I had the pleasure of interviewing Helene Elliott on September 19 of last year. If you have not read it, you are missing out. My goal then was to get to know the experienced and decorated L.A. Times Sports Columnist whom L.A. Kings fans applaud or frown toward for her no-nonsense articles. She was warm, charming, classy and so very generous with her time and the interview brought perspective to … [Read more...]
Fast Forward To Summer Of 2012…
August 18, 2011 By
Since this summer has been so slow with L.A. Kings news or anything of interest, I looked at what we have in store this time next year. RFAs? None! Imagine that. UFAs. Here they are: 1. Dustin Penner, $4.25 million 2. Jarret Stoll, $3.6 million 3. Scott Parse, $900,000.00 4. Colin Fra... 4. Kevin Westgarth, $525,000.00 5. Willie Mitchell, $3.5 million Let's say we don't add … [Read more...]
Let’s Do Lines
July 5, 2011 By
I promised I wouldn't do this anymore. I quit for an entire year. I resisted temptation though it was all around me. All my friends were doing it. Surly was doing it for a while...daily. This morning, I finally broke. I am off the wagon. Let's do some lines, LA style. The additions of Mike Richards and Simone Gagne, coupled with the subtraction of Michael Handzus, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Wayne … [Read more...]
THE ROYAL REPORT CARD, PART II: THE LA KINGS’ TOP SIX FORWARDS
May 6, 2011 By
Here is part II of Harry Halkidis' three part Royal Report Card Series In the second installment of this four part series, the performance of the Kings' top six forwards will be analyzed and graded. Anze Kopitar (A+): The Kings fans are blessed to have this rising star grow into a superstar. There are not many players who are considered elite offensive and defensive talents, and Kopitar is … [Read more...]
TERRY MURRAY LIKES DARTS
April 23, 2011 By
That is about the only explanation I have for the fourth line tonight. Either that or one of the countless lightning in a bottle theories that he has tried and fizzled or failed for the past three seasons as head coach. Sometimes, a person will say something that is a short cut to thinking. What Terry Murray has done is a short cut to coaching. Think he would admit it? If so, I imagine... Q: … [Read more...]
I WANT SOMEONE TO BLAME TOO
April 21, 2011 By
Terry Murray for being an inflexible and stubborn old man. Dustin Penner for being a coward. Jamie Kompon for walking through life still searching for a clue. Michael Handzus for having the game pass him by. Drew Doughty for being young and dumb. You pick a fight with Nichol and taking yourself off the ice...Nichol. Jesus. Jonathan Quick for letting in 12 goals in 2 games even if … [Read more...]
IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, LEAVE
April 20, 2011 By
As expected, a single night's sleep has done little to alleviate the anger and frustration generated by the Los Angeles Kings massive collapse against the San Jose Sharks in Game 3, in which they squandered 4-0 and 5-3 leads in the second period. If you find yourself so sick to the stomach you are convinced this series is over, I have a similar message as Bobby's from last night to convey, … [Read more...]
DUSTIN PENNER IS AN EMBARRASSMENT
April 14, 2011 By
I don't like Terry Murray's coaching and I do believe his "prevent offense" does nothing to bring out the best of the talent we have. However, Dustin Penner does not get that as an excuse when all he has shown us in the past couple of months is a player without heart and the will to play like he gives a damn about winning. It is embarrassing. I am embarrassed for him. A player who has a history of … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: KINGS BEAT SHARKS IN SHOOTOUT 4-3
March 24, 2011 By
I am not certain which was uglier - Joe Thornton's mug or the officiating. Let's compare. The morons in stripes called a phantom slashing penalty against Jarret Stoll (as a friend explained in a text, you can't "slash upward"), a second non-existent tripping penalty against Alec Martinez in the third period, missed several muggings behind the goal including a trip against Oscar Moller, … [Read more...]
