Looks like he’s finally getting a chance to stick in the NHL.
And the results have predictably been pretty good. He’s barely playing (7:23 per game), but has 3 points in those 8 games, which per 60 has him second on the team in P/60. Had a hard work assist last night by winning back a puck. +/- can be deceiving, but with no special teams time for him, it’s less so. +4 in less than 60 total minutes. Team is 6-1-1 with him in the lineup. Pretty decent analytics.
Next step is more ice time. They need to move him off center for that. Kopitar, PLD, and Danault take up so much TOI that the 4C isn’t going to get much. He’s 50% on draws, which is good for a rookie and he’s an NHL center, but also it’d be better that he plays more and he could certainly fit in the Kings top 9, especially given some of their injuries.