Joel Edmundson is day-to-day, and the Los Angeles Kings gave Kirill Kirsanov a look on Saturday.
Peter Laviolette offered the update Saturday, and he didn't go beyond the day-to-day label.
That leaves plenty of room for worry. The regular season opens Wednesday in Colorado, and four days isn't much of a runway.
Why Kirsanov? Laviolette said the defenseman "played well in camp" and deserved the chance.
There was a practical side, too. Erik Gustafsson had already played two preseason games and wasn't eligible Saturday.
Still, the coach didn't frame it as a default choice. Kirsanov earned it, at least in Laviolette's telling, and that's a real vote of confidence in a crowded camp.
Opening night in Colorado is four days away for the Kings' blue line
The Kings handled the rest. They beat Anaheim 6-2 on Saturday to even their preseason record at 2-2.
Nobody cares much about the scoreboard in September. The lineup card on Wednesday is what matters.
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Laviolette, hired in June, is still shaping his first Kings blue line. Losing Edmundson for any stretch makes that job a lot harder.
The big money on that back end belongs to Drew Doughty, who carries an $11,000,000 cap hit.
If Edmundson isn't fully ready, Laviolette shouldn't force him into Wednesday's lineup. Kirsanov has given him a reason to wait.
Day-to-day is the hockey version of "I'll call you back." It could mean an hour, or it could mean next week.
Ken Holland built this roster to win now, with Artemi Panarin at $11,000,000 and Adrian Kempe at $10,625,000.
A team with that much invested up front needs its defense sorted from the first puck drop.
The win over Anaheim was the final tune-up. The next time the Kings take the ice in a game, it counts.
After Colorado, they visit San Jose on October 3 and host Florida on October 6.
The next update on Edmundson will say a lot. If he's still day-to-day by Tuesday, Kirsanov's audition could turn into an opening-night job.
Should the Kings keep Kirill Kirsanov in the lineup even when Joel Edmundson is ready?
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