The LA Kings have assigned Quinton Byfield (F), Rasmus Kupari (F), Gabriel Vilardi (F), and Jordan Spence (D) to the Ontario Reign per LA Kings PR.
These moves were expected to come as only players on AHL rosters by 3:00 pm EST are eligible to play in the AHL playoffs.
With the extended playoff format in the AHL and the Ontario Reign holding a playoff position, it makes sense to be sure that players who may not get time in the NHL playoffs can head to Ontario to start to build more of a championship culture. With that said, these specific transactions are more than likely paper transactions, and the players will be recalled to Los Angeles soon.
The injury bug that hit Los Angeles has given multiple members of the Ontario Reign the ability to play for the Kings for an extended period of time. The surprise entry being Spence, who has two assists over his six-game call-up. Though he hasn’t hit the score sheet yet, Vilardi has looked great over the last four games, playing on a line with Byfield and Kupari.
With the trade deadline complete, it’s time for these members of the organization to prepare to take the next step in their development.
[UPDATE]They’re back.
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