A move that was expected to take place for this past week or so for the Los Angeles Kings became official on Oct. 1. Multiple reports (including from Mayors Manor) on Wednesday morning confirmed that the Kings assigned forward prospect Liam Greentree to the Windsor Spitfires with the OHL.
Liam Greentree will play for the Windsor Spitfires this season instead of the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL this fall
Greentree registered an assist in every game he played this fall in the preseason for the Kings. He had four total points in four games played this fall in the preseason over the past week or so for the Kings.
It was a tough battle and competition Greentree faced this fall with the Kings in training camp and the preseason to prove to the coaching staff and the front office with new general manager Ken Holland that he should be on the opening-night roster for the upcoming regular season on Oct. 7 against the Colorado Avalanche next week.
The Kings' front office brought in some new forward additions this offseason in the summer, including veterans Corey Perry and Joel Armia.
Greentree was ready to take on the challenge in training camp and the preseason this fall to show what he can do and prove his value and skills to head coach Jim Hiller and the Kings staff over the past few weeks this past month.
"I set myself up to feel really comfortable here and I set myself some really high expectations. I know I’ve got some work to do but I feel way better than I did last year. I’m trying to make the most of every time I get on the ice, to show myself and especially the games are huge for me. So, just making sure I’m dialed in and doing what I can to play my best."Liam Greentree
The knee injury Perry suffered in an on-ice skate session for the Kings this past month in early September did open the door slightly for Greentree to prove he deserved a spot on the opening-night roster this fall for Hiller and LA in early October.
Multiple Kings' players, including forwards Akil Thomas, Jeff Malott, Samuel Helenius, and Taylor Ward, have battled for limited roster spots on the projected roster for Hiller and the Kings this regular season.
Current NHL rules don't allow Greentree to be sent to the AHL this year for the Kings this fall. He will have to be assigned to the OHL with the Spitfire this upcoming season in Windsor, instead of playing a fourth-line forward role with the Kings this year.