There are really no days off during the NHL’s six-month regular season. With the Kings traveling to New York for three games this week, they made a roster move Sunday morning — and that wasn’t the original plan.

Defenseman Caleb Jones was placed on waivers. If he clears out tomorrow morning, he will be loaned to AHL Ontario. The 27-year-old rearguard, who received a league-minimum contract ($775,000) as a free agent in the summer, initially made the Kings’ roster out of training camp in part because of his versatility, both on the had played on both the left and right side of the blueline. He was on the ice in five games this season, including a contest in Colorado in mid-November in which he was injured. Now that he is healthy again, we have to wait 24 hours to see what happens next on his journey.

More roster notes

Jacob Moverare – While the above situation is a disappointment for Jones, it is a corresponding vote of confidence for Moverare. Having already played nine consecutive games during his current tenure, the 6-foot-11 defender remains current with Los Angeles. It was already known in Kings circles how much the organization likes the 26-year-old Swede. After playing parts of three NHL seasons, GM Rob Blake signed him to a two-year extension last March. And since it’s a completely one-way contract (meaning he’s making NHL money while in the AHL), others might see it as a rather unconventional deal for someone who might be considered a bubble player. However, it shows what he means to the organization. He most recently played nine games for the Kings and “really helped calm Jordan Spence down” when you listen to people on the team talk about what he accomplished during that time. Moverare isn’t flashy, he just does his job.

Andrew Lee – From what we’ve learned, the 6-foot-2 forward will not be recalled for the Kings road trip… at least not yet. Coach Jim Hiller is said to be happy with the 11+7 configuration from the last two games for now. The team therefore travels with 12 healthy forwards (including the newly activated Akil Thomas) and eight defenders. If another player is needed during her absence, Lee is expected to be the first to be recalled. For his part, he scored on his return to the Reign lineup last night to tie the score late in regulation time. Ontario ultimately won in a shootout.

Arthur Kaliyev – As we have long indicated, Kaliyev will begin his AHL conditioning assignment soon. After running with his teammates in practice earlier this week, we’re now hearing that both sides are targeting the ideal time for him to join the Reign later this week. Assuming he continues to progress over the next few days, Kaliyev should move to Ontario in time for next Sunday’s game against San Jose. Conceivably, he could play home games against the Barracuda and Wranglers – a stretch that includes two days off between those games and the back-to-back game against Coachella the following weekend. That would take up the Christmas holidays. If necessary, he could continue playing for the Reign after the break. This will all be decided after he plays the first few games. During Kaliyev’s first professional season, he played 40 games for the Reign, scoring 31 points (14 G, 17 A).

UPDATE 12/9/2024

Jones cleared waivers and will be assigned to AHL Ontario.

UPDATE 12/10/2024

Kaliyev has officially been assigned to AHL Ontario on a conditioning assignment. He will return to his reign this Sunday in a home game against San Jose at Toyota Arena.

MORE LA KINGS NEWS:

Kaliyev signs a one-year contract and joins the LA Kings training camp

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Main photo by Megan Sanders

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