A couple of Kings forwards are moving closer to the lineup, but only one is officially on the short-term track right now.
Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters including Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider that center Alex Turcotte has been updated to day-to-day, while winger Kevin Fiala remains a bit further off. Turcotte has been out for the last month with an undisclosed injury after a solid start to his season, one that had him averaging nearly 15 minutes of ice time per game.
Fiala, meanwhile, has not played since breaking his femur while representing Switzerland at the Olympics in February. He remains one of the Kings’ most important forwards, and his eventual return should give a struggling offense a needed lift, though Laviolette’s update suggests he’s still a few games away.
Elsewhere in the Pacific Division, Flames winger Samuel Honzek has begun skating on his own as he continues his recovery from a lower-body injury, according to QR Calgary’s Pat Steinberg. The 21-year-old has been sidelined for almost a month.
Before the injury, his season had gotten off to a quiet start, with no points in four games. Honzek, a 2023 first-round pick, was expected to take a meaningful step in his development after holding his own in 18 games with Calgary last season.
Calgary also had a late change before its game tonight against Anaheim, announcing that defenseman Kevin Bahl was scratched with a lower-body injury. There is no timetable yet for his return.
Bahl has been a major piece on the Flames’ blue line early this season, averaging nearly 22 minutes per night, almost exactly the workload he carried a year ago. In 16 appearances, he has one goal, one assist, 16 blocks and 22 hits.
And in the Canucks’ system, a prospect is changing teams in the OHL. Peterborough announced it has acquired goaltender Aleksei Medvedev from London in exchange for three draft picks.
Medvedev, 19, was selected 47th overall in the second round of the 2025 draft. He put up a 3.26 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage in 36 games for the Knights last season, and he has the same .891 save percentage in eight games this year.
With London bringing in another goalie recently, a move was likely coming, and Peterborough should give him more playing time. Medvedev has already signed his entry-level contract and is expected to reach the professional ranks next season.
In Other News...
Reign Face A Brutal Test As Losing Streak Keeps Getting Worse
The Ontario Reign are trying to stop a slide that has turned into their longest losing streak in nearly two years, and the timing could hardly be tougher. They head into back-to-back games against the Abbotsford Canucks still looking for answers after repeatedly finding a way to score first, only to let leads slip away before the night is over.
Goaltending is part of the immediate focus, with Erik Portillo and rookie Carter George set to handle the weekend starts as the Reign try to steady things in net. There is also some uncertainty up front with Kenta Isogai after a recent injury, leaving Ontario with another layer of concern as it tries to break the skid and avoid letting a rough stretch get even heavier. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Suddenly Have A Forward Logjam Peter Laviolette Must Sort Out
The Kings got a fuller look at their forward group in practice Tuesday, and it only sharpened the sense that Peter Laviolette has some sorting to do before Pittsburgh comes to town. Los Angeles had 16 forwards on the ice along with seven defensemen and two goaltenders, while Alex Turcotte and Kevin Fiala, both on injured reserve, were back practicing without restrictions and being monitored day to day as they inch toward a return.
Laviolette also had reason to like what he saw from the line of Erik Haula, Kenny Connors and Joel Armia, which drew praise after its strong showing against San Jose. With bodies piling up and healthy forwards starting to press for ice time, the next lineup decision is less about finding options than deciding which ones can stay in the mix. [Read more 🡒]