The Kings recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. Gravel’s addition likely means Alec Martinez won’t play in Game 2 of the Kings’ first-round playoff series against the San Jose Sharks. Martinez played 11:43 in the first two periods of Game 1 on Thursday, a 4-3 victory by the Sharks. He didn’t play in the third period, however.
The Kings on Tuesday assigned forward Nic Dowd and defenseman Kevin Gravel to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. Neither was expected to play with the Kings during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They will be counted on with the Reign during the upcoming Calder Cup playoffs, however.
The Kings on Wednesday assigned goaltender Peter Budaj to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. They recalled him on an emergency basis last Thursday in order to replace an injured Jonathan Quick. Quick is sound again after suffering an lower-body injury and missing three games. Budaj appeared in one game, a 5-4 overtime victory Friday over the New York Rangers. It was his first victory in the NHL since April 4, 2014 while with the Montreal Canadiens.
The Ducks re-assigned goaltender Anton Khudobin to the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, which means John Gibson is sound again after suffering an upper-body injury in Saturday’s victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Gibson didn’t dress for the past two games, a pair of Ducks victory over the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames.
The Ducks also sent defenseman Korbinian Hozler to the Gulls on a conditioning assignment. He has played only 18 games with the Ducks this season, recording one assist. He last played in a Jan. 23 victory over the Red Wings in Detroit.
The Kings assigned defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League on Thursday, after he cleared waivers earlier in the day. They also recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from Ontario to take Ehrhoff’s spot on the roster and summoned Reign goalie Peter Budaj on an emergency recall.
Budaj was recalled to serve as a backup to Jhonas Enroth after Jonathan Quick suffered an injury during the Kings’ 9-2 victory Tuesday over the Boston Bruins. Quick was said to be day-to-day, but Thursday was not his day. The 33-year-old Budaj led the AHL with 26 victories, a 1.58 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and eight shutouts.
Gravel, 23, was called up to the NHL for the first time. The former St. Cloud State standout had 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 42 games for the Reign.
Kings defenseman Christian Ehrhoff cleared waivers Thursday at 9 a.m., and that wasn’t a big surprise. The Kings could send him to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, clearing the way to recall defenseman Kevin Gravel.
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The Kings placed defenseman Christian Ehrhoff on waivers Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Teams have until 9 a.m. Thursday to claim him. Ehrhoff had two goals and 11 points in 40 games in his first season with the Kings, who signed him last summer to a one-season, $1.5-million contract. He played last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Buffalo Sabres bought him out of the final seven seasons of a 10-year, $40-million contract.
The Kings on Tuesday assigned defensemen Jeff Schultz and Nick Ebert to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, which was an odd move since they never joined the big club after their recall Monday. Schultz and Ebert practiced with the Reign on Tuesday and stayed put. The Kings are hunkered down at a resort outside of Montreal while awaiting Thursday’s game against the Canadiens.
The Kings also placed defenseman Matt Greene (shoulder surgery) on long-term IR.
The Ducks on Tuesday assigned goaltender Anton Khudobin to the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League, after he cleared waivers earlier in the day. The move means Frederik Andersen and John Gibson will battle for the Ducks’ No. 1 spot in goal. Khudobin’s departure for the minor leagues also gives the Ducks $950,000 in salary-cap relief. He is owed $2.25 million this season.
Khudobin was 3-3-0 with a 2.70 goals-against average for the Ducks this season.
Ducks left wing Jiri Sekac scored a goal, fired two shots on net and had a plus-1 defensive rating during the San Diego Gulls’ 5-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda in an AHL game Saturday at SAP Center. The Ducks assigned Sekac to the Gulls on a long-term conditioning loan earlier in the day. Sekac suffered a sprained ankle during the Ducks’ victory Nov. 1 over the Nashville Predators. He could rejoin the Ducks’ lineup for a four-game trip that begins Thursday in Buffalo.