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| Los Angeles Kings Fan Site | February 8, 2010 |
| 7-31-06 | |
| The Los Angeles Kings will host the Fourth Annual Pacific Division Shootout, a rookie tournament featuring young prospects from the Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks and the Kings, beginning on September 8, 2006 at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.
The tournament, which runs through September 12, will consist of two games each day, except for Sunday, September 10. The Consolation and Championship Games will be held on Tuesday, September 12. Ticket information and team rosters will be announced at a later date. The schedule is as follows: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 9:00 AM - Phoenix Practice 10:00 AM - San Jose Practice 11:00 AM - Kings Practice 12:00 PM - Anaheim Practice 4:00 PM - San Jose vs. Phoenix 7:00 PM - Kings vs. Anaheim SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 9:00 AM - Anaheim Practice 10:00 AM - Phoenix Practice 11:00 AM - Kings Practice 12:00 PM - San Jose Practice 4:00 PM - Anaheim vs. Phoenix 7:00 PM - Kings vs. San Jose SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 9:30 AM - Anaheim Practice 11:15 AM - San Jose Practice 1:00 PM - Kings Practice 2:45 PM - Phoenix Practice MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 9:00 AM _ Anaheim Practice 10:00 AM - San Jose Practice 11:00 AM - Phoenix Practice 12:00 PM - Kings Practice 4:00 PM - San Jose vs. Phoenix 7:00 PM - Kings vs. Phoenix TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 4:00 PM - Consolation Game 7:00 PM - Championship Game | |
| 7-28-06 | |
| The Los Angeles Kings will move their radio broadcasts in the Los Angeles area from KSPN AM 710 (ESPN Radio 710) to KTLK AM 1150 during the upcoming 2006-07 season.
KTLK will broadcast all pre-season, regular season and playoff games, starting with the September 18 pre-season game at Anaheim. "We are very excited about partnering with Clear Channel, the radio leader in Southern California," said Kings President, Business Operations Shawn Hunter. "This is a powerful relationship because it involves not only 1150 but also [sister station] AM 570, the strongest and most respected sports station in the market." "This will be great for hockey in Los Angeles, especially for Kings fans." "This is an exciting partnership that can only enhance our radio station's presence in the marketplace," KTLK General Manager John Quinlan. "This partnership gives the Kings the advantage of two radio stations," said AM 570 General Manager/Program Director Don Martin. "With the aggressive grass-roots marketing efforts of AM 570 and the play-by-play exposure on KTLK, the Kings will Rule!" The format of the Kings' radio broadcasts will remain the same, beginning with a thirty-minute pre-game show and ending each home game broadcast with the Kings Talk listener-call-in show. | |
| 7-26-06 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings re-signed center Michael Cammalleri to a one-year contract that is reportedly worth $1.7 million, avoiding salary arbitration.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Cammalleri, 24, scored 26 goals and added 29 assists for 55 points in 80 games, leading the team in goals scored. He also led the team with 15 power play goals and 206 shots. The 5-9, 185-pound native of Richmond Hill, Ontario was selected by the Kings in the second round (49th overall) of ther 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft. In his first three seasons with the Kings, Cammalleri has scored 40 goals with 38 assists for 78 points with 92 penalty minutes in 139 regular season games. Last spring, Cammalleri also represented Canada at the 2006 World Championship in Latvia, scoring a goal and adding four assists for five points in eight games. | |
| 7-23-06 | |
| The Los Angeles Kings announced on Monday that they have re-signed restricted free agent left wing Sean Avery to a one-year contract that is rumored to be worth $1.1 million.
Avery, 28, scored 15 goals with 24 assists for 39 points (all career-highs) in 75 games last season. He also led the league with 257 penalty minutes--the second consecutive season he has led the National Hockey League in penalty minutes. "I'm excited about returning to the Kings for another year and a chance to play for the great fans in LA," said Avery. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work with my teammates and, through our hard work and determination, having the opportunity to reach my ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup." The 5-9, 185-pound native of Pickering, Ontario, was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings with defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov, a first round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (Jeff Tambellini), a second round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (later transferred to Boston) for defenseman Mathieu Schneider. Avery has scored 32 goals and 54 assists for 86 points with 739 penalty minutes in 238 NHL regular season games with the Kings and Red Wings. With the new contract, Avery and the Kings will avoid salary arbitration. | |
| 7-19-06 | |
| The Los Angeles Kings announced on Wednesday that they have re-signed restricted free agent center Eric Belanger to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is rumored to be worth $1.3 million. In 65 games last season, Belanger, 28, set career-highs in goals (17), points (37), penalty minutes (62) and shooting percentage (14.3%). The 6-0, 180-pound native of Sherbrooke, Quebec also matched a career-high with twenty assists. Belanger was selected by the Kings in the fourth round (96th overall) of the 1996 National Hockey League Entry Draft. In 323 NHL regular season games, all with the Kings, Belanger has scored 63 goals and has added 87 assists for 150 points with 169 penalty minutes. In twenty NHL playoff games with the Kings, Belanger has a goal and four assists. With the signing the Kings and Belanger avoided salary arbitration. | |
| 7-17-06 | |
| The Los Angeles Kings announced on Monday that they have re-signed goaltender Mathieu Garon and right wing prospect Tim Jackman to one-year contracts. Both were restricted free agents.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, but Kingshockey.com has learned that Garon will earn $1.216 million. Last season, Garon, 28, set new National Hockey League career-highs for games played (63), wins (31) and shutouts (4). He was 31-26-3 last season with a 3.22 goals-against average (GAA) and a .894 save percentage. The 6-2, 195-pound native of Chandler, Quebec ended the 2005-06 regular season ranked tenth in the NHL in wins and he was named the NHL's Defensive Player of the Month for December with a stellar 9-3-0 record, a 2.40 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Garon was also just the fourth goalie in Kings history to win thirty games in a single season, joining Rogie Vachon, Mario Lessard and Felix Potvin. In 106 NHL regular season games with the Montreal Canadiens and the Kings, Garon is a 47-46-3 record, a 2.93 GAA and a .902 save percentage with eight shutouts. Last season, Jackman, 24, played in 18 regular season games for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Kings' primary minor league affiliate, last season, scoring two goals with three assists for five points and 33 penalty minutes. The 6-4, 210-pound native of Minot, North Dakota also contributed three assists with twenty penalty minutes in seven playoff games. Jackman was acquired by the Kings from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center prospect Yanick Lehoux on March 9, 2006. He was immediately assigned to Manchester. Jackman was selected in the second round (38th overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to Phoenix on October 8, 2005, along with Geoff Sanderson for Jason Chimera, Cale Hulse and Mike Rupp. | |
| 7-14-06 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings signed center prospect Trevor Lewis to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Lewis, 19, was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft last month. An earlier story here on Kingshockey.com (6/24/06) has more details about Lewis. | |
| 7-13-06 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent forward Raitis Ivanans to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Ivanans, 27, spent the majority of the 2005-06 season with Hamilton of the American Hockey League (AHL), scoring two goals while racking up 120 penalty minutes in 43 games. The 6-4, 263-pound native of Riga, Latvia also played in four regular season games with the Montreal Canadiens last season. Ivanans has also played for Milwaukee and Hershey of the AHL, Baton Rouge, Toledo and Pensacola of the ECHL, Rockford, New Haven and Flint of the United Hockey League; and Tulsa and Macon of the Central Hockey League. | |
| 7-12-06 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced their 2006-07 regular season schedule.
The Kings will begin the season "on the road" for the third consecutive year, although that game is just down the road at Anaheim on October 6. The following night, the Kings host the St. Louis Blues in their home opener, the beginning of a six-game homestand. The season ends with the Phoenix Coyotes coming into town on April 7, 2007. The television schedule for the 2006-07 season will be announced at a later date. ALL TIMES PACIFIC Home Games Indicated in CAPITAL Letters September 2006 (pre-season) 09/18/06 - Mon. - Anaheim, 7:30 PM, Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim 09/19/06 - Tue. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/23/06 - Sat.. - Colorado, 7:30 PM, MGM Grand, Las Vegas 09/25/06 - Mon. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/29/06 - Fri. - San Jose, 7:30 PM, HP Pavilion 09/30/06 - Sat. - Colorado, 6:00 PM, Pepsi Center October (8 home games, 6 away, 6 back-to-back) 10/06/06 - Fri. - at Anaheim, 7:00 PM 10/07/06 - Sat. - ST. LOUIS, 7:30 PM 10/10/06 - Tue. - NEW YORK ISLANDERS, 7:30 PM 10/12/06 - Thu. - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 10/14/06 - Sat. - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 10/16/06 - Mon. - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 10/18/06 - Wed. - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 10/19/06 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 7:00 PM 10/22/06 - Sun. - ANAHEIM, 3:00 PM 10/23/06 - Mon. - at Colorado, 5:00 PM 10/25/06 - Wed. - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 10/27/06 - Fri. - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 10/28/06 - Sat. - at Dallas, 5:00 PM 10/30/06 - Mon. - NEW YORK RANGERS, 7:30 PM November (8 home, 5 away, 2 back-to-back) 11/01/06 - Wed. - PITTSBURGH, 7:30 PM 11/04/06 - Sat. - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 11/07/06 - Tue. - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 11/09/06 - Thu. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 11/11/06 - Sat. - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 11/13/06 - Mon. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 11/16/06 - Thu. - PHILADELPHIA, 7:30 PM 11/18/06 - Sat. - PHOENIX, 1:00 PM 11/22/06 - Wed. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 11/24/06 - Fri. - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 11/25/06 - Sat. - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 11/27/06 - Mon. - NEW JERSEY, 7:90 PM 11/30/06 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM December (7 home, 7 road, 4 back-to-back) 12/02/06 - Sat. - ANAHEIM, 1:00 PM 12/03/06 - Sun. - at Anaheim, 5:00 PM 12/07/06 - Thu. - NASHVILLE, 7:30 PM 12/09/06 - Sat. - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 12/12/06 - Tue. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 12/14/06 - Thu. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 12/16/06 - Sat. - DALLAS, 1:00 PM 12/19/06 - Tue. - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 12/21/06 - Thu. - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 12/23/06 - Sat. - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 12/26/06 - Tue. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 12/28/06 - Thu. - at Edmonton, 6:00 PM 12/29/06 - Fri. - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 12/31/06 - Sun. - at Detroit, 4:00 PM January 2007 (6 home, 6 road, 2 back-to-back) 01/03/07 - Wed. - COLUMBUS, 7:30 PM 01/06/07 - Sat. - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 01/08/07 - Mon. - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 01/11/07 - Thu. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 01/13/07 - Sat. - at St. Louis, 11:00 AM 01/15/07 - Mon. - at Dallas, 1:00 PM 01/16/07 - Tue. - at Atlanta, 4:00 PM 01/18/07 - Thu. - ST. LOUIS, 7:30 PM 01/20/07 - Sat. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 01/26/07 - Fri. - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 01/27/07 - Sat. - at Edmonton, 7:00 PM 01/30/07 - Tue. - at Calgary, 6:00 PM February (4 home, 6 away, 2 back-to-back) 02/01/07 - Thu. - CHICAGO, 7:30 PM 02/03/07 - Sat. - at Florida, 4:30 PM 02/06/07 - Tue. - at Tampa Bay, 4:30 PM 02/08/07 - Thu. - at Washington, 4:00 PM 02/10/07 - Sat. - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 02/13/07 - Tue. - at Carolina, 4:00 PM 02/17/07 - Sat. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 02/18/07 - Sun. - at Anaheim, 5:00 PM 02/22/07 - Thu. - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM 02/24/07 - Sat. - COLORADO, 7:30 PM March (7 home, 8 road, 8 back-to-back) 03/01/07 - Thu. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 03/03/07 - Sat. - NASHVILLE, 1:00 PM 03/06/07 - Tue. - at Chicago, 5:30 PM 03/07/07 - Wed. - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 03/09/07 - Fri. - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 03/11/07 - Sun. - at Dallas, 12:30 PM 03/12/07 - Mon. - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 03/15/07 - Thu. - CHICAGO, 7:30 PM 03/17/07 - Sat. - COLUMBUS, 7:30 PM 03/18/07 - Sun. - at Anaheim, 5:00 PM 03/21/07 - Wed. - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 03/23/07 - Fri. - at Chicago, 5:30 PM 03/24/07 - Sat. - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 03/27/07 - Tue. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 03/29/07 - Thu. - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM April (1 home, 3 road) 04/01/07 - Sun. - at San Jose, 3:00 PM 04/03/07 - Tue. - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 04/05/07 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 7:00 PM 04/07/07 - Sat. - PHOENIX, 1:00 PM | |
| 7-12-06 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent center Gabe Gauthier to a two-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Gauthier, 22, just completed his fourth season with the Denver University Pioneers, scoring 15 goals (nine coming on the power play) and 24 assists for 39 points with 35 penalty minutes. The 5-9, 200-pound native of Buena Park, California, played on Denver's national championship teams in 2004 and 2005. He led all 2005 NCAA tournament scorers with 11 points (six goals and five assists) in four games and he scored the game-winning goal against the University of Maine in the 2004 NCAA National Championship game, giving Denver its first national title in thirty-five years. Gauthier set career highs for goals (26), assists (31), points (57) and games played (43) in 2004-05. He also led the team in face-off percentage (58%), multi-point games (20) and power-play goals (12) while finishing second on the team with a plus-32 plus/minus rating. Gauthier was named to the 2005 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team and to the All-WCHA Second Team that same season. He was also named to the 2005 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team and to the All-WCHA Second Team. Gauthier was also the recipient of the Leading Scorer Award as the Pioneer's Best Offensive Player and the Bill Masterton Award as Denver's Most Valuable Player. Prior to joining the Pioneers, Gauthier played three seasons with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League (1999-2002), and was the BCHL Rookie of the Year in 1999-00. | |
| 7-11-06 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings released their 2006 Pre-Season schedule, which includes six exhibition games, two of them at Staples Center.
Tickets for the "Frozen Fury 9" pre-season game against the Colorado Avalanche on September 23, will be played at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand Hotel Tickets for this game are on sale now and are priced at $68.25, $36.25 and $26.25, and can be purchased at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office or by calling the Kings at (888) 546-4752. Tickets can also be purchased at select Las Vegas TicketMaster locations (Tower Records/WOW!, Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Ritmo Latino and Robinson's May stores). To charge by phone, call Las Vegas TicketMaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets can also be purchased online at the MGM Grand web site, and at the TicketMaster web site. There is a limit of eight tickets per person. Tickets for the two games at Staples Center will go on sale at a later date. ALL TIMES PACIFIC Home Games Indicated in CAPITAL Letters September 2006 (pre-season) 09/18/06 - Mon. - Anaheim, 7:30 PM, Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim 09/19/06 - Tue. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/23/06 - Sat.. - Colorado, 7:30 PM, MGM Grand, Las Vegas 09/25/06 - Mon. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/29/06 - Fri. - San Jose, 7:30 PM, HP Pavilion 09/30/06 - Sat. - Colorado, 6:00 PM, Pepsi Center | |
| 7-10-06 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed Mike Johnston as Associate Coach, Jamie Kompon as Assistant Coach, Bill Ranford as Goaltending Coach and Nelson Emerson as Video and Player Development Consultant.
In addition, Kingshockey.com has learned that former general manager Dave Taylor will stay on as a consultant and a liaison with Kings prospects, and that former Kings forward and head coach Bob Berry, who was a long-time scout for the St. Louis Blues, has been hired as a pro scout. Johnston, 49, served as Associate Coach under then-Vancouver Canucks head coach Marc Crawford for six seasons, and now follows Crawford to Los Angeles. Johnston also worked for Team Canada from 1994-99 as an assistant coach with Crawford at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, and at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, where Canada won the Silver Medal. Before joining the Canucks, Johnson was the Head Coach and General Manager of Team Canada in the 1998-99 season. His team was 21-17-8 and won the Gold Medal at the Spengler Cup. He also won Gold Medals as an assistant coach with Team Canada at the 1994 and 1996 World Junior Championships. Johnston has also coached at the collegiate level, first a Camrose Lutheran College, where he began his coaching career in 1982. He then coached at the University of New Brunswick. "Mike Johnston is a great thinker and he understands what it takes to win at all levels," said Crawford. "He's dealt with all kinds of players and he's very good with the technical aspects of the game." Kompon, 39, was Video Coach for the St. Louis Blues for nine seasons starting in 1997, and added the duties of Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2002-03. Kompon was an Assistant Coach with the Baltimore Bandits of the American Hockey league in 1996-97 before he joined the Blues. He was also Co-Head Coach at McGill University in 1994-95 after being an assistant coach there for three seasons. Kompon was also a defenseman at McGill from 1985-89 and then played one season each in the ECHL and the German Elite League. "Jamie Kompon has been with the coaching staff in St. Louis for the past nine years and, like Mike, he has a lot of experience and strengths," said Crawford. Former Edmonton Oilers great Bill Ranford, 39, helped lead the Oilers to two Stanley Cup Championships (1987-88 and 1989-90), and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the post-season (1989-90). In 647 National Hockey League regular season games with the Boston Bruins, Oilers, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, the 15-year NHL veteran earned a 240-279-75 record, a 3.40 goals-against average (GAA), a .888 save percentage and 15 shutouts. In 53 NHL playoff games, Ranford was 28-25 with a 3.06 GAA and four shutouts. Ranford has worked as the Goaltending Consultant with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League for the last two seasons. He has also worked as a Goaltending Consultant with the Burnaby Express of the British Columbia Hockey League (Tier II Junior), of which he is a part-owner. "Our staff will be well-complemented by the addition of Bill Ranford," said Crawford. "I am very impressed with him and how much he's worked at his craft." Emerson, 38, played with the Kings from 2000-02 and recorded 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points and 79 penalty minutes in 119 regular season NHL games. He also played in 19 playoff games with the Kings and had two goals and three assists for five points and six penalty minutes. He was acquired along with Kelly Buchberger from the Atlanta Thrashers for Donald Audette and Frantisek Kaberle on March 13, 2000. Emerson was selected by the Blues in the third round (44th overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. In 771 regular season NHL games with the Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers, Thrashers and Kings, Emerson scored 195 goals and 293 assists for 488 points with 575 penalty minutes. In forty NHL playoff games, Emerson scored seven goals and fifteen assists for 22 points with 33 penalty minutes. "Nelson Emerson, who Kings fans know well, is not only a product of the Kings but he also coached the Junior Kings which won a state championship last year," said Crawford. "I am very pleased with the staff that Dean and I have put together." | |
| 7-10-06 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent defensemen Kevin Dallman and Brendan Buckley to two-year contracts.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Dallman, 25, played in 21 games with the Boston Bruins last season, recording an assist with eight penalty minutes before he was waived. The St. Louis Blues him on December 3, 2005. With the Blues, the 5-11, 195-pound native of Niagara Falls, Ontario scored four goals and added nine assists for 13 points with 21 penalty minutes in 46 games. Dallman was originally signed by Boston as a free agent on July 18, 2002 after playing four seasons with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League from 1998-2002. He became Guelph's all-time leader in games played (268), points (260) and penalty minutes (246). In 2000-01 and 2001-02, he led the OHL in defenseman scoring. Buckley, 29, played in 73 regular season games for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League this season, scoring two goals and nine assists for eleven points with 104 penalty minutes. The 6-1, 205-pound native of Boston, Massachusetts was originally selected by Anaheim in the fifth round (117th overall) of the 1996 National Hockey League Entry Draft. | |
| 7-10-06 | |
| Late Monday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have added a scrimmage game to their annual Development Camp, currently underway this week at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.
