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The Los Angeles Kings had a fairly quiet week, which included a few signings. Here’s the recap:
KINGS SIGN QUINTON BYFIELD
The Kings signed second-overall pick Quinton Byfield to an entry-level contract on Friday. Byfield projects as a potential future top-line center and could compete for a roster spot this season.
RYAN AND REMPAL ARE HEADING TO CAROLINA
Defenseman Joakim Ryan and forward Sheldon Rempal are both joining the Carolina Hurricanes, after signing respective one-year, $700,000 contracts with the team this week. Ryan played 35 games with the Kings this past season, while Rempal played seven games with the Kings in the 2018-19 season.
IMAMA AND STRAND SIGN EXTENSIONS WITH KINGS
The Kings also extended forward Bokondji Imama and defenseman Austin Strand this week. Each player signed a one-year deal worth $735,000.
HUTTON AND LEWIS REMAIN UNSIGNED
Los Angeles’ two most notable free agents, defenseman Ben Hutton and forward Trevor Lewis, are both still without a contract. Neither is likely to return to the Kings.
As for this week’s polls, here are the results and my thoughts on how they turned out:
QUESTION: Do you think Quinton Byfield will spend the 2020-21 season in the NHL?
(Votes: 151)
No: 54% Yes: 46%
Like this poll suggests, it could really go either way and will likely come down to how Byfield performs in a trial run. He certainly could make the jump, it’s just a matter of whether that’s the best move.
QUESTION: If Quinton Byfield does spend the year with the Kings, what do you think his role would be?
(Votes: 207)
Third-line center: 56% Second-line center: 27% Other: 17%
I’m certainly with the 83 per cent of voters who feel Byfield would either center the second line or third line, if he did spend the 2020-21 season with the Kings. I think it would be possible that we could see Gabriel Vilardi on the second line, with Byfield eased into professional hockey on the third line.
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OTHER KINGS ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Reviewing this week's polls (October 3): Kings Edition Kings acquire Olli Maatta from Blackhawks Analyzing the Olli Maatta trade Kings select Quinton Byfield with second-overall pick Kings acquire Lias Andersson, draft eight more players in Rounds 2-7 Weekly Recap: Kings Edition (October 12) Kings sign Quinton Byfield to entry-level contract Will Quinton Byfield spend the 2020-21 season in the NHL?