After season abroad, Prust aims to crack Kings' roster on PTO

Brandon Prust believes he has a real shot at cracking the Los Angeles Kings' roster on a professional tryout in training camp.

Kings player assistance director Brantt Myhres extended Prust the offer following a meeting with new general manager Rob Blake, and the belief is the 33-year-old winger can help the club with his rugged style of play.

"Brantt asked what I'd think of coming out on a PTO and I told him I thought it would be pretty sweet," Prust said, per Dave Stubbs of NHL.com. "He said there were some changes in L.A. and they see me fitting in the lineup if I come to camp and put on a good show."

Prust last played in the NHL on Jan. 19, 2016, waived by Vancouver shortly thereafter. He was hindered by a serious ankle injury that season, but he attended Toronto's training camp last year after being fully cleared to resume playing.

He ended up plying his trade in Germany with the Nurnberg Ice Tigers last season, and will consider going back to Europe if this opportunity with the Kings doesn't pan out.

"But my main focus is making the Kings," he said. "I'll take the same approach to L.A. that I had in Toronto. It just didn't end up working out last fall, even though I thought I'd played pretty well. I'll try to do that again."

In 486 career games, he's racked up 40 goals, 75 assists, and 1,036 penalty minutes, an indication of where his skill set lies. That he's on the verge of reaching the 500-game milestone is a testament to his dedication to the game.

Prust added, "I'd probably have played 700 by now if I hadn't had the injuries I've had, but that's the game. I'm definitely proud of what I've accomplished and how far I've come, but you always want more."

Fittingly, the Kings will kick off their preseason schedule with a pair of games against Vancouver in China on Sept. 21 and 23.

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