Los Angeles Kings‘ 6th year center Andrew Crescenzi(21) is starting to assert his large frame into the power forward the team projected he could become when they signed him to a three year entry level deal after his third year of juniors, then re-upped him on extension for the last few seasons.
His size definitely plays into the style of his current club and a somewhat quick start on the score sheet (3 goals, 1 assist, 12 AHL games) in the new campaign has earned him a first NHL recall from affiliate Ontario Reign.
In a pair of games he skated an average of 14 shifts for under 10 minutes of total ice with 4 hits, 1 takeaway, 2 penalty minutes and went 50% on the face-off dot in unfortunately two losses.
If the 25-year old can keep up his scoring in the minors, he should be asked to stick around regardless of getting another chance in the big league this season but we fully expect him to get another look.
Andrew Crescenzi (21)
Los Angeles Kings‘ 6th year center Andrew Crescenzi(21) is starting to assert his large frame into the power forward the team projected he could become when they signed him to a three year entry level deal after his third year of juniors, then re-upped him on extension for the last few seasons.
His size definitely plays into the style of his current club and a somewhat quick start on the score sheet (3 goals, 1 assist, 12 AHL games) in the new campaign has earned him a first NHL recall from affiliate Ontario Reign.
In a pair of games he skated an average of 14 shifts for under 10 minutes of total ice with 4 hits, 1 takeaway, 2 penalty minutes and went 50% on the face-off dot in unfortunately two losses.
If the 25-year old can keep up his scoring in the minors, he should be asked to stick around regardless of getting another chance in the big league this season but we fully expect him to get another look.
Andrew Crescenzi(21) Manchester Monarchs
Undrafted 3rd year, large but low-scoring center Andrew Crescenzi(21) was involved in a mid-season deal that sent him from Toronto Maple Leafs‘ system to Los Angeles Kings, where they like their forwards big.
Skating in only 14 AHL games with Manchester Monarchs, he found himself to be a healthy scratch on more occasions than he likely considered.
The 6’5″ 208 lbs. pivot enters his contract season and has to be thinking it’s high time to make an impression.
Although it’s a modest boost, in 31 games he’s already tied his 2 goal mark and has new career highs with 3 assists and 5 points with half the regular season remaining.
He’s also firing the puck on net with much more frequency and is asserting his size into play.
The only 22-year old was hardly a hefty scorer in three years in the OHL with Kitchener Rangers but did put up almost a point-per-game in his final campaign before turning pro.
He’ll have to connect with the score sheet with more frequency to be given a qualifying offer to stay in the system but it’s still a long climb for the big man.