Geoff Walker, Karl Taylor on Walker’s return to Reign.

Geoff Walker looks like he’s in better shape than when we last saw him — the kind of shape a hockey player gets into by participating in an NHL rookie camp, an NHL training camp, then an AHL camp — and can only hope he didn’t lose too much of it by sitting in the Manchester Monarchs’ press box.

After being sent down by the Kings’ AHL affiliate, where he played just two scoreless games this season, Walker was practicing in Ontario for the first time Tuesday.

“They wanted me to come here and play some games, get back into playing games every day and being a regular game player, instead of being in and out,” Walker said. “I would have to say I’d rather be here playing some games, getting myself back into game shape, instead of not playing up there. You can backskate all you want, but it’s not the same as a game.”

Karl Taylor hasn’t seen much of Walker this year, but he has seen a number of players sent from the AHL to the ECHL struggle initially when it’s their first time being demoted.

“Usually they come down and they expect it to be too easy,” Taylor said. “Usually they struggle early on. Then they start to listen finally, then they recover and push back. That’s usually what occurs.”

At least in Walker’s case, he’ll have plenty of help shouldering the scoring load, something he did often in 2008-09. The 6-foot-3 right wing netted 48 points, tied for the team lead, and a team-high 21 goals.

“We still expect him to score,” Taylor said, “but there will be less pressure.”

And he’s come into a familiar environment. In addition to the 11 returning players from last season, Walker’s already gotten to know Dwight King and Michael Pelech, who joined him at the Kings’ training camp.

“Obviously, I was a little disappointed (to be sent down), but I’ve come to a great place,” Walker said. “There’s great guys on the team. It’s a lot easier to come somewhere you like being. You never want to get sent down. Hopefully I’ll work hard and get back up.”

Manchester is currently tied for the best record in the AHL with 19 points (9-2-1) which, Walker pointed out, makes their lineup a tough one to crack. Taylor didn’t specify whether a corresponding roster move would have to be made to accommodate Walker.

Here’s what Taylor said about Tuesday’s practice:

“We need to work on a few things. I thought this weekend we took a number of good steps forward. We worked on 5-on-3 power play stuff; we have to improve in that area. We worked on our neutral zone game, and also our breakouts. I felt the other team hemmed us in at times, gave us fits in our zone, and we need to be crisper and cleaner on our breakouts. “

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.