The LA Kings have made the following roster transactions:
- Forwards Quenton Byfield and Rasmus Kupari and defenseman Jordan Spence have been recalled from the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).
- Forward Arthur Kaliyev has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 20.
Byfield, 20, opened the 2022-23 campaign with the Kings, tallying three points (0-3=3) in eight games. In 16 games with the Reign, the 6-5, 200-pound forward has registered 15 points (9-6=15) and leads all Reign skaters with nine goals. Since making his NHL debut on April 28, 2021, the 20-year-old has appeared in 54 career NHL games, posting 14 points (5-9=14). Drafted second overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Byfield made his professional hockey debut in 2020-21 as a member of the Reign, tallying 20 points (8-12=20) in 32 AHL games. Since his AHL debut, he’s registered 41 points (21-20) in 59 AHL games.
Kupari, 22, has tallied five points (2-3=5) in 21 appearances with the Kings and added nine points (5-4=9) in 11 games with the Reign. Through 85 career NHL games, the 6-2, 200-pound forward has posted 19 points (8-11=19) and added 48 points (24-24=48) in 85 AHL games.
Spence, 21, has skated in three games with the Kings after opening the 2022-23 season with the Reign where he registered 21 points (2-19=21) in 22 games. His 21 points currently rank tied for sixth among all AHL defensemen and sits second among all Reign skaters. The 5-10, 170-pound defenseman made his professional hockey debut last season by splitting time with both the Kings and Reign. In 24 NHL games, he collected eight points (2-6=8) and made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut by appearing in three games. He also skated in 46 games with the Reign, notching 42 points (4-38=42) to lead all team defensemen in scoring.
Kaliyev, 21, has appeared in 34 games for the Kings this season, recording 19 points (9-10=19) with a career-high seven power-play goals, nine power-play points, six PIM and 79 shots. On Nov. 14 in Calgary, Kaliyev eclipsed the 20-goal mark of his career is his 98th career NHL game, becoming the sixth Kings player in the last 25 years to score his first 20 NHL goals in less than 100 games. The 6-2, 210-pound forward played in his first full NHL season last year, posting 27 points (14-13=27). His six power-play goals tied for most on the team and ranked second in the league among rookies while his averaged 16.8 shot attempts for-per-60 minutes led all NHL rookies with at least 500 minutes of time-on-ice. Since his NHL debut with the Kings on Feb. 2, 2020, Kaliyev has accumulated 47 points (23-23=47) with a team-leading 13 power-play goals, 43 PIM and 274 shots.
The Kings return to action today, Dec. 27, as they host the Vegas Golden Knights. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Bally Sports TV and the LA Kings Audio Network on iHeartRadio.
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