The game is scheduled for Thursday, July 13, 2006. Face-off is at 7:00 PM PDT. Tickets for the game are free and can be picked up at the Toyota Sports Center administrative offices on Wednesday, July 12, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is a limit of two tickets per person and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. | |
| 7-7-06 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Mike Weaver to a one year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Weaver, 28, played a career-high 53 games for the Kings last season, contributing nine points (all assists), also a career-high. The 5-9, 182-pound native of Bramalea, Ontario also blocked 48 shots and had 52 hits in his first season with the Kings. | |
| 7-6-06 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings released the schedule for their annual Development Camp for their younger prospects. The camp will be held July 9-14, 2006 at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.
Thirty players will participate in this year's camp and as in previous years, all on-ice workouts are open to the public at no charge. But unlike previous years, there will be no scrimmage game. "It will be the first opportunity for me and some of the other new people in this organization to see many of these players up close and on the ice," said Kings head coach Marc Crawford. "I am very much looking forward to seeing our prospects." "Hopefully all of these guys realize that every opportunity you have on the ice is an opportunity to impress someone and to leave a lasting impression." KINGS DEVELOPMENT CAMP ATTENDEES (subject to change) Andersen, Niclas, Defenseman Baier, Paul, Defenseman Bernier, Jonathan, Goaltender Boyle, Brian, Center Braun, Constantin, Left Wing Brust, Barry, Goaltender Harrold, Peter, Defenseman Hersley, Patrik, Defenseman Hogeboom, Greg, Center Holloway, Bud, Center Kanko, Petr, Left Wing Kopitar, Anze, Center Lewis, Trevor, Center Lukacevic, Ned, Left Wing McGinnis, Ryan Defenseman Meckler, David, Center Mormina, Joey, Defenseman Munce, Ryan, Goaltender Murray, Brady, Center Nolet, Martin, Defenseman O'Sullivan, Patrick, Center Petiot, Richar, Defenseman Pushkarev, Konstantin, Right Wing Quick, Jonathan, Goaltender Roussin, Dany, Left Wing Ryan, Matt, Center Ryan, Joe, Defenseman Taylor, Daniel, Goaltender Zaba, Matt, Goaltender Zatkoff, Jeff, Goaltender KINGS DEVELOPMENT CAMP SCHEDULE (subject to change) Monday, July 10 - Thursday, July 13 SKATERS 7:45am - 8:15am: Warm-up 8:30am - 9:05am: Power skating 9:15am - 9:45am: Skills session 9:45am - 10:00am: Power skating 1:00pm - 1:45pm: On-ice practice (all) GOALTENDERS 7:45am - 8:15am: Warm-up 9:45am - 10:00am: Power skating 10:00am - 11:30am: Goalie session 1:00pm - 1:45pm: On-ice practice (all) Friday, July 14 SKATERS & GOALTENDERS 7:45am - 8:00am: Warm-up 8:15am - 9:00am: Power skating 9:15am - 10:15am: On-ice practice | |
| 7-5-06 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings acquired goalie Dan Cloutier from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a second round pick in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Cloutier, 30, played in just thirteen games last season for the Canucks after suffering a season-ending partial tear of his anterior cruciate ligament. In those games, Cloutier was 8-3-1 with a 3.17 goals-against average (GAA) and a .892 save percentage. "Dan is a proven number one goaltender who gives us stability at a critical position," said Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi. "His game has continued to evolve and I believe his best years are ahead of him. Most importantly, he brings leadership and a competitive fire that translates through to his teammates," said Lombardi." "I think it's important to have an established goaltender,'' added Lombardi. ''I think some of his best hockey's ahead of him. This kid's a competitor.'' "When I was in San Jose, I liked bringing in a Mike Vernon so that a [Steve] Shields could establish himself," added Lombardi. "Then [Evgeni] Nabokov comes up. We talked of the importance of putting some young goalies in the pipeline." The 6-1, 195-pound native of Mont-Lauier, Quebec has a career record of 131-124-33, a 2.66 GAA and a .902 save percentage in 318 NHL regular season games with the Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers, who selected him in the first round (26th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. In 25 NHL playoff games, Cloutier is 10-13 with a 3.21 GAA and a .872 save percentage. In the 2003-04 season, Cloutier set career highs for minutes played (3,539) and GAA (2.27), and he matched career highs in wins (33) and save percentage (.914). ''I think Dan's a top-15 goaltender in the league, and when he's on top of his game, he's better than that,'' said Canucks general manager Dave Nonis. Kings head coach Marc Crawford, who coached Cloutier in Vancouver until last season, certainly knows his "new" goalie. "I really like Dan," said Crawford. "I'm really impressed with how hard he works on his game. He's an emotional, battling goaltender who has really worked at his position. He's become a really, really good goaltender." "This is solidifying the goaltending position here in Los Angeles," added Crawford. "Dan is a great competitor. He's worked extremely hard at his game. You need a real good technical base and you need the passion that Dan exhibits so well in his game. We're pleased to have him in the fold here in Los Angeles." Newly-re-acquired defenseman Rob Blake said that Cloutier brings experience in goal to the Kings. "He's a battler, he's a competitor, he's been around a long while, faced a lot of shots," said Blake. "It just gives you that experience in net a lot of teams don't have." ''I'm looking forward to it,'' said Cloutier. ''I think it's gonna be good for me. I'd been in Vancouver for a few years now. I think it was good timing for a change of scenery.'' | |
| 7-5-06 | |
| On Wednesday, Kingshockey.com learned that the Los Angeles Kings have hired Mike Johnston as an assistant coach and former Edmonton Oilers great Bill Ranford as their goaltending consultant.
Johnston, who has extensive coaching experience for Canada at the international level, joined the Canucks' coaching staff in 1999 as an associate coach with then-Vancouver head coach Marc Crawford, and he now joins Crawford with the Kings. Ranford helped lead the Oilers to two Stanley Cup Championships (1987-88 and 1989-90), and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the post-season (1989-90). In 647 National Hockey League regular season games with the Boston Bruins, Oilers, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, Ranford earned a 240-279-75 record, a 3.40 goals-against average (GAA) and 15 shutouts. In 53 NHL playoff games, Ranford was 28-25 with a 3.06 GAA and four shutouts. | |
| 7-4-06 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent right wing Brian Willsie to a two-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is rumored to pay $800,000 in 2006-07 and $900,000 in 2007-08. Last season with the Washington Capitals, Willsie had a career year, scoring 19 goals while adding 22 assists for 41 points with 77 penalty minutes (all career-highs) in 82 games. The 6-1, 185-pound winger was the only Capitals player to play in all 82 games last season. Willsie, 28, was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round (146th overall) of the 1996 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The Capitals acquired him from Colorado in the 1996 NHL Waiver Draft. In 200 regular season NHL games with the Avalanche and Capitals, Willsie has scored 36 goals with 35 assists for 71 points with 124 penalty minutes. In ten NHL playoff games with Colorado, Willsie has a goal and an assist with four penalty minutes. "At 28 years of age, Brian has a lot of productive years ahead of him," said Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi. "He began his NHL career with Colorado, a winning organization, and he elevated his overall game while in Washington." In junior hockey, Willsie played three seasons with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 95 goals with 83 assists for 178 points and 96 penalty minutes in 186 regular season games. He led his Guelph to two Memorial Cup appearances in 1996 and 1998. Willsie also represented Canada at the 1998 World Junior Championship, where he posted two assists in seven games. | |
| 7-2-06 | |
| On Sunday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have made qualifying offers to the following players:
Sean Avery - Center Eric Belanger - Center Dustin Brown - Left Wing Michael Cammalleri - Center Mathieu Garon - Goaltender Tim Gleason - Defenseman Tim Jackman - Defenseman Mike Weaver - Defenseman Avery, Belanger, Cammalleri, Garon and Weaver are eligible for salary arbitration. The Kings also announced that defenseman Brad Fast, goalie Adam Hauser and center Connor James were not tendered qualifying offers. They are now unrestricted free agents. In addition, the Kings announced that they did not pick up their team option on the contract of defenseman Nathan Dempsey, making him an unrestricted free agent. | |
| 7-2-06 | |
| On Sunday, the Los Angeles Kings once again dipped into the unrestricted free agent market by signing center Alyn McCauley to a three-year deal rumored to be worth $2 million per season.
Last season, McCauley, 29, scored twelve goals with 14 assists good for 26 points with 30 penalty minutes in 76 regular season games with the San Jose Sharks. In six playoff games, the 5-11, 200-pound native of Brookville, Ontario contributed one assist. "Alyn is a solid two-way hockey player whose competitiveness and leadership abilities makes him a good fit for our hockey club," said Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi. McCauley was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (79th overall) of the 1995 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 25, 1997, along with Jason Smith and Steve Sullivan in exchange for Doug Gilmour, Dave Ellett and a third round pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Toronto sent McCauley to San Jose on March 5, 2003 with Brad Boyes and a first round pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Owen Nolan. In the 2003-04 season, McCauley set new career highs in goals (20, assists (27), points (47), power play goals (5), game-winning goals (4), plus/minus rating (+23) and games played (82). He also was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded each year to the NHL's best defensive forward. In 478 regular season NHL games with Toronto and San Jose, McCauley has scored 68 goals with 97 assists good for 165 points, 114 penalty minutes and a +25 rating. In 52 NHL playoff games with the Maple Leafs and Sharks, McCauley has seven goals and twelve assists for 19 points. "I was impressed with how the Kings organization, Dean Lombardi and Marc Crawford in particular, pursued me," said McCauley. "The Kings have a real commitment to win and to win now. We will have a competitive club this year and I am looking forward to the start of the season." | |
| 7-1-06 | |
| On Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings made a big splash--and a surprising one--in the unrestricted free agent market by signing star defenseman Rob Blake to a rumored two-year deal worth $6 million per season.
Before they signed Blake, the Kings were talking to star defenseman Zdeno Chara, formerly of the Ottawa Senators, who also become and unrestricted free agent. Various sources have reported that the Kings were in the running for his services until Chara decided that he wanted to stay in the Eastern Conference and signed a five-year, $32.5 million deal with the Boston Bruins. Sources also reported that the Kings made an offer to star forward Patrik Elias, who re-signed with the New Jersey Devils. Last season, Blake scored 14 goals and added 37 assists for 51 points with 94 penalty minutes in 81 regular season games for the Colorado Avalanche. In nine playoff games last season, Blake scored three goals and added an assist for four points. Blake, who was traded by the Kings along with center Steven Reinprecht to Colorado in exchange for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, a player to be named later (Jared Aulin), and Colorado's first round pick in the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft (David Steckel), returns to the Kings after spending three-plus seasons with the Avs, winning the Stanley Cup in 2001. "Rob Blake is a special player and more importantly a special person," said Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi. "He belongs in a Kings uniform." "There are a lot of things that make Rob attractive to us," added Lombardi. "This is a player I've always admired. He totally understands now what a winner is. This guy is the whole package." Blake, 36, is the highest scoring defenseman in Kings history. He was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round (70th overall) of the 1988 National Hockey League Entry Draft. In twelve seasons with the Kings, Blake, who is 6-3 and weighs 225 pounds, scored 138 goals with 291 assists good for 429 points in 662 regular season games, ranking tenth on the Kings' all-time scoring list. Blake is also tenth all-time in playoff scoring for the Kings, with eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 57 playoff games. In 984 NHL regular season games with the Kings and Avalanche, Blake has 200 goals and 437 assists for 637 points with 1,329 penalty minutes and a +2 rating. In 127 playoff games with the Kings and Avalanche, Blake has scored 24 goals and 43 assists for 67 points. Blake was also the only Kings defenseman to win the James Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in the 1997-98 season. "He represents a player, with the position he plays and the way he plays it, that is not easy to find," said Lombardi. "The important thing is to get quality hockey players and quality people who are winners." At this point in his career, why would Blake want to sign with a team that appears to be rebuilding and not close to being a contender? "The process going forward was something that intrigued me," said Blake. "[He understands] the program [Lombardi] wants to put forward and the level he wants this team playing at and where he wants to take it." "Anytime you start with a franchise, your ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup," added Blake. "Part of the decision coming back was to bring that attitude and carry that over to Los Angeles." And playing at home is certainly a plus. "I enjoyed my time here in LA," said Blake. "Coming back here with my wife and family being here and all that, it was something that I wanted to do. For my family and my wife, and everything I have associated with the area, it was a logical choice." The Blake signing begs the question...are the Kings really rebuilding? After all, signing an older, high-priced veteran does not seem to fit a team that is rebuilding. "This franchise is committed to winning, but [salary] cap space has value and we will only use it for the right player," Lombardi explained. "We have other options, but if they don't work out we'll move on to the next thing. We're not going home thinking our work is done." | |
| 7-1-06 | |
| Kingshockey.com has confirmed that the Los Angeles Kings have signed unrestricted free agent checking left wing Scott Thornton to a two-year contract rumored to be worth $1.5 million per season.
Thornton, 35, scored ten goals and eleven assists for 21 points with 84 penalty minutes in 71 regular season games last season for the San Jose Sharks. In the 2005-06 playoffs, Thornton, who is 6-3 and weighs 220 pounds, played in eleven games, scoring two goals. In 836 National Hockey League regular season games with Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Dallas and San Jose, Thornton has scored 132 goals and 132 assists for 264 points while racking up 1,335 penalty minutes. In 79 NHL playoff games with Edmonton, Montreal, Dallas and San Jose, Thornton has scored 13 goals with 14 assists for 27 points with 82 penalty minutes. "Scott brings grit, character and competitiveness to our team and a great veteran presence that we want our younger players to emulate," said Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi. | |
| 6-30-06 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings exercised their one-year team contract option on left wing Jeff Cowan.
Cowan, 30, scored eight goals and one assist for nine points with 73 penalty minutes in 46 games last season. Cowan misssed 28 games last season with various injuries. | |
| 6-30-06 | |
| The Los Angeles Kings and the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), headed by Philip Anschutz and Tim Leiweke, the entertainment and real estate conglomerate that owns the Kings, sure have a lot of nerve.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Kings will be raising season ticket prices by an average of 7.5% (see Kings To Raise Ticket Prices). Prices for individual game tickets will be announced later this summer, but it is a foregone conclusion that those prices will rise as well. This is yet another mistake by a franchise known for making more than its share of bad decisions over its nearly forty-year history. One example is their trading away one first-round draft pick after another (a practice that for all intents and purposes did not change significantly until 2000), only to see the other team use the pick to select players who would become, at the very least, solid National Hockey League players. The most notable could-have-been-Kings are likely Hall-Of-Fame defenseman Phil Housley and goalie Tom Barrasso. And then there was superstar defenseman Raymond Bourque, who went to Boston with the eighth pick in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft--one that belonged to the Kings--after the Kings traded that pick to the Bruins for goalie Ron Grahame. Speaking of bad decisions, in the 1984 draft, the Kings wasted a fourth-round pick (69th overall) on Major League pitching great Tom Glavine, who had stated that he was a virtual lock to choose baseball over hockey. Even more laughable, the Kings selected him ahead of future Hall-Of-Fame left wing Luc Robitaille, who was a ninth-round pick (171st overall). Without a doubt, the Kings have made quite a few monumental blunders over the years that have hurt them dearly. So much so that they would likely have had much greater success--maybe even winning the Stanley Cup. To be fair, the Kings have made numerous solid player personnel decisions over the years, and they have made good decisions off the ice as well. One of those decisions came last season when the NHL returned after the lockout. As a way of thanking fans for sticking with them and enticing those disgruntled with the NHL and its labor strife, the Kings lowered ticket prices across the board for season seat holders and froze prices on individual game tickets. This was one of the Kings' big announcements at an obviously made-for-television "press conference" that was aimed far more at their fans than the media. "We have the most passionate and loyal fans in the National Hockey League and our goal is to continue to provide them with affordable ticket prices," said then-Kings Chief Executive Officer Tim Leiweke. "We intend to be in the bottom third in ticket prices going forward," said Leiweke. And when the NHL finally returned to the ice, the Kings, like most teams in the league, enjoyed increased attendance figures. Lowering ticket prices for last season clearly was the right move. But now the Kings have gone back into blunder mode. Although it is not on the same level as their biggest blunders, raising ticket prices for the 2006-07 season is another mistake. Indeed, raising ticket prices is the wrong move after a season where the team self-destructed on the ice and off and wound up out of playoff contention for the third consecutive season, once again disappointing their long-suffering fans who had been promised much more by Leiweke prior to the start of the 2005-06 season. And in light of what appears to be rather a dismal outlook for the immediate future, this decision could not be more ill-conceived. To be sure, the Kings are in a major rebuilding mode, as their trade of forward Pavol Demitra, their leading scorer and best player, to the Minnesota Wild indicates. The Kings are cutting salary and it looks like they will be relying mostly on young, inexperienced players with a few veterans and possibly some cheaper unrestricted free agents who they can sign beginning tomorrow (July 1, 2006). That formula certainly does not add up to a playoff team, let alone a Stanley Cup contender in 2006-07. Rather, it adds up to what will likely be another long, disheartening season for Kings' fans. Although the Kings do need to build from the ground up as they are doing in order to build a Cup contender for the long-term, it is fairly obvious that the 2006-07 season is likely to be a struggle, at the very least. The product on the ice will be lacking in terms of skill and talent, and will probably be tough to watch at times. Fans are being asked to pay MORE to watch that? And regarding the message this sends to the Kings' loyal fans, the question is: Do the Kings and AEG really care? Not likely. After all, given the fact that they set new attendance records last season, the Kings and AEG know they can make this move because the fans will continue to fill the seats at Staples Center anyway. Although the Kings under President and General Manager Dean Lombardi are likely making the right moves in terms of rebuilding the on-ice talent, they are clearly making the wrong move in asking Kings' fans to pay more for what is likely to be a lot less. That being the case, unless the Kings make moves to dramatically improve the team this off-season, they certainly do have a lot of nerve. | |
| 6-29-06 | |
| Late Thursday, Kingshockey.com learned that the Los Angeles Kings gave qualifying offers to seven restricted free agents.
