Christian Wolanin recalled, Alex Edler placed on IR

The LA Kings made a couple of roster moves on Sunday, sending Alex Edler to the injured reserve while recalling Christian Wolanin from the Ontario Reign of the AHL.

The @LAKings have made the following player transactions:

Christian Wolanin (D) has been recalled from the @ontarioreign (AHL).

Alex Edler (D) has been placed on injured reserve.

— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) December 12, 2021

On Saturday, Edler was checked into the boards by Brandon Duhaime in the Kings’ 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. However, the veteran defenseman could not put any weight on his left leg as he headed off the ice and down the tunnel.

Todd McLellan was quick to respond to Edler’s timetable and if the injury was a week-to-week thing:

“No. Longer than that. It’s going to be long-term,” he said.

Wolanin was recently claimed off waivers from Buffalo but spent half the season last year in Los Angeles split between the AHL and NHL roster. He played in just five games combined but developed a level of trust with the coaching staff.

He also played well at the World Championships in Riga, Latvia for Team USA and re-signed with the Kings before he was placed on waivers in October. Now back with the Kings, the 26-year-old could be looking at an expanded role with the club than initially anticipated.

Depending on the severity of Edler’s injury, combined with his age and contract status, the Kings could look into players that are potentially available on the trade market – Jakob Chychrun, anyone?

Edler had one goal and 10 assists in 26 games, good for the second-most points among defensemen on the Kings roster. On the surface, Wolanin doesn’t appear to bring the same offensive skillset that Edler does, which could prompt a move to look outside the organization.

For now, expect Wolanin to play on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

LA Kings: Alex Edler to be Out “Long-Term” According to Todd McLellan