LA Kings: Two players placed on waivers, decision looming for two more
By Ryan Sikes
The LA Kings have placed both Boko Imama and Daniel Brickley on waivers, and they’ll have to make another roster decision before tomorrow’s deadline.
With the off-day on Sunday and roster cuts looming, the LA Kings have placed Boko Imama and Daniel Brickley on waivers. The other 30 teams in the NHL will now have 24 hours to make a claim. Otherwise, both players will go back to the Ontario Reign.
Of course, with the implementation of the taxi squad this year, both Imama and Brickley could end up with the NHL club at some point in the season.
Imama was a sixth-round pick in 2015 by Tampa Bay. Before his rights expired, the Lightning sent him to Los Angeles in May 2017 in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2018. In 19-20, the 24-year-old forward posted his best season with the Reign, scoring four goals and 14 points in 50 games.
Brickley went undrafted but was signed by the LA Kings in March 2018. At the time, he was playing collegiate hockey at Minnesota State, scoring 10 goals and 35 points in 40 games during the 17-18 season. He’s played just five games at the National Hockey League level.
The defenseman scored two goals and 10 assists in 42 games with Ontario during the 18-29 season. He was limited by injuries to just 11 games with Ontario last season.
Decision time for the LA Kings
According to John Hoven, the LA Kings must also make a decision on Troy Grosenick and Mark Alt. Both were signed as expected Ontario Reign depth pieces, but given the NHL’s requirement to carry three goalies, the former is probably a good bet to remain on the roster.
Grosenick also had a pretty darn good year with Nashville’s AHL outfit last season, posting a 2.29 GAA and .920 SV% in 33 games.
Tomorrow is last day to put players on waivers before teams must submit opening rosters to NHL. Kings only have 2 other players they "have" to make a decision on - Troy Grosenick (G) and Mark Alt (D).
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 10, 2021
As noted yesterday, with 5 guys out, mgmt meeting today to assess situation.
Alt is a former second-round pick of Carolina’s in 2010, but the defenseman has just 18 games of NHL experience between the Flyers and Avalanche. As noted, he was expected to play in the AHL this year. Alt served as the team’s captain with the Colorado Eagles last season, scoring five goals and 13 points in 55 games.
UPDATE 1/11
Both players cleared waivers