Almost one week ago exactly, the Los Angeles Kings players reported for training camp and the preseason exhibitions this fall. The Kings had 59 players on the training camp roster this fall, and for the preseason games in the next few weeks in late September in a big group for the projected roster for this upcoming season in the Pacific Division.
Which Los Angeles Kings players could be fighting for a late spot on the projected roster for this upcoming season this fall?
Cutting down the roster included a decent group of Kings' prospects returned to the OHL and WHL this fall after training camp's first week. The Kings returned three forwards and goalie Carter George to the juniors earlier this week on Monday.
Many Kings players are back in the lineup later this week in the preseason against the Western Conference, including the Anaheim Ducks on the road and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Over the next week or so, head coach Jim Hiller, new general manager Ken Holland, and the Kings will evaluate the projected roster for the upcoming season in the West. The Kings will cut down the training camp roster to return more players to juniors this week and in early October.
Here are two Kings players with the most to lose in the remainder of training camp and the preseason this fall.
Kyle Burroughs, D
Potential seventh Kings' defenseman Kyle Burroughs played nearly three dozen games for Hiller and LA this past season in the West. He served as a depth defenseman on the Kings blue line, mainly in the seventh or eighth defenseman role for Hiller and staff this past year for LA.
Jacob Moverare and Burroughs played well for the Kings in the Empire Classic in the preseason opener win over the Ducks this past weekend on Sunday afternoon. Hiller said that Moverare and Burroughs impressed them in training camp's first week in the team practice and on-ice skates.
"It starts with, they are just two excellent team guys. Neither of them played as much as they wanted to last year, but they understand the systems and they’re there to battle and compete. They’re ready to go at it again this year and try to earn ice time, whether it’s in the top six, whether it’s [as a seventh defenseman], whatever it is."Jim Hiller on Burroughs and Moverare
Jeff Malott, F
Big 6-foot-5 forward Jeff Malott has consistently offensively produced for the Kings AHL affiliate in the past few seasons. Malott has been a consistent 20-goal scorer and a clutch third-period goal scorer since the 2021-22 regular season with the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets AHL affiliate).
He played a dozen games this past regular season in the Pacific Division for the Kings after Tanner Jeanot suffered an injury late in the campaign in the spring for the forward lines. Mallot tallied one assist and one point in 12 games down the stretch last regular season for the Kings in the wake of the Jeannot injury late.
Malott is going into the final year of his current contract with LA this upcoming season in the AHL. The plan for the Kings is to send him to the AHL with the Ontario Reign this season to clear waivers this fall for training camp.