Forwards Sean Avery, Eric Belanger, Dustin Brown and Michael Cammalleri, along with defensemen Tim Gleason and Mike Weaver, and goalie Mathieu Garon all received qualifying offers. | |
| 6-24-06 | |
| DRAFT DAY: LOMBARDI ERA STARTS WITH A B-O-O-M! (UPDATED 9:30 PM PDT, 06/25/06)
by Gann Matsuda Over the last thirteen years, Las Vegas has seen one new mega-resort after another come up in place of resorts of days long past. Indeed, the Las Vegas Strip has seen the Dunes, Sands, Hacienda, Aladdin, and the Desert Inn fall victim to spectacular implosions, to be replaced by the Bellagio, Venetian, Luxor, the new Aladdin, and the Wynn. Even the venerable Stardust will be blown up sometime after November, 2006 to make room for an even larger meta-resort. Although explosives will not be used, the Los Angeles Kings are unmistakably following the lead of Las Vegas casino owners. No, they will not be imploding Staples Center. But Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi has begun the process of blowing up his team and replacing it with a new one. That became all too clear on Saturday, when the National Hockey League held its annual Entry Draft in Vancouver. After the Kings selected Jonathan Bernier, the top-ranked North American goalie in the first round (11th overall), Lombardi sent forward Pavol Demitra, their best player in the 2005-06 season, to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for the 17th pick in Saturday's draft and center prospect Patrick O'Sullivan, the top prospect in the Wild organization. The Kings suffered an implosion of their own in the latter half of the 2005-06 season, plummeting in the standings due to internal problems and other serious issues. They finished their less-than-dismal season out of the playoffs. Knowing that they are not close to being a Stanley Cup contender and having a roster that was very thin up front in terms of legitimate scoring threats going into the 2005-06 season, Lombardi clearly felt that it was time to blow up the team and start over. "This move was made to get younger players in a critical age group that I have feel needs to be upgraded before this franchise gets on solid footing," said Lombardi. "We have evaluated the last couple of days, and this was a decision that was difficult to make, but the reality is that structurally, our reserve list needs to be upgraded in certain areas and we have to make deals like this." "Obviously, we're giving up an established player in Pavol Demitra, a very good player," added Lombardi. "But in order to set this franchise up for being something structurally sound, I felt we had to make a move such as this and acquire more young assets." "We can continue puttering around, trying to be just good enough, or we can make some moves like this which might hurt short term, but hopefully pay off down the road." But the Kings had their eye on specific young assets as well. "In order to make that deal, we had to get the two players we wanted," Lombardi explained. "We weren't making the deal unless we got those two players." Despite the fact that the Kings chose to rebuild, evidently, it was not their first choice. In fact, it appears that they were hoping to add talent to fill the gaping holes in their roster and try to build a team that could be a Cup contender rather quickly. Indeed, over the last week, the Kings were consistently being named as one of the top teams in the running for then-Florida Panthers star goalie Roberto Luongo. The Kings were rumored to be offering wingers Alexander Frolov and Dustin Brown, and goalie Mathieu Garon in exchange. But according to sources, the Kings bowed out of the wheeling and dealing when they determined that there was no way Luongo, who is in the final year of his contract, would sign a new, multi-year deal--he will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2006-07 season. "With what we have to do with this franchise, it would have been impossible for us to take Roberto on a one-year deal," said Lombardi. "So to take that deal, it just didn't make a lot of sense for us considering the direction we want to go." Once the Kings determined that acquiring a franchise goalie was not going to happen, they went ahead with Plan B. Blow it up and rebuild. "It's very difficult, but it depends on your philosophy and where we have to go," said Lombardi. "And that's what the difficult thing the past few weeks has been--to define what we are and how we want to get to the top, and unfortunately, you have to make moves like this and try and get some young players." The Kings used the 17th pick in the draft obtained in the deal to select center Trevor Lewis. "The move that our new GM orchestrated helps us get a guy that we are very excited about," said Kings Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting Grant Sonier. "He's been compared to a Rod Brind'Amour-type player. We like his character and he is a top-end skater." "Obviously, there has been a switch of players with Patrick O'Sullivan coming to us for Pavol Demitra," added Sonier. "Patrick O'Sullivan just came off his rookie season in the American Hockey League, where he scored 47 goals and was third in the league in scoring. To give the fans an idea of what that means, he's outscored Michael Cammalleri in his rookie year. So we've gotten ourselves a good player." The deal also wiped Demitra's $4.5 million salary off the Kings' books for next season, clearing space under the salary cap. "Part of the deal that's attractive is picking up a kid like Patrick O'Sullivan, who is tremendously talented and has already proven that he can play at a high level in the minors," said Lombardi. "His play this year in the minors for a player born in 1985 was pretty special. He's a talented kid and we picked up another first-round choice where we drafted Lewis. Another component of this trade is that we cleared some cap space." One of the key re-building blocks will be O'Sullivan, who was the Wild's second round pick (56th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. O'Sullivan, 21, played for the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League last season, scoring 47 goals and 46 assists good for 93 points in 78 games, earning the AHL's Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the Rookie of the Year. Prior to joining the Aeros, O'Sullivan played four seasons for Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League, leading the Ice Dogs in scoring in three of his four seasons with the team and last season, matching the most points by any AHL rookie since 1994-95. He also scored at least thirty goals in each season, reaching a high of 43 goals in the 2003-04 season. He was also the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year in the 2001-02 season. O'Sullivan, who is 5-11 and weighs 195 pounds, also represented the United States in the World Junior Championships three times, scoring six goals with eight assists good for 14 points in 20 games. "I think he's elevated his game in the AHL," Houston head coach Rob Daum, told minorleaguenews.com. "We need for him to continue to do that. But things will get tougher. He's going to have to continue to excel offensively, but he's going to be consistent and solid defensively, too because your [scoring] numbers are only going to take you so far." Lombardi is hopeful that O'Sullivan is ready to make the jump to the NHL. "I think we got a real good one in Patrick O'Sullivan who might be able to come in and play for us right away." For more information on O'Sullivan, please check out the following: Patrick O'Sullivan Player Profile from Hockeysfuture.com Q & A WIth Patrick O'Sullivan (2004) from Hockeysfuture.com O'Sullivan OK With Playing For Team USA KINGS DRAFT ROUNDUP When the ice chips settled on draft day, the Kings wound up with nine picks and they seemed to be quite pleased with their selections. "Very successful and a actually a little better than we expected to come out," said Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray. "It's a terrific day for us. We've added some pieces into the organization. A great young goalkeeper, and a tremendous center to come along with Anze Kopitar. So right off the bat, when the first round goes good, the rest of the day seems to roll for you and we thought today rolled pretty good." FIRST ROUND - Jonathan Bernier (11th overall) Goalie 6-0, 177 pounds. Glove Hand: Left. Born: August 7, 1988. Birthplace: Laval, Quebec. Ranked #1 among North American goalies by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau (CSB). Last season, Bernier, 17, played in 54 regular season games for Lewiston of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), earning a 27-26-0 record with a 2.70 goals-against average (GAA), a .908 save percentage and two shutouts. In six playoff games, Bernier was 2-4 with a 2.84 GAA and a .914 save percentage. Bernier also played in the 2006 CHL Top Prospects Game and represented Canada in the 2006 Under-18 World Championships, the 2005 Under-18 World Championships and the 2005 Under-18 Junior World Cup. He also played for Team Quebec in the 2004 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. "This is an unbelievable goaltender with great skill," said Lewiston head coach Clement Jodoin. "Jonathan was the top-ranked goaltender by us all year long," said Murray. "He started off that way in August, and he carried on that way through the whole season. He was the top-ranked goaltender by Central Scouting all year long." "He's not necessarily a butterfly goalie," added Murray. "He does stand up. I don't want to tell people that he's Martin Brodeur, but think Martin Brodeur when you think style-wise. He's very quick side-to-side and very agile. His biggest strength is that he can get side-to-side and the puck hits him." "We have Bill Ranford who we're talking to. Bill had been a goalie consultant with the Canadian World Junior Under-18 teams, and Bill had a chance to work with him and he spoke very highly of him." CSB on Bernier: "A very strong skater with excellent balance...has both quick reactions and recovery...has very quick feet and pads with excellent, controlled lateral movements...very good post-to-post...does a good job of blocking a pass from behind the net...very good angles and net coverage...challenges at the top of the crease and square to the shooter...good rebound control deflecting shots out of danger with his stick and blocker...uses paddle down technique on wrap around attempts...goes behind the net well to stop the puck on dump ins and is smart at moving it...communicates well with his defense...does a very good job of reading and reacting to the play...has an excellent well balanced butterfly stance...shows excellent determination...very solid and strong in the crease...battles hard for any loose pucks and holds his ground when players cut hard to the net...very quick recovery to get set for a rebound opportunity...very aggressive and competes hard...very confident and doesn't get rattled...capable of making big saves to keep his team in the game or to hold a lead." "I like Bernier and I like putting a good, young goaltender in our system," said Lombardi. "We have some areas on defense that we are working on and a goaltender is a big key to that." "We believed that we need to have more depth at that position and Jonathan has proven to be just an exceptional goaltender within his peer group," said Sonier. "After watching tape of all the games this year, we just think there is great upside to this kid." "Our reserve list lacks depth on defense," said Lombardi. "I like some of the guys we now have in that age group and we can watch them grow together. Putting a top goaltender prospect in the mix with a forward like Anze Kopitar will only help the Kings going forward." For more on Bernier: Top 30 Draft Prospects (scroll down to Bernier) Jonathan Bernier Player Profile from Los Angeles Kings Draft Coverage (scroll down to Bernier) FIRST ROUND - Trevor Lewis (17th overall; from Minnesota) Center. 6-1, 192 pounds. Shoots: Left. Born: January 7, 1987. Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah. Ranked #30 among North American skaters by CSB. Lewis, 19, played in 56 regular season games for Des Moines of the United States Hockey League (USHL) this past season, scoring 35 goals and 40 assists for 75 points with 69 penalty minutes. In eleven playoff games, he scored three goals and 13 assists for 16 points with a +9 rating. Lewis also played on the USHL Viking Cup team last season as well as the 2006 USHL All-Star Game. He won three USHL awards, including player and forward of the year. He was also selected to the USHL First All-Star Team in 2006. Lewis will play for the University of Michigan in 2006-07. "For us, getting Trevor Lewis is huge," said Murray. "We like Trevor Lewis a lot. This is a name that not a lot of people know, but all the hockey scouts know. We've had several teams come up to us who would've picked after us in the first round, indicating they were disappointed he wasn't [available]." "He's a terrific skater, he plays a two-way game," added Murray. "I'm not going to say he's Rod Brind'Amour, but if people want to think style, that's the style he can play. He's very good offensively in addition to defense." CSB on Lewis: "Has excellent acceleration and quickness and can intimidate defensemen with his ability to change direction at top speed...can shoot the puck on the fly, and does not hesitate to pull the trigger every chance he gets...has good puck skills and maneuvers very quickly in traffic...a good passer...scores big goals...makes big plays and has been a 'go to guy' for his coach playing in all situations last season...good on face-offs...very effective when forechecking, forcing turnovers that create scoring opportunities...comes to play with a lot of energy and grit...takes the body well and stands up to a challenge...plays a solid all-around game and comes back hard to cover his man...supports his defensemen down low in his own zone...has very good poise...is a team player with good leadership qualities." "[Lewis] won just about every award he possibly could win in the USHL," said Sonier. "He tallied 75 points in 56 games, won MVP of the league, was named Forward of the Year, was a first team All-Star and even won the Humanitarian Award. He's going to Michigan and its been told by the Michigan coaches that they believe they haven't had a player like this in a long, long time." For more on Lewis: Top 30 Draft Prospects (scroll down to Lewis) Trevor Lewis Player Profile 2006 Prospects: Q & A With Trevor Lewis USHL Top 30 Prospects For The 2006 Entry Draft Los Angeles Kings Draft Coverage (scroll down to Lewis) SECOND ROUND - Joe Ryan (48th overall; compensatory pick for not signing 2001 first round pick Jens Karlsson) Defenseman. 6-1, 189 pounds. Shoots: Right. Born: October 19, 1987. Birthplace: Winchester, Massachusetts. Ranked #31 among North American skaters by CSB. Ryan, 18, played in 61 regular season games for the Memorial Cup Champion Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL last season, scoring six goals with eighteen assists for 24 points. He is reported to be a strong skater and not afraid to play a physical game, as his 202 penalty minutes last season would seem to indicate. "I'm going to play tough, protect my teammates if I have to," added Ryan. "I'm going to keep my game the way it is." "Joey is a Boston boy, playing up in the Quebec junior league," said Murray. "Not a lot of American players come up to major junior hockey, but Joey knew that was the place for him." "He's in your face, he's rugged, he's a very good skater for a guy who plays his style," added Murray. "And he fights all comers. In the Quebec junior league, people don't mess around with anybody on the Quebec Remparts because Joey Ryan takes it upon himself to be the policeman." "He was in their top three defenseman on the team that won the Memorial Cup playing for Patrick Roy." The Kings felt they were fortunate that Ryan was still available to them. "We were a little surprised that Joey Ryan slid as far as he did," said Sonier. "Joey is a kid that is from the Boston area and not very typically do those kids leave and go play in the Quebec Major Junior League." "As a 17-year-old, he helped lead his team to win the Memorial Cup, the QMJHL championship. He's a 6-foot-2, very good skating defenseman, who has got lots and lots of jam, to the point where he was told to calm down and not to be fighting as much as he was. He's a really gritty kid that we're really excited to get." For more on Ryan: Top 30 Draft Prospects - Honorable Mentions Joe Ryan Player Profile 2006 Prospects: Q & A With Joey Ryan Los Angeles Kings Draft Coverage (scroll down to Ryan) THIRD ROUND - Jeff Zatkoff (74th overall) Goalie. 6-1, 150 pounds. Glove hand: Left. Born: June 9, 1987. Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan. Ranked #3 among North American goalies by CSB. Zatkoff played in twenty games for Miami (Ohio) University, earning a 14-5-1 record, a 2.82 GAA, a .928 save percentage and two shutouts. For more on Zatkoff: Jeff Zatkoff Player Profile Los Angeles Kings Draft Coverage (scroll down to Zatkoff) THIRD ROUND - Bud Holloway (86th overall; from Philadelphia as part of the August 4, 2005 trade that brought Jeremy Roenick to the Kings) Center/Right Wing. 6-0, 190 pounds. Shoots: Right. Born: March 1, 1988. Birthplace: Wapella, Saskatchewan. Ranked #40 among North American skaters by CSB. In 72 regular season games with Seattle of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Holloway scored 21 goals (second on the team) and 13 assists for 34 points with 18 penalty minutes. In seven playoff games, Holloway scored three goals and added two assists for five points. "Bud plays a real intense style," said Murray. "He's a good skater who plays with a lot of passion. He's in the other team's face." "We didn't think of Bud as much of a scorer, but he scored twenty-one goals this year, so Bud has some offensive ability," added Murray. "He's going to be a good two-way player. Right now, he probably projects more as a third or fourth line player than as a top two line forward." "A solid pick in the third round," Sonier said about Holloway. "Bud is a kid out of Seattle who came on really strong late in the year. He scored 21 goals in his rookie season in the WHL." For more on Holloway: Bud Holloway Player Profile Los Angeles Kings Draft Coverage (scroll down to Holloway) The Kings then traded their fourth round pick (104th overall) to the New York Rangers in exchange for the Rangers' fourth round pick (114th overall) and their fifth round pick (144th overall). FOURTH ROUND - Niclas Andersen (114th overall; from the New York Rangers) Defenseman. 6-1, 207 pounds. Shoots: Left. Born: April 28, 1988. Birthplace: Grums, Sweden. Ranked #41 among European skaters by CSB. In eight regular season games with Leksand of the Swedish Elite League, Andersen did not record a point and had eight penalty minutes. In 36 games with Leksand Jr. of the Swedish Junior League, he scored five goals with six assists for eleven points while racking up 214 penalty minutes. With Team Sweden in the 2006 World Junior Championships, Andersen scored a goal and added an assist for two points with twelve penalty minutes in six games. He also played for Sweden's Under-18 team in the 2005 World Junior Championships. "He's another rugged guy," said Murray. "If you think size and build, think Matty Norstrom. He had 217 penalty minutes in the Swedish junior league. That's a lot of minutes in any league. But they don't come much tougher than Niclas Andersen. He's in your face, he plays rea good gaps. Players have a difficult time beating him one-on-one. He doesn't put up a lot of points, but he's a real solid defensive defenseman with some bite to him." "[Andersen is] kind of a poor man's Matty Norstrom," said Sonier. "He skates well and is very physical. Over 200 penalty minutes in the Swedish League is almost unheard of." For more on Andersen: Niclas Andersen Player Profile FIFTH ROUND - David Meckler (134th overall) Center. 6-1, 184 pounds. Shoots: Right. Born: July 9, 1988. Birthplace: Highland Park, Illinois. Ranked #205 among North American skaters by CSB. Last season, Meckler played in 31 games for Yale University, scoring seven goals with three assists for ten points with 28 penalty minutes. His seven goals led all freshmen on the team in goal scoring. In 2004-05, Meckler played with Waterloo of the USHL (junior hockey), and was third in the league with 30 goals and 15 assists for 45 points and was a USHL All-Star in 2005. "David is a center, but we think he can be just as good a right winger as he can a center," said Murray. "David had over thirty goals in the US junior hockey league which is a real accomplishment. [There are] very few thirty-goal scorers in the US junior hockey league." "David went to Yale this year and had an off-season, but he was playing the whole year with a broken wrist," added Murray. "The biggest thing he does is that he's a shooter. And if you've got a broken wrist, it's pretty hard to be a shooter." "His coaches and the staff [at Yale] kept that quiet all year to protect him from further injury," Murray elaborated. "But we think he might really blossom next year. He's one of those guys, if he comes back to the style of player that we saw as a US junior hockey league player, we're going to have a good shooter and a good finisher there." "[Meckler] was a thirty-goal scorer in the USHL who went undrafted last year," said Sonier. "We think there is some tremendous upside in him. David has a cannon of a shot, which is a real asset with him." For more on Meckler: NCAA Top 40 Prospects For The 2006 Entry Draft FIFTH ROUND - Martin Nolet (144th overall; from the New York Rangers) Defenseman. 6-3, 209 pounds. Shoots: Right. Born: October 2, 1986. Birthplace: Quebec City. Quebec. Ranked #100 among North American skaters by CSB. In 19 games with Champlain in the Quebec AAA Junior Hockey League, Nolet scored five goals and seven assists for twelve points with 26 penalty minutes. Nolet, who is reported to be a good skater, will play for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst next season, joining Kings' goalie prospect Jonathan Quick. "Very good skater," said Murray. "I'm not sure how much offense is in him yet, but he is a good guy. He's going to be four-year guy in college and has a lot of time to develop his offensive game. He's a very easy skater." For more on Nolet: Six To Join UMass Hockey In Fall Of 2006 SIXTH ROUND - Constantin Braun (164th overall) Left Wing. 6-3, 198 pounds. Shoots: Left. Born: March 11, 1988. Birthplace: Lampertheim, Germany. Ranked #132 among European skaters by CSB. Braun played for the Berlin Junior Polar Bears of the German Junior League last season, scoring 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 24 regular season games. He also played in six games with the Berlin Polar Bears of the German Elite League. "He's a very good skater and another guy who can really shoot the puck and plays a physical style," said Murray. "Constantine has a lot of upside. He's a little time away yet, but we think he's a good prospect to have in the system." For more on Braun: Constantin Braun Profile The Kings traded their seventh round pick (194th overall) to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a seventh round selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. | |
| 6-19-06 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings hired former Boston Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell as a pro scout and player development consultant.
