LA Kings training camp: Day 3 notes and observations

As was the case on Day 1, LA Kings Training Camp continued with the intensity up a notch higher than previous editions.

The early storyline reached its peak with a fight during todays scrimmage.

FIGHT! Heading into Toyota Sports Performance Center, I wondered whether or not the physicality from Day 1 of Kings camp would continue.

With Samuel Helenius and Jeff Malott dropping the gloves, it seems the question was answered.

Samuel Helenius and Jeff Malott drop the gloves during the scrimmage.

The team loved it.

pic.twitter.com/lIK8oqAluO Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 21, 2024 LA Kings head coach Jim Hiller wasnt surprised to see the fight between the two campmates.

It felt like sooner or later this was probably going to happen.

Really good fight by those two.

I think they respected each other after it was done.

And it looks to me that there are some people here who are trying to impress.

Thats the way I read.

The concerns over fighting and increased physicality among teammates mere days into training camp are warranted.

Especially with Arthur Kaliyev leaving Fridays scrimmage early due to injury after a hit from Tanner Jeannot .

But this is the identity general manager Rob Blake envisioned after his offseason moves.

I asked Drew Doughty if he was of fan of the fight and an uptick in intensity, Yeah, I love it.

Helenius impressing early on One of those players involved in Saturdays fireworks was forward Samuel Helenius.

Hiller mentioned Helenius as one of the players who had stood out in the Day 1 scrimmage.

And thats continued.

Hes caught everybodys attention.

Whats your job when you come to training camp? Catch peoples attention.

And hes done that and more.

I know hes been physical and he did have the fight, but just his overall intensity.

Hes here to make the team.

Well see if that happens.

But hes here to make the team.

Hes made that clear.

Andreas Englund and Samuel Helenius finish a physical shift with some pushing and shoving after the whistle.

Kyle Burroughs steps in to voice his displeasure.

pic.twitter.com/FOC9bRGErk Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) September 21, 2024 The 21-year-old center played in 69 games for the Ontario Reign last year finishing with eight goals and 11 assists.

Hes not looked upon to be an offensive force.

But he knows his role and plays it with attitude.

At the 2022 State of the Franchise event, Nelson Emerson grabbed the mic to praise some of the LA Kings prospects at the time.

His description of Samuel Helenius, Hes mean.

Looking at the roster, its hard to find a way for Helenius to make the club out of camp.

But as weve seen in the past with Alex Iafallo , Blake Lizotte , and Alex Laferriere last year, if you play well in camp and preseason you can earn a spot.

Notes Arthur Kaliyev was absent from the on-ice sessions today after an apparent injury suffered during the scrimmage on Friday.

Jim Hiller didnt provide an official update on his status.

Fiala-Byfield-Foegele looks strong early on.

The three combined for one of the goals in camp today with Fiala feeding Foegele with a cross-ice pass leading to a one-timer tally.

Kopitar made a nice feed to Kempe in front for a goal as the two continued building on their chemistry.

2024 first-round pick Liam Greentree hasnt looked out of place in the scrimmages.

The same goes for the 2024 second-round pick goaltender Carter George.

He told me before the scrimmage started Doughty chirped him in typical Drew fashion saying, I heard youre weak low glove side.

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