As the LA Kings gear up for the resumption of their season, Coach Jim Hiller is putting the pieces together with a fresh lineup strategy. With Artemi Panarin set to pair with center Alex Laferriere and winger Adrian Kempe, the team is looking to shake things up. Here’s a deep dive into the latest developments from the Kings' Olympic mini-camp in El Segundo.
Byfield Joins Kopitar’s Wing
Quinton Byfield is skating alongside Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore for the second consecutive day. While Coach Hiller isn’t committing to this change for the entire season, he’s clear that Byfield will start on the wing when games pick up next week.
Byfield’s previous success with Kopitar played a big role in this decision. Hiller noted, “Q’s played some of his best hockey there.
This season hasn’t gone as expected for many, including Q. This gives him a fresh look, reducing his defensive workload and letting him shine on the forecheck.”
Byfield himself is optimistic about the move, acknowledging the comfort of playing with Kopitar. “We’ve done this before with some success. Hopefully, we can reignite that spark, get back on a winning streak, and push for a playoff spot.”
Embracing a Shutdown Role
The Byfield-Kopitar-Moore line might be tasked with a shutdown role against top lines, though Hiller plans to use this strategy situationally. “At home, depending on the matchup, this is the line we’ll lean on,” he explained.
Byfield is no stranger to defensive duties this season, but he’s still adapting. “Most of my season has been about shutdown roles, but we’re still ironing out the details.”
Current Line Combinations
With Kempe and Joel Armia still at the Olympics, the lineup remains flexible. Here’s a glimpse of Thursday’s practice alignments:
- Panarin - Laferriere - [Malott]
- Byfield - Kopitar - Moore
- Kuzmenko - Turcotte - Perry
- Foegele - Helenius - Ward
Hiller confirmed Kempe will join Panarin’s line, with Jeff Malott temporarily filling in. Armia’s position is still undecided, but he’s expected to take on a bottom-six role. Hiller praised Armia’s versatility, noting his impact across various lines this season.
Potential configurations include:
- Kuzmenko - Turcotte - Perry
- Foegele - Helenius - Armia
or
- Kuzmenko - Turcotte - Armia
- Foegele - Helenius - Perry
Armia’s role could evolve, possibly joining Byfield and Kopitar, further affecting the third line’s dynamics. It’s a fluid situation, with many possibilities as the Kings prepare for the challenges ahead.