Brooks Laich’s time with the Los Angeles Kings is nearing an end. Multiple sources are reporting that Brooks Laich’s professional tryout agreement has ended, although the forward will skate with the team over the course of the next few days.
In Laich’s brief, one-game run with the Kings, he scored a game-winning overtime goal against the Vegas Golden Knights. Laich was attempting to return to the NHL after an injury-filled season in which he spent the year in the AHL and tallied only one goal from the Marlies’ fourth line.
John Hoven of mayorsmanor.com was the first to break the news.
LA Kings will be releasing Brooks Laich from PTO. Final roster decisions coming, majority have been clear for quite some time.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) October 1, 2017
It was later confirmed by Curtis Zupke, Kings beat writer for the Los Angeles Times.
Can confirm that Brooks Laich's PTO is over but he's expected to remain with the team the next few days.
— Curtis Zupke (@curtiszupke) October 2, 2017
The former Capital mainstay was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016. After finishing the year with the NHL club, Laich was demoted to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. A lack of production and inconsistent health would mar the season for Laich, who left the club to rehab at home in Los Angeles after having season-ending surgery.
Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider said Laich, who married Julianne Hough over the summer, will continue to practice with the team.
Brooks Laich’s PTO has also expired without the forward having received an NHL contract. I’ve been told that it is possible that he may still skate at Toyota Sports Center, essentially practicing with the team, but I don’t have any indication that there is a future that will be bound by ink and paper.
Laich spent Sunday evening at an Imagine Dragons show with Hough.
Let’s go @imaginedragons – showtime! pic.twitter.com/arUt3pH684
— Brooks Laich (@brookslaich) October 2, 2017
Headline photo: @NHLPA