O'Connell, 50, was the Bruins' Vice President and General Manager for the last six seasons. In his twenty years in the National Hockey League, he played for 13 years as a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings. In 860 regular season games, O'Connell scored 105 goals with 335 assists for 440 points while racking up 605 penalty minutes. In 82 playoff games, he scored eight goals with 24 assists for 32 points and 64 penalty minutes. O'Connell also served as the head coach of the Providence Bruins (Boston's AHL affiliate) for two seasons from 1992-94, and then re-joined the parent club in 1994 as assistant general manager, a post he held for six seasons before being named as Boston's general manager on November 1, 2000. "Mike brings us a strong presence on the East Coast where scouting and development are critical to our franchise," said Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi. "As a former general manager, he brings a broad perspective that allows him to see the present as well as the future." "Mike did an outstanding job with the Bruins as he guided his club to the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2003-04, while putting in place a solid nucleus of young talent," added Lombardi. "Additionally, he recently demonstrated under tough conditions at the trade deadline that he always puts the health of the franchise first by not trading his young players or top draft picks." | |
| 6-17-06 | |
| On Saturday, the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (the Los Angeles Kings' primary minor league affiliate), announced that they have fired head coach Jim Hughes and assistant coach Derek Clancey.
"We certainly wish Jim and Derek the best in their future endeavors," said Kings assistant general manager and Monarchs general manager Ron Hextall." However, coming into the situation recently and evaluating it, I, though it was a difficult decision to make, felt we needed to make this change to help strengthen the franchise going forward." "Winning and the development of our top prospects remains the goal here with the Monarchs," added Hextall. "The search for a new coaching staff begins immediately." | |
| 6-13-06 | |
| As Kingshockey.com reported last week, the Los Angeles Kings have named Ron Hextall as their new Assistant General Manager. He will also serve as the General Manager for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings' primary minor league affiliate. Kingshockey.com has also learned that the Kings are talking to former Boston Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell about joining their staff..
Hextall, 42, has served as the Director of Pro Hockey Personnel for the Philadelphia Flyers for the last four years after joining the Flyers' front office as a Pro Scout in 1999. Hextall's responsibilities will include assisting Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi in all facets of the Kings' Hockey Operations department, including contract negotiations and player personnel, and overseeing the organization's top prospects. "I am honored and extremely excited to be a part of the Los Angeles Kings organization," said Hextall. "I look forward to working closely with Dean Lombardi and the entire Kings staff toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to Los Angeles." "It was a difficult decision considering my history with the Flyers organization, but moving forward with my career I thought it was the best move for myself and my family." In a thirteen-year National Hockey League career with the Flyers, New York Islanders and the Quebec Nordiques, Hextall won the Georges Vezina Trophy in 1986-87, his rookie season, and went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy that same season as the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup Finals, despite the fact that the Edmonton Oilers went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. At the time, Hextall was just the fourth player in the 23-year history of the Conn Smythe Trophy to win the award while being a member of the losing team in the Finals. In 1987, Hextall became the first NHL goalie to score a goal by shooting the puck into the net, and in 1989, he became the first goalie to score a goal in an NHL playoff game. In 608 regular season games, Hextall earned a 296-214-69 record, a 2.97 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .895 save percentage with 23 shutouts. In 93 playoff games he had a 47-43 record with a 3.04 GAA, a .897 save percentage and two shutouts. Hextall's playing experience and his time working with Lombardi with the Flyers were key factors in him being courted by the Kings. "Having worked with Ron the last few years in Philadelphia, I am extremely pleased that he is joining us here in Los Angeles," said Lombardi. "He was an integral part of the Flyers' success the past several seasons, and we expect him to be a leader in our efforts with the Kings as we build a strong and successful franchise here for years to come." "Ron represents a unique blend of a former player who excelled at a high level and in his post-playing career has shown a tireless commitment toward learning the personnel and operations functions of a franchise," added Lombardi. "Most importantly, he has a sharp mind and there is no doubt in my mind that he is a rising star in the management field." Unlike when the Kings hired Lombardi away from the Flyers, no compensation went to the Flyers for hiring Hextall. Sources close to the Kings are saying that O'Connell, who was fired by the Bruins late in the 2005-06 season, is being considered for the Director of Hockey Operations position. | |
| 6-8-06 | |
| Early Thursday, Kingshockey.com learned that the Los Angeles Kings will name former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall as their new assistant general manager, as soon as early next week.
Hextall has served as the Flyers' Director of Pro Hockey Personnel, and has been talking with Kings' President and General Manager Dean Lombardi about joining the Kings. Flyers General Manager Bobby Clarke confirmed that Hextall was going to the Kings. "We didn't want to lose Hexy, but I think it's a move in the right direction in his career," said Clarke. "He was very important to us, but he was also in our organization behind [assistant general manager] Paul Holmgren." "I think it's good for his career," added Clarke. "He came to us and wanted to try for the assistant position in Los Angeles, we gave him permission and Dean Lombardi hired him. We wish him the best. He was a good man for us and we hate to lose him, but if it's best for his family and his life then I think he's got to do it." Clarke also praised Hextall's abilities as a front office executive. "He is the type of guy that you want working in your organization because the things that are important on a club and to a club, he has," added Clarke. "He helped us find players, he helped Paul, and he helped our scouting staff and was the head of the pro scouts. He was very important to us." At press time, the Kings had not yet announced the hiring, and there has been no word regarding compensation going to the Flyers, in similar fashion to how the Flyers demanded compensation when the Kings hired Lombardi, who was a Flyers' scout. | |
| 6-1-06 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings signed forward prospect Ned Lukacevic and goalie prospect Daniel Taylor to multi-year, entry-level contracts. In other news, the Kings also announced that tickets for Frozen Fury 9, their annual pre-season game in Las Vegas, will go on sale on Saturday.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Lukecevic, 20, played for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season, scoring 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points in 63 games, leading the Broncos in goals, assists and points. The 6-1, 205-pound native of Podgorica, Serbia also scored a goal in seven playoff games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings' primary minor league affiliate, last season. In 238 regular season games in the WHL, Lukacevic has scored 63 goals with 74 assists for 137 points. Lukacevic was selected by the Kings in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Taylor, 20, played in 57 games for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League last season, earning a 32-15-6 record with a 3.11 goals-against average (GAA), a .911 save percentage and three shutouts. In five playoff games, Taylor, who is 5-11 and weighs 186 pounds, was 2-3 with a 2.80 GAA, a .918 save percentage and one shutout. The Plymouth, England native was selected by the Kings in the seventh round (221st overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In 114 regular season games with the OHL's Frontenacs and Guelph Storm, Taylor has a 61-33-12 record, five shutouts, a 2.89 GAA and a .909 save percentage. The Kings will host the Colorado Avalanche in Frozen Fury 9, the Kings annual pre-season game in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, September 23, 2006. Tichets for the game, which will be played at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand Hotel, will go on sale this Saturday, June 3, 2006, at 10:00 AM PDT. Tickets are priced at $68.25, $36.25 and $26.25, and can be purchased at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office or by calling the Kings at (888) 546-4752. Tickets can also be purchased at select Las Vegas TicketMaster locations (Tower Records/WOW!, Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Ritmo Latino and Robinson's May stores). To charge by phone, call Las Vegas TicketMaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets can also be purchased online at the MGM Grand web site, and at the TicketMaster web site. There is a limit of eight tickets per person. | |
| 7-31-05 | |
| On Saturday, the National Hockey League held its 2005 Entry Draft, and the Los Angeles Kings selected the top European prospect available as one of their eight draft picks.
In the first round, the Kings selected center Anze Kopitar, a Slovenian who played in the Swedish Junior League last season. The following is a wrap-up of the Kings' selections: FIRST ROUND - Anze Kopitar (11th overall) Center. 6-4, 220 pounds. Left-hand shot. Born: August 24, 1987. Birthplace: Jesenice, Slovenia. Ranked #1 among European skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau (CSB). Kopitar played for Sodertalje SK in the Junior 18, Junior 20 and Elite league teams. For the Junior-18 team, he scored a goal and added two assists for three points in just one game. He them moved up to the Junior-20 team, where he spent most of the season. In thirty games, he scored 28 goals and contributed 21 assists for 49 points, making him the league's top scorer. He also earned a +29 rating and had 26 penalty minutes. He also appeared in two playoff games, scoring a goal and adding an assist. He was then promoted to the Elite League team, where he did not get on the scoresheet in five regular season games and ten playoff games. In the 2005 World Junior Championships, Kopitar led the tournament in goals and points with 10 goals and 3 assists for 13 points in five games. Rated in the top ten among all prospects (often in the top five) by many hockey experts and publications, the Kings were not expecting Kopitar to be available. "We were surprised to see him there," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "We expect him to develop into a number one center. He has a great package of tools." International Scouting Services on Kopitar: "Big center is a stud prospect. Has the physical tools and instincts. Doesn't need much room to operate. Scores in a variety of ways; can beat defenders off the rush or use accurate shot and great touch around net. Always seems to get open in scoring territory at the right moment. Was a dominating force in the SuperElit league, leading the league with 45 in only 29 games. Good character both on and off the ice. Humble and has no ego problem. Great teammate." The Red Line Report said, "Anze Kopitar is the top European this year at any position. He's the first top-flight prospect ever produced by Slovenia, and quite possibly the best pure sniper in this year's crop. He's deadly from the circles in and wants the puck on his stick at crunch time. With a big-time shot and explosive, game-breaking abilities, he'll be off the board early." Kopitar, who reportedly speaks English very well, should not have a hard time making the transition to the North American style of hockey. "Kopitar hasn't really played a physical North American-style game-- ever," said Ryan Woodlief of the Red Line Report. "But he's big and strong, and not real shy about contact, so again, it shouldn't be a huge transition." "Dany Heatley is the player we compared him to in Red Line, though Tomas Vanek is also a good comparison," added Woodlief. Several scouts also had high praise for Kopitar. "His hockey sense and reads on the ice are very good," said Greg Malone, an amateur scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins. "That's the thing that's most impressive about the kid. You're like, 'Wow, where did he pick this up?'" "He's got a lot of upside, because of his size and his work ethic," added Malone. "He's a determined kid." "He's a hockey player," said Goran Stubb, one of CSB's European scouts. "A player. He has very good vision, a very good understanding of the game. His technical skills are very, very good. He's very good with the puck. He can score goals, and he can set up goals." "He played against the US and against Canada in the World Championships and did well," added Stubb. One thing the scouts agree on is that with the relative poor quality of hockey in Slovenia, Kopitar was clearly at a disadvantage in terms of his development. "I believe he'd be a better player right now if he'd been in [Sweden, Russia, Finland or the Czech Republic], for sure," said Willy Lindstrom, a scout for the Phoenix Coyotes. "The hockey in Slovenia is not that great." "He made a wise decision to play in Sweden," said Stubb. "He improved a lot." The one knock on Kopitar is his skating. "His skating is something you may look at and want to question," said Malone. "But he's the type of guy who, with his work ethic, that will come, probably." "The bottom line is that, down the road, this kid should be a pretty good hockey player, added Malone." The question now is...where will Kopitar play in 2005-06? Prior to the draft, the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League selected him in the second round (61st overall) of the 2005 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. "Anze is one of the top players in his age group in the world," said Pats General Manager Brent Parker. But the Pats do not even know if they can get their hands on Kopitar. "There is no question that this pick is a bit of a flyer, but if he comes over we have hit a grand slam. We didn't feel drafting an average European to take away ice-time from our younger players made much sense at this point in time. We believe it made more sense to go after a player of his magnitude then to pick a player from the Prague phone book." In fact, unless the Kings can convince Kopitar to play in North America, he will likely stay with Sodertalje. "I will stay in Sodertalje for the [2005-06] season," said Kopitar prior to Saturday's draft. That's hundred percent sure." For more on Kopitar: NHL.com: Kopitar Tops European Prospects IIHF World Championships Official Website: Anze Kopitar: Slovenia's Teen Sensation Hockeysfuture.com: ISS Prospect Profile - Anze Kopitar Daily News: More Offense Is Kings' Goal Los Angeles Times: Crosby Is New Penguin Star (LA Times Article on the Draft) SECOND ROUND - Dany Roussin (50th overall) Center/Left Wing. 6-2, 200 pounds. Left-hand shot. Born: January 9, 1985. Birthplace: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Roussin was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (223rd overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He became draft-eligible again because he was not signed by the Panthers, who missed the signing deadline after negotiations with Roussin's agent, Pat Brisson. Both sides had agreed on an entry-level contract before the deadline, and a FAX was sent to the NHL offices at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time. However, the FAX was not received by the NHL in time, just missing the deadline by a few minutes. Roussin has played the last three seasons with Oceanic de Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he scored 54 goals and added 62 assists for 116 points in 69 games. He earned a +61 rating and had 66 penalty minutes and was named to the QMJHL's Second All-Star team. In the 2004-05 playoffs, Roussin scored 11 goals and had 9 assists for 20 points in 13 games. Roussin's best season in the QMJHL was with Rimouski in 2003-04, when he scored 59 goals and had 58 assists for 117 points in 66 games. He was named to the QMJHL's First All-Star team that season. In 272 regular season games with Rimouski and Sherbrooke (QMJHL), Roussin has scored 143 goals and has contributed 168 assists for 311 points, with a +64 rating and 261 penalty minutes. In 22 playoff games with Rimouski, Roussin has scored 13 goals with 19 assists for 32 points. At Rimouski, Roussin was a teammate of Sidney Crosby, the touted first pick in Saturday's draft (Pittsburgh Penguins). For more on Roussin: Hockeysfuture.com: Dany Roussin Dany Roussin: The Overlooked Oceanic SECOND ROUND - T.J. Fast (60th overall) Defenseman. 6-1, 190 pounds. Left-hand shot. Born: September 2, 1987. Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This was a compensatory pick for center David Steckel becoming an unrestricted free agent; he signed a contract with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League for last season) Ranked 119th by CSB among North American skaters. In 58 games last season with the Camrose Kodiaks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Fast scored 8 goals with 28 assists for 36 points and racked up 40 penalty minutes. Fast is an offensive defenseman who is reportedly an excellent skater and can handle the puck well. He will play at the University of Denver in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (NCAA Division I). THIRD ROUND - Jonathan Quick (72nd overall) Goalie. 6-0, 180 pounds. Catches left. Born: January 21, 1986. Birthplace: Milford, CT. Ranked ninth among North American goalies by CSB, and tenth among all goalies by the Red Line Report. Last season with the Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers in the United States High School East league, Quick was 25-2-0 in 27 games (1,413 minutes), with a 1.14 goals-against average (GAA), a .053 save percentage and nine shutouts. He led the team to their second straight New England Division I Championship and was named to the All- New England Division I West First Team. The Red Line Report on Quick: "Jonathan Quick has also been playing at a low level in the prep ranks, but he has led Avon to two consecutive New England Prep championships and is the backbone of the program. He competes extremely well under pressure and seems to always come up with the big save at key moments. Quick is incredibly...well, quick, and exceptionally flexible and acrobatic. Perhaps his biggest strength is that he never gives up on a play. He relies a bit too much on his great reflexes and needs to refine his techniques, but he's got the physical tools and strong mental make-up." Quick has been invited to Team USA's National Junior Evaluation Camp in August for the 2006 International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) Under-20 World Junior Championships in Vancouver. Quick will play at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Hockey East, NCAA Division I) next season. For more on Quick: Hockeysfuture.com: Jonathan Quick USHSE Top 10 Prospects For the 2006 Draft FOURTH ROUND - The Kings did not have a fourth round draft pick (113th overall) following their trade with the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Nathan Dempsey on March 2, 2004. FIFTH ROUND - Patrik Hersley (139th overall) Defenseman. 6-3, 205 pounds. Shoots right. Born: June 23, 1986. Birthplace: Malmo, Sweden. Ranked 103rd among European skaters by CSB. With Malmo IF last season, Hersley played in just eight games because of injuries, contributing just one assist. In 48 games with Malmo IF in the Swedish Junior League the previous two seasons, he scored nine goals with 18 assists for 27 points in 48 games, with a +1 rating and 120 penalty minutes. Red Line Report on Hersley: "Hersley is a kid we really liked as a major sleeper last year when he missed most of the season with a bad back. We loved what we saw in our few viewings and had him ranked solidly, but he passed through untouched. Now that he's healthy, he's really catching our eye with great size, physical strength and one of the most punishingly heavy point shots we've seen in the last couple of seasons. When he opens up his hips on one-timers, he drives it right at goalies' chests and gloves with uncanny power. And at 6-3, 205 pounds, he's naturally strong. He doesn't look to hurt, but his clean shoulder-to-shoulder hits send guys flying. He's one to watch." For more on Hersley: Hockeysfuture.com: Patrick Hersley Swedish 2004 Prospects, Ranked 21-25 SIXTH ROUND - Ryan McGinnis (184th overall) Defenseman. 6-1, 197 pounds. Shoots left. Born March 3, 1987. Birthplace: Fenton, MI. Ranked 168th among North American skaters by CSB. In 66 games with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), McGinnis contributed six assists. He earned a +1 rating with 93 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, McGinnis contributed one assist and two penalty minutes in four games. In the 2003-04 season, McGinnis scored two goals and added two assists for four points in 32 games. He was a -3 and had 31 penalty minutes. McGinnis was held off the scoresheet in two games during the 2003-04 playoffs. SEVENTH ROUND - Josh Meyers (206th overall) Defenseman. 6-2, 180 pounds. Shoots right. Born: December 7, 1985. Birthplace: Alexandria, MN. Not ranked by CSB. Meyers played for Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League (junior hockey) last season where he scored 8 goals and added 24 assists for 32 points in 57 games, while earning a +16 rating and 92 penalty minutes. He was the Musketeers' leading scorer among defensemen. Meyers was named as the USHL's Defensive Player Of The Week for the week of February 21, 2005. In the 2004-05 playoffs, Meyers scored a goal and contributed nine assists for ten points in 13 games. He was a +2 and racked up 18 penalty minutes. He led all USHL defensemen in scoring during the playoffs, helping led his team to the Clark Cup Finals. Meyers played for the Minnesota Blizzard of the North American Hockey League in the 2003-04 season, and was the Most Valuable Player and the Defensive Player Of The Year for the Blizzard. Meyers will play for the University of Minnesota, Duluth Bulldogs (Western Collegiate Hockey Association, NCAA DIvision I) next season. SEVENTH ROUND - John Seymour - (226th overall) Center/Left Wing. 6-3, 176 pounds. Shoots right. Born: June 16, 1987. Birthplace: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. The Kings received this draft pick as compensation for a trade with Columbus on June 27, 2004, when the Kings traded a ninth round choice (271st overall; Grant Clitsome) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft for an eighth round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Seymour played last season with the Brampton Battalion of the OHL, where he scored a goal and added four assists for five points in 62 games with 62 penalty minutes. In the 2003-04 season, Seymour appeared in 40 games, contributing three assists with 16 penalty minutes. In 16 playoff games over the last two seasons with Brampton, Seymour has not gotten on the scoresheet. Seymour is thought to be a defensive defensemen and a smooth skater, but is likely to be a project who will need to work hard on his game to make it to the NHL level. | |
| 7-30-05 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed left wing prospect Ryan Flinn to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Flinn, 25, who sat out much of last season due to injury, played in 14 games last season with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings' primary AHL affiliate. The 6-5, 235-pound enforcer scored a goal and added an assist, while racking up 79 penalty minutes. Flinn was originally selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He was originally signed by the Kings as a free agent on January 9, 2003. | |
| 7-28-05 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed goalie prospect Ryan Munce to a three-year contract, and that they have exercised their option for the 2005-06 season on defenseman Mike Weaver. And in other news, USA Hockey has invited three Kings players to attend their 2005 US Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Orientation Camp.
