RealGM

Jack Johnson was expected to be out until after the all-star break, as he recovers from surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his shoulder, but Johnson's recovery is going faster than expected and he might return a month ahead of schedule. That could put him in line for a late-December return, but that depends on his continued progress.

There are already talks that upon Johnson's return, the Kings might be intrigued by a defensive pairing of Johnson and Drew Doughty.