“If everything goes normal and the Kings suffer a normal amount of injuries, not too high, not too low, I would expect them to not spend any time with the Kings this year,” Kings television analyst Jim Fox said. “With Voynov, the Kings already have a lot of young defenseman, and to add another one into the mix, would be a lot to ask. With Loktionov, it is a similar situation, the Kings had Wayne Simmonds and Oscar Mollerjoin the team last year and were the third-youngest team in the league, so to have someone without any professional experience join the team, that would be a huge jump for him to make.”When Loktionov gets to the NHL, it will be as a top-six forward, so he would have to displace one of the current top-six on the team and I don’t think that is highly likely at this point.” Voynov, 19, recorded 23 points (8-15=23) and 46 PIMs in 61 games with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings AHL affiliate. “All of the reports that I get from Manchester is that he is no doubt an NHL player and excels in many, many areas of the game,” Fox said. Voynov, most likely, will again join the Manchester Monarchs for the 2009-10 season, as will Loktionov, also 19, who recorded 66 points (24-42=66), 16 penalty minutes and a plus-28 rating in 51 regular season games with Windsor (OHL). “Loktionov excelled at the Junior level,” and should be ready to make the step up to Manchester this year.
via LAKINGS.COM MAILBAG – Los Angeles Kings – News.
Go Jimmy! Wait, who is Jimmy?