Los Angeles Kings Reduce Training Camp Roster Ahead of Preseason Games
Sports correspondent: Imran Sohail
The Los Angeles Kings have reduced their training camp roster after completing the fifth day of preparations for the upcoming NHL season.
The team cut 21 players following Tuesday’s practices, with several players expected to continue their development with the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League.
Kings Make 21 Roster Moves
Five players were returned to their respective junior teams, including forwards Jan Chovan, Adam Goljer and Jimmy Lombardi, along with defensemen Giorgos Pantelas and Lucas Ambrosio.
Six players were loaned to the Ontario Reign. The group includes forwards Vojtěch Čihař, Kaleb Lawrence and Grant Slukynsky, defenseman Henry Brzustewicz, and goaltenders Carter George and Hampton Slukynsky.
Ten more players were released from their professional or amateur tryout agreements and are also expected to report to Ontario.
That group includes forwards Jacob Doty, Brendan Gorman, Jack Hughes, Kenta Isogai and Ryan O’Hara, as well as defensemen Michael Mastrodomenico, Nate Corbet, Jack Millar and Cameron Supryka. Goaltender Owen Flores was also released.
Lefebvre Impresses During Camp
Liam Lefebvre, the Kings’ second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, has also attracted attention during the preseason preparations.
Lefebvre made an impression at the Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, where he scored twice in one game and showed his willingness to compete physically.
The 2026 draft pick could get an opportunity to feature in one of the Kings’ upcoming preseason games.
Los Angeles will host the Utah Mammoth at Crypto.com Arena before traveling to Anaheim to face the Ducks.
Panarin, Kempe and Byfield Expected to Feature
The Kings are expected to give several key players their preseason debuts in the home game, including Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield.
The coaching staff is also using the exhibition schedule to evaluate the team’s power-play combinations.
Los Angeles has placed considerable emphasis on special teams during training camp as the coaching staff works on improving the team’s performance in those situations.
Perry Misses Practice, Zuccarello Still Limited
Veteran forward Corey Perry missed Tuesday’s practice for personal reasons. Head coach Peter Laviolette indicated that Perry could remain away from the team for a couple of days.
Mats Zuccarello also continued to train in a red non-contact jersey.
Zuccarello took part in drills at a high pace, but the coaching staff is continuing to avoid putting him into full-contact situations. Laviolette said the team would wait until the forward feels ready to return to contact play.
Defensive Pairings Changed
The Kings also experimented with new defensive combinations during practice.
Brandt Clarke was paired with Mikey Anderson, while Drew Doughty skated alongside Joel Edmundson.
Laviolette said the combinations are not necessarily permanent, as the coaching staff is using training camp and preseason games to evaluate different options.
Andre Lee and Jared Woolley were also added to the main practice group.
Power Play Gets Special Attention
The Kings spent significant time working on their power play, with the first unit featuring Brandt Clarke, Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Mats Zuccarello and Quinton Byfield.
The second group consisted of Drew Doughty, Erik Haula, Alex Laferriere, Alex Turcotte and Trevor Moore.
The coaching staff also plans to dedicate a separate session to penalty-killing work later in the week.
With preseason games approaching, the Kings will now focus on evaluating their combinations and special teams before the regular season begins.
