LA Kings: Trevor Moore not focused on 100-game milestone

With 100 NHL games under his belt, Trevor Moore has plenty to be proud of. But, for the Thousand Oaks native, he’s more focused on helping the LA Kings win.

When he was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs last January, it helped engrain the notion that the LA Kings were in the midst of moving on from their championship days. Kyle Clifford, an instrumental figure in the club’s Stanley Cup success, saw his career with the silver-and-black come to an end, bound, with Jack Campbell, for Canada’s largest city. For compensation, the LA Kings received a player who stood out for being a hometown kid. But, if that was all Trevor Moore was expected to be known for with the LA Kings, someone forgot to tell the youngster.

In 15 games for the LA Kings last season, Moore had a decent showing with three goals and two assists. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thousand Oaks native wasn’t given the best opportunity to establish himself with his boyhood team. Fortunately, this season has made up for that as Moore has become an intrinsic figure in the LA Kings’ quest for the postseason. Heck, Moore has even accomplished an impressive feat this week, appearing in his 100th NHL game.

Following practice on Wednesday, Moore spoke with the media about the aforementioned feat, especially for someone who, being undrafted, hasn’t taken the easiest road to the NHL.

“A few years ago, I don’t think I would have thought, I played in 100 NHL games, so it’s special, for sure,” Moore said of his recent achievement. “Now that I’m here, I just try to take it day by day and not get caught up in those kinds of things, but it’ll definitely be something that I can look back on and be proud of.”

In recent games, Moore has been paired up with Gabe Vilardi and Jeff Carter. The 26-year-old touched on what he brings to the line.

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“I think that my skill set could be really effective for those guys, couple of guys, who are obviously very offensively talented,” Moore noted. “I think getting in on the forecheck, creating turnovers, getting the pucks to those guys in good spots. I just try to help contribute with those guys.”

Moore’s work ethic and results this season have been noteworthy, and Todd McLellan has had no reservations in attesting to this. The LA Kings head coach was asked if Moore is someone who he can put anywhere in the lineup.

“Yes,” a matter-of-fact McLellan responded. “I think his game is full of energy. Competitive in open nice and competitive in tight areas, puck protection, separation, solid penalty-killer, [a] great team guy. For some of our mid-range younger players coming up into the organization and maybe not being top-six players — there may be some in Ontario that are going to be middle-six or bottom-six — this guy’s path to where he is right now is one that they should take a look at. A little later development, finding a role. He was an offensive guy in college; he still has that in his game, but he’s been able to add to it and take on defensive responsibility. He’s worked his way into a permanent position in the NHL, in my opinion.”

He may be known as the hometown kid for the LA Kings, but that only scratches the surface for Trevor Moore.

Undrafted and maybe even undersized at 5-foot-10, Moore used his tenure with the LA Kings to prove that he is a lot more invaluable than scouts and general managers may have thought when passing him over during his draft eligibility. Nevertheless, Moore certainly doesn’t hold any grudges. Instead, that energy has been channeled to pushing himself to be better than anyone’s expectations, and Moore has done just that in Los Angeles.

He may not be relied upon to put points on the board every night, but game-in and game-out, fans and his team can all count on Trevor Moore not only to bring his A-game on a regular basis but to make his teammates look, and feel, better with each passing game.

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