The Los Angeles Kings were able to get the win on Saturday night coming out of the break with a 5-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. However, that wasn't the only news as commissioner Gary Bettman was in Los Angeles with a big announcement.
Los Angeles to host the 2025 NHL Draft
When the NHL Entry Draft first started in 1963, it took place in Montreal and was held there until 1984. However, starting the following year it would move to different host cities between the United States and Canada.
On Saturday, it was announced that the NHL Entry Draft was returning to Los Angeles for the upcoming NHL Draft. This will be the first time Los Angeles is hosting the NHL Draft since 2010 but the Kings will be hoping for a more successful draft class. That year, the Kings would select five players who combined for 741 career points but Tyler Toffoli accounted for 557 of them.
Will the Los Angeles Kings get an Outdoor Game soon?
One of the questions asked to Commission Bettman was whether or not the Kings would be getting an Outdoor Game soon. Based on his response, according to Russell Morgan, it sounds like something they are considering.
Gary Bettman on bringing outdoor games back to Southern California:
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) February 23, 2025
“Yeah we’ve been talking about it. It’s on the list of things to discuss.”
The last time the Kings played in an outdoor game was in 2020 but they were on the road in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. It has been much longer since they have hosted an outdoor game, which was in the 2013-14 season when they played the Anaheim Ducks at Dodgers Stadium.
Vegas Golden Knights will be without Shea Theodore against the Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have a big divisional matchup on Monday with the Vegas Golden Knights coming to town. The Kings are currently trying to close the gap with the Golden Knights, who have won three straight and are currently atop the Pacific Division.
On Monday, and potentially for an extended period of time, the Golden Knights are going to be without one of their top defenseman in Shea Theodore. According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, Theodore broke his wrist in the first game of the tournament and might not be able to return until the playoffs.
It didn't impact Vegas too much on Saturday as they would win 3-1 over the Vancouver Canucks but it will be worth watching moving forward, particularly Monday against the Kings.