In many ways, Wednesday’s roster moves felt rather academic. For those following along closely over the past few weeks, what the Kings did felt very predictable. At the same time, it also brings confirmation for how the plans of GM Ken Holland and coach Jim Hiller had been coming together.
After beginning training camp with a curveball — forward Corey Perry’s injury a few days prior certainly wasn’t foreseen or expected — it didn’t take long for things to take direction. LA was facing a situation where as many as eight players were realistically fighting for what amounted to fewer than three roster spots.
Kings 2025-26 Projected Roster
Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Moore – Danault – Foegele
TBD – Turcotte – Armia
[healthy scratch A]
[healthy scratch B]
Anderson – Doughty
Dumoulin – Clarke
Edmundson – Ceci
[healthy scratch C]
Kuemper
Forsberg
Contenders for those final spots included:
Forwards: Martin Chromiak, Liam Greentree, Sammy Helenius, Andre Lee, Jeff Malott, Akil Thomas
Defensemen: Kyle Burroughs, Jacob Moverare
Chromiak would have had the longest odds to make it, yet because he’s waiver eligible he was at least on the list. Considering the playing time afforded other during preseason action, it became rather clear his odds were longer than he likely hoped.
Now consider Helenius wasn’t ever going to touch waivers and that reduces those four spots down to three. Add in that at least one of the spots would be taken by either Burroughs or Moverare, that left two spots up for grabs.
Which is where things got really interesting.
As noted below, Malott essentially stole an opening night roster spot:
What’s left?
One spot. Take a look:
Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Moore – Danault – Foegele
Malott – Turcotte – Armia
[Helenius]
[healthy scratch]
Anderson – Doughty
Dumoulin – Clarke
Edmundson – Ceci
[Moverare and/or Burroughs]
Tying it all together, Greentree was returned to OHL Windsor.
Further, LA has placed a full collection of players on waivers today (including Lee, Thomas, Chromiak etc.). Other teams will now have 24 hours to claim them. Should they go unclaimed, all of those players are expected to be assigned to AHL Ontario for Reign training camp.
Thomas was originally selected by LA in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Following a successful junior career and scoring the game winning goal for Canada in the World Junior Championship gold medal game, he turned pro and completed several seasons with AHL Ontario. Despite a few injury setbacks, Thomas proved to be a rather versatile forward capable of playing center or wing, as well as up and down the lineup. He made his NHL debut late in the 2023-24 season, scoring three goals in seven games. He was thought to have a spot on the Kings roster heading into last season and never really materialized during camp. Despite not having any sort of consistent role, he played 25 games in 2024-25 (averaging less than 10 minutes TOI and recording just one goal). Thomas has also continually been praised for his leadership skills, often wearing a letter at various levels of hockey, including with the Reign.
Meanwhile, Lee was a breakout surprise for many at camp last September. After a strong showing in the 2024 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs — where then Kings GM Rob Blake and Reign coach Marco Sturm referred to his line with Helenius as the best Reign line — Lee got his first taste of NHL action. Suiting up in 19 games for Hiller last season, the 6-foot-5 winger produced three points (1G, 2A) while also providing a steady defensive-first presence to the fourth line.
What does this all mean, though?
Signs point to the Kings beginning their 2025-26 season with eight defenseman; keeping both Moverare and Burroughs — leaving Helenius as the only “extra” forward.
Does this have to be final? No, not yet. the Kings still have until Monday to submit their final opening night roster to the league office. For example, Thomas could clear waivers and still be added back to the group — which would also cause Holland to put one of the defensemen on waivers to make room for him. It’s possible. Yet, how likely is that?
For more roster discussion, be sure to check out this week’s KOTP linked below.
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