Reeder was the 198th overall pick by the Kings in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.
Reeder was a standout performer with USHL Dubuque, scoring 20 goals and 60 points across 53 regular-season contests in 2023-24. He also contributed a goal and five points in 11 playoff outings with the Fighting Saints this year. Although the 18-year-old won't turn heads with his size, he's shown a willingness to compete along the walls and in front of the net. He also has a strong shot, but Reeder will need time to develop further. He's expected to continue to work on his game at the University of Denver in 2024-25.
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Kings' Carter George: Adds goaltending depth to LA system
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George was the 57th overall pick by the Kings in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.
Ranked as the No. 2 North American goaltender according to NHL Central Scouting, many felt George was the best netminder available in the entire draft. He played a lot of OHL Owen Sound this past season, appearing in 56 games and going 23-21-6 with a 3.30 GAA and .907 save percentage. While those numbers were middling, the final viewings of George at the end of the year were extremely positive, as he dominated (6-0-0, 2.33 GAA, .915 save percentage) as the No. 1 goaltender for Canada at the World U18's. George is ticketed for at least a couple more seasons at the junior level before turning pro.
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Kings' Tanner Jeannot: Traded by Tampa Bay
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The Kings acquired Jeannot from Tampa Bay on Saturday in exchange for the No. 118 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a 2025 second-round selection.
Tampa Bay moves on from a failed experiment, and Jeannot gets a fresh chance in a system where his style of hockey may be better appreciated. He may not return to his 41-point plateau from his rookie season, but Jeannot will add some grit to the Kings. He provided seven goals, 14 points, 75 PIM and 211 hits in 55 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.
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Kings' Liam Greentree: Crowned in first round
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Greentree was the 26th overall pick by the Kings at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on Friday.
Greentree is a bit of an enigma. Scouts who value skating will score the kid down because he simply doesn't have NHL feet, at least not right now. We know that's a skill that can be developed, so when it becomes NHL average, L.A. will have a top-nine power forward with a fantastic release, great hands and captain-like leadership. Not to mention one who can play up and down the lineup, Greentree is that good. He became captain of a Windsor Spitfires team days after he turned 18, and his 90 points (64 games) were 24 more than his nearest teammate. He can carry a team, or he can play a role. His work ethic, makeup and skill mean he's going to be a coach's dream. Greentree will deliver fantasy value eventually; wait for him to get a few years of pro under his belt before you determine where he might help you.
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Kings' Kyle Burroughs: Involved in trade
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Burroughs was acquired by the Kings from the Sharks on Thursday in exchange for Carl Grundstrom.
Burroughs had two goals, eight points, 71 PIM, 233 hits and 134 blocks in 73 contests with San Jose in 2023-24. He has two seasons remaining on his three-year, $3.3 million contract. Although the 28-year-old won't make much of an offensive impact with LA, the gritty blueliner figures to plug in nicely on the Kings' third pairing. While his minus-42 rating was the fifth worst in the league, the move to LA should have a massive positive impact on him in that category.
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Kings' Samuel Fagemo: Signs one-year contract
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Fagemo signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Kings on Monday, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.
Fagemo accounted for one goal, 13 shots on net, three blocked shots and five hits in eight regular-season outings between LA and Nashville last campaign. He also produced 43 goals and 62 points across 50 regular-season contests for AHL Ontario in 2023-24. Fagemo will battle for a bottom-six role with the Kings during training camp in the fall.
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Kings' Alex Turcotte: Inks three-year deal
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Turcotte signed a three-year, $2.325 million contract with the Kings on Saturday.
It will be a two-way deal for Turcotte in Year 1 before shifting to a one-way agreement in Years 2 and 3. The 23-year-old forward produced 10 goals and 29 points in 35 regular-season contests with AHL Ontario in 2023-24. He also notched one goal and three helpers in 20 regular-season outings with the Kings this campaign. Turcotte will compete for a bottom-six role with LA out of training camp in the fall.
