LA Kings send Russian Slava Voynov to the team’s AHL affiliate

Los Angeles Kings have decided to send the young Russian defenseman Slava Voynov to the club’s AHL affiliate in Manchester.

The 22-year-old rookie has played in 26 games, totalling four goals and seven assists, tying him for seventh among rookie defensemen with 11 points.

According to Kings’ head coach Darryl Sutter, Voynov’s play has been solid but he wasn’t familiar enough with the personnel on opposing teams.

«He’s just got to play. He’s a good player. That’s what is disappointing. I know how he feels. He’s got to play,» the coach told LA Insider.

«It’s a numbers thing. We needed the forwards, right? That’s what you do. Then, in the next three or four weeks, that changes because of the way the roster changes after the deadline, and the movement you can make. This is an opportunity for those kids to prove themselves. Slava is good. I’m not saying that because he’s 22. He’s a good player. He’s every bit as good as defensemen that are playing, and aren’t playing, in this league,’’ Sutter explained.