10/13 Practice – Today’s Alignment + McLellan on Arvidsson, Grundy’s Go Time, Hockey Ops Update

Busy day, Insiders!

Well, busy 24 hours, really.

The Kings have made 11 transactions over the last 24 hours, even if eight of those moves were simply reversing what was done the day before. Such is life in a world of cap management. The biggest move of the last two days was obviously the placement of forward Viktor Arvidsson onto long-term injured reserve.

Arvidsson suffered an injury during Monday’s practice and within 24 hours, we knew he was at least out on a day-to-day basis, updated to a bit longer than that by Wednesday. Earlier this morning, Todd McLellan gave us a timeline of events over the last few days, which led to Arvidsson’s LTIR designation –

“I think when Arvy left practice halfway through [on Monday], came off and at that point, I believe I told this group that he needed an adjustment, which is exactly what I thought he needed,” McLellan said. “He then went to see a doctor and then at that time, it was day-to-day at the morning media conference and after seeing the doctor, he is now long term. So, it’s as simple as that.”

The injury is currently designated as a lower-body injury and that is how it will remain designated at this time. There’s no specific timeline for Arvidsson’s return, other than that he will be out at least until next month, considering the specifications of long-term injured reserve, which require him to miss a minimum of 10 games or 24 days.

As for the group that took the ice today, we saw 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders in action for the Kings. They lined up as follows –

Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Grundstrom
Fiala – Dubois – Laferriere
Anderson-Dolan – Lizotte – Lewis
Kaliyev

Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Bjornfot – Englund – Spence

Copley / Talbot

It’s obviously not a good thing to lose a player like Viktor Arvidsson. He’s dynamic, creative and productive. If there’s a silver lining, though, it’s flexibility. The Kings will play with 12 forwards and six defenseman tomorrow evening against Carolina, confirmed by McLellan today, which likely means the season debut for forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan, assuming no additional transactions between now and tomorrow night. It also allows for Arthur Kaliyev to serve the final game of his suspension without the Kings being short a player.

McLellan feels the narrative has been discussed a bit more externally than internally, minus the initial conversation with the group about going with 11 forwards in the preseason game versus Vegas. It was nice, though, to have that full group for a practice once again, as he acknowledged after today’s skate.

“Here’s what we can’t do, we can’t let cap, roster, numbers, rhythm affect our opportunity at success,” McLellan said. “We haven’t really talked a lot about it, other than after that exhibition game, to prepare the players that it was coming, it’s coming more from here. I think if you guys are asking that question, it visually has affected us, whether it’s practice or wherever. With that being said, I’ve also mentioned that it’s nice to have a full group practicing, more reps, and we did have that today. It was a regular team, more reps, but as the year goes on, we may be going back to the other scenario and we cannot let it get in the way of playing and playing well.”

For now, we press on. The forwards sort themselves out for tomorrow, assuming no additional injuries or transactions, and the defensemen have one decision to be made, likely between Tobias Bjornfot and Andreas Englund on the left side of the third defensive pairing. More on that in the AM.

Notes –
Machine Grun Kelly
In Arvidsson’s absence, it looks as if forward Carl Grundstrom will get the first crack on the second line. Grundstrom was a part of a rotation next to Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore on Wednesday and now with 12 forwards expected to play, the Kings will revert back to set lines and more consistency up front.

That puts Grundstrom in a position he was in during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which certainly feels like a while ago at this point. He’s looking forward to potentially getting another crack there tomorrow.

“I love playing with those two guys,” Grundstrom said this morning. “They play a style that I like to play too and it’s really easy and simple to play with those guys. I’ll enjoy it for sure.”

For his new, old, linemates there’s not much that will surprise them about Grundstrom being added into that spot.

Grundstrom and Moore in particular go way back as teammates, to their time in the Toronto organization, playing together in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. Moore values what Grundstrom brings to the table, particularly with his physicality and his shot, and he’s comfortable playing with him. 2022 postseason or not, it’s a seamless transition.

“[He brings] a lot of physicality, a hell of a shot and a lot of good hockey sense,” Moore said of Grundstrom. “I’ve played with Carl for a long time, I used to play with Carl in our [Toronto] Marlies days, it all accumulates. I know how Carl plays, he knows how I play, it’s a good mix.”

Grundstrom started the season in style, with the first goal of 2023-24 from a Kings perspective. He took a penalty early in Wednesday’s game, but bounced back with what can only be described as the perfect Grundy Goal.