Financial terms of the Kings' contract deals were not disclosed. Munce, 20, was selected by the Kings in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he posted a 12-21-6 record with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 55 games, Munce earned a 3.17 goals-against average (GAA) and a .909 save percentage. Munce's numbers were impacted by the fact that the Sting was a very poor team last season. They ended up the 2004-05 season in last place in their division and missed the playoffs. Moreover, only two other OHL teams allowed more shots on goal than the Sting. In the 2003-04 regular season with Sarnia, Munce was 28-21-4 with a 2.94 GAA and a .914 save percentage. He also earned two shutouts. But in the playoffs, he was 1-4-0 with a 3.42 GAA and a .894 save percentage. In the 2002-03 season with Sarnia, Munce earned a 15-7-0 record with a 2.64 GAA, a .916 save percentage and three shutouts. Weaver, 27, played in 79 games last season for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings' primary AHL affiliate. He set a career-high in points (23) on a goal and 22 assists. He also led the Monarchs with a +35 plus/minus rating, good for third in the AHL. Weaver, who is 5-9 and weighs 182 pounds, was originally signed by the Kings as a free agent on July 16, 2004. In 57 NHL games, all with the Atlanta Thrashers, he has recorded six assists and twenty penalty minutes. USA Hockey will hold their 2005 US Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Orientation Camp September 5-8 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Kings invitees are defensemen Aaron Miller and Tim Gleason, and right wing Dustin Brown. The camp is designed to assist in the preparation of the 2006 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that will compete at the XX Olympic Winter Games to be held February 10-26 in Torino, Italy, and will consist of both on- and off-ice components. "The orientation camp will be a terrific opportunity for our staff to come together with the candidates for our Olympic Team to assess the potential make-up of our squad," said Don Waddell, general manager of the 2006 Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. "It will not be a tryout camp as the evaluation process will continue throughout the first part of the NHL season, however, it will be an important first step in the total process." | |
| 7-27-05 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced their 2005-06 regular season schedule.
The season begins on October 5, with all thirty National Hockey League teams will be in action--the Kings will skate at Dallas. Their home opener is on October 6 against the Phoenix Coyotes. The NHL will move to a staggered schedule this season, with the Kings playing eight times against Pacific Division rivals and four games against other teams in the Western Conference. In all, the Kings will face Western Conference opponents 72 times. With the added emphasis on divisional play, inter-conference play has decreased. In fact, the Kings will play Eastern Conference opponents just ten times. The Kings will host all five clubs from Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington), and they will visit Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto in the Northeast Division. The 2005-06 schedule has the Kings playing in back-to-back situations thirteen times. The Kings' television schedule will be announced at a later date. ALL TIMES PACIFIC Home Games Indicated in CAPITAL Letters September 2005 (pre-season) 09/17/05 - Sat. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/18/05 - Sun. - San Jose, 5:00 PM, HP Pavilion, San Jose 09/20/05 - Tue. - Phoenix, 7:00 PM, Glendale Arena 09/24/05 - Sat. - COLORADO, 7:30 PM, MGM Grand, Las Vegas 09/25/05 - Sun. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/27/05 - Tue. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/29/05 - Thu. - Colorado, 6:00 PM, Pepsi Center, Denver 09/30/03 - Fri. - Anaheim, 7:30 PM, Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim October (9 home games, 3 away, 6 back-to-back) 10/05/05 - Wed. - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 10/06/05 - Thu. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 10/09/05 - Sun. - MINNESOTA, 5:00 PM 10/11/05 - Tue. - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 10/13/05 - Thu. - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 10/16/05 - Sun. - COLUMBUS, 5:00 PM 10/19/05 - Wed. - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 10/20/05 - Thu. - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 10/23/05 - Sun. - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 10/25/05 - Tue. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 10/28/05 - Fri. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 10/29/05 - Sat. - ST. LOUIS, 7:30 PM November (5 home, 9 away, 2 back-to-back) 11/02/05 - Wed. - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 11/03/05 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 11/05/05 - Sat. - NASHVILLE, 1:00 PM 11/09/05 - Wed. - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 11/11/05 - Fri. - at Chicago, 5:30 PM 11/13/05 - Sun. - at Columbus, 2:00 PM 11/15/05 - Tue. - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 11/17/05 - Thu. - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM 11/19/05 - Sat. - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 11/22/05 - Tue. - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 11/24/05 - Thu. - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 11/26/05 - Sat. - CHICAGO, 7:30 PM 11/28/05 - Mon. - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 11/30/05 - Wed. - at Chicago, 5:30 PM December (5 home, 10 road, 4 back-to-back) 12/02/05 - Fri. - at Ottawa, 4:30 PM 12/03/05 - Sat. - at Montreal, 4:00 PM 12/06/05 - Tue. - at Toronto, 4:30 PM 12/08/05 - Thu. - CAROLINA, 7:30 PM 12/10/05 - Sat. - FLORIDA, 1:00 PM 12/14/05 - Wed. - WASHINGTON, 7:30 PM 12/16/05 - Fri. - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 12/17/05 - Sat. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 12/19/05 - Mon. - at Vancouver, 7:30 PM 12/21/05 - Wed. - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 12/23/05 - Fri. - at Edmonton, 6:00 PM 12/26/05 - Mon. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 12/28/05 - Wed. - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 12/29/05 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 12/31/05 - Sat. - at Dallas, 5:00 PM January 2006 (8 home, 6 road, 2 back-to-back) 01/02/06 - Mon. - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 01/05/06 - Thu. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 01/07/06 - Sat. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 01/09/06 - Mon. - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 01/12/06 - Thu. - at Boston, 4:00 PM 01/14/06 - Sat. - at Buffalo, 4:30 PM 01/17/06 - Tue. - TAMPA BAY, 7:30 PM 01/19/06 - Thu. - ATLANTA, 7:30 PM 01/21/06 - Sat. - SAN JOSE, 3:00 PM 01/23/06 - Mon. - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 01/24/06 - Tue. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 01/26/06 - Thu. - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 01/28/06 - Sat. - ANAHEIM, 1:00 PM 01/30/06 - Mon. - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM February (2 home, 3 away, 4 back-to-back) 02/02/06 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 02/07/06 - Tue. - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 02/08/06 - Wed. - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 02/11/06 - Sat. - CHICAGO, 1:00 PM 02/12/06 - Sun. - DALLAS, 1:00 PM * Olympic Break: 02/15/06 - 02/26/06 March (7 home, 7 road, 4 back-to-back) 03/02/06 - Thu. - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 03/04/06 - Sat. - COLUMBUS, 1:00 PM 03/07/06 - Tue. - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 03/09/06 - Thu. - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 03/11/06 - Sat. - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 03/13/06 - Mon. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 03/14/06 - Tue. - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 03/16/06 - Thu. - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 03/18/06 - Sat. - ST. LOUIS, 7:30 PM 03/20/06 - Mon. - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 03/25/06 - Sat. - NASHVILLE, 7:30 PM 03/27/06 - Mon. - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 03/29/06 - Wed. - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 03/30/06 - Thu. - at Edmonton, 6:00 PM April (5 home, 3 road, 2 back-to-back) 04/01/06 - Sat. - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 04/03/06 - Mon. - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM 04/04/06 - Tue. - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 04/06/06 - Thu. - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 04/08/06 - Sat. - ANAHEIM, 3:00 PM 04/13/06 - Thu. - at Phoenix, 7:00 PM 04/15/06 - Sat. - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 04/17/06 - Mon. - at San Jose, 7:30 PM | |
| 7-26-05 | |
| Over the past two days, the Los Angeles Kings announced major changes for the coming season, the signing of a popular veteran, and their pre-season schedule.
The team made the following announcements at a televised press conference on Monday: * - The Kings expect to make three or four moves, which could include free agent signing and trades, in order to upgrade the team. "We are going to spend money this off-season to upgrade this team," said Kings President Tim Leiweke. "You can count on it." "In the next thirty days we will be challenged but committed to going out and finding key players we can add to this roster in order to give the Kings not only a competitive team going forward, but a competitive team for the next ten years," he added. * - Unrestricted free agent left wing Luc Robitaille has been signed to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is thought to be worth $1 million, plus up to $300,000 in performance bonuses based on goals and points scored. Robitaille, 39, was selected by the Kings in the ninth-round (171st overall) of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He ranked second on the Kings' all-time list in games played (1,012), goals (542), points (1,130), and is fourth in assists (588). In the post-season, Robitaille has scored 58 goals and has contributed 69 assists for 127 points in 159 playoff games. "We have always considered Luc Robitaille to be a King at heart," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "It has always been our intention for Luc to retire as a King. We are pleased that Luc has re-signed with the Kings, as are the fans I am sure." "He had a tremendous offensive year for us in 2003-04, and he remains one of the most popular players ever to wear a Kings jersey," added Taylor. "We look forward to him continuing to represent the Kings in a first-class manner." In 18 NHL seasons with the Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, Robitaille has become the NHL's all- time leader among left wingers for goals (653) and points (1,370), and is ranked 10th all-time in the NHL for goals scored. He won the Stanley Cup during his two-year stint with the Red Wings before returning to the Kings in the 2003-04 season. In that year, Robitaille led the Kings in scoring with 51 points, on 22 goals and 29 assists. His 22 goals ranked second on the team. He was the Kings' most valuable player that season. Robitaille needs just nine goals to pass Marcel Dionne for the Kings' all-time goals leader. * - Robitaille will autograph jerseys that will be given to every Kings' season seat holder. "This was an idea that was presented to me, and I immediately thought that it was a great one," said Robitaille. "I look forward to reaching out to the fans." * - Ticket Prices Will Lower Prices For Season Seat Holders, Freeze Prices For Individual Game Ticket Buyers, And Increase The Amount of $10.00 Tickets Kings' season seat holders will see a five percent, across-the-board decrease in season ticket prices. Also, the Kings have frozen ticket prices for individual game ticket buyers, and they will double the number of $10.00 tickets for each home game. "We have the most passionate and loyal fans in the National Hockey League and our goal is to continue to provide them with affordable ticket prices," said Leiweke. Leiweke added that the Kings had the 23rd lowest average ticket price among all thirty NHL teams in 2003-04. "We intend to be in the bottom third in ticket prices going forward," said Leiweke. The new season ticket prices breakdown as follows (2003-04 price indicated in parentheses): Upper Corners: $18.50 ($19.50) Upper Center: $22.50 ($24.50) 200 Level: $39.50 ($41.50) Lower Behind: $50.50 ($53.50) Lower Corner: $72.50 ($76.50) Center Ice: $92.50 ($97.50) Individual game ticket prices breakdown as follows: Upper Corners: $24.50 Upper Center: $30.50 200 Level: $52.50 Lower Behind: $65.50 Lower Corner: $87.50 Center Ice: $115.50 $100.00 deposits are already being accepted for season seats and ten- game Ice Packs. Call (800) KINGS-LA for more information. The Kings will also have four-ticket family plans available this season, with a lower price of $49.00, which includes parking, hot dogs and drinks. Individual game tickets for pre-season and regular season games will go on sale in September. * - Kings will give fans greater access to the team, including skating sessions with the team, moving some practices to ice rinks across Southern California, and more. On Tuesday, the Kings announced their 2005 pre-season schedule, featuring eight pre-season games, including three at Staples Center, along with their "Frozen Fury" game, played in Las Vegas. On September 17, the Kings will host the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to open the pre-season and all tickets for this game will be free. Season seat holders will receive their tickets with their season ticket package. The remaining tickets will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis through Ticketmaster or the Staples Center box office beginning on August 13, 2005, at 10:00 AM. This game will also feature a "Futures" game with young Kings and Mighty Ducks teams facing off at 4:00 PM. Tickets for the Frozen Fury 8 game against the Colorado Avalanche at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 24 will also go on sale on August 13 at 10:00 AM at Ticketmaster outlets and the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, (702) 474-4000. Ticket prices for the Frozen Fury game are $20.00, $30.00, $50.00 and $65.00. The following is the 2005 pre-season schedule (home games indicated in CAPITAL letters): September (pre-season) 9/17/05 - Saturday - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 9/18/05 - Sunday - San Jose, 5:00 PM, HP Pavilion, San Jose 9/20/05 - Tuesday - Phoenix, 7:00 PM, Glendale Arena 9/24/05 - Saturday - COLORADO, 7:30 PM, MGM Grand, Las Vegas 9/25/05 - Sunday - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 9/27/05 - Tuesday - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 9/29/05 - Thursday - Colorado, 6:00 PM, Pepsi Center, Denver 9/30/03 - Friday - Anaheim, 7:30 PM, Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim The National Hockey League will announce their 2005-06 regular season schedule on Wednesday at 9:00 AM PDT. | |
| 7-13-05 | |
| With the news that the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association have reached a tentative deal on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, some teams have issued brief statements to the media, and the Los Angeles Kings are no exception.
"The LA Kings are excited by the announcement that an agreement in principle on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been reached, and we look forward to the ratification process," said Kings President Tim Leiweke. "We would like to thank our loyal fans for their patience during this process, and we look forward to putting a very competitive team on the ice." | |
| 7-7-05 | |
| On Thursday, the Manchester Monarchs, the primary American Hockey League affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, announced that they will host a special Development Camp from July 11-22, 2005, at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo, California.
The two-week camp, has been hosted by the Kings in previous years. Speculation is that the Kings are having the Monarchs host it to avoid problems stemming from the lack of the collective bargaining agreement between the National Hockey League the players union. The Monarchs/Kings are expecting thirty players to participate in on-ice and off-ice workouts, and one exhibition game, which will be held on Friday, July 22, at 7:00 PM. DEVELOPMENT CAMP ROSTER Baier, Paul, Defenseman * Bernakavich, Brendan Center Brooks, Gerry, Defenseman Brust, Barry, Goaltender * Desjardins, Andrew Left Wing Dest, Jason, Defenseman Fukufuji, Yutaka, Goaltender * Guerin, Martin, Right Wing * Harrison, Tyler, Center James, Connor, Left Wing * Karlsson, Jens, Right Wing * Kerr, Stuart, Defenseman Lukacevic, Ned, Left Wing * Metcalf, Nate, Defenseman Munce, Ryan, Goaltender * Murphy, Ryan, Right Wing * Murray, Brady, Center ** Neilson, Eric, Right Wing * Petiot, Richard, Defenseman * Pushkarev, Konstantin Forward * Ryan, Matt, Center * Salcido, Brian, Defenseman Saurette, Kevin, Left Wing, Steckel, David, Center * Sullivan, Mike, Center * Taylor, Daniel, Goaltender * Tremblay, Luis, Defenseman Tukonen, Lauri, Right Wing * Werner, Eric, Defenseman Zaba, Matt, Goaltender * * Kings draft choice/free agent signee ** Kings draft choice/injured | |
| 7-31-04 | |
| On Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings signed forward Sean Avery to a two-year contract extension.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Avery, 24, played in 76 games last season, scoring nine goals with 19 assists for 28 points while racking up 261 penalty minutes--all career-highs. Avery led the Kings and the NHL in penalty minutes. In 163 career NHL games with the Kings and Detroit Red Wings, Avery has 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points with 284 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-16-04 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings made two depth moves, signing defenseman Mike Weaver to a one-year contract, and signing right wing Brad Smyth, who played for the Kings back in the 1996-97 season, to a two-year deal.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Weaver, 26, played in 78 games with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, he scored three goals with 14 assists, good for 17 points with 89 penalty minutes. In nine playoff games with the Wolves, Weaver scored two goals and added two assists for four points with 20 penalty minutes. Weaver, who is 5-9 and weighs 185 pounds, also got into one game with the Atlanta Thrashers last season. In 57 National Hockey League regular season games, all with Atlanta, Weaver has six assists and 20 penalty minutes. Smyth, 30, played in 48 games with Karpat of the Finnish Elite League last season, scoring 20 goals with 18 assists for 38 points with 85 penalty minutes. In 15 playoff games, he scored three goals with five assists for eight points with four penalty minutes. Smyth, who is 6-0 and weighs 200 pounds, last played in the NHL in 2002-03 with the Ottawa Senators, scoring three goals with an assist and 15 penalty minutes in 12 games. With the Kings, Smyth scored eight goals and eight assists for 16 points with 74 penalty minutes in 44 games in the 1996-97 season. The following year, Smyth played in nine games for the Kings, scoring a goal and adding three assists for four points with four penalty minutes. Smyth was acquired by the Kings on November 26, 1996, from the Florida Panthers for a third round selection in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings later traded Smyth to the New York Rangers on November 14, 1997 for future considerations. In 99 NHL regular season games with Ottawa, New York Rangers, Nashville, Los Angeles and Florida, Smyth has scored 15 goals with 13 assists for 28 points and 109 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-15-04 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings signed left wing Jeff Cowan to a multi-year contract.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Cowan, 27, played in 13 games for the Kings last season, scoring two goals and adding an assist, to go along with 24 penalty minutes. Cowan, who is 6-2 and weighs 205 pounds, was acquired by the Kings on March 9 in a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers, in exchange for left wing Kip Brennan. In 58 games with Atlanta, Cowan scored nine goals and added 15 assists for 24 points with 68 penalty minutes, giving him a total 11 goals and 16 assists, good for 27 points with 88 penalty minutes in 71 games for the season. Cowan's season numbers all are career-highs. In 258 NHL regular season games with the Kings and Thrashers, Cowan has scored 32 goals with 27 assists for 59 points and 387 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-14-04 | |
| On Wednesday, the National Hockey League released their 2004-05 regular season schedule, and the Los Angeles Kings will start the season on the road of October 13, pending a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the National Hockey League Players Association.
