Wednesday saw Artemi Panarin donning an LA Kings jersey for the first time in practice, and head coach Jim Hiller had plenty to share with the media. Topics ranged from Panarin's addition to the lineup, Kevin Fiala’s unfortunate injury, and the anticipated roster dynamics post-Olympic break.
Kevin Fiala’s Injury
Kevin Fiala is sidelined for the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery in Italy for a lower leg injury sustained during Switzerland’s second Olympic game. Coach Hiller expressed the common concern among teams about losing players to injuries during international play, acknowledging the risk that comes with the honor of Olympic participation. Unfortunately, the Kings faced a tough break this time.
Team Structure After Roster Changes
Despite losing a key scorer and integrating a new talent with a different style, Hiller doesn’t foresee drastic changes to the Kings’ game plan. He emphasized that while both Fiala and Panarin are offensive powerhouses, their playing styles differ. The key for the team will be adapting to Panarin’s unique approach, ensuring his new linemates can sync with his game quickly.
Panarin’s Linemates
Hiller hinted that Alex Laferriere and Adrian Kempe are leading candidates to line up with Panarin. Laferriere’s right-handed shot naturally complements Panarin’s positioning on the left, and their initial chemistry in practice was promising. While there’s speculation about Quinton Byfield potentially playing alongside Panarin, for now, the focus is on starting him with Laferriere.
Here’s how the lineup is shaping up:
- Panarin - Laferriere - Kempe
- Byfield - Kopitar - Armia/Moore
- Kuzmenko - Turcotte - Perry
- Malott/Foegele - Helenius - Ward
These combinations remain flexible as the team adapts.
The Power Play
Panarin’s presence will certainly shake up the power play dynamics. With Panarin being a righty and Fiala a lefty, there will be a shift in personnel and strategy. Hiller is keen on maximizing Panarin’s playmaking abilities, ensuring he has ample options to orchestrate the power play.
Byfield’s Shot Mentality
While pairing Panarin with Byfield isn’t the immediate plan, Hiller stressed the importance of Byfield developing a shooter’s mentality. In practice, Byfield showed promise by scoring multiple goals, a sign that he’s embracing the need to shoot more and capitalize on opportunities.
Injury Updates
The Kings are on the mend, with several players expected to return post-break, though not all at full strength. Hiller noted that Andrei Kuzmenko and Alex Turcotte are trending towards a return, and Mikey Anderson is anticipated back next week.
As the Kings navigate these roster changes, the focus remains on integrating new talents and maximizing their potential as they push through the season.