What Happened
Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe sat out his first game of the season against Buffalo because of an undisclosed injury and is considered day-to-day, according to Zach Dooley, the team's Manager of Editorial Content. With Kempe unavailable, 24-year-old prospect Martin Chromiak made his NHL debut on the top line alongside Artemi Panarin. The Kings lost to the Sabres and sit at 4-7-2 under new head coach Peter Laviolette.
Key Details
- Kempe is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, per team editorial staffer Zach Dooley.
- Kempe has eight points in 12 games, fourth on the Kings.
- Chromiak, a 2020 fifth-round pick, debuted on the top line with Artemi Panarin.
- Chromiak led AHL Ontario with 56 points in 71 games last season and had six goals in nine games this fall.
- Los Angeles is 4-7-2 and ranks 29th in the NHL.
What It Means
Kempe's absence removes a top-line winger from a Los Angeles offense that already ranks in the bottom ten of the league. The Kings, 29th overall, are off to a slow start in Laviolette's first season. Chromiak's promotion gives the organization a look at a forward who has produced at the AHL level, though his stay could be short if Kempe returns quickly.
What's Next
The Kings host San Jose on Wednesday, and Los Angeles will hope Kempe is available for that game.