If an agreement is not reached by September 15, 2004, the league could lockout the players, forcing a delay in the start of the season. After their season opener at Colorado on October 13, the Kings will play their home opener at Staples Center on October 15 against the Calgary Flames. The Kings schedule features three five-game home stands, and will see the Kings facing Pacific Division rivals six times. They will face other Western Conference opponents four times, and they will play at least once against all Eastern Conference teams. This season, the Kings will not travel to Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay or Washington. Likewise, Boston, Montreal, New Jersey, the New York Rangers, Ottawa and Toronto will not visit Staples Center. Television coverage will be announced at a later date. LEGEND ABC = American Broadcasting Company CBC = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ESPN/ESPN2 = Enterntainment and Sports Network FSN = Fox Sports Net West FSN2 = Fox Sports Net West 2 TSN = The Sports Network (Canada) ? * - Indicates Mighty Ducks of Anaheim broadcast ALL TIMES PACIFIC Home Games Indicated in CAPITAL Letters SEPTEMBER (pre-season) 09/23/04 - Thu - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM, Staples Center 09/25/04 - Sat - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM, MGM Grand, Las Vegas 09/26/04 - Sun - SAN JOSE, 5:00 PM, Centennial Arena, Bakersfield OCTOBER (pre-season) 10/01/04 - Fri - at Phoenix, 7:00 PM 10/02/04 - Sat - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 10/06/04 - Wed - at San Jose, SaveMart Center, Fresno, 7:00 PM 10/08/04 - Fri - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 10/09/04 - Sat - COLORADO, 7:30 PM, Staples Center OCTOBER (3 home, 5 away, 0 back-to-back) 10/13/04 - Wed - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 10/15/04 - Fri - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 10/17/04 - Sun - ANAHEIM, 5:00 PM 10/20/04 - Wed - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 10/23/04 - Sat - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 10/28/04 - Thu - at Ottawa, 4:30 PM 10/30/04 - Sat - at New York Islanders, 4:00 PM NOVEMBER (6 home, 7 away, 4 back-to-back) 11/01/04 - Mon - at New York Rangers, 4:00 PM 11/04/04 - Thu - ATLANTA, 7:30 PM 11/06/04 - Sat - PITTSBURGH, 7:30 PM 11/09/04 - Tue - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 11/10/04 - Wed - at Chicago, 5:30 PM 11/12/04 - Fri - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 11/14/04 - Sun - at Florida, 2:00 PM 11/16/04 - Tue - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 11/18/04 - Thu - FLORIDA, 7:30 PM 11/20/04 - Sat - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 11/26/04 - Fri - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 11/27/04 - Sat - CHICAGO, 7:30 PM 11/30/04 - Tue - DALLAS, 7:30 PM DECEMBER (7 home, 8 away, 6 back-to-back) 12/02/04 - Thu - WASHINGTON, 7:30 PM 12/04/04 - Sat - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 12/05/04 - Sun - at Chicago, 4:00 PM 12/07/04 - Tue - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 12/09/04 - Thu - CAROLINA, 7:30 PM 12/11/04 - Sat - EDMONTON, 1:00 PM 12/14/04 - Tue - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 12/16/04 - Thu - NASHVILLE, 7:30 PM 12/18/04 - Sat - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 12/19/04 - Sun - at Anaheim, 5:00 PM 12/21/04 - Tue - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 12/23/04 - Thu - at Edmonton, 6:00 PM 12/26/04 - Sun - at San Jose, 5:00 PM 12/27/04 - Mon - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 12/29/04 - Wed - at Dallas, 5:30 PM JANUARY (8 home, 6 away, 4 back-to-back) 01/01/05 - Sat - at Nashville, 12:00 PM 01/02/05 - Sun - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 01/06/05 - Thu - TAMPA BAY, 7:30 PM 01/08/05 - Sat - PHILADELPHIA, 7:30 PM 01/09/05 - Sun - at Anaheim, 5:00 PM 01/11/05 - Tue - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 01/13/05 - Thu - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 01/15/05 - Sat - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM 01/18/05 - Tue - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 01/20/05 - Thu - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 01/22/05 - Sat - COLUMBUS, 7:30 PM 01/27/05 - Thu - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 01/29/05 - Sat - NASHVILLE, 1:00 PM 01/31/05 - Mon - at Dallas, 5:30 PM FEBRUARY (6 home, 6 away, 8 back-to-back) 02/02/05 - Wed - at New Jersey, 4:30 PM 02/03/05 - Thu - at Boston, 4:00 PM 02/05/05 - Sat - at Montreal, 10:00 PM 02/08/05 - Tue - at Philadelphia, 4:00 PM 02/09/05 - Wed - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 02/16/05 - Wed - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 02/18/05 - Fri - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 02/19/05 - Sat - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 02/21/05 - Mon - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 02/23/05 - Wed - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 02/25/05 - Fri - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 02/26/05 - Sat - ST. LOUIS, 7:30 PM MARCH (10 home, 6 away, 4 back-to-back) 03/01/05 - Tue - BUFFALO, 7:30 PM 03/03/05 - Thu - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 03/05/05 - Sat - VANCOUVER, 7:00 PM 03/08/05 - Tue - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 03/09/05 - Wed - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 03/11/05 - Fri - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 03/13/05 - Sun - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 03/15/05 - Tue - CHICAGO, 7:30 PM 03/17/05 - Thu - NEW YORK ISLANDERS, 7:30 PM 03/19/05 - Sat - ST. LOUIS, 1:00 PM 03/22/05 - Tue - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 03/24/05 - Thu - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 03/26/05 - Sat - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 03/28/05 - Mon - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 03/30/05 - Wed - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 03/31/05 - Thu - at San Jose, 7:30 PM APRIL (1 home, 3 away, 2 back-to-back) 04/02/05 - Sat - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 04/04/05 - Mon - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 04/05/05 - Tue - at Edmonton, 6:00 PM 04/09/05 - Sat - COLUMBUS, 1:00 PM | |
| 7-13-04 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Joe Corvo to a one-year contract extension, and it was learned that left wing Alexander Frolov signed a contract with a team in Russia as a backup plan in case the National Hockey League owners lockout the players.
Financial terms of Corvo's deal were not disclosed, but the deal is believed to be worth $800,000. Corvo earned $475,000 last season. Corvo, 27, played in 72 games with the Kings last season, scoring eight goals with 17 assists for 25 points with 36 penalty minutes. He also had a +7 plus/minus rating. Corvo, who is 6-1 and weighs 205 pounds, was originally selected by the Kings in the fourth round (83rd overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. In 122 NHL regular season games, all with the Kings, Corvo has scored 13 goals with 24 assists for 37 points with 50 penalty minutes, and has a +9 rating. Frolov's contract with CSKA Moscow allows him to return to the NHL once the season begins. | |
| 7-12-04 | |
| On Monday, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced that they will host this season's round-robin Rookie Tournament featuring rookies of the Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks and the Mighty Ducks.
The tournament will begin on September 9, with each team playing four games. The first three will be played in a round-robin format, with games scheduled for September 9, 10 and 12. All teams will practice on September 11. The third-place and championship games will be played on September 13. "We are excited to take our turn hosting this event," said Anaheim Interim General Manager Al Coates. "Each of the four teams participating have some terrific young talent, giving our fans a chance to see the NHL stars of tomorrow." Rosters and game times will be announced in August. Mighty Ducks season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to buy tickets. A select number of general admission tickets will be available on game days. Further information on tickets will be made available in August. | |
| 7-9-04 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings avoided arbitration by signing defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky to a new four-year contract, believed to be worth $9 million.
Visnovsky, a restricted free agent, earned $850,000 last season, and is believed to have been offered $935,000 per season, Visnovsky, 27, scored eight goals (tying his career high) with 21 assists for 29 points with 26 penalty minutes in 58 games last season, while missing 24 games with injuries. The 5-10, 188-pound defenseman ranked second among Kings defensemen in points and was second on the team in ice time (24:02 per game). "We are happy to have a long-term agreement with Lubomir," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He is an important part of our team. He generates a lot of offense from his position and he is a key member of our power play." Visnovsky was originally selected by the Kings in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. In 268 NHL regular season games, all with the Kings, he has scored 27 goals with 86 assists for 113 points with 104 penalty minutes. Visnovsky will represent Slovakia at the World Cup of Hockey tournament in September. His international experience includes winning the Bronze Medal at the 2003 World Hockey Championships, the Gold Medal at the 2002 World Hockey Championships, and the Silver Medal at the 2000 World Hockey Championships. Visnovsky also represented his country at the 2002 Olympics. | |
| 7-9-04 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings announced their eight-game 2004 pre-season schedule, pending an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association.
The schedule includes two games to be played at Staples Center. Tickets for the two games at Staples Center and for the "Frozen Fury 8" game against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Las Vegas on September 25 will go on sale at a later date. LOS ANGELES KINGS 2004 PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE (All Times Pacific) Thursday, 9/23 - Phoenix Coyotes, Staples Center, 7:30 PM Saturday, 9/25 - Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, 7:30 PM Sunday, 9/26 - San Jose Sharks, Centennial Arena, Bakersfield, 5:00 PM Friday, 10/1 - Phoenix Coyotes, Glendale Arena, Phoenix, 7:00 PM Saturday, 10/2 - Colorado Avalanche, Pepsi Center, Denver, 6:00 PM Wednesday, 10/6 - San Jose Sharks, time/location to be announced Friday, 10/8 - Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, 7:30 PM Saturday, 10/9 - Colorado Avalanche, Staples Center, 7:30 PM | |
| 7-8-04 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings made a move to add depth in their system by signing goalie prospect Adam Hauser to a one-year entry-level contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Hauser, 24, started the 2003-04 season with the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League (Kings ECHL affiliate), where he played in four games, earning a 3-0-1 record with a 1.71 GAA, a .930 save percentage and one shutout. Hauser, who is 6-2 and weighs 194 pounds, then joined the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (Kings AHL affliate), earning a 20-15-7 record with a 1.94 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and seven shutouts. Only five goalies in the first 67 seasons of the AHL have finished the season with a goal-against average (GAA) below 2.00, but last season, Hauser joined seven other AHL goalies in doing so. In last season's AHL playoffs, Hauser played in four games, earning a 2-2-0 record with a 1.89 GAA and a .913 save percentage. Hauser, who is from Bovey, Minnesota, was originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round (81st overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was a four-year star with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he held school records for career wins, saves, shutouts and games played. In 2002, Hauser won the NCAA Championship with the Golden Gophers. Hauser was also named to the 2002 NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. In his first professional season, Hauser was named to the 2002-03 ECHL All-Rookie team with the Jackson Bandits. | |
| 7-7-04 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that more than 44 players will participate in their annual Development Camp, July 11-23, 2004, at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo.
The camp will feature on and off-ice workouts and one exhibition game. All on-ice workouts are free and are open to the public. The exhibition game is scheduled for July 23 at 7:30 PM, but no details on ticket prices were available at press time. Among the Kings' prospects who will be participating are all nine of the Kings' 2004 NHL Entry Draft selections: Lauri Tukonen (1st round, 11th overall); Paul Baier (3rd round, 95th overall); Ned Lukacevic (4th round, 110th overall); Eric Neilson (5th round, 143rd overall); Scott Parse (6th round; 174th overall); John Curry (7th round; 205th overall); Daniel Taylor (7th round; 221st overall); Yutaka Fukufuji (8th round; 238th overall) and Valtteri Tenkanen (9th round, 264th overall). In addition to Kings' prospects, other young players have been invited, most notably, 16-year-old Sidney Crosby, the Canadian Hockey League's (CHL) Player of the Year, who is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. In 59 games last season with Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Crosby scored 54 goals and added 81 assists for 135 points with 74 penalty minutes. He became the first player to win the CHL Player of the Year, Top Scorer and Top Rookie awards all in the same season. He was also named the QMJHL's Offensive Player of the Year, and he won the Jean Beliveau Trophy as the league's leading scorer. Crosby, who is 5-11 and weighs 190-pounds, also won the Silver Medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships last season. He also became the youngest player ever to score for Team Canada during that tournament. Several Kings and Manchester Monarchs players are also expected to participate, including forwards Dustin Brown and Noah Clarke and defenseman Denis Grebeshkov. Kings 2004 Development Camp Attendees * - Denotes Kings Draft Pick or Free Agent Signee DEFENSEMEN Baier, Paul * Basiuk, Scott Dest, Jason Gabinet, Mike * Geisler, Beau Good, Brad Grebeshkov, Denis * Harrington, Chris Johnson, Jack Macias, Raymond McWilliams, Keith Petiot, Richard * Ramsey, Travis GOALIES Brust, Barry * Fukufuji, Yutaka * Marsters, Nathan * Munce, Ryan * Taylor, Daniel * Zaba, Matt * CENTERS Boyle, Brian * Clarkson, Dave Crosby, Sidney Curry, John * Murray, Brady * Ryan, Matt Steckel, David * Sullivan, Mike * Tenkanen, Valtteri (also plays left wing) * LEFT WINGS Clarke, Noah * Dora, Lucas Faulkner, Mac James, Connor * Lukacevic, Ned * Lukajic, Mike RIGHT WINGS Brown, Dustin Guerin, Martin * Hogeboom, Greg * Kanko, Petr * Murphy, Ryan * Neilson, Eric * Parros, George * Parse, Scott * Tukonen, Lauri * Ward, Joel | |
| 7-6-04 | |
| UPDATED: 11:30 PM PDT, 7/6/04: On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent center Craig Conroy to a four-year contract.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although the contract is believed to be worth $12.6 million, or $3.15 million per year, a considerable raise over the $2.2 million he earned last season. "Craig has proven to be one of the top two-way centers in the game and we are real excited to bring him to the Kings," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He has real strong character, solid leadership skills and he has proven to be a clutch playoff performer. Our fans will appreciate the enthusiasm, passion and high compete-level that he brings to the ice every night." "We are very happy to have this agreement with Craig," added Taylor. "We view Craig as someone who can play in our top six at the center position, and he's got a lot of experience in the league. Certainly what he just went through with Calgary on their run to the Stanley Cup Finals. That kind of experience is going to be very valuable for our team, and particularly our younger players." "If you watch Craig play what we really like about him is the way he competes and the energy and passion he brings to the rink every night," said Taylor. "Our fans will really enjoy watching Craig play. I've known Craig and his family for a long, long time. I know how Craig carries himself. He has been a credit to the National Hockey League for a number of years. From that perspective, we are very happy to have him joining our organization." Also praising Conroy was now-former Calgary teammate Jarome Iginla, who recently stated that "Conroy is one of the best two-way centers in the game." Conroy, 32, played the last four seasons with the Calgary Flames, who made it to the Stanley Cup Finals this past season. In 26 playoff games last season, Conroy scored six goals and added eleven assists for 17 points with 12 penalty minutes, and was a +12. Conroy was second on the Flames in playoff scoring and fifth overall in the NHL in playoff scoring. Conroy, a two-time finalist for the NHL's Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) was a co-captain for the Flames. During the regular season, Conroy, who is 6-2 and weighs 197 pounds, played in 63 games, scoring eight goals with 39 assists for 47 points with 44 penalty minutes and a +13 rating. Conroy's 39 assists led the Flames, and his 47 points ranked him second on the team. Conroy, a right-hand shot who is known for his strong defensive play and his ability in the face-off circle, was coming off his two most productive seasons. In 2001-02, Conroy scored 27 goals and added 48 assists for 75 points, with 32 penalty minutes and a +24 rating. He ended the season tied for 12th in the NHL in overall scoring. In 2002-03, Conroy played in 79 games, scoring 22 goals with 37 assists for 59 points and 36 penalty minutes with a -4 rating. Conroy was originally drafted by Montreal in the sixth round (123rd overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. In 609 NHL regular season games with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and the Flames, Conroy has 118 goals and 222 assists for 340 points with 337 penalty minutes and a +69 rating. In 62 playoff games with St. Louis and Calgary, Conroy has scored nine goals with 16 assists for 25 points with 36 penalty minutes and a +8 rating. Conroy, a native to Potsdam, New York, has been selected to represent the United States in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey tournament, which will take place in September. "I'm extremely excited to be an LA King," said Conroy. "I feel the Kings are committed to winning and I am excited about the direction they are heading. I know that they have a great fan-base at Staples Center that has always been tough on opposing teams so it will be nice to have them supporting me for a change." "When it came right down to it, I thought LA was the best fit for me," added Conroy during a press conference call with reporters. "I just felt they really wanted me." During a telephone press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Conroy told reporters that goaltending and defense were among the reasons he wanted to sign with the Kings. "I believe it all starts with goaltending," he said. "I think now they have two goaltenders that are very capable [Mathieu Garon and Roman Cechmanek]. Whichever one it is going to be a battle and good competition in goal." "Then I look at their [defense] and playing against them for a number of years," he added. "They've got great talent. I want to come in and get them to the next level like we did in Calgary." "You look at the situation and the goaltenders are going to have competition," explained Conroy. "I think the defense in Los Angeles are more experienced then the defense we had in Calgary. The Los Angeles defense are one of the toughest groups to play against, day in and day out. [Mattias] Norstrom is very tough to play against and the forwards feed off of that." Kings defenseman Aaron Miller, who will also be Conroy's teammate during the World Cup of Hockey tournament, played a role in Conroy joining the Kings. "When it came down to it I thought LA was the best fit for me," said Conroy. "I talked to Aaron Miller and the coaching staff and Dave Taylor has been unbelievable. I just felt like they really wanted me to come here and I wanted to come somewhere where they really wanted me and I could contribute." Conroy told reporters that the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues also made strong bids for his services, but that the Kings made the strongest bid. "St. Louis was in it to the very end," said Conroy. "With New Jersey, I had never played in the east. Lou Lamoriello was great through the whole process. I felt fortunate because he is a guy who everyone respects in this league and he wants me to come to New Jersey and that says a lot of what he thinks about me and that made me feel great." "I told my agent I feel comfortable staying in the west," added Conroy. "Sometimes I wonder if you can go back to the same place twice and had some reservations about that. I wanted a fresh start. I wanted a team that really wanted me. Los Angeles was the first team to call and called the most often. In the end, I told my agent Los Angeles will be the best fit and I want to go where they want me and I can help." Calgary, a small-market team, did not offer Conroy a contract offer that was long enough to suit his needs, and it quickly became clear that he would not be able to come to terms with the Flames. "I think [Calgary general manager Darryl Sutter] has a plan and we all know it is a business and everybody knows that you want to do what it best for your family and what is best for everyone involved," explained Conroy. "Calgary offered a couple of years but I was looking for a little bit longer deal." "We actually only had one conversation," added Conroy. "It was tough because we had such a great run and I think I was looking for something and I think they were heading in a different direction. I had to do what was best for me and my family and I had to go out see what was out there. I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't my first choice to stay in Calgary but it wasn't the right situation so I had to move on." Conroy also expressed his uncertainty with the crisis over the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement just getting worse as each day passes. "Once the season got over I got a little concerned," said Conroy. "Everybody knows what we are heading into. It's not going to happen in a day. They are going to have to get together and work everything out if we are going to have hockey next year." "As far as all the terms, I didn't know if they were going to sign unrestricted guys this year," added Conroy. "You don't know what is going to happen. I am a very excitable person and we had some great teams involved. It was a little more stressful than I thought." But Conroy knows his role will likely be a bit different than it was when he was playing next to star forward Jarome Iginla in Calgary. "I will probably have to shoot a little more," said Conroy. "Darryl [Sutter] used to get upset and say 'C'mon Craig you've got to shoot, you've got a great shot but if you're going to pass to Iggy all the time I am going to take you off the power play.'" "[Iginla] is one of the best players in the world and it is always fun to play with one of those guys, but I know LA and they always bring in great players," added Conroy. "I know there are going to be some great players to play with, and I'm looking forward to finding out who it is." Conroy also talked about playing for Kings head coach Andy Murray for the first time. "I talked to a lot of guys to find out what kind of coach he is," explained Conroy. "I've heard nothing but positive things. He is all about winning. I saw what he did last year when he got so much out of guys with all the injuries. He gets as much out of every player he can. He is the ultimate competitor and he wants to win." As for the Kings, will Conroy be their only free agent signing for the summer? Taylor hopes that is not the case. "We certainly hope we can add some more pieces, said Taylor. "We've talked to a number of players and a number of agents, including some of our players through the course of this. We will continue to talk to other players throughout the summer, and if there are other deals out there that make sense--then absolutely we will move forward." | |
| 7-2-04 | |
| On Friday, the Colorado Avalanche signed former Los Angeles Kings forward Ian Laperriere to a four-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is reported to be valued anywhere between $4.2 million and $5.4 million. Laperriere, 30, received a qualifying offer from the Kings on June 30. Under normal circumstances, the Kings would have retained the rights to Laperriere. But because he was earning less than the National Hockey League's average salary, he was free to sign with any team. In eight seasons with the Kings, Laperriere played in 595 regular season games, scoring 63 goals with 104 assists for 167 points while racking up 1,017 penalty minutes. In 35 playoff games with the Blues and Kings, Laperriere has two goals and seven assists for nine points with 50 penalty minutes. In 694 regular season games with the St. Louis Blues and the Kings, Laperriere has 78 goals and 126 assists for 204 points with 1,242 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-1-04 | |
| The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Los Angeles Kings television play-by-play announcer Bob Miller will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
Miller, the "Voice of the Kings" for 31 seasons (since 1973), will be honored for his radio play-by-play work with the Kings. Miller did a "simulcast," calling the action simultaneously for television and radio during his first 17 years with the Kings. Miller was inducted into the broadcaster's wing of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on November 13, 2000, when he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, given annually radio and television broadcasters who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and the game during their hockey broadcasting careers. Miller is also one of the inaugural members of he Kings Hall of Fame. | |
| 6-30-04 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed star left wing Luc Robitaille and veteran defenseman Stephane Quintal to one-year contracts.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, although Robitaille is believed to have signed a $1.5 million deal. It is also believed that Quintal signed a contract that is worth considerably less than the $1.5 million (US) he earned last season. Robitaille, 38, led the Kings in overall scoring with 51 points on 22 goals and 29 assists in 80 games. He also led the team with four game-winning goals and twelve power play goals, and he co-led the team in assists. He was selected by his teammates as the Kings' Most Inspirational Player. "I am both happy and excited to return to the Kings," said Robitaille. "This is where I started my career and this is where I believe I will end my career. This is where I belong. This is my home." In 18 NHL seasons, Robitaille has scored 653 goals and 717 assists for 1,370 points in 1,366 regular season games. In the post-season, Robitaille has played in 159 games, scoring 58 goals and 69 assists for 127 points. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. Robitaille, who is now in his third stint with the Kings, holds NHL career records among left wingers for goals (653) and points (1,370). He also holds the NHL records for most goals and points scored in a season by a left winger with 125 points (63 goals, 62 assists in the 1992-93 season). Robitaille is also an eight-time NHL All-Star, and he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year in 1987. In his 13 seasons with the Kings, Robitaille is second all-time with 1,012 games played, second in goals with 542, second in points with 1,130 and fourth in assists with 588. Last season, Robitaille set a number of milestones. He became the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history on March 22, played in his 1,000th NHL regular season game on March 13, scoring his 20th goal of the season to become the sixth active player to score 20 or more goals in 16 NHL seasons on March 10, and he scored his 650th goal on March 9. Robitaille is just eight goals behind Kings' all-time great and Hall of Fame center Marcel Dionne for the most goals scored in Kings history. He is also 99 games behind current Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor in games played. "We are pleased that Luc has re-signed with the Kings," said Taylor. "He had a tremendous year for us last year and he remains one of the most popular players ever to wear a Kings jersey. He has always represented the Kings in a first-class manner and we have always considered him to be a King at heart. We hope that he eventually retires in a Kings uniform." Quintal, 35 was acquired by the Kings on June 27, in exchange for future considerations, believed to be a conditional draft pick, from the Montreal Canadiens. Quintal, who is 6-3 and weighs 233 pounds, played in 73 games last season for the Canadiens, scoring three goals with five assists for eight points while racking up 82 penalty minutes. Quintal played in 73 games for the Habs last season, scoring three goals with five assists for eight points while racking up 82 penalty minutes. He averaged 20:38 in ice time, and played in his 1,000th NHL game on January 6. Quintal also had a +10 rating, second-best among Habs defensemen. Quintal, who is 6-3 and weighs 233 pounds, also played in four playoff games for the Canadiens last season before suffering an injury. Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round (14th overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Quintal has played in 1,037 NHL games the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and two stints each with Boston and Montreal, He has scored 63 goals and 180 assists for 234 points with 1,320 penalty minutes. In 52 NHL playoff games, Quintal has two goals and ten assists for 12 points. | |
| 6-30-04 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have made qualifying offers so that they will retain their rights to a number of their players (restricted free agents), and they also named players who will not be receiving qualifying offers.
Players receiving qualifying offers are: Sean Avery - Center Scott Barney - Center Eric Belanger - Center Noah Clarke - Left Wing Joe Corvo - Defenseman Jeff Cowan - Left Wing Ryan Flinn - Left Wing Steve Kelly - Center Ian Laperriere - Center/Right Wing Bryan Muir - Defenseman Joe Rullier - Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky - Defenseman Tomas Zizka - Defenseman The Kings will not make qualifying offers to the following players who will become unrestricted free agents on July 1, 2004: Jason Allison - Center Adam Deadmarsh - Right Wing Anson Carter - Right Wing Brad Chartrand - Right Wing/Left Wing Mathieu Chouinard - Goaltender Maxim Kuznetsov - Defenseman | |
| 6-27-04 | |
| On Sunday, the National Hockey League completed their 2004 NHL Entry Draft, as teams selected players in rounds four through nine, and the Los Angeles Kings selected seven players and made two minor draft-day trades.
As they did on Saturday, the Kings were involved in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens, this time, acquring veteran defenseman Stephane Quintal in exchange for future considerations. Quintal, 36, played in 73 games for the Habs last season, scoring three goals with five assists for eight points wihle racking up 82 penalty minutes. He averaged 20:38 in ice time, and played in his 1,000th NHL game on January 6. Quintal, who is 6-3 and weighs 233 pounds, also played in four playoff games for the Canadiens last season before suffering an injury. Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round (14th overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Quintal has played in 1,037 NHL games the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and two stints each with Boston and Montreal, He has scored 63 goals and 180 assists for 234 points with 1,320 penalty minutes. In 52 NHL playoff games, Quintal has two goals and ten assists for 12 points. The Canadiens recently announced that they would not offer Quintal a contract, even though he was reported to be willing to take a pay cut. This deal allowed Montreal to dump salary and get whatever they could in return for losing Quintal. The Kings are expected to quickly sign Quintal to a one-year contract for considerably less than the $1.5 million (US) he earned last season. "We feel he'd be a good fit with some of the more mobile and offensive-minded guys we've got on our blue line," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "We just wanted more help," added Taylor. "But when you look at [Kings defenseman Aaron Miller's] injuries the past few years, there is always a concern." The Kings also traded their second selection in the ninth round (271st overall) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for an eighth-round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings began their day by choosing left wing Ned Lukacevic in the fourth round (110th overall). Lukacevic, an 18-year-old, 6-0 185-pound winger, played for Spokane of the Western Hockey League last season, scoring 19 goals with 14 assists for 33 points and 65 penalty minutes in 72 games. Lukacevic, who was ranked 107th among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau, is from Serbia. He also played for Team British Columbia in the 2003 Canada Winter Games. "Ned Lukacevic has good size, speed and top offensive ability," said Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray. 19-year-old right wing Eric Neilson was the Kings' fifth-round selection (143rd overall), from Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Neilson, who is 6-1 and weighs 201 pounds, is an enforcer. Last season, he scored four goals and contributed eleven assists while racking up 194 penalty minutes in 50 games. In nine playoff games, he did not record a point, but had 28 penalty minutes. Forward Scott Parse was selected by the Kings in the sixth round (174th overall). The 6-1, 185-pounder was ranked 127th overall among North American skaters by CSB, and was ranked 19th among NCAA prospects by hockeysfuture.com. In his first season of college hockey at Nebraska-Omaha of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), Parse led the team in rookie scoring with 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points in 39 games, which also ranked hiim fourth in the NCAA in rookie scoring. Parse also led his team with seven power play goals, and was named as a CCHA All-Rookie Team Honorable Mention. For more information on Parse, check out: HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM: Player's Profile: Scott Parse In the seventh round, the Kings selected right wing John Curry (205th overall) from Sioux City of the United States Hockey League. Curry, 19, is 6-3 and weighs 190 pounds. He was ranked 178th overall among North American skaters by CSB. In 60 games with Sioux City, Curry scored 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points with 119 penalty minutes. Also in the seventh round, the Kings selected 18-year-old goalie Daniel Taylor (221st overall). The 5-11, 179 pound goalie from Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League played in 26 games last season (1,462 minutes), earning a 2.71 goals-against average (GAA) and .901 save percentage. Taylor was ranked 11th among North American goalie by CSB. In the eighth round, the Kings looked to Japan when they chose goalie Yutaka Fukufuji, who played for Japan's national team. Fukufuji played in nine games for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey league in the 2002-03 season, earning a 4-3-0 record with a 3.13 GAA and a .915 save percentage. On a relatively weak Japanese team, Fukufuji was 0-3-2 with a 3.61 GAA and a .893 save percentage. Center Valtteri Tenkanen rounded out the Kings 2004 draft picks in the ninth round (264th overall). Tenkanen, 19, is 5-11 and weighs 183 pounds. He was ranked 137th overall by CSB during their mid-term rankings, but jumped all the way up to 62nd in their final rankings. He is considered to be a sniper who plays with some grit. Tenkanan played in 25 for Jyvaskyla in Finland, scored a goal with three assists for four points with two penalty minutes. More information can be found in Ryan Woodlief's (Red Line Report) report on forwards available in last year's draft: USATODAY.COM: Deep Class Of Forwards In This Year's Draft The Kings were pleased with the way the draft wound up for them. "We are pleased with the weekend and with the nine players we selected overall," said Dave Taylor. "We have high hopes for this group, starting with our first choice yesterday, Lauri Tukonen." "Overall, when you get the right guy in the first round, it makes everything else go easier," said Al Murray. "We feel that we did that by selecting Lauri Tukonen. From that point, all of the players we took will take a couple of years to develop in their respective situations, but we feel that we selected good prospects with good upside." | |
| 6-26-04 | |
| On Saturday, the National Hockey League held their annual entry draft, and the Los Angeles Kings selected two players in rounds 1-3, and were involved in a three-way draft-day trade.
In the trade, the Kings first sent their third round selection (77th overall) to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for veteran center Radek Bonk. The Kings then sent Bonk and backup goalie Cristobal Huet to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goalie Mathieu Garon and a third round pick (95th overall) in Saturday's draft. Garon, 26, appeared in 19 games for Montreal last season, earning at 8-6-2 record with a 2.27 goals-against average (GAA), with a .921 save percentage. In the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Garon made one relief appearance, stopping all six shots he faced in 11:00 of ice time. In the 2002-03 season, Garon, who is 6-2 and weighs 202 pounds, appeared in just eight games with the Habs, earning a 1.99 GAA and a .940 save percentage. He was Montreal's second round pick (44th overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. In 43 NHL regular season games (2,336 minutes played), Garon is 16-20-3, with a 2.49 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Many NHL pundits and scouts believe Garon will become a solid number one goalie in the NHL, and the Kings agreed. "We think Mathieu is a solid, young goaltender with the upside to be a number one goaltender in the NHL," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "We have been watching him since he came into the league and as far back as juniors. He has excellent size, real quick feet, and he has matured a lot in the last little while." "We believe that he has developed a pretty good mental edge and playing in Montreal is a good experience," added Taylor. "We are glad to add him to our team." Garon will earn $1.1 million during the upcoming season. His contract has a team option for the 2005-06 season at $1.6 million. In the first round, the Kings had the 11th overall pick, and selected right wing Lauri Tukonen, an 17-year-old who played for the Espoo Blues of the Finnish Elite League last season. Tukonen, who is 6-2 and weighs 200 pounds, played in 35 games last season, was the youngest player in the league, scoring three goals and three assists for six points with 16 penalty minutes. Tukonen also represented Finland in the 2004 World Junior Championships, scoring two goals and contributing an assist for three points, helping Finland to the Bronze Medal. Tukonen also represented Finland in the World Under-18 Championships in Belarus, leading the tournament with 11 points (five goals, six assists). He also had two power play goals and was a +7 in the tournament. "We had Lauri ranked in our top seven" said Taylor. "We think he will be a solid player in the NHL. He has good size and strength to go along with a nice combination of skating ability and skill level." An unnamed NHL scout was very high on Tukonen. "He can beat you one-on-one, and is just a really, really good package. He creates stuff and scores when he plays on the junior team and in league games against men, he doesn't create as much, but he works his butt off." "Of all European countries, the Finns produce players who can adapt to the NHL quicker than others because of the style of play on the home front," added the scout. "Tukonen dazzled scouts with his puck possession at the World Under-18s. He'll be a player in the NHL." "This is real fantastic to play for the Kings, where [Finnish great and Hockey Hall of Famer] Jari Kurri played a few years ago," said Tukonen. "This is a dream come true." Tukonen was ranked fifth among European prospects by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau. He was ranked fifth overall among all prospects by tsn.ca and McKeen's Hockey, and was ranked fourth among all prospects by the Red Line Report. McKeen's Hockey also named Tukonen as having the "Best Power Forward Potential" among all prospects. More information on Tukonen can be found at: TSN.CA: TSN Top 50 Draft Preview TSN.CA" TSN Draft Analysis-Lauri Tukonen FORECASTER.CA: LA Kings Draft 2004 Picks USATODAY.COM: Russians Head Class Of Forwards In Upcoming Draft ESPN.COM: Lauri Tukonen Draft Bio DAILY NEWS: Kings Trade For Garon LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings Get New Goaltender In the third round, the Kings selected 6-3, 212-pound defenseman Paul Baier with the 95th overall pick (from Montreal). In 23 games last season, Baier scored six points and four assists for ten points with 22 penalty minutes while playing for Deerfield Academy, a Massachusetts high school. "Paul is a right-handed defenseman who has excellent size," said Taylor. "He plays a physical game. Last year he played at Deerfield Academy and is on his way to Brown University." Baier was ranked 89th among all North American skaters by CSB. More information on Baier can be found at: USATODAY.COM: Red Line Report: Top Defenseman In 2004 Draft Rounds 4-9 will be held on Sunday. | |
| 6-11-04 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings signed restricted free agent Jason Holland to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Holland, 28, played in 52 games for the Kings in the 2003-04 season, a career-high, scoring three goals and three assists for six points with 24 penalty minutes--all career-highs. Holland, who is 6-3 and weighs 219 pounds, has scored four goals and five assists for nine points with 36 penalty minutes in 81 career NHL games with the Kings, Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders. | |
| 6-9-04 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed a goalie prospect and saw two former Kings elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Unrestricted free agent goalie prospect Barry Brust was signed on Wednesday to a three-year entry-level contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Brust, 20, played for the Calgary Hitmen and the Spokane Chiefs, both in the Western Hockey League. In 25 games with Calgary, Brust had a 12-8-3 record with a 2.24 goals-against average (GAA) a .917 save percentage and two shutouts. With Spokane, he played 27 games to begin the season, earning a 10-13-2 record with a 2.99 GAA and a .903 save percentage. Brust was traded to the Hitmen on January 8 for goalie Gerry Festa. Brust, who is 6-3 and weighs 225 pounds, is from Swan River, Manitoba, Canada. He was originally selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Brust was the WHL Goaltender of the Year in 2001-02 after setting new Spokane records with a 2.14 GAA and a .922 save percentage. He also put up impressive numbers in the 2002 WHL playoffs, with a 2.04 GAA. Brust was also named to the WHL West First Team All-Star Team in 2002. This signing is likely to add depth in the Kings' system, due to the departure of goalie Milan Hnilicka, who signed to play in Europe next season. Also on Wednesday, former Kings defensemen Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. After being a huge part of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty in the Eighties, Coffey was acquired by the Kings on February 19, 1992 from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Brian Benning and Jeff Chychrun and a first round draft choice in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He played in ten games with the Kings that season, scoring a goal with four assists for five points with 25 penalty minutes. In the 1992-93 season, the Kings got off to a fast start, going 20-8-3 in their first 31 games before going into a long slide. Coffey played in 50 games for the Kings in that season, scoring eight goals and 49 assists for 57 points with 50 penalty minutes. In his career, Coffey, who holds the NHL record for most goals in a season by a defenseman (48 in 1985-86), scored 396 goals and 1,135 assists for 1,531 points. He is a three-time Norris Trophy winner and won four Stanley Cups--three with Edmonton and one with Pittsburgh. "When I got the call, I was a little emotional and taken back," Coffey said. But Kings general manager Nick Beverly panicked as the Kings continued their slide out of first place into third in the Smythe Division, and he traded Coffey, along with forwards Jim Hiller and Sylvain Couturier to the Detroit Red Wings for winger Jimmy Carson and grinding forwards Gary Shuchuk and Marc Potvin. Murphy was the Kings' first selection (fourth overall) in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings received that selection from Detroit with forward Andre St. Laurent, along with Detroit's first-round pick in the 1981 draft as compensation for the Wings' free-agent signing of goalie Rogie Vachon. In 242 games with the Kings, Murphy scored 52 goals with 155 assists for 207 points while racking up 255 penalty minutes. He ranks 25th on the Kings' All-Time scoring list, and he ranks fifth among all-time Kings' defensemen in goal scoring. Murphy was also named the Kings Outstanding Defenseman in the 1981-82 season, and he was the team's Unsung Hero in 1980-81. Murphy, who ranks second all-time in the NHL in games played by a defenseman with 1,615 and is fifth all-time in points with 1,216, also holds Kings team records for most assists in a season (60 in 1980-81), most assists in a season as a rookie (60 in 1980-81), and most points in a season by a defenseman (76, 1980-81). Murphy was traded on October 18, 1983 to the Washington Capitals for Brian Engblom and Ken Houston, and he went on to win three Stanley Cups one with Pittsburgh and the others with Detroit. "To be added to this group of players is a tremendous honour and something that I'll cherish for the rest of my life," said Murphy. Coffey and Murphy will join former Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Raymund Bourque, and Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher in being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8. | |
| 6-4-04 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings signed forward prospect George Parros to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. In his first full professional season, Parros, 24, played in 57 games this past season with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, scoring three goals with six assists for nine points with 126 penalty minutes. Parros, who is 6-6 and weighs 210 pounds, played four years of NCAA hockey at Princeton. He was selected by the Kings in the eighth-round (222nd overall) ofthe 1999 NHL Entry Draft. | |
| 6-3-04 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with backup goalie Cristobal Huet.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although it has been learned that the deal is worth $1.2 million. Huet played in a career-high 41 games this season for the Kings, earning a 10-16-10 record with a .907 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average with a career-high three shutouts. Huet, 28, is 6-0 and weighs 194 pounds, and was selected by the Kings in the seventh-round (214th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. In 53 career NHL regular season games, all with the Kings, Huet has a 14-20-11 record, a .908 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average. Huet also represented France in the 2004 World Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic in May. | |
| 7-31-03 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Bryan Muir to a one-year contract. They also signed restricted free agent center Jozef Stumpel and forwards Kip Brennan and Jerred Smithson to one-year contracts.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Muir, 30, appeared in 32 regular season games for the Colorado Avalanche last season, recording two assists and 19 penalty minutes. Muir, who is 6-4 and weighs 215 pounds also played in 32 regular season games with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, scoring nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points with 75 penalty minutes. Muir has been a member of the Avalanche since the 2000-01 season, and won the Stanley Cup with the Avs that season. In 179 games with the Avs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, and Edmonton Oilers, Muir has scored five goals and 14 assists for 19 points with 165 penalty minutes. Muir was originally signed as a free agent by the Oilers on April 30, 1996. Stumpel, 30, was acquired in a trade on June 20, along with a seventh round pick (that was later traded to Nashville), to the Boston Bruins in exchage for a fourth round pick in the 2003 draft and a second round selection in the 2004 draft. Brennan, 23, played in 19 games with the Kings last season, recording no points while racking up 57 penalty minutes. He also played in 35 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), scoring three goals and two assists for five points with 195 penalty minutes. Brennan, who is 6-4 and weighs 228 pounds, also appeared in three playoff games for Manchester. He was originally selected by the Kings in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 1998 NHL draft. Smithson, 24, played in 22 games with the Kings this past season, recording two assists and 21 penalty minutes. With the Monarchs, Smithson tallied four goals and 21 assists for 25 points and 60 penalty minutes with a team-leading +16 rating in 38 games. Smithson, who is 6-2 and weighs 197 pounds, was signed by the Kings as a free agent on February 18, 2000. | |
| 7-30-03 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles signed defenseman prospect Joe Rullier to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Rullier, 23, appeared in 62 regular season games last year for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, scoring three goals and six assists for nine points with 166 penalty minutes. In three playoff games, Rullier recorded no points and had two penalty minutes. Rullier, who is 6-3 and weighs 211 pounds, was selected by the Kings in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. | |
| 7-28-03 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings signed defensemen Brad Norton and Maxim Kuznetsov to one-year contracts.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Norton, 28, played in 53 games last season, scoring three goals and three assists for six points with 97 penalty minutes, and spent a lot of time on left wing for the Kings because of their injury woes last season. Norton, who is 6-4 and weighs 235 pounds, also missed a lot of time late in the season due to a concussion. Kuznetsov, 26, played in three games for the Kings last season after being acquired from the Detroit Red Wings on March 11, along with Steve Avery, a first round choice (Jeff Tambellini) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and a second round choice in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, in the trade that sent defenseman Mathieu Schneider to the Wings. Kuznetsov suffered a broken foot shortly after being acquired, and missed the remainder of the season. Selected by the Red Wings in the first round (26th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Kuznetsov has played in 120 career NHL regular season games with the Kings and Red Wings and two goals and seven assists for nine points with 117 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-25-03 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings signed center Steve Kelly to a new contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Kelly, a depth player, played in 54 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League last season, scoring 19 goals and 44 assists for 63 points with 144 penalty minutes. Kelly also played in 15 games for the Kings last year, scoring two goals and adding three assists for five points. Kelly, who is 6-2 and weighs 205 pounds, was originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by the Kings on February 27, 2001 from the New Jersey Devils for future considerations. In 143 NHL games with the Kings, Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Oilers, Kelly has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points with 83 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-25-03 | |
| A day after he signed a new, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings, future Hall of Fame left wing Luc Robitaille spoke with reporters about returning for his third stint with the Kings.