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Kings' Darcy Kuemper: Involved in major trade
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Kuemper was dealt to the Kings from the Capitals on Wednesday in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Kuemper had a 13-14-3 record, 3.31 GAA and .890 save percentage in 33 regular-season appearances with Washington in 2023-24. Perhaps the 34-year-old will benefit from the change of scenery and rebound, but he'll likely begin the 2024-25 as the backup netminder. Between his age and recent results, the three seasons remaining on Kuemper's five-year, $26.25 million contract seem rather undesirable. The fact that he's the only return LA got for Dubois speaks to how much the 25-year-old forward's market value has fallen following his 40-point season and due to the seven seasons remaining on his eight-year, $64 million deal.
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Kings' Akil Thomas: Secures two-year deal
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Thomas inked a two-year, $1.55 million contract with Los Angeles on Thursday.
Thomas made his NHL debut this season, drawing into seven regular-season games for the Kings in which he recorded three goals on nine shots, one assist and eight hits while averaging just 8:44 of ice time. While he won't be a lock for an Opening Night roster spot, Thomas should certainly be in the mix heading into training camp in the fall.
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Kings' Andre Lee: Inks one-year deal
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Lee signed a one-year, two-way contract with Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Lee had eight goals and 13 points in 36 regular-season contests with AHL Ontario in 2023-24. He also scored four markers in eight playoff outings with the minor-league squad. The 23-year-old was previously eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer after completing his two-year, entry-level deal.
Hicketts signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level with the Kings on Friday.
Hicketts was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 28-year-old defenseman had a goal and 20 points in 30 regular-season AHL outings with Ontario in 2023-24. He also supplied a goal and six points in eight minor-league playoff appearances this year. Hicketts is expected to remain in the AHL for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
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Kings' Taylor Ward: Secures one-year deal
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Ward agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with Los Angeles on Friday.
Ward has yet to make his NHL debut, having spent the past three seasons playing exclusively in the minors with AHL Ontario. The 26-year-old winger did set new personal bests with the Reign this season, recoding 11 goals and 21 helpers before adding seven points in eight postseason contests. With his new deal in hand, look for Ward to once again spend most, if not all, of the 2024-25 season in the minors.
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Kings' Kaleb Lawrence: Signs entry-level contract
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Lawrence signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on Thursday, per CapFriendly.
Lawrence wrapped up his junior career in 2023-24, picking up 37 points over 58 contests between OHL London and OHL Ottawa. The 21-year-old winger was a seventh-round pick in 2022. Given his lack of offense at the junior level, it's likely Lawrence will spend most or all of 2024-25 with AHL Ontario.
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Kings' Aatu Jamsen: Signs entry-level deal
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Jamsen signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings on Tuesday, per CapFriendly.
Jamsen was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He produced 25 points over 36 contests with the Pelicans in Finland's Liiga last season. It's likely he'll move to North America and join AHL Ontario for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Kings' David Rittich: Inks one-year deal
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Rittich signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Kings on Wednesday.
Rittich had a 13-6-3 record, 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage in 24 regular-season appearances with the Kings in 2023-24. He also stopped 34 of 39 shots (.872 save percentage) across two playoff outings this year. Rittich would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he didn't sign this extension. Cam Talbot, who logged 54 regular-season games with LA, remains set to become a UFA, so it's unclear who Rittich's goaltending partner will be next year. Although the 31-year-old Rittich is coming off a strong campaign, he has spent most of his career as a backup goaltender, so it wouldn't be surprising if the Kings seek to pair him with an established starter.
Dell was recalled at the start of the playoffs to serve as the Kings' No. 3 netminder. He's gone 7-4-1 with a 2.57 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 12 AHL appearances this season.
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Kings' Matt Roy: Two assists in loss
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Roy notched a pair of helpers in a 4-3 defeat to Edmonton in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Roy was able to bring a six-game pointless streak to a close with his two helpers but it wasn't enough to stave off elimination for Los Angeles. Unless the Kings can come to an agreement soon, the blueliner is set to be an unrestricted free agent July 1. Roy should have plenty of offers if he goes to the open market after reaching the 20-point mark for the third consecutive campaign.
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Kings' Vladislav Gavrikov: Snags helper in Game 5
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Gavrikov picked up an assist in a 4-3 loss to Edmonton in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Gavrikov ended the 2023-24 campaign stuck in a 17-game goal drought during which he put just 19 shots on net. During that stretch, the Russian blueliner did chip in five assists, including two in postseason action. Despite the slow end to the year, Gavrikov still managed to get back over the 20-point threshold after missing that mark last season.
