Training camp battles have been relatively nonexistent for the Los Angeles Kings for a few years. The roster is loaded with NHL vets, and offseason acquisitions filled the many roles left by individuals who went unsigned. The roster has been for a few seasons now, the shuffling of players and where they match up.
Last season, the Viktor Arvidsson injury made an opening for Arthur Kaliyev during Training camp, which resulted in a small but productive stint next to Phillip Danault. Kaliyev is now questionable for the next few months with a broken clavicle.
If the season started today, it would be a combination of Alex Turcotte, Akil Thomas, and Samuel Fagemo battling for the 12 and 13th forward roles. Trevor Lewis is all but set as the former Stanley Cup Champion enters the 17th season of his career. He will likely continue to kill penalties and a shutdown role at wing, occasionally taking draws.
The Kaliyev injury keeps Fagemo afloat for now. Turcotte and Thomas have had solid camps so far and have been chomping at the bit to make the team out of camp for a few seasons now. Both players are centers who can play wing, one lefty and one right. Their versatility is a key asset, as both can be swapped out and play up and down the lineup, keeping the opponents guessing.
If it started today, Fagemo would likely be the 13th forward on the roster. As a player who has lit up the AHL during his pro time in Ontario and recently scored 43 goals in 50 games, he still represents a viable option to give some extra scoring in their forward corps.
Fagemo has been a victim of his own game, being relied on as a scorer but not known for his defensive play. To crack the Kings’ lineup, two-way play is expected. While this was known of Fagemo when he was drafted, he’s had few chances at the NHL level. In 2022-23, Fagemo played a career-high nine games that season, scoring two goals.
Much like Thomas and Turcotte, Fagemo isn’t just a hyped prospect coming off his D1, D2, and even D3 year. Turcotte and Fagemo are both 2019 draftees, while Thomas was drafted in 2018. Turcotte and Thomas’ windows have been extended by injuries, but Fagemo’s is closing.
For the first time in both Thomas and Turcotte’s NHL careers, a roster spot on the opening night roster is all but set. Fagemo might be able to lock down the 13th forward spot.
The draft class of 2018 and 2019 have seen a plethora of NHL games from LA Kings drafted players, with a total of 627 NHL games played. Of the 627 games, 60 are split between Turcotte, Thomas, and Fagemo.
With much of the attention rightfully going to Quinton Byfield this season as he moves back to center, a quiet but satisfying storyline will follow as these older prospects finally embed themselves into this roster.
