While they haven't had a full game together yet, Lizotte is excited about the potential of his line with Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Lewis.

Every summer Los Angeles Kings Blake Lizotte seems to go through the same external narrative.

People make comments that some young player like Alex Turcotte, or previously Rasmus Kupari, should take his spot in the lineup. Or, as has been the case this year, he should be moved to free up cap.

I'm even guilty of this myself, I've made similar comments about Lizotte in the past. However, every summer Lizotte comes into camp and earns his spot.

Someone has to come and take it from him and they never do. 

It's also a narrative that Lizotte is aware of and he's learned how to earn his keep in the NHL.

"Yeah, oftentimes people say it takes a lot of hard work to get there but it takes even more to stay," said Lizotte. "So, I think as you go on, this is my fifth year in the league now, you just have to get smarter with your training, just with 82 games and your body. It takes more work each and every year to stay. You know, my stallmate Trevor Lewis, I don't know how many years he's been in the league now but he's a prime example of that. He works harder now than probably he ever has and it shows. I feel like that's something I take with me each and every summer."

That hard work is clearly noticed by coaches who are always positive when talking about Lizotte.

After spending most of last season as the third-line center, frequently playing with Gabe Vilardi and Kevin Fiala, Lizotte is now moving back into a fourth-line role after the acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois.

While they haven't had a full game together yet, Lizotte is excited about the potential of his line with Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Lewis.

"I love it," said Lizotte. "In preseason we had a couple games, super comfortable with both of them. Both of them are very mature players, specifically Trevor. Predictable, responsible, always makes the right decision. So, playing with a guy like him is always super fun and easy. We get along great, so I think there's chemistry there. I'm excited to get back to playing 12 forwards coming up. Yeah, I feel good."

Lizotte is entering the last season of his contract and with cap constraints maybe the Kings let him walk this summer. Or, as has always been the case during his time in Los Angeles, Lizotte will come back and command a spot on the roster.

Either way, he's developed into one of the better bottom-six centers in the league and won't be going anywhere in the immediate future.