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Which LA Kings Prospects Are Contending For Roster Spots?

By Vincent D'Angelo

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 27: Los Angeles Kings Prospect Defensemen Kale Clague (34) looks on during the Los Angeles Kings Development Camp on June 27, 2018 at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 27: Los Angeles Kings Prospect Defensemen Kale Clague (34) looks on during the Los Angeles Kings Development Camp on June 27, 2018 at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: Jonny Brodzinski #17 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during a game against the Dallas Stars at STAPLES Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: Jonny Brodzinski #17 of the Los Angeles Kings handles the puck during a game against the Dallas Stars at STAPLES Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Jonny Brodzinski – Jonny Brodzinski was brought up along with Adrian Kempe and Paul LaDue as the LA Kings seem to like to bring prospects up in groups (King/Nolan 2012, Toffoli/Pearson/Vey 2014 etc.) however during his appearances he only amassed 4 goals and 8 points.

This will likely be his last chance to show Rob Blake and company that he’s worth the permanent spot that eluded him last season.

While Kempe has logged top 6 minutes with the big boys Brodzinski has struggled at times to crack the line-up playing an average of 9:30 TOI/Game over 35 games in 2017/2018.

At times this season Jonny has shown echoes of his dynamic offensive game but has struggled to keep it consistent. This makes Brodzinski’s case a difficult one to deal with because in the AHL he has scored 107 points in 153 games compared to his 8 points in 41 games with the LA Kings.

He has to wow the front office this season if he wants a chance to become an NHL regular because at 25 his window may be closing.

Verdict: Brodzinski is in the final year of his entry-level contract. He will become an RFA with Arbitration rights on July 1st, 2019 unless the LA Kings choose to extend him. This is a contract year and Brodzinski has to perform.

Cracking the lineup won’t be as difficult as last year with fringe NHL players like Andreoff being traded and Mitchell not being resigned so he can spend his season on 3rd or 4th line wing but his future is in his own hands.

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