up a bit. Three groups, very evenly split, giving more players their main-camp opportunity. In speaking with Head Coach Jim Hiller, he said that was the bulk of the reasoning behind making the change. He wanted to see more guys get a chance with the veterans and split the work a bit more than he did in past years.

“The long and short of it is, we made three teams instead of two, primarily we had two teams [last year],” Hiller said. “There was a third group but they weren’t really a part of the two teams, so we made three teams, everybody was involved and had their chance to show themselves up. Then, we made the teams smaller, so rather than running four lines out there, you’re running every third and it keeps you in it a little bit more and also helps with conditioning. Then, everybody gets a chance to show what they’ve got, so I think that’s probably just the biggest two things.”

So that’s a little bit different. In total, there are actually fewer players here this year, but more players who are more involved. That was Hiller’s thought process in structuring camp the way that he did for the first three days But I’m sure you’re looking for a little bit more than that. So, sharing some of my early training-camp observations through the first three days on the ice.

Consistency Is King
Through three days of camp, I’ve had the chance to speak with all Top-9 forwards. And all nine have said a variation of the same thing. Consistency can be king for this group.

The Kings are opening camp with the same Top-9 as they finished with last season. That means lines that played together down the stretch, lines that had a lot of success together down the stretch, will play together in an ideal world to open this season. Hiller has said that the Kings liked their Top-9 and there aren’t any immediate plans to change that. Just about every one of the players has spoken positively about that consistency. Knowing their linemates, already having built-in chemistry has natural benefits and the players have felt that early in camp. More to come on that front in a larger story, but a very prevalent storyline.

Foegele/Danault/Moore Hitting The Ground Running
The consistency benefits everyone in the Top-9. But for the Foegele/Danault/Moore line, I think the consistency is quite important and also quite noticeable.

I try not to put a ton of stock into impressions during a training camp scrimmage. I asked Hiller and he said that he doesn’t do that either with veterans, or at least tries to put it into context. But during the scrimmage, I found myself consistently seeing that line creating havoc in the offensive zone. No breakouts the other way were clean against them. Consistently forcing turnovers and spinning the puck back the other way. It’s the way that line played when they were at their best and they seem to be playing the same way early in camp this year as well.

Killer Kuz
I really enjoyed my conversation with Andrei Kuzmenko earlier today.

Asked Andrei Kuzmenko today why he chose to re-sign with the @LAKings.

"I believe in this organization…..I want it to work with this team."

Highlighted Jim Hiller, who "gave me belief in myself" as well as teammates he believes in as players but are also "great humans."

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) September 20, 2025

It was just so clear how much he feels the love in Los Angeles. He pointed to Jim Hiller as a coach who “gave me belief in myself” which speaks to Hiller’s player-to-player management strengths. Kevin Fiala and Brandt Clarke have both spoken positively about their conversations with Hiller at various points and both came out better for it.

Kuzmenko also expressed a clear belief in the Kings and wants it to work for him here specifically. He called his connection with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe like having “one mind for three players” and spoke about how well they treated him as a teammate. Honestly, lots of bangers packed into just a few minutes. Full interview should be on YouTube later today.

Good Start For 22/55/14
I’ve also seen the Fiala/Byfield/Laferriere line log a ton of possession time in the offensive zone in their two scrimmages.

It wasn’t exactly translating into production in those camp scrimmages, but Byfield looks like he’s flying early in camp and Fiala looked shifty and dangerous as well. The beauty of Laferriere’s game is his ability to play off of just about anyone. Byfield and Fiala had more of the puck, but it was Laferriere getting into the most dangerous areas on the ice, leading to scoring chances. In the first scrimmage specifically, Laferriere did a great job of that, which led to tons of looks in high-danger areas. Good stuff for sure.

New Defensemen Thoughts
Brian Dumoulin is bigger than expected. He’s listed at 6-4 and that is, naturally, tall. But I’ll be honest, it wasn’t a detail I really focused on, but you see him on the ice and he’s got some size to him.

What was unsurprising was his composure. I got some Alex Edler vibes in terms of a guy who seems to have the ability to slow things down when needed, establish composure, take a deep breath and go. It’s a veteran quality that every team can needs.

