LA Kings: Three options after missing out on Vinnie Hinostroza
By Ryan Sikes
3. Let the kids plays
The last option is to simply do nothing. Let the kids battle it out in training camp and see where the chips fall. The Kings’ bottom-six lines aren’t scaring anyone, and they need scoring to come from there to take the next step this season.
Guys like Arthur Kaliyev, Samuel Fagemo, Akil Thomas, and perhaps down the road, Quinton Byfield could all see time in the NHL with one of Kaliyev or Fagemo potentially making the roster out of camp. And while it would seem unlikely, I wouldn’t put it past Alex Turcotte to make a case to see the NHL this year either.
The Kings also need to see what they have in Carl Grundstrom and Jaret Anderson-Dolan and if they’re worth retaining for the foreseeable future.
We knew the 2020-2021 season would be an evaluation season, but the Kings also scored the second-lowest goal total in the league last year. If they can find someone or a couple of someones who can chip in 15 goals each, that would put them in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring.
Is that good enough for a playoff spot? Does it matter? Probably not, but it would make the upcoming season more exciting beyond just watching the prospect play. Whenever they do get the call, that is.