"As long as Drew Doughty remains unsigned — and there's no telling when the restricted free-agent defenseman's dispute with the Kings will be resolved — Thomas Hickey and Viatcheslav Voynov will continue to dream their NHL dreams.

Each made a solid impression in the Kings' first Staples Center exhibition Wednesday and stayed in firm contention for a roster spot.

Voynov, who was given Doughty's locker at the Kings' practice rink Wednesday morning, came to the net to poke in a loose puck during a power play and Hickey had a goal disallowed on a dubious goaltender interference call on teammate Kyle Clifford. More important than the Kings' 2-1 shootout loss in a split-squad game against the Phoenix Coyotes was that Hickey, 22, and Voynov, 21, looked poised and determined to seize their opportunity."