KINGS NOTES...
By Gann Matsuda
1-25-01 Last week, the LOS ANGELES TIMES reported on an incident in which fans at Staples Center who were holding signs demanding that the Los Angeles Kings sign defenseman Rob Blake to a new contract had those signs confiscated by Staples Center staff. In his article, "Toronto Never Lets Truth Get in Way," TIMES staff writer Elliott Teaford reported that "A league source said several King fans held up signs that read, "Pay Blake" at a recent game, but Staples Center ushers quickly moved in and stamped out the fans' 1st Amendment rights. Well done, fellows. Can't have anyone expressing a view that opposes team management" (LOS ANGELES TIMES, Tuesday, January 23, 2001, http://www.latimes.com/sports/nhl/20010123/t000006560.html). For their part, the Kings deny that they are in the business of censoring their fans. "The reason the signs were taken away was that they were being distributed inside the building," said Mike Altieri, Kings' Director of Media Relations and Team Services. "That is against building and NHL policies. You cannot distribute anything within the building without written permission from the NHL or Staples Center. The signs could have said 'Trade Blake' and the building would have taken them away." Altieri went on to say that a woman had photocopied a "giant stack" of the "Pay Blake" signs and was setting them on everyone's seat, which violated arena and NHL policies. "All Kings' fans are welcome to bring in one sign to voice any opinion they wish," said Altieri, who also said that the signs should be no larger than 11 inches x 17 inches and should not include vulgar language.1-17-01 On Wednesday, the National Hockey League announced that Los Angeles Kings right wing Ziggy Palffy has been selected to play on the World squad in the 2001 NHL All-Star Game in Denver on February 4. Palffy joins Rob Blake and Luc Robitaille (both named to the North American squad on Tuesday), who will also represent the Kings in the All-Star Game. Palffy played in his first All-Star Game in 1998 at Vancouver while playing for the New York Islanders. This is the third time he has been selected to play in the All-Star Game. 
1-16-01 On Tuesday, the National Hockey League announced that Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Blake and left wing Luc Robitaille have been named to the North American squad for the 2001 NHL All-Star Game in Denver on Sunday, February 4. Blake will appear in his fourth All-Star Game. Robitaille, who will make his eighth All-Star Game appearance, talked about what being named to the team meant to him. "This has been an incredible day," said Robitaille, who also scored two goals in a 7-6 overtime win at Ottawa on Tuesday night, moving him ahead of New York Islanders great Mike Bossy for 13th on the NHL's All-Time goal scoring list. "There was a time when I made the All-Star Game maybe five or six years in a row and it didn't mean as much. Then I went like five or six years without making it and I said, 'I will never take this for granted again.' It's great to go to those things and savor every moment." 1-13-01 On Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have loaned right wing Marko Tuomainen to the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL for conditioning purposes. Tuomainen will play in Monday's AHL All-Star Game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania and will then return to the Kings for their game at Ottawa on Tuesday, January 16. Tuomainen played in 35 games for Lowell before being signed to a one-year contract by the Kings. He led the Lock Monsters in goals, assists and points with 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points. 1-10-01 On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have assigned defenseman Kip Brennan from the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL to the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (Canadian Juniors). Brennan, 20, has played in twenty games for the Lock Monsters this season, scoring two goals and adding three assists for five points while racking up 117 penalty minutes. Brennan, who is 6-4 and weighs 196 pounds, was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. 1-4-01 On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have activated right wing Ziggy Palffy from injured reserve. Palffy has missed the last eight games with a strained/torn right hamstring. To make room on the roster, the Kings have assigned defenseman Rich Brennan to Lowell of the AHL. 1-3-01 On Wednesday, the Los Angeles King announced that they have traded forward Jason Blake to the New York Islanders for a conditional pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Blake, 27, played in just 17 games for the Kings this year, scoring a goal and adding four assists for five points. The 5-10, 185-pound Blake was signed to a contract on April 20, 1999. In 82 NHL games with the Kings, he has scored seven goals and tallied 21 assists for 28 points. The Kings also announced that they have signed winger Marko Tuomainen to a new, one-year contract. As usual, financial terms were not disclosed. Tuomainen, 28, played in 63 games for the Kings last season, scoring nine goals and adding eight assists for seventeen points. Tuomainen, who is 6-3 and weighs 218 pounds, was invited to the Kings' training camp this season on a tryout basis. He then signed a contract with the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL (Kings' AHL affiliate). In 35 games at Lowell, Tuomainen led the Lock Monsters in goals, assists and points, scoring 16 goals and adding 19 assists for 35 points. He also racked up 41 penalty minutes. Tuomainen will wear jersey number 12. 1-2-01 Late Tuesday, sources reported that defenseman Jere Karalahti, who was scratched for games on Sunday at Detroit and on Tuesday at Colorado, was sent back to Los Angeles on Monday after being late to a team meeting on Sunday morning at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Karalahti was late to the meeting due what is being called an "alcohol-related incident." It was also learned that Karalahti met with those who administer the NHL-sponsored after-care program that tests him weekly for drug use. He has not failed a drug test since he joined the Kings on November 19, 1999. Karalahti underwent treatment for addiction to heroin while he was playing in Europe. Officially, the Kings are not confirming or denying any substance abuse problem regarding Karalahti. According to Kings' Assistant General Manager Kevin Gilmore, they are more concerned about him being late than they might be about other players because of his history. "Being late is more of a cause for concern for Jere, given his background, than it is the average player," Kings' Assistant General Manager Kevin Gilmore said. "Right now we just want to make sure everything is OK." Karalahti reportedly told Kings' head coach Andy Murray that he overslept. But the team decided to contact the league office and were told to send Karalahti back to Los Angeles for testing. There has been no word on the results of that test. The Kings, who say that Karalahti has not been a problem, are hoping that he can return to the lineup on Thursday, when the Kings host the Florida Panthers. "He has been a solid citizen on and off the ice since he's been here," Murray said about Karalahti. "He's a quiet guy, but you can never question his dedication." On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have activated right wing Glen Murray from injured reserve. Murray suffered a strained right quadriceps muscle on November 18. He also had loose cartilege in his right knee that required surgery to remove. He missed 18 games. Despite his activation, the Kings have not said whether or not he is expected to return to the lineup at Colorado on Tuesday. The Kings also assigned forward Brad Chartrand to the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL. 1-1-01 Late Monday, sources close to the Los Angeles Kings reported that right wing Ziggy Palffy has rejoined the team in Denver, but is not expected to play on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. Palffy has reported that he no longer has pain in his hamstring muscle. "There is no pain right now, which is incredible because it has only been two weeks," Palffy said. "This was something that could have cost me a month. I've had to work it back gradually or I might have hurt it again and been out two months. It will be great to be back." Palffy will practice with the team prior to Tuesday night's game. Sources also report that right wing Glen Murray could return on Thursday when the Kings host the Florida Panthers. It was also announced that defenseman Aki Berg, who took a shot off his foot on Friday at Dallas and was scratched for Sunday's game at Detroit, could be out a week to ten days. Forward Ian Laperriere is scheduled to undergo x-rays and possibly an MRI to determine the cause of pain in his right foot, also the result of taking a shot off his foot (on Thursday at St. Louis). Matt McHale has more details on the Kings' injury report and he has better news...word of progress in contract negotiations with defenseman Rob Blake: http://www.dailynewslosangeles.com/archives/2001/01/02/spo07.asp