Carl gets our first of the year!!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/g7E9b8UtvP

— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 12, 2023

Hard on the forecheck, physicality to displace a defenseman from the puck and the strength to knock him to the ground. After he made the play in the corner, he got to a good position in front and got a stick on a shot to score from a good area. A lot of the things he does well came through on that play.

“I think that’s pretty much my game,” Grundstrom said. “I try to be physical and bring some skill in front of the net as well. I liked that goal a lot.”

From a coaching perspective, they believe that Grundstrom can succeed in that spot in the lineup, as long as he’s there.

As we’ve seen over the past few days, let alone weeks, fluctuation has been ever-present and you never know exactly how long an opportunity could last. For now, though, there’s belief in Grundstrom and an opportunity present. Go and get it.

“The opportunity is great for him right now,” McLellan added. “He’s a player that we have talked about in the past, that can go up and down the lineup. He hasn’t necessarily stuck on a line up high, he’s worked his way back to where he’s comfortable, but we think he can do it and it’s a great opportunity for him.”

Hockey Ops Promotions
Additionally, Insiders, sharing news from a couple of days ago, announced right at the start of the season.

The Kings have officially promoted Derik Johnson from skills coach to assistant coach, making him the third assistant on Todd McLellan’s staff.

Additionally, the Kings have promoted David Torrie to Coordinator of Pro Scouting, while Petr Jelínek has been named Amateur Scout and Danny Tirone has been hired as Goaltender Development Coach and Scout.

More on all three individuals below –

Derik Johnson
Derik Johnson, who is entering his sixth year with the Kings, spent last season as Skills Coach after previously serving as Assistant Video Coach since 2018. Over the past two seasons, Johnson earned additional on-ice responsibilities working with players and filling in on the bench for select games during the 2020-21 season. Johnson played collegiately as a defenseman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA), suiting up for 108 games over four seasons (2011-15). He went on to play professionally in the ECHL from 2014-17, appearing in 129 games between the Missouri Mavericks and Reading Royals. In 2015-16, he made his American Hockey League (AHL) debut, skating in four games with the Springfield Falcons.

David Torrie
David Torrie joined the Kings in 2015 as a Pro Scout and has served in that capacity since that time. Prior to becoming a member of the organization, Torrie was in the scouting department with the Buffalo Sabres for four years (2011-15), originally serving as an Amateur Scout for two seasons before being promoted to the Director of Amateur Scouting for the following two seasons. Torrie also has 12 years of experience working with the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 1999 to 2011, as a Scout, Director of Player Personnel and General Manager, a role which he held for eight seasons. During his time in Sault Ste. Marie, the Greyhounds took home two Bumbacco Trophies in 2004-05 and 2007-08 as OHL’s West Division Champions.

Petr Jelínek
Petr Jelínek begins his first season in a scouting capacity after spending the last 15 years (2008-23) as a player in the Czech Extraliga, splitting time between Slavia Praha HC and Liberec Bili Tygři HC. In 285 games with Slavia Praha, the forward recorded 27 goals and 108 points. Jelinek went on to play 459 games with Liberec, recording 101 goals and 120 assists for 221 points. Jelínek tallied an additional 30 points (19-12=30) in 88 playoff games for Liberec, including a goal and an assist in 12 playoff games in 2015-16, en route to a Czech Extraliga Championship. Jelinek also played in 81 Western Hockey League (WHL) games split between the Moose Jaw Warriors 2002-03, and the Prince George Cougars in 2004-05.

Danny Tirone
Danny Tirone has worked in multiple roles since retiring as goaltender in 2021, including as a private instructor and specialist for goaltending services in the northeast. Tirone played for the University of New Hampshire (NCAA) for four seasons (2014-18), appearing in 125 games and establishing a record of 48-60-17 with a 2.83 goals-against average (GAA) and .913 save percentage (SV%). He earned multiple honors during his tenure and served as an alternate captain his senior season. Prior to his collegiate career, Tirone played 44 games for the Cedar Rapid RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he had a 24-13-2 record. Tirone went on to play professionally for four seasons, including three in the ECHL split between the Wheeling Nailers, Norfolk Admirals and Manchester Monarchs from 2017-20.

Morning skate tomorrow, Insiders, before the Kings host Carolina. Game 2 of 82, long road to go, but good to get back at it after a Game 1 setback. Ontario Reign kick off their 2023-24 campaign tonight against San Diego, with full post-game coverage here after that one. Lots to come this weekend!