Los Angeles Kings forward and Pacific Division All-Star Adrian Kempe entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Sunday, as tweeted by the Kings communications department. In a corresponding move, they’ve brought up forward Martin Frk from the AHL’s Ontario Reign, assigning him to the taxi squad.
Frk himself had recently cleared COVID protocol, entering the list on Jan. 10th.
Kempe is the Kings' leader in goals with 17, although he has just seven assists for 24 points in 38 games. The goal-scoring factor is evidently the main reason for his selection to the All-Star team, the first of his career. He’s been playing in the top six on the wing, most recently alongside Anze Kopitar on the Kings' top line.
The Kings have no other healthy forwards on the active roster to insert into the lineup. However, one of Frk, Samuel Fagemo, or Jaret Anderson-Dolan could come up from the taxi squad to fill his spot.
More must-reads: