Happy Monday, Insiders!

So here’s the rub.

Today marks the final day of three groups at LA Kings training camp. The Kings are tightening things up with today’s practice. Group A returns to the ice at 9:45, skating on the NHL-2 sheet. Groups B and C will only scrimmage today, with a bit of a lengthier scrimmage session this morning, also on NHL-2 once Group A finishes up.

Then, expect to see change.

Ken Holland indicated that he expect to see the camp roster reduced after today’s practice. You’ll see those moves come in a variety of different ways. Players likely to be involved are those in camp on training-camp invitations or draft picks who are likely to play in juniors this season, along with some players on Kings contracts who are slotted for the AHL’s Ontario Reign. I believe that AHL Training Camp opens tomorrow morning, so that camp will, in fact, need players on the ice. While the Reign will have some players in camp who were not at NHL camp, there will also be a large number of players coming from Kings camp. Expect that to come this evening formally, whether it’s announced tonight or in the morning.

With that in mind, the Kings will start to zero-in on their Opening Night roster. I don’t expect the cuts today to bring the roster down to 25 players. The Kings have back-to-back preseason games tomorrow and Wednesday and there will be rotation among the players in those games. Looking at Tuesday, expect a pretty veteran-heavy roster. The Kings will play their top-end players at home, including those expected to play on the power play, at least with the top unit. In Anaheim on Wednesday, there will be veterans, but also players on the bubble, who could feature potentially in both games. Wednesday could be the final chance to make an impact for someone trying to make the roster, as Saturday figured to be a dry run towards Opening Night.

What I think will happen here is a first wave of roster moves here this afternoon and then a second set of moves on Thursday, after the Kings play the Utah and Anaheim games. That would make sense to me at least. Then, going into Saturday’s preseason finale, you have a smaller group of somewhere around 25 players, with an eye on the final roster coming on Sunday or early the following week. Just my understanding, but not anything set in stone.

So, with that in mind, here’s the final 3-Group alignment of LA Kings training camp –

Group A

Group B

Group C

One interesting name with Group A – Jared Woolley.

I felt that Woolley was one of the team’s better players in the preseason game against Vegas on Saturday. Woolley is set to begin his professional career in the fall as a 20-year-old defenseman and figures to begin in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. However, there’s always a chance for more. Woolley will get the opportunity today to skate with the NHL group during today’s practice. Good for him. Would expect to see him with Erik Gustafsson on a pair today. Not saying he’s suddenly vaulted above several others on the depth chart, but it’s a good sign for a younger player that he’s getting a look with the big boys.

Beyond that, today is the final chance for some players in Groups B and C to make an impression. There are roster spots in the games tomorrow and Wednesday that need filling by younger players and bubble players. But those lineups aren’t set in stone. Today is the final camp scrimmage we’ll see, so for guys looking to standout, today’s the day. Interested to see the breakdown of players between the games in Los Angeles and Anaheim.

More to come today!