The Los Angeles Kings are navigating a few injury concerns as they prep for a critical stretch of the season, with defenseman Mikey Anderson and center Alex Turcotte both listed as day-to-day due to upper-body injuries. Neither player was on the ice during Tuesday’s practice at the Toyota Sports Performance Center, and their status remains uncertain heading into a key divisional matchup.
Anderson’s injury stems from the Kings’ gritty 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes on the road this past weekend. He left the game and did not return, prompting head coach Jim Hiller to note that an update on his condition wouldn’t come until the team returned to Los Angeles.
That update still hasn’t arrived, and Anderson’s absence is a notable one. He’s been a steady presence on the blue line, logging tough minutes and providing defensive reliability that’s hard to replace.
Turcotte, meanwhile, is also dealing with an upper-body issue. While he hasn’t been a nightly fixture in the lineup, his development has been trending in the right direction, and any setback is a blow to both the player and the team’s depth down the middle.
In response to the injuries, the Kings made a pair of roster moves Tuesday. Defenseman Joe Hicketts was recalled from the AHL’s Ontario Reign and joined the team at practice.
Hicketts brings NHL experience and a gritty, physical edge that could help patch the hole left by Anderson if needed. On the flip side, forward Kenny Connors was reassigned to Ontario, a move that gives the Kings some flexibility as they juggle their lineup ahead of a back-to-back set.
Also missing from Tuesday’s skate was veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin, though his absence was attributed to a maintenance day. There’s no indication of injury at this point, but his status will be something to keep an eye on as the Kings prepare to face the Seattle Kraken on February 4. With Anderson already sidelined, the Kings can ill afford to lose another key piece on the back end.
Tuesday’s practice might be the team’s last before the NHL heads into the Olympic break, adding a layer of urgency to the Kings’ preparation. With Pacific Division points on the line, and depth being tested, how the Kings manage this short-term adversity could have long-term implications in a tightly packed playoff race.
For now, all eyes are on the injury updates - and on how Hicketts and the rest of the roster step up if called upon.