The Los Angeles Kings lost prospect Samuel Fagemo on Monday, as he was claimed on waivers by the Nashville Predators.
The Kings placed several players on waivers over the weekend as the Ontario Reign prepare to open their training camp. Fagemo, a 2019 second-round draft pick, was the only Kings player claimed.
Fagemo has 94 points over 151 AHL regular-season games, as well as four points in seven playoff games. He’s also appeared in 13 NHL games over the past two seasons, recording two goals and one assist.
Fagemo has been an interesting prospect for the Kings, as a creative player with a good shot, and he’s been a difference-maker for the Reign at times. However, Fagemo, like many young players, has been too inconsistent at the AHL level to get a longer shot at staying in the NHL when there is already a nearly-full roster in place.
While Rob Blake and the Kings were likely hoping that Fagemo would slide under the radar of other teams, the Nashville Predators picked him up on waivers. A player selected on waivers must go to the NHL, otherwise the original team would have the first right to re-claim him. The Predators would not be able to immediately assign Fagemo to their NHL affiliate without risking the Kings immediately claiming him back. So Fagemo, at least for the time being, will stick with the Predators.
While it’s disappointing for Kings fans and for the organization, we hope Fagemo makes the most of his new opportunity.
The Kings also placed T.J. Tynan, Akil Thomas, Steven Santini, Jacob Moverare, Mikhail Maltsev, Hayden Hodgson, Joe Hicketts, and Kevin Connauton on waivers for purpose of being assigned to the Ontario Reign. No Kings players other than Fagemo were claimed. The Reign’s training camp begins today, with their first exhibition game coming Friday, October 6 on the road against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.