Make Way for the Kings LA Kings News and Info
These are the unfortunate realities of the preseason and the Los Angeles Kings are not immune as, on Saturday, they made 18 cuts, trimming their roster down to 34 players.
As per Jon Rosen of LAKingsInsider.com, the cuts made by the Kings are as follows:
Assigned to Ontario (AHL):
Justin Auger – RW
Patrik Bartosak – G
Jonny Brodzinski – C
Nic Dowd – C
Nick Ebert – D
Kevin Gravel – D
Adrian Kempe – LW
Maxim Kitsyn – LW
Zachary Leslie – D
Alex Lintuniemi – D
Kurtis MacDermid – D
Alex Roach – D
Scott Sabourin – RW
Valentin Zykov – RWReleased from Pro Tryout:
Sean Backman – RW
Paul Bissonnette – LW
Ryan Horvat – LW
Kevin Raine – D
These cuts were more or less expected, leaving very few, if any, surprised. Another expected cut was Joel Lowry. However, Lowry is currently injured, thus cannot be subjected to a roster move. Also, Andrew Crescenzi was placed on waivers on Saturday, but it is expected that he, like the players listed above, will be assigned to Ontario and attend the opening of Reign camp on Monday.
Also, the undrafted Damir Sharipzyanov, who was signed by the Kings last month, is still with the Kings but is recuperating from a wrist injury suffered during Russia’s World Junior summer camp. Despite still being with the big club at this juncture, it is expected that, once his rehabilitation wraps up, the 19-year-old will be returned to the OHL where he will be preparing for a third season with his junior team, the Owen Sound Attack.
The Kings are coming off their first loss of the preseason on Friday — a 2-1 nailbiter in Anaheim — but played very well, nonetheless. Trevor Lewis supplied the silver-and-black with their lone goal — and a beautiful one at that — while defenseman Brayden McNabb led the way with three hits, two blocked shots and 23:31 of total ice time.
Those who did make the cut — including Michael Mersch and Brian O’Neill — will be fighting harder to prolong their time with the big club as we expect more cuts to be made in the coming week.
Los Angeles continues their postseason schedule on Sunday as they travel to Denver to take on the Colorado Avalanche.
