LA Kings trim two more from training camp roster

The Kings have announced two more players being cut from training camp in LA and reassigned back to Manchester (AHL).

Forward Justin Azevedo, who played in his third pre-season game last night in Colorado, is headed back to the Monarchs - where he played 79 games last season. The 5-foot-7 forward was originally selected by the Kings in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Draft - following a breakout year with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL), where scored 43 goals. Last season was his third year in Manchester and his 53 points (18g, 35a) were second best on the team - trailing only Bud Holloway's 61 points.

Joining him on the flight back will be tough guy Jordan Nolan. The 6-foot-3 center was a rookie with the Monarchs last season, posting 17 points (5g, 12a) in 75 games. He played for three different teams during his junior hockey career, including the last two with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - where he was teammates with fellow Kings prospect Jake Muzzin. Nolan was a seventh round draft pick in 2009.

During the Kings' rookie camp that preceded main camp, Nolan was one of the stars in the second game of the Rookie Tournament. He scored two goals against the Phoenix Coyotes that day, including the game winner with less than two minutes to go.

He also played two games for the Kings during the NHL preseason this year.

The Kings are now left with 28 skaters (including the injured Colin Fraser) and three goalies in camp. They'll need to be down to 21 skaters before opening night next Friday. As reported previously, they'll be taking all three goalies - Jonathan Quick, Jonathan Bernier and Jeff Zatkoff - with them to Europe.

For notes on the previous roster cuts this year, see below.

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The Never Schennding Journey Continues

Have skates, will travel.

That could easily be the shirt young Brayden Schenn wears while bouncing from one airport to another.

His latest stop - Binghamton, New York, for the Manchester Monarchs third playoff game vs. the hometown Senators.

After some initial confusion about if he would make it there in time to be part of the game or not, Schenn did in fact arrive for pre-skate.

Then, he was announced in the building as a scratch - well, sort of...they announced 'Brandon' Schenn as being scratched. However, he did in fact play and picked up an assist in his return to the Monarchs, while finishing the night with a plus-3 rating.

In what was probably a rare occasion this season though, Schenn was not the story of the night.

Instead, it was the Monarchs incredible come from behind victory.

They spotted Binghamton a 3-0 before Martin Jones came in to relieve starter Jeff Zatkoff in the second period. Here's what followed...

OHL GM speaks out on Kings prospects

If you like GMs that aren't afraid to speak their mind, leaders like Dean Lombardi and Brian Burke, then you'll probably love Dave Torrie.

For the last seven years he's been at the helm of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL.  Although he could be described as an Ontario, Canadian hockey lifer, his ties to Los Angeles are extremely strong.  When you look down the list of current Kings prospects, he's played a role in the development of many, including Kevin Westgarth and Jake Muzzin.

Then, there's this guy named Wayne Simmonds.  Torrie was so high on him, he once made a three-for-one swap to acquire him in a 2008 trade-deadline deal. 

There is no doubt Torrie knows his hockey too - he's been a scout, an owner, a coach, a director of player  personnel...and the General Manager of the 'Hounds since 2003.  We covered a lot of ground, so it's best to split this up into two parts. 

First up, let's get some thoughts on a few Kings prospects and that big trade he made to acquire Simmonds...

Late in the '08 season you traded for Wayne Simmonds.  What was it about his game that made you want him for the 'Hounds playoff run that year?

At that time we were one of the top four or five teams with a legitimate shot at the OHL Championship.  We felt Wayne was probably the most impactful player that was going to be available at the trade deadline, so we worked hard to get a deal done. He's a guy who came into the OHL late, but very quickly developed a reputation as an impact player by contributing good offense, along with great aggressiveness and great energy.  Looking at him you thought 'When the games get tough, he'll be the type of player that will help your team win those one goal games.' We paid a big price in the package we sent to get Wayne and we eventually lost in the Conference Final to Kitchener.  But in the end, no regrets. He brought a lot of attributes to our team.

What do you think of his game today, has it progressed like you thought or is there still some upside left?