The Los Angeles Kings have decided that burning a year of Jaret Anderson-Dolan’s entry-level contract isn’t worth it at the moment, and have instead sent him back to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL for the remainder of the season. Anderson-Dolan had played five games so far with the Kings, recording his first NHL point and getting a taste of what life is like in professional hockey. He’ll now return to the junior ranks and likely compete for a spot on Team Canada at the upcoming World Junior Championship. Los Angeles has recalled Sean Walker from the AHL to fill the roster spot.
Even though it may feel that way to him, this isn’t a critique of Anderson-Dolan’s play. The 19-year old forward was actually quite impressive in his short stint, limited as it was. The Kings have decided that averaging just over 11 minutes per night isn’t the optimal development strategy, and if they weren’t about to give him a boost in ice time, sending him back to Spokane was the only other option. Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times tweets that Kings head coach John Stevens didn’t want Anderson-Dolan sticking around in a losing culture, and noted that he’ll be the leader for his WHL team. The Kings are 2-5-1 through their first eight games, and currently have the second worst goal differential in the entire league.
For Kings fans, it will be hard to see Anderson-Dolan leave in the midst of such a poor start to the season by the team, but there are brighter days on the horizon. The young forward is part of a prospect group that should be making a substantial impact before long, alongside names like Gabe Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, Kale Clague and Akil Thomas. The World Juniors could be filled with Kings prospects this year, and give fans something to cheer for during what is looking like a down year.
Interesting. He seemed to be their best player in the game against Ottawa I think. This almost seems like an early white flag on the season.
He was a presence all over the ice against Montreal too. Seemed like pretty much every shift he had he was making plays or distrusting plays on the defensive end.
Yup this team is going nowhere and letting the kids play is the only good thing that can result from this year. Should have kept him up its not like RFA’s ever leave
Waiving the white flag real early this year…. this team is about to go through a 3-4 year (minimum) of losing, slow, ugly hockey. First off Stevens needs to go. But that won’t solve the issue with this roster, which is that they simply have too much money tied up in too few players, and they need that money to bring in and influx of speed/talent. Kovalchuk, kopitar, brown, doughty, quick…. all huge contracts, none adding the sort of offensive upside this team has needed for years. That’s not to say none of those are good players, but the fact that Kopitar is our best offensive weapon… is not a good sign. Golden Knights skated all over us last year in the playoffs… it was very clear our lack of speed and pure skill to create offense. The grind it out style of our cup seasons does not work anymore, the game is younger and faster. Unfortunately, the only thing we did to address it…. was sign another aging 30+ winger with a lack of speed to carry the puck into the zone with possession. Blake and Robataille better hope this recent draft stock moves quickly through the ranks (kupari, Anderson-Dolan, etc)…. because with the money they invested elsewhere, then being a total success is the only way we can add any offense. They literally have to hit on every single draft pick now. Hopefully the kids pan out…. either way…. that’s 3-4 years away at this point
“But the fact that kopitar is our best offensive weapon… is not a good sign.”
He had over 90 points last year. A lot of teams would like him to be on their top line