Kyle Garcia With training camp right around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Blake Lizotte!
Blake Lizotte
Biography
Birthdate: December 13, 1997
Birthplace: Lindstrom, Minnesota
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 185 lbs
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Drafted: Undrafted; signed an entry-level deal with the LA Kings in 2019
2021-2022 Season
The 2021-2022 campaign was a great one for Blake Lizotte. Entering preseason, Lizotte wasn’t guaranteed a spot at the center position. The Kings planned to go with Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault, Gabriel Vilardi, and Quinton Byfield down the middle to start the year. With Byfield getting hurt in the final preseason game, Lizotte was given the fourth-line center spot on opening night.
It’s safe to say Lizotte took that fourth-line center spot and just ran away with it. His overall numbers in 70 games played for the season were 10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points, and a +15 rating. Lizotte has also improved in the face-off circle each year, and his 51.6% in 2021-2022 was top five on the team.
He was also great at puck possession. Lizotte’s CF% at 5-on-5 last season was 56.8% which was his best in his short career so far. With the Minnesota native’s CF% over 50%, that meant the Kings were spending more time in the opponents’ zone than their own while their fourth line was on the ice.
(Stats courtesy of hockey reference)
Blake Lizotte is 5'8". Blake Lizotte is in the NHL because he plays with PASSION.
The energy on this goal is infectious. The relentless forecheck. Gets right back up after getting knocked down. The celebration. It's unreal.
Kids…if you want to make it…play with passion. pic.twitter.com/xvR7TXqwdn
— Topher Scott (@HockeyThinkTank) January 19, 2022
2022-2023 Outlook
Lizotte isn’t going anywhere. His hard work from last season earned him a two-year extension and will keep him around until 2024. It’s safe to say that Lizotte has solidified himself as the 4C in LA. He’s a great energy guy that hustles, works great in the corner, and does a good job with puck possession.
He’s a great player to have on that fourth line for Todd McLellan’s system. He even earned McLellan’s trust in critical situations, and I would expect the head coach to have that same trust in him again this season. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t much of a Blake Lizotte supporter heading into the season, but his play on the fourth line won me over, and he earned that contract he got. Good for him!
(Main photo credit: Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)