No absurd rumors regarding Dustin Brown, a Steven Stamkos trade to the LA Kings or Doughty demanding $10 million circulating the internet? The mongers must have taken a day off. For those looking for Tapas sized news you may not read anywhere else about some camp players, here you go... If Tyler Toffoli looks like he is struggling just a bit out there, it's because the kid has a stomach bug. … [Read more...]
WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALEC?
December 6, 2010 By
Not the Baldwin. Martinez. He has been a hockey godsend. Willie will be back in about a week. Our top 4 will stabilize. That leaves Greene, Martinez, Whiskey and Harrold + a potential Muzzin but not likely with the already existing log jam for 5 and 6. Assuming Whiskey doesn't become a fixture as a fourth line left wing (I am only partially kidding because we all know there are no fixtures to … [Read more...]
ALEC MARTINEZ: MONARCH. KING. ACCOUNTANT.
November 23, 2010 By
The AHL Providence Bruin blog, Something's Bruin, recently did an interview with Monarch's, and now Kings' defenseman, Alec Martinez. Along with fellow assistant captains Thomas Hickey, Oscar Moller and captain Marc-Andre Cliche, Martinez will lead a team with a real shot at placing first in the division and with the talent to clench the Calder Cup. Martinez is well-spoken, hard working and … [Read more...]
KINGS @ BUFFALO SABRES GAME PREVIEW
November 19, 2010 By
One word. Defense. Two words. Goals Against. Three words. Play better defense. I could add a fourth, but then I'd have to start cursing and it's just to early for that kind of noise. So, with defense in mind, are any more words really necessary? Well, maybe, offense. But only because Ryan Miller is tending net for the enemy. Not only is Miller one of … [Read more...]
SCRIBE’S QUICK HITS
November 9, 2010 By
- It's time to make a decision on Clifford. The 19-year-old boy in a man's body with a Genghis style mean streak is either going to play Thursday or go to Juniors. God help those kids in Juniors if he is sent down. All I see is blood and pain. - Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi, season II. That is according to Murray. So the question is now, Matt Greene and Jack Johnson? Davis Drewiske and Peter … [Read more...]
CRAPPY ANSWERS RAISE INTRIGUING QUESTIONS – MITCHELL, PONIKAROVSKY INJURED
November 8, 2010 By
You probably already know the crappy part. Willie Mitchell has a fractured wrist. Not expected back until early-mid December. Alexei Ponikarovsky broke a finger. Don't plan on seeing him in a game until early December either. Well this sucks. Losing Ponikarovsky hurts the overall team speed and size. Losing Mitchell screws up the top pairing. Both are big parts of the Kings' … [Read more...]
HEY LOKI, IT WAS FUN
November 2, 2010 By
NHL stint #1 for Andrei Loktionov has come to an end. Today "Loki" was assigned to the Manchester Monarchs. The Kings skated in practice with Scott Parse on the first line, a good sign for an imminent return of the projected top 6 winger. Ponikarovsky is not at practice... but we don't know why. My guess is he is not going to Manchester. I know, a real shot in the dark. Hard to say … [Read more...]
HELLO MUZZIN, GOODBYE MUZZIN, HELLO MUZZIN. DOUGHTY TO IR
October 25, 2010 By
Today, Jake Muzzin was recalled from Manchester. Well that was fast. Unfortunately it is because Drew Doughty was placed on IR today, retroactive to October 21st. Far as I can tell, the injured reserve rule is that a player must be out of action for at least 7 days. Retroactive to October 21st puts Doughty at 5 days. This means that the earliest Doughty could return, assuming he stays … [Read more...]
MUZZIN TO MANCHESTER…FOR NOW.
October 24, 2010 By
Surly and I were bummed...we didn't want to see this kid go. He showed such promise and the acumen of a player that belongs on the big club. Alas, we all know why this happened. With Matt Greene's return and Doughty only being out a little while longer, we have too many defensemen. Jake doesn't have to clear waivers. Drewiske does. As much as we like Whiskey and taking nothing away from his hard … [Read more...]
KINGS @ AVALANCHE GAME PREVIEW
October 23, 2010 By
Matt Greene. You know him. You love him. Tonight, the Av's forwards will regret seeing him. Greene will play his first game of the season tonight after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. The wrecking ball that he is, Matt has already left Jake Muzzin in his wake, knocking Muzz out of the lineup for the first time this season. We must also credit Peter Harrold, who will … [Read more...]
