Kings Kid Oscar Moller To Start Season in AHL

In a move that surprised a lot of outsiders, Oscar Moller was cut during the Kings preseason camp and was sent down to their AHL affiliate in Manchester. Looking at the roster, the move to let Moller continue to develop looks like it was the right move to start the season. I, for one, can’t help but think about where he’d be in his development process had last year been handled differently.

When Moller made the team out of training camp last season, most people were looking to see how he’d respond to the bigger and faster players at the NHL level. He’d proven in the WHL that he could produce despite being one of the smallest players on the ice. His 39 goals at Chilliwack showed that he had the hands of a man that knew how to put the biscuit in the basket. It was only natural for the Kings to give him a strong look in training camp.

Partly due to the lack of NHL ready forwards last season; and partly due to last year’s forwards underwhelming in training camp, Moller found himself getting a quick look at the beginning of the NHL season. Just looking at him in the first game, you could see that he was a smart player with good hands that could develop into a scorer that the Kings desperately need. But just as obvious was his lack of size and strength. He was the poster child of a player that had NHL written all over him–yet still needed a year or two for his body to develop. It was with that mindset that I watched him feel his way through the first 9 games of the season.

But a funny thing happened on his way to that quick NHL preview. No one else stepped up on the Kings team and Moller showed that he had the potential to score goals sooner than later. So instead of sending him back to Juniors to mature, he stuck with the Kings. And thus began his NHL career. No matter what he did after that 10th game, the Kings management had already decided that it was the appropriate time to start the clock on his entry level contract. There was no going back.

Hindsight is always 20/20—meaning last year’s decision was easy to question after the season. The Kings finished at the bottom of the standings, they were the worst scoring team 5-on-5 and Moller battled a shoulder injury he suffered half way through the season. Kings management made the decision to allow Moller to participate with Team Sweden in the World Junior Championships because they thought it would be a good learning experience for one of the glowing prospects. With Sweden, he was given the captaincy on the international stage. They decided that it would be best for his long-term growth to experience wearing the “C” on one of the biggest stages. Then again, they didn’t plan on him injuring his shoulder which took him out for the majority of the season. When management decided to keep him in the NHL, they must have envisioned more than 40 games.

“It is a special opportunity for young kids to play in that tournament… The pressure in that tournament for a young player is pretty significant, and it’s a big thing for their growth to play in that tournament. It’s a great thing for his continued development, especially because they told us he was going to be one of their captains.” –Dean Lombardi (LA Times)

Let me be clear: I thought sending Moller to the WJC was the right decision when they made it and almost a year later I still think it was the right decision. Filling a leadership role for his country was an experience that all the 3rd line minutes and power play time in the world could never compete with. Leading Tre Kronor, he earned a Silver Medal and learned how to deal with pressure that he wasn’t going to deal with while on the Kings last season. When I look at an 18 year old, I want growth as much as I want production. If you want a guy to grow and mature, there was no better option than acting as captain for a world power.

However, I was never 100% sold on the idea of Moller making the jump to the NHL level last season. I loved watching him play and I still have high hopes for him while wearing the crown on his chest, but he simply doesn’t pass the eyeball test. It’s like what Supreme Court Justice Stewart said about pornography, “I know it when I see it.” Likewise, I know a player that’s physically ready for the NHL when I see him—and Moller wasn’t quite ready.

That brings us L.A.’s decision to send Oscar Moller to the AHL in the Kings second round of training camp cuts this weekend. When the Kings decided that he should stay with the big club last season, which was a huge step in the direction of his development. Instead of entering his final season in Juniors (which would have been completely acceptable in his development), he was attempting to make an NHL team that he’s not physically ready for. As he’s sent to the Manchester Monarchs, he’s in the 2nd year of his NHL contract. From a financial and organizational standpoint, it’s a complete misuse of the Kings rights with Moller.

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That was the backdrop entering this season’s training camp.  Teddy Purcell producing (and impressing) in training camp might be the single biggest reason that Moller was sent down to the AHL. With Purcell showing signs that he will be able play an offensive role, he started a musical chair effect that left Moller without a seat at the NHL table. Purcell producing enables the coaching staff to put him at wing on the 2nd line.  Ironically, it was Purcell that the coaching staff expected to step up during last year’s training camp.  Better late than never, right?

With the hole on the 2nd line filled, the coaching staff is able to put Alexander Frolov on the 3rd line with Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds (something they would love to do). That means the only roster spots available are on the 4th line—an energy line for the Kings. For all of the talent and potential Oscar Moller possesses, he lacks the size and strength for the physical play at the NHL level. A step in the right direction was the 6 pounds of muscle he added in the offseason. Unfortunately, a smallish 186 pound player isn’t the kind of guy that will create momentum on an energy line. Hence, his ticket to Manchester, NH.

If Purcell slips or the Kings desperately need an infusion of offense early in the season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Moller as an early season call-up. He’ll get top line minutes with the Monarchs and should have the opportunity to gain confidence as a sniper on the #1 power play unit.  Regardless, the Kings look like they might have a little more scoring depth than they thought they’d have.  What a difference a year makes.

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