"This is where I started," said Robitaille about his return. "I've always felt special about the Kings. The team where you start is really your team always as a player. To have the opportunity to finish my career here is something special." Robitaille spoke of the changes the Kings have made since he left two seasons ago to don the Winged Wheel jersey of the Detroit Red Wings, where he won the Stanley Cup two seasons ago. "The type of players they have here--for a player like me, you look at the centers they have--they have two of the best playmaking centermen in the league [in Jason Allison and Jozef Stumpel]," said Robitaille. "For a guy like me, it's a great opportunity." "The way this team is set right now I really feel we could beat any team in the league," added Robitaille. "It's going to be a lot of fun this year." Last season, Robitaille struggled, scoring just 11 goals with the Red Wings, playing mostly on the third line and seeing little time on the power play, a role he clearly had trouble with. "Last year was a tough situation as a player," he said. "The way you're used, the way your situation is has a lot to do with it. Last year was certainly a hard one for me. But you try to do what's best for the team." Nevertheless, Robitaille is certain that he can bounce back and produce offensively as he has in the past. "[Last season with Detroit] didn't work out, but for me, as a player, I certainly know how I feel, and I know this year is going to be a big year coming back," said Robitaille. "That's why this summer I've really picked up my training." Indeed, Robitaille, who started an intense summer training regimen a few years ago, is doing even more now. "I'm still doing the strength and power conditioning that I was doing before with Joe Horrigan," he explained. "But this year, I've hooked up with a sprinter, Sherri Howard, and she's working with me on my first three steps. I've been working all summer on this. I think this can make a big difference in my game." "You always want to work on your first three steps," added Robitaille. "That's where you get from the front of the net to the corners. There's not a lot of goals scored from the corners, but it's where you have to go to get the puck. I'm working a lot on quickness and quick-feet stuff. It's going to make a big, big difference when the season starts because that's what the game is about now." The Kings like Robitaille's dedication, and believe that he can regain his scoring touch. "Luc has always been a prolific goal scorer," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "If you look back when he was in New York, there was some talk at that point--some six years ago--that his game was beginning to fade a little bit. But Luc re-dedicated himself to his conditioning at that time, and under Andy Murray, he had tremendous success, and was scoring in excess of 35 goals a year. We look for Luc to regain that scoring touch." "He'll come into our camp very focused, and very hungry," added Taylor. "He's always had great success in Los Angeles with the Kings, and we think we've got a number of good playmaking forwards that Andy Murray could possibly pair him with." Taylor also indicated that anything could still happen this summer in terms of roster moves. "We still have a few feelers out there, I don't know if you're ever really done," said Taylor. "We certainly like the make-up of our team to this point. I think we could start the season or go into training camp tomorrow and feel pretty comfortable." Taylor added that he is looking for a defenseman and did not mention anything about filling any holes on the Kings' forward lines. "If we had the opportunity to add one more defenseman, particularly a defenseman that plays with a little bit of bite, we'd like to do that," he said. "I'm not sure there's anyone out there in the unrestricted market, so if we were to do something along those lines it would probably be in a trade." | |
| 7-24-03 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings signed unrestricted free agent left wing Luc Robitaille to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. "We are very happy to have Luc back in Los Angeles with the Kings," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He has had great success in a Kings uniform and has proven to be one of the great scorers in league history. His experience and leadership abilities will be a great influence on our younger players as well." Robitaille, who begins his third stint with the Kings, is the highest-scoring left wing in NHL history with 631 goals. Robitaille, 37, has scored 1,319 career regular-season points, on 631 goals and 688 assists, including 1,079 points with the Kings on 520 goals and 559 assists in 932 games. He is second on the Kings' all-time scoring list behind Marcel Dionne. In 159 playoff games, Robitaille has scored 58 goals and 69 assists for 127 points. With the Kings, he has scored 41 goals and 46 assists for 87 points in 94 playoff games. Robitaille, who played for the Detroit Red Wings the last two seasons, won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2002. "My family and I are very excited to be returning to the Kings," said Robitaille from his off-season home in Park City, Utah. "The Kings is where it all started for me, and the fans of Los Angeles have always treated me and my family so well. I look forward to playing for them once again." | |
| 7-17-03 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles signed forwards Adam Deadmarsh and Ryan Flinn to to new contracts.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Deadmarsh, 28, was signed to a one-year deal. Last season, Deadmarsh played in just twenty games, scoring 13 goals and four assists for 17 points, while missing 62 games, including the team's last 52, due to a concussion. He is expected to be ready for training camp in September. "Adam has made a tremendous commitment to preparing for next season," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He continues to be a great example to our players with his dedication to the game of hockey and we look forward to seeing Adam return to being one of the top power forwards in the NHL." Flinn, 23, played in 19 games for the Kings last season, scoring a goal and racking up 28 penalty minutes. The 6-5, 248-pound enforcer also played in 27 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, scoring two goals and two assists for four points with 95 penalty minutes. Flinn was originally signed as a free agent by the Kings on January 9, 2002. | |
| 7-16-03 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed forward Jon Sim to a contract. They also announced their 2003-04 regular season schedule.
Sim, 25, contributed two assists with 19 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Kings last season, after they claimed him off of waivers from Nashville on March 8. The Kings will open the 2003-04 season with a three-game road trip that begins on October 9 at Detroit. Their first home game will be on October 15 against Ottawa. The Kings will play six times against divisional opponents and four times against teams in the other divisions of the Western Conference. In addition, the Kings will play at least one game against each of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference. They will not visit Boston, Montreal, the New York Rangers, Ottawa, Philadelphia or Toronto this year, while Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay will not play in Los Angeles. The Kings have a season-high five game road trip (February 10-17) and a seven-game home stand (October 15- November 1). They will also play 16 back-to-back games. The Kings will also be one of six teams who will play a home-and-home series in retro-style jerseys. The Kings will wear their original purple and gold uniforms from 1967 on November 15 when they host the St. Louis Blues, and will wear the jerseys again when the club visits St. Louis on December 13. The television broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date. ALL TIMES PACIFIC Home Games Indicated in CAPITAL Letters October (6 home, 3 away) 10/09/03 - Thursday - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 10/10/03 - Friday - at Pittsburgh, 4:30 PM 10/12/03 - Sunday - at Chicago, 4:00 PM 10/15/03 - Wednesday - OTTAWA, 7:30 PM 10/18/03 - Saturday - BOSTON, 7:30 PM 10/21/03 - Tuesday - PHILADELPHIA, 7:30 PM 10/23/03 - Thursday - BUFFALO, 7:30 PM 10/25/03 - Saturday - CHICAGO, 7:30 PM 10/30/03 - Thursday - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM November (6 home, 8 away) November (6 home, 8 away) 11/01/03 - Saturday - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 11/05/03 - Wednesday - at Florida, 4:30 PM 11/06/03 - Thursday - at Tampa Bay, 4:00 PM 11/08/03 - Saturday - at Carolina, 4:00 PM 11/10/03 - Monday - at Washington, 4:00 PM 11/13/03 - Thursday - TORONTO, 7:30 PM 11/15/03 - Saturday - ST. LOUIS, 1:00 PM 11/19/03 - Wednesday - NASHVILLE, 7:30 PM 11/21/03 - Friday - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 11/22/03 - Saturday - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 11/25/03 - Tuesday - NEW JERSEY, 7:30 PM 11/27/03 - Thursday - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 11/29/03 - Saturday - CHICAGO, 1:00 PM 11/30/03 - Sunday - at Dallas, 4:00 PM December (7 home, 8 away) 12/02/03 - Tuesday - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 12/04/03 - Thursday - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 12/06/03 - Saturday - WASHINGTON, 7:30 PM 12/08/03 - Monday - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 12/10/03 - Wednesday - at Atlanta, 4:30 PM 12/11/03 - Thursday - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 12/13/03 - Saturday - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 12/16/03 - Tuesday - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 12/18/03 - Thursday - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 12/20/03 - Saturday - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 12/22/03 - Monday - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 12/26/03 - Friday - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 12/27/03 - Saturday - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 12/30/03 - Tuesday - NY RANGERS, 7:30 PM 12/31/03 - Wednesday - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM January (8 home, 7 away) 01/03/04 - Saturday - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 01/07/04 - Wednesday - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 01/08/04 - Thursday - VANCOUVER, 7:30 PM 01/10/04 - Saturday - COLUMBUS, 7:30 PM 01/13/04 - Tuesday - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 01/14/04 - Wednesday - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 01/16/04 - Friday - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 01/18/04 - Sunday - at Chicago, 4:00 PM 01/20/04 - Tuesday - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 01/22/04 - Thursday - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 01/24/04 - Saturday - ANAHEIM, 7:30 PM 01/26/04 - Monday - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 01/28/04 - Wednesday - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 01/29/04 - Thursday - COLORADO, 7:30 PM 01/31/04 - Saturday - at Edmonton, 7:00 PM February (4 home, 8 away) 02/03/04 - Tuesday - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 02/10/04 - Tuesday - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 02/11/04 - Wednesday - at Columbus, 4:00 PM 02/13/04 - Friday - at Buffalo, 5:00 PM 02/15/04 - Sunday - at New Jersey, 11:00 AM 02/16/04 - Monday - at NY Islanders, 9:00 AM 02/18/04 - Wednesday - DALLAS, 7:30 PM 02/21/04 - Saturday - COLUMBUS, 7:30 PM 02/23/04 - Monday - NASHVILLE, 7:30 PM 02/25/04 - Wednesday - at Dallas, 6:00 PM 02/28/04 - Saturday - ANAHEIM, 1:00 PM 02/29/04 - Sunday - at Anaheim, 1:00 PM March (9 home, 6 away) 03/04/04 - Thursday - MINNESOTA, 7:30 PM 03/06/04 - Saturday - MONTREAL, 7:00 PM 03/09/04 - Tuesday - PHOENIX, 7:30 PM 03/10/04 - Wednesday - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM 03/13/04 - Saturday - at San Jose, 12:00 PM 03/14/04 - Sunday - ANAHEIM, 1:00 PM 03/16/04 - Tuesday - ST. LOUIS, 7:30 PM 03/18/04 - Thursday - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM 03/20/04 - Saturday - DETROIT, 7:30 PM 03/22/04 - Monday - EDMONTON, 7:30 PM 03/24/04 - Wednesday - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 03/26/04 - Friday - at Edmonton, 5:00 PM 03/27/04 - Saturday - at Calgary, 3:00 PM 03/29/04 - Monday - at Colorado, 6:00 PM 03/31/04 - Wednesday - SAN JOSE, 7:30 PM April 04/02/04 - Friday - CALGARY, 7:30 PM 04/04/04 - Sunday - at San Jose, 1:00 PM | |
| 7-15-03 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman prospects Denis Grebeshkov and Martin Strbak, along with forward prospect Esa Pirnes.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Grebeshkov, 19, was selected by the Kings in the first round (18th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, was signed to a three-year contract. Last season, Grebeshkov played with Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League, where he contributed seven assists 26 penalty minutes in 46 games. He also appeared in 10 playoff games with Yaroslavl recording an assist and two penalty minutes, helping Yarslavl win the Russian Super League Championship. Grebeshkov, who is 6-1 and weighs 195 pounds, was also a member of the Russian National Junior Team that won Gold Medals at the 2002 and 2003 World Junior Championships. In seven games at this year's tournament, he recorded two assists (0-2=2) and six penalty minutes. He led all players in the tournament with a plus/minus rating of +11. "We are pleased to have Denis under contract with the Kings," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He is a very intelligent player who moves the puck well from his defensive position and someone who has had a tremendous amount of success in Europe at a very young age. We look forward to continuing his development here in North America." Strbak is an older player at 28. Last season, he appeared in twenty games last season with HPK Hameelinna of the Finnish Elite League, scoring four goals and nine assists for 13 points with 68 penalty minutes. He also played in 27 games with Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League recording six assists and 28 penalty minutes. The 6-2, 200-pound native of Presov, Slovakia, was originally selected by the Kings in the ninth-round (224th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Strbak also represented his native Slovakia at the 2003 World Hockey Championship earning a Bronze Medal with fellow Kings Ziggy Palffy and Lubomir Visnovsky. He appeared in nine games recording seven assists with 12 penalty minutes and led all players in the tournament with a plus/minus rating of +13. Strbak was also a member of the Slovakian Team that won the Gold Medal at the 2002 World Hockey Championship. In addition, Strbak helped Yaroslavl win the Russian Super League Championship in 2002 and was a member of the 2001 Czech Extra League Champion HC Vsetin. Selected by the Kings in the sixth round (174th overall), Pirnes, 26, played in 56 games last season with Tappara of the Finnish League and finished second in team scoring with 37 points along with six penalty minutes. His 23 goals led the club and ranked third in Finnish League goal scoring. Pirnes, who is 6-0 and weighs 189 pounds, also led all scorers in the Finnish League playoffs with 14 points on five goals and nine assists in 15 games, helping Tappara claim the Finnish League championship. Pirnes also played for his native Finland at the 2003 World Hockey Championship where he appeared in six games and scored two goals and added three assists for five points. | |
| 7-8-03 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman prospect Richard Seeley to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Seeley, 24, scored four goals and added 14 assists for 18 points with 127 penalty minutes in 69 regular season games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League last season. In three playoff games, Seeley contributed an assist. Seeley, who is 6-2 and weighs 208 pounds, was selected by the Kings in the sixth round (137th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. | |
| 7-7-03 | |
| UPDATED: 9:35 PM PST: The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have signed veteran right wing Trent Klatt, and goalie Mathieu Chouinard.
Both were unrestricted free agents. Klatt, a 12-year NHL veteran, was signed to a two-year contract, rumored to be worth $2.2 million, with an option for a third year at $1.2 million. Financial terms were not disclosed. "It's a two-year contract with a team option for a third year," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "If Trent reaches certain scoring levels in the first year or over the two years, he can trigger the third year." Klatt, 32, played in all 82 regular season games for the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 16 goals and added 13 assists for 29 points with eight penalty minutes, with a +10 rating. Klatt, who is 6-1 and weighs 225 pounds, also played in all 14 of the Canucks' playoff games, scoring two goals and four assists for six points. Klatt was acquired by the Canucks on October 19, 1998, from the Philadelphia Flyers. He was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round (82nd overall) in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 1991-92 season with the Minnesota North Stars, when Kings head coach Andy Murray was an assistant coach for the North Stars. "I had a nice conversation with Andy Murray last week and I could tell how excited he was," said Klatt, who spoke to reporters from Vancouver, Canada, on Monday evening. "You feel really good when you have people who want you around." In the 1996-97 season, Klatt recorded a career-high 24 goals, while adding 21 assists for 45 points with Philadelphia, who went on to the Stanley Cup Finals. In 700 regular season NHL games, Klatt has 126 goals and 174 assists for 300 points, with 261 penalty minutes. "Trent will be a solid addition to the Kings and a player that our fans will appreciate on a nightly basis," said Taylor. "He has a real strong work ethic, and we expect him to bring some offensive production and all-around leadership to our hockey club." "I have to take what I've learned to Los Angeles with me and hopefully fit in there and help them to a championship," said Klatt. Taylor also indicated that Klatt could play anywhere on the first three lines, although you would not consider him to be a top six forward. "How we use him will be up to [Kings head coach] Andy Murray, but what we like about Trent Klatt is that he competes hard, he goes to the net, works in the corners, he's very strong," said Taylor. We like his character. We thought he would be a good fit and a good compliment to our top six players." "We view him more as a compliment player," Taylor emphasized. "We think he is capable of playing with a couple of top six players. On his own, you might not consider him a top six, but he has the ability to finish the way he goes to the net." "In discussions with Andy Murray, he would take a look at him on a line with Adam Deadmarsh and Jason Allison," he added. "Playing with guys like [Adam] Deadmarsh and [Jason] Allison, it's really a big challenge," said Klatt. "It's something I'm looking forward to." "It's very disappointing to be leaving Vancouver," he added. "The last five years have been nothing short of fantastic. But I'm looking forward to the opportunity in Los Angeles." For Chouinard, financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is rumored to be a two-year, two-way contract worth $400,000/year if he plays for the Kings, and $50,000/year if he winds up playing for the Kings American Hockey League affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Chouinard, who is 6-1 and weighs 211 pounds, was originally Ottawa's first round pick (15th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not sign a contract, and re-entered the draft. Ottawa selected him again in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, this time in the second round (45th overall). Chouinard, who is a butterfly-style goalie, split this past season with the Binghamton, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Ottawa Senators and Peoria of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In four regular season games with Binghamton, Chouinard posted a 2-0-0 record, a 1.97 goals-against-average and a .932 save percentage. In 15 games with Peoria he had a 12-2-0, a 2.12 goals-against-average and three shutouts. The 6-1, 211-pounder is a native of Laval, Quebec. Chouinard