MURRAY: “IT’S NOT GOING TO BE A HARD CALL” IS A BAD CALL
October 18, 2010 By
Hammond asked Terry Murray whether he would have a tough choice when Greene returns. The question (though Rich did not post it verbatim) appeared to ask about the choice between Drewiske and Muzzin. Our coach responded: Whiskey has played well. I like a lot of Whiskey’s game right now. He’s coming back from a finish that wasn’t where it needed to be, and he’s showing a lot of confidence … [Read more...]
IN FOCUS: JAKE MUZZIN
October 18, 2010 By
Jake Muzzin was the subject of our first "IN FOCUS", a new feature to our site that centers attention on one player for a series of games and breaks down his play, strengths and areas in need of improvement. Though Jake is a rookie, Surly and I got a head start by watching him closely both in rookie and training camp. Most importantly, we analyzed his play in games 1 through 4. Here is what we … [Read more...]
FOR THE LOVE OF HOCKEY MOMS – AN INTERVIEW WITH JUDY MUZZIN
October 13, 2010 By
Every season, NHL teams offer promising rookies a chance to make the big club. Those that come from North America often share a common road - standout players who start the sport young, excel among their peers and pave their way to Juniors or Colleges until effort, a growing maturity and talent intersect to merit the attention of scouts, agents and ultimately teams at the National Hockey League … [Read more...]
NEW KINGS POLL: ROOKIE FEVER
October 11, 2010 By
We've had two games to watch some of our new rookies in action. How do you feel about their effectiveness thus far? Who do you think will stick it out for the long haul? We'll throw in Lewis and Loktionov for good measure, even though we haven't seen them dress yet. You may feel this is premature, but hey, that's what predictions are for! Pick as many as you like. … [Read more...]
BRINGING JAKE MUZZIN INTO FOCUS
October 9, 2010 By
Surly told you of our first player "Focus", rookie defenseman Jake Muzzin. I will tell you specifically what I intend to focus on. Surly may have additional areas as each of our evaluations will be independent. 1. The Blue Line: Attackers through the neutral zone mean defensemen play at their blue line, back. How will Jake force the play to the outside or neutralize it? 2. Lanes: If the … [Read more...]
IN FOCUS: WE START WITH JAKE MUZZIN
October 8, 2010 By
As promised, we will pick a player for a chunk of games and focus on his performance. We will choose different players as we go along. Bobby and I talked and came up with our first - the promising rookie on defense - Jake Muzzin. Seeing as how he is about to kick off his NHL career, he may as well help us kick off this new feature. With game 1 right around the corner tomorrow night in … [Read more...]
KINGS TAKE ON DUCKS IN FINAL PRESEASON GAME WITHOUT A FIRST LINE
October 3, 2010 By
Here is how the Kings will skate tonight in the final preseason game against the birds: Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Simmonds Richardson-Stoll-Williams Clifford-Schenn-Westgarth Clune-Loktionov-Lewis Muzzin-Doughty Scuderi-Johnson Drewiske-Harrold Jonathan Bernier will be in net and will play the entire game. Notice something missing? Kopitar, Smyth and Brown. No truth to the rumors that … [Read more...]
LOS ANGELES KINGS SEASON PREVIEW: A GOOD DEFENSE, THE FINAL PIECES
September 14, 2010 By
Part three of this series brings us to the final defensive pairing, which may not be a pairing at all but rather a trio. Some teams, Kings included, do carry seven defensemen from time to time. For now, we focus on the bottom two, a picture that became more clear post rookie camp. MATT GREENE "You've bled with Wallace...now bleed with Greene!" Our returning warrior has a new ally with … [Read more...]
WHO I WILL BE WATCHING AT THE KINGS’ ROOKIE CAMP…
September 10, 2010 By
Here is a roster of the Kings' rookie camp participants. Teubert and Schenn will not be present, as you already know. The players in bold are the ones I am most interested in and will be watching closely. For those who are not able to attend and have a special interest in a player, leave us a comment below and name the one player you would like us to watch closely and about whom to report. We … [Read more...]
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