5 Los Angeles Kings to watch during the Rookie Faceoff
Next week, the Los Angeles Kings will be participating in a seven-team tournament that will be hosted in Los Angeles called the Rookie Faceoff. While there will be some familiar players, like Brandt Clarke, this will also be the first time for fans to see recent additions in a Kings' uniform.
Let's take a look at five Los Angeles Kings to pay particular attention over three games next week.
Liam Greentree
The first player on this list was the first player the Los Angeles Kings selected in the 2024 NHL Draft in forward Liam Greentree. The 26th overall pick spent last season with the Windsor Spitfire in OHL and had 36 goals and 54 assists in 64 games.
He is a younger player with room to grow and has a very high ceiling. He is probably a still few years away from the NHL and will almost certainly return to the OHL. However, it will be worth watching for this tournament to see how he does against the level of talent he will see in these three games compared to the OHL.
Jared Woolley
Jared Woolley is a defenseman who was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft after splitting last season with the St. Thomas Stars in the GOJHL and the London Knights in the OHL. EliteProspects.com wrote the following about Woolley:
Defensively, Woolley’s overpowering. He throws big hits at his blue line, beats down opponents in front of his net, sets picks, and traps attackers along the boards. In transition, he’s always looking for the high-value breakout pass and deceives opponents to get it. He joins rushes, walks in space before firing, and tries to set up chances around the slot.
It will be interesting to see if he is able to continue to bring that power and physicality in this tournament.
Francesco Pinelli
For any fans who follow the Ontario Reign, they know this next player in forward Francesco Pinelli. He was the second-round pick by the Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft but last season was his first with the Reign. He played in 67 games with 13 goals and seven assists.
One thing in particular worth watching during this tournament is where Pinelli lines up as he played both center and wing last year. He will begin the season with the Reign but depending on how the next few months go, he might have a chance to see some time in the NHL with the Kings.
Kaleb Lawrence
The next player is going to be tough to miss for fans as he likely will be the biggest player on the ice at 6'6" and 225 pounds. Kaleb Lawrence was a seventh-round pick by the Kings in the 2022 NHL Draft and spent last time between the Ottawa 67's and London Knights in the OHL after he was traded midseason.
Between the two teams, he had 20 goals and 17 assists but he is not known for his offensive skill. He is a player that brings a physical game and some grit to the offense. This tournament could give him a chance to build some momentum heading into training camp and the upcoming season for the Ontario Reign.
Erik Portillo
The final player is one of the more recent contract signings by the Los Angeles Kings as they agreed to a three-year contract extension with then restricted free agent Erik Portillo. The Kings acquired the rights to Portillo prior to the 2023 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick that year.
Portillo was pretty good his first season with the Reign as he won 24 of his 39 games with a save percentage of .918% and a goals against average of 2.50. The hope is that Portillo will eventually be the long-term answer but this upcoming season he will likely be the primary goalkeeper for the Ontario Reign.
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