The Los Angeles Kings may finally be getting the kind of help that can change the look of their lineup.
Kevin Fiala is closing in on his season debut after a long recovery from the broken left leg he suffered while playing for Switzerland at the Winter Olympics. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders is a possibility, with Saturday’s matchup against Calgary looking like the more realistic target.
Fiala’s road back has taken longer than anyone in Los Angeles expected. He had surgery in Italy after the February injury, then needed another procedure in September. That second operation delayed his recovery and kept him out of training camp.
For the Kings, the timing matters. Fiala has been one of their key offensive pieces, and last season he finished with 18 goals and 22 assists in 56 games.
That kind of production is not easy to replace, especially over a stretch this long. His return would give Los Angeles another player who can create offense and ease some of the pressure on the team’s other top forwards.
There’s another reinforcement on the horizon, too. Mats Zuccarello is expected to dress Tuesday against Nashville after missing time with an upper-body injury.
Zuccarello’s season has been interrupted repeatedly, and the 39-year-old has played in just six games since signing a one-year contract with Los Angeles in the offseason. Last season with Minnesota, he posted 54 points in 59 games and extended his streak to five straight seasons with at least 50 points. That run now appears to be in serious jeopardy.
The Kings have had a rough start overall. They opened the season with six straight losses before finally breaking through with a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on October 20.
Fiala should give the offense a needed lift whenever he gets back in the lineup. Still, after such a long layoff, it may take him a few weeks to get back to game speed.
In Other News...
Kings Just Made A Jan Jenik Decision Fans Should Watch
The Kings have taken a small but notable roster step with Jan Jenik, joining the Vancouver Canucks in placing a forward on waivers as both clubs sort through depth options early in the season. For Los Angeles, the move is less about the headline and more about flexibility, since Jenik has been on non-roster/injured reserve and has yet to see NHL action this year.
If Jenik clears, the door opens for a straightforward assignment to the AHL, where the Kings can keep him in game shape without burning an NHL spot. It is the kind of transaction that does not change the top of the roster, but it does offer a clearer picture of where the organization thinks he fits for now, and whether he is headed toward the Ontario Reign next. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Get Mats Zuccarello Back With More Than The Lineup At Stake
Mats Zuccarello is back on the Kings active roster ahead of their game against the Nashville Predators, a welcome development for a club that has been waiting on the veteran winger while he worked his way back from shoulder injuries. His return gives Los Angeles another experienced option up front at a time when every healthy body matters, especially with the schedule tightening and the team trying to keep its forward group intact.
There is also a little more riding on Zuccarellos next stretch than just his spot in the lineup. He is closing in on a contract milestone tied to games played, which adds another layer to what might otherwise look like a straightforward activation. Los Angeles also made a roster move with forward Jan Jenk, who was placed on waivers as he continues recovering from injury, leaving the Kings to sort out both health and roster management at the same time. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Injury Update Leaves One Bigger Question Hanging Over Kevin Fiala
The Kings are starting to get healthier at the right time, with Mats Zuccarello expected back for Tuesdays game against the Nashville Predators after missing six games with an upper-body injury. His return gives Los Angeles a needed boost up front, especially with the lineup still feeling the effects of a few recent absences and the club trying to steady itself entering another stretch of the schedule.
Kevin Fiala remains the name to watch. He is close to returning, but Tuesday will come too soon as he continues working his way back from surgery on a lower leg fracture suffered at the Olympics, and he could be available later in the week. Defenseman Erik Gustafsson also missed recent practices and may not be ready for Tuesday, leaving the Kings with at least one more lineup decision to sort out before puck drop. [Read more 🡒]