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Ontario Reign: Projecting The Center Position

Originally posted on Hockey Royalty  |  By Kyle Garcia  |  Last updated Jul 28, 2024 11:59 AM ET

August is near and hockey season is getting closer by the day. By now the free agency news is slow and AHL contracts are starting to be handed out more and more. Once September hits, the hockey activities ramp up again. For the LA Kings, the roster seems to be mainly in place with some depth signings expected to clear waivers and make their way to the Ontario Reign.

Looking at the Reign roster, one can say that they are expected to be a deep team once again with new faces. Angus Booth, Kaleb Lawrence, and Aatu Jamsen are expected to join the Reign and make their professional debuts, with Jamsen making his professional debut in North America after playing in Finland in Liiga. While the Reign are expected to have depth, their biggest strength should be down the middle. Head coach Marco Sturm will have a few options to choose from once training camp gets underway for the Reign.

Who slots in where? Let’s take a look.

First-line center

TJ Tynan signed a one-year NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche on the first day of free agency, which leaves a big hole at the 1C spot for the Reign. Replacing Tynan’s production won’t be easy as he was first on the team in points at five-on-five (28), led the team in assists (57), and points (66), and was a player the Reign played through on the power play.

However, on day one of free agency, the Kings signed Glenn Gawdin to a two-year, two-way NHL contract. Gawdin, an AHL veteran, is my projected 1C for the Reign. Yes, he would need to clear waivers to be assigned to the Reign, but I expect him to clear.

Reign fans are familiar with the 27-year-old forward as he has spent time in the division with the Stockton Heat and San Diego Gulls, with who Gawdin spent the previous two seasons, while under an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He split time at both the 1C and 2C with the Gulls the previous two seasons.

Gawdin can play five-on-five, power play, and kill penalties. He finished second on the Gulls in goals (22), tied for third in assists (33), and second in points (55). He’s a player that I can see Marco Sturm having lots of trust in by playing him in all situations. I also expect him to take Tynan’s spot on the first power-play unit because of his passing, but is more of a threat to shoot the puck than Tynan was.

Second and third-line center a coin flip?

The more I look at it, I believe the second and third-line center projections can be a coin flip. Jack Studnicka, signed by the Kings to a one-year, two-way contract on day one of free agency, and second-year forward Francesco Pinelli should be the two players who should battle for the second-line center spot. Studnicka reminds me of Mikhail Maltsev, who the latter spent 21 games with the Reign before joining the KHL in early December, with his ability to play 2C, 3C, wing, and in all situations.

However, Pinelli has a higher ceiling than Studnicka and has more offense in his repertoire than Studnicka, although last year we didn’t see it due to the adjustment phase Pinelli had to go throw in the first half before improving his overall game the final two months. If given a consistent role, I believe Pinelli can have a breakout season and should start the season at 2C. Like Studnicka, Pinelli can play five-on-five, power play, and kill penalties, while having more offensive upside.

Which way will Marco Sturm go? That’s the question. My projection is Pinelli at 2C and Studnicka at 3C with Pinelli given power play time and Studnicka killing penalties.

Fourth-line center

This one is a no-brainer. Samuel Helenius will be the fourth-line center for the Reign on opening night. That’s his role and this year will be a big year for his development if he wants a future in the NHL as a 4C. If he’s playing 3C like he was in the playoffs, which he played his role fine, then that’s a problem. He shouldn’t be above any of the previous three players on the depth chart. Helenius will need to be stronger, continue to establish a physical identity, and kill penalties again, while continuing to improve in the offensive end.

Other options

Kaleb Lawrence and Shawn Element are other options for the Reign at center. If an injury arises, then one of these players can slide into the lineup in the bottom six at center and play wing, too, if needed. If any of these two players are in the lineup for opening night then it’s as a winger or someone has come down with an injury.

Who are your four starting centers for the Reign on opening night?

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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