While it won’t happen immediately, several players from the prospect pool could see significant time for the LA Kings in the 2020-2021 season. Which ones could have a major impact on the team’s trajectory?
The LA Kings opening night roster is mostly set, except a couple of lesser training camp battles that will be important to monitor. The team’s three lines are straight forward, but we’ll see if Jaret Anderson-Dolan gets the nod as the 4C this year, converts to the wing, or some combination throughout the first few weeks or so.
Carl Grundstrom is expected to get a look, who was recently loaned to IF Bjorkloven of the Allsvenskan. And per reports, he has three goals in his last two games, which is encouraging for both Grundstrom and the LA Kings, who struggled to score in the 2019-2020 campaign.
Kings Prospects 9/18:
— The Armchair Scout (He/Him) (@Davidenkness) September 19, 2020
Carl Grundstrom had 3 points (2 G 1 A)
Bulat Shafigullin was scoreless.
#LAKings prospect update 9/19:
— The Armchair Scout (He/Him) (@Davidenkness) September 20, 2020
Carl Grundstrom had a goal.
Jordan Spence had a goal and assist in preseason action
Matt Luff is another player who may make the opening night roster, and he’ll need to make the most of his time. After tallying eight goals with three assists in 33 games during the 2018-2019 season, Luff had a disappointing showing last year, lighting the lamp only once while chipping in four assists in 18 games.
He’s been a consistent goal-scorer for the Ontario Reign, but Luff has yet to prove consistency at the NHL level. And at 23 years of age and a wave of talented prospects on the way, Luff is running out of time.
As the season progresses, there may be opportunities for some of the more recent draft picks to make their way to Staples Center for a chance to prove themselves, which will be both important and exciting for the LA Kings future.
Here are three players that could be up with the team this year and have a strong impact.