The Los Angeles Kings have traded for forward Jan Jeník from the Ottawa Senators, sending defenseman Samuel Bolduc in return. This move involves players with experience in both the AHL and NHL. The transaction highlights ongoing roster adjustments in professional hockey.
The Los Angeles Kings announced the acquisition of forward Jan Jeník from the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, in a deal that sees defenseman Samuel Bolduc head to Ottawa. Jeník, a 23-year-old Czech native, has appeared in 41 games for the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, during the current season. In those contests, he recorded nine goals and eight assists, totaling 17 points.
Over his AHL career spanning six seasons, Jeník has suited up for 258 games with Belleville and the Tucson Roadrunners, amassing 67 goals and 99 assists for 166 points. Selected in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, Jeník has also logged 24 NHL games with the Coyotes and Senators, where he notched four goals and two assists.
In exchange, the Kings part ways with Samuel Bolduc, a 23-year-old defenseman who has played 56 games this season with the Kings' AHL team, the Ontario Reign. Bolduc contributed five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in those outings. Across 267 career AHL games over six professional seasons with Ontario and the Bridgeport Islanders, he has tallied 33 goals and 80 assists, totaling 113 points.
Bolduc was chosen in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders and has appeared in 52 NHL games, all with the Islanders, recording four goals and four assists. This trade reflects the fluid nature of player development and team-building in the American Hockey League and NHL systems, as both clubs seek to bolster their lineups with complementary talents.