The call of many fans recently, given the Kings’ offensive woes, has been for LA to recall Andrei Loktionov from the Monarchs and give him some time up with the big club.
On Monday, that call was answered as the Kings recalled the 21-year-old Loktionov from Manchester.
That move is in reaction to the loss of Dustin Penner, who was placed on IR with a hand injury. Even before he went down with that injury, Penner has been the biggest disappointment on the team this season, with just two points and 25 penalty minutes in 14 games this year.
Loktionov is one of the top prospects in the organization, but had yet to see time with the Kings this season. In 20 games with the club last season, he was a plus-2, and had seven points.
Loktionov had been one of the better players in the entire AHL this season, as he was tied for 20th in the league with 14 points (3 G, 11 A). The question now becomes where he will fit in with the Kings.
It’s hard to imagine the Kings calling up someone with the skill set of Loktionov without the intention of putting him in the lineup, even if it’s not at his natural spot in the middle. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him take Penner’s spot in the top six.
Either way, as Loktionov practices with the Kings on Monday and Tuesday, we should know where he will lineup before the Kings next hit the ice on Wednesday, against the Ducks at Staples Center.
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