Kings recall 2019 first-round pick

The defensive shuffle continues for the Los Angeles Kings. This time it is Tobias Bjornfot getting the recall, just in time for the team’s game Friday against the Anaheim Ducks.

Bjornfot, 21, has played in six games this season for the Kings, spending most of the year in the minor leagues with the Ontario Reign. That may be something of a surprise given he suited up 70 times in 2021-22, but the young defenseman still hasn’t quite established himself as an everyday NHLer when the Kings are healthy.

Selected 22nd overall in 2019, it’s been an interesting road for Bjornfot. He made the NHL in his first post-draft season, playing three games because he was dominating at the minor league level. In the year’s since, nothing has really progressed. That’s not to say he’s a lost cause – far from it at his age.

When once he was considered an untouchable prospect in the Kings system, destined to play big minutes for the team, now you have to wonder whether he’ll be dangled in any deadline dealings. For now, he’ll happily take his NHL pay, even if he doesn’t get into the action Friday.