The Los Angeles Kings are getting ready for their first home game of the season on Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks. It has been a long three weeks to get to this point as they have played on the road seven straight times to open the season.
For general manager Rob Blake and the front office, the work is never done and they are constantly evaluating the roster. When looking at the roster, these are two players who could be reassigned before the end of the month to create some roster spots if needed.
2 Los Angeles Kings players that might be gone by the end of the month
Pheonix Copley
The first player shouldn't be much of a surprise as Pheonix Copley was called up from the Ontario Reign after Darcy Kuemper suffered an injury earlier this month and hasn't played since the third game of the season when he allowed eight goals against the Senators.
Copley has been the backup for David Rittich while Kuemper has been out. However, he did get a chance to see some time on the ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs after he replaced Rittich. In about half of a game against the Maple Leafs, he had 10 saves on 12 shots.
The veteran goaltender was working his way back from a torn ACL last season and began this season on the Reign alongside Erik Portillo. Once Kuemper is ready to return, which sounds like it will be soon, the Kings will reassign Copley back to the Reign to create that roster spot for Kuemper.
Akil Thomas
This will not be a popular opinion but the Los Angeles Kings should send Akil Thomas down to the AHL. Entering this season, he looked like a player ready to contribute to this team as the center on the fourth line. However, Jim Hiller doesn't believe he is ready and has had Trevor Lewis play in that role this entire season.
Thomas was the Kings second round pick in 2018 NHL Draft and showed promise last season. He appeared in seven games and certainly looked like he belonged with three goals and an assist in only seven games.
However, if the Kings don't plan to play him regularly there really isn't much to be gained having him up with the Los Angeles Kings. Whatever is keeping him from cracking the Kings' lineup should be addressed with him getting consistent ice time with the Ontario Reign.