Kings Going Russian: Loktionov up for Penner, Voynov Back in for Martinez

Here comes that man...Slava Voynov...

The Kings announced Dustin Penner’s trip to the injured reserve on Sunday due to a hand injury, which all but solidified the move to bring up Andrei Loktionov that they announced today. Loktionov had 14 points in 17 games down in Manchester and will fill the (wide) gap for Penner, as the second line left winger, alongside Mike Richards and Dustin Brown. Here’s how the team practiced this morning, according to Rich Hammond.

Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Loktionov-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Hunter
Moreau/Fraser/Richardson/Lewis/Westgarth

Loktionov struggled last season on the wing and played a lot better at center. However, with Mike Richards and Dustin Brown able to open up space, Loktionov may find a home on the second line this time around. Plus, much like Voynov a little last in this post, he definitely has the chance of winning the spot and bouncing Penner to the third line upon his return

As for Alec Martinez, the Kings’ official Twitter feed announced a “likely” trip to the IR following an upper body injury in Saturday’s home game against Minnesota. According to Hammond, Martinez “was checked shoulder-first into the boards late in the first period Saturday but returned for the start of the second period.”

What’s it mean for the Kings? Quite simply the return of Slava Voynov. The last time we saw the Russian defender, he scored two goals in a road game at Dallas. The Kings as a team were 4-1 during the Voynov era at the start of the season, including three shutouts in his first three games. This possibly could be the time Voynov sticks in the NHL and forces the hand of Dean Lombardi when Martinez comes back. But, we shall see…

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