With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Tobias Bjornfot!
Tobias Bjornfot
Biography
Birthdate: April 6, 2001
Birthplace: Upplands Vasby, Sweden
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 1st Round, 22nd overall, in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft
2022-23 Season
Coming into the season, Bjornfot looked like he was going to be the next man up in the Kings defensive core. As a left-shot blue liner – something the Kings badly needed – he seemed to be in a position to break out. However, his 10 games with the Kings seemed very uncomfortable, as if he wasn’t playing the style of hockey that he wanted to play. The LA Kings as a team went 4-2-1 in the first seven-game stint that Bjornfot got into but he was largely in the background. Advanced stats show that he was a flat player, not contributing any true positives as far as plus minus goes ending his 10-game stint as a +1.
Bjornfot, the 22nd pick in the 2019 draft, has always had the potential to crack the NHL roster. He is a stay-at-home defenseman who focuses on his role in the defensive zone without giving up much in the way of defensive rushes. The main problem, as the LA Kings have shifted toward a more offensively minded game, is that he doesn’t often have the ability (or maybe the want) to join the rush. As good as his shot can be, The Hockey Writers noted in 2021, “Because of his reliability, he doesn’t have a ton of offensive upside” and that could hurt his chances at a top-4 slot on the LA Kings roster.
2023-24 Outlook
Bjornfot will look to fight for an NHL roster spot, but may slot in to be a top 4 player for the Ontario Reign this season and looks to continue a steady professional career as the possible next man up for the LA Kings. In 94 games with the Reign, Bjornfot has 11 goals and 31 points, making him a reliable player on the blue line. His career +11 shows that he has the ability to shut down rushes and keep offenses contained. After an initial Entry Level Slide, Bjornfot played out his rookie contract and signed a two-year extension on July 7th. Bjornfot seems comfortable in his role at the moment, as the 22-year-old continues to shine on the Ontario ice.
Bjornfot was often paired with Jordan Spence last year and we can expect him to keep that chemistry rolling this season as he tries to help the Reign march into the playoffs once again. We could see Bjornfot get called up a couple of times to the NHL as there are always injuries to deal with. Another possibility is that there is a trade that opens a slot for him as Matt Roy could be a potential trade target for teams looking to have some steadiness on their blue line. Either way, Bjornfot looks to improve his steady climb to a potential NHL regular.
More must-reads: