The Kings previously said they would only take the final roster of 23 plus one spare goalie (Jeff Zatkoff) on the European trip. However, unless I can't count, or they left someone behind without announcing it, they took 25 players to Germany today.
- Anze Kopitar
- Dustin Penner
- Justin Williams
- Simon Gagne
- Mike Richards
- Dustin Brown
- Ethan Moreau
- Jarret Stoll
- Trent Hunter
- Kyle Clifford
- Trevor Lewis
- Brad Richardson
- Kevin Westgarth
- Scott Parse
- Drew Doughty
- Willie Mitchell
- Rob Scuderi
- Jack Johnson
- Alec Martinez
- Matt Greene
- Davis Drewiske
- Viatcheslav Voynov
- Jonathan Quick
- Jonathan Bernier
- Jeff Zatkoff
I'm not counting Colin Fraser or Jake Muzzin, who seem destined to go on IR before the season starts -- but they're probably on the trip, too, right? After all, doesn't everyone get to be there for the "home opener" against the Rangers?
Anyway, assuming I can count and assuming I didn't miss a press release, the Kings still haven't decided who of Scott Parse, Davis Drewiske or Viatcheslav Voynov will draw the short stick. Voynov is waiver-exempt; Drewiske and Parse are not. (The only other waiver-exempt players on the roster are Clifford and Bernier.)
The conservative move would be demoting Voynov, since they wouldn't lose anyone to waivers that way. Given how thin the Kings are at left-wing (seriously, if Gagne or Penner get hurt -- it's Dwight King?), I think it would be stupid to get rid of Parse.
What are the chances Lombardi waives Drewiske or deals him in the next few days?
I'm just thinking out-loud. I like Drewiske. But Voynov has had a great camp. And he's put in his time in the AHL. (Oh, and the power play...)