CHECK THIS. CHECK THAT. THE LA KINGS JOURNEY CONTINUES
March 16, 2011 By
Having a real life talented first line left wing in Dustin Penner? Check Anze Kopitar coming alive as a result? Check Continuing to play excellent team defense? Check Drew Doughty looking like a star again? Check Jonathan Quick playing great? Check Jonathan Bernier playing just as well? Check Our head coach Terry Murray and/or powerplay coach Jamie Kompon having a mini lobotomy … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: GIVE THEM NOTHING. TAKE FROM THEM EVERYTHING!
March 13, 2011 By
First, I was like this... Then, like this... And with 20.8 seconds left... The LA Kings beat the Dallas Stars 3-2, have 83 points, jump over Dallas and the Chicago Blackhawks and are in fourth place. Michal Handzus (Zeuuuus!) played hero with exceptional honorable mention to Alexei Ponikarovsky (who also played a role in the first goal) and Wayne Simmonds for that all balls, … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: ANZE KOPITAR HAT TRICK PROPELS KINGS TO 4-2 VICTORY
March 12, 2011 By
Loved it. This game and last, the LA Kings have looked like a different team. Feet moving on the powerplay, quick tape to tape passes and, with limited exceptions, nothing stood stationary along the half boards. Even when they did not convert, the team had quality scoring chances. Add an already solid defense and a surging number two goaltender in Jonathan Bernier and LA Kings' fans received a … [Read more...]
SEVEN QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LA KINGS
March 8, 2011 By
1. Name the last Stanley Cup winning team with a poor and inconsistent power play and 5 on 3. 2. Name a post lockout Stanley Cup winning team that relied on a cycle along the boards - to the point as its offensive system. 3. Are Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams, Dustin Brown, Jarret Stoll, Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson excellent skaters? If yes, is speed really lacking in our top 6 forwards or … [Read more...]
VANCOUVER’S PROVINCE DOES Q&A WITH US ABOUT THE LA KINGS
March 4, 2011 By
Thought you would enjoy this. The boys at the Province's Kurtenblog did a Q&A with me about the LA Kings. Topics included the Penner trade, Dustin Brown, Quick v. Bernier, Willie Mitchell's performance, the playoffs and more. The link is here: Surly & Scribe talk puck with Kurtenblog … [Read more...]
COYOTES COME TO DOWN TO FACE DUSTIN PENNER’S DEBUT WITH THE CROWN
March 3, 2011 By
Tonight's the night boys and girls. Tonight we get to see the Kings' final answer to the first line LW problem. Tonight we get to see what Kopitar can do with a real talent. Tonight we find out if all the holes are filled. Tonight we shall decide if Penner is the right one. Tonight we kill the Phoenix Coyotes. Of course, though we will all be eager to pile on opinions, … [Read more...]
LA KINGS PLAYER PROFILE: DUSTIN PENNER AND EXPECTATIONS
March 1, 2011 By
Who is Dustin Penner? What does he bring? How will he help? Why does he fit? If you are as hockey obsessed as Surly & I, you may have read every article you could get your hands on from proclaimed (self and otherwise) experts, media, and bloggers about the Dustin Penner trade that sent Colten Popcorn Teubert, a 2011 1st round pick and a conditional 3rd to the Edmonton Oilers. But how … [Read more...]
DUSTIN PENNER IS A LOS ANGELES KING!
February 28, 2011 By
I am thrilled. Thrilled beyond words. We wrote an article about acquiring Dustin Penner about a month ago and went into detail about his game and value in a Q&A with an Edmonton Oilers' blogger. The trade is confirmed. We got him in exchange for Colten Teubert, a 1st round pick and a conditional pick (believed to be a 3rd rounder). Mark this trade under "steal". Colten Teubert may or … [Read more...]
VALUE OF DUSTIN PENNER TO THE LA KINGS: AN INSIDER’S VIEW
January 23, 2011 By
The word for the past month surrounding our LA Kings has been "murmurs". We have heard murmurs of friction within the Kings' locker room, though that scuttlebutt, to date, has been little scuttle and mostly butt. We have also heard murmurs of Dean Lombardi inquiring about certain players, including Dustin Penner and Mike Fisher (about whom we have an insider's view article in the works). Surly … [Read more...]
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