The Los Angeles Kings announced on Tuesday, September 30th, that left wing David Van der Gulik has been reassigned to the Kings American Hockey League affiliate the Manchester Monarchs.
The Kings signed Van der Gulik to a one-year contract on July 1st of 2014.
Puck Prose
Van der Gulik was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 7th round, 206th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. At that time Van der Gulik was a freshmen at Boston University. After four years in the NCAA, finishing his collegiate career, Van der Gulik entered the AHL. In 2007-2008 season Van der Gulik scored a career high 19 goals in 80 games, playing for the Quad City Flames in the AHL. Since that time Van der Gulik has split time between the AHL and NHL.
Van der Gulik has played in 48 NHL games in his career. 6 games with the Flames and 42 with the Colorado Avalanche over four seasons. In those 48 games Van der Gulik scored 2 goals and 13 points. His season high was 25 games with the Avalanche during the 2011-2012 season.
Sep 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Justin Hodgeman (52) skates with the puck past Los Angeles Kings left wing David Van der Gulik (36) during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing David Van der Gulik (36) skates past Arizona Coyotes defenseman James Melindy (68) during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
During the 2014 preseason training camp Van der Gulik played in three games with the Kings. He registered 1 assist, a +1 rating, and two blocked shots.
Van der Gulik played well on the penalty-killing unit for the Kings during the 2014 preseason. Van der Gulik shows great offensive potential based around his skills with the puck. His weakness is positioning in the defensive zone; an instrumental and highly valued aspect of the Kings gameplay. Turnovers detract from Van der Gulik’s assets. While he is fast and plays with heart on the penalty-kill blocking shots, he is a liability on the breakout.
With time and regular shifts in a consistent lineup Van der Gulik can improve his breakout play and reduce turnovers. At 5’10 and 178 pounds the 31-year-old forward has limited potential for physical growth. Refining the thinking parts of his play will help Van der Gulik to become a better all-round player. He has to out smart opponents with tactical play, avoiding being bullied off the puck.
As a perennial AHL player Van der Gulik will provide added depth to the Kings NHL roster, should they run into injury trouble during the regular season.
The Kings now have 28 players remaining on the 2014 training camp roster.