On Cody Ceci, I saw a player who is always looking to outlet the puck. He’s not been a chip it out and lose possession kind of player. His first instinct, when he gets the puck in his own zone, is to outlet the puck to a winger to retain possession and exit the zone with possession. One of Ceci’s best metrics last season was his success rate on zone exits with possession via a pass, as he converted at better than 95 percent. Saw that in his game in camp when he featured in scrimmages specifically.

Filling In For Perry
Early in camp, I might’ve thought coming in that it would be Samuel Helenius in the first shot at replacing Corey Perry but it was actually Jeff Malott in that spot, with Alex Turcotte at center and Joel Armia on the right.

I really liked Malott’s game last year. He wasn’t the physical presence that Tanner Jeannot was but few players are. He did not seem overwhelmed with the speed or skill required at the NHL level. He has good size and carried himself well from a physical standpoint. Saw similar things from him over the first couple of days.

Jim Hiller pointed to a group of five or so players who are vying for time on the fourth line to begin the season. I think that Joel Armia is pretty locked in and Alex Turcotte should be as well. Beyond those guys, it’s Helenius, Malott, Akil Thomas, Andre Lee and a few others from off the board who are vying for those spots. It’s a battle worth following and players who should have a point to prove in an exhibition setting.

More on Perry
Perry has been around the rink, even if not on the ice. Perry watched a portion of today’s practice from TSPC and has been around the facility, despite his offseason injury.

While the timing sucked, it’s not as if Perry was lost for the season. He’ll be back, as Hiller pointed out during camp.

“He’ll be back, it’s terrible news, but could have been worse, all that kind of stuff and he’s on his way back, which is great,” Hiller said of Perry. “I was sitting up there [watching the summer skate] and saying, ‘man Perrs is moving really well’ when they were doing their captain skates and scrimmaging. He just looked like he was moving so well, and then kind of out of nowhere, get this news. We know what he can do. He’s not here to prove anything to anybody that way, but yeah, it’s just disappointing for all involved, nobody more than him.”

Off The Board Standouts
Here are two names who flashed in scrimmages – Francesco Pinellli and Taylor Ward.

Pinelli scored the first goal of the scrimmage on Day 3, off good work with Ward. They generated multiple chances in the offensive zone while on the ice together. This is a big year from Pinelli. He’s played regularly in the AHL but he hasn’t been an impact player just yet. He could have that chance this season. He’s a former second-round pick of the Kings who was a high-level talent at the junior level. Good opportunity for him to impress in the preseason and try to put it all together with the Reign this season. Ward made his NHL debut last season in Game 82 versus Calgary. He was fast and tenacious in that game. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if he was around a little bit longer than you might expect in camp.

Lineups To Come
Hiller said that he has a good feel for what his lineup might look like for the first three games of the preseason. He also indicated that he would like to, largely, have his group together on the ice for the final two games of the exhibition season, meaning the game in Utah and the home game versus Anaheim. The schedule last year meant that the Kings dressed largely an NHL roster for their final two preseason games in Quebec City, as it didn’t make sense to travel with too many players who wouldn’t play. He wound up liking how that set up and sounds like a similar concept this year.

For veterans like Anze Kopitar, expect three or four games this fall. Likely the last two for all key veterans plus one or two before that. Typically, when they can, the Kings will minimize early-season travel for veteran players as best as they can. So, it’s wagering a bus ride to Bakersfield versus a quick flight to Vegas. I’d expect to see the veterans at least once early-ish and then we’ll go from there.

On Carter George
One lineup confirmation – Carter George will be one of the two goaltenders playing tomorrow against Anaheim.

Jim Hiller gave confirmation there while also praising the way that George played. He is no goalie expert, by his own admission, but noted that the calmness in George’s game has stood out to him. He even role played a bit with showing what he liked in George’s game. When facing a shooter like Adrian Kempe, George remained as calm as he always has been. That stood out in a positive way. Look for him to be in net for at least a part of tomorrow’s preseason opener in Ontario.

Will have some thoughts on the Kings heading to Ontario later on tonight, before a game preview tomorrow morning. Hockey is back in 24 hours! And that is so exciting.