The Los Angeles Kings (15-10-9) and head coach Jim Hiller returned to the ice at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, CA, on Saturday (Dec. 20) for the first time in this past couple of days this weekend. Yesterday's practice this weekend at the Toyota Sports Performance Center was the first time in team drills for the Kings without two-way veteran center Phillip Danault in a long time (since the 2021-22 season early on).
Adrian Kempe led the Los Angeles Kings to an important one-goal road win this past week late vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Sunshine State
Many Kings' players on the active forward lines roster, including wingers Warren Foegele and Trevor Moore, have played many minutes on the ice for Hiller and LA with Danault. But the Kings are getting back down to work in practice in team drills with a business-like mentality this weekend in the West.
That said, it's a weird feeling for the Kings players this regular season at practice without Danault on the ice for LA.
The speculation and rumors swirling surrounding Danault in this past couple of months for Hiller and the Kings with the front office and new general manager Ken Holland has shaken up the core active forward lines roster this regular season before the turn of the calendar year.
I think for now, the Kings and Hiller are going to keep the faith in the coaching staff to continue making the active roster lineup decisions in the West this regular season. The Kings need to find something on the current active roster to find an answer for the offensive-zone issues this regular season.
Here's are three Kings' players who are still showing up every night for the team this regular season.
Brandt Clarke, D
Among the most positive emergences for Hiller and the Kings this regular season in the season's first 34 games this fall has been the breakout of young 22-year-old defenseman Brandt Clarke in this past couple of months. Clarke has a multi-goal game against the Chicago Blackhawks this regular season and a career-high two-game winning goals for the Kings.
Clarke made it a priority to bulk up and get down to business in the weight room and on the ice this past offseason in the summer for the Kings.
"I took more supplements, stuff like that. Honestly, I think I wore down a little bit last year. There were points where, not like I wasn’t ready to go, but I felt like maybe my body was worn down. That’s gonna happen to a young guy, but I don’t want that to be the case this season. I want to be good to go when I’m called on. I don’t want there to be any setbacks; mentally, personal, anything."Brandt Clarke
He's earned a bigger role helping to lead the power play on special teams from the point on the blue line this regular season. Clarke has scored one goal and multiple total points on special teams on the power play on the blue line for the Kings.
Adrian Kempe, W
This past week in the back end of back-to-back games for the Kings and Hiller, star forward Adrian Kempe played the role of the hero for LA in a close 2-1 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 19. Kempe registered the game's two goals for the Kings, including a nice second-period game-winner on the scoreboard for LA on Friday in Tampa vs. the Lightning.
"I had lots of room in the neutral zone. Just try to skate it in to the o-zone and then their D kind of just backed off, so I tried to find the spot between his legs to shoot in. Usually it’s pretty tough for the goalie when you shoot like that."Adrian Kempe
Kempe leads the team in goals and total points for the Kings, and he leads the league in the NHL in game-winning goals (5) this regular season.
Joel Armia, W
Veteran winger from the Habs, Joel Armia, was one of the top free agent signings for Holland and the Kings in an otherwise disappointing offseason haul in the summer earlier this year in free agency for the team. The Kings and Holland in the front office wanted to add more grit and toughness among proven veterans to the active roster lineup for the forward group this regular season.
The performances from Armia through the season's first 34 games this fall have been providing relief and clutch scoring offensively for the Kings this past couple of months in the West. He's not only already registered seven assists and 15 total points this regular season for the Kings in the West, but he also leads the team in shorthanded goals this fall.
He's been able to play on different forward core lines this regular season for the Kings, giving the team a boost on special teams on the penalty kill on the 5-on-4 unit.
Armia told The Hockey Writers that he feels like he's been a great fit with Hiller and the Kings' system on both ends of the ice early this regular season this fall.
"From day one, the team’s been great. They don’t feel like a new team, even on the first day, it felt really comfortable coming in. There’s a lot of things I’m happy about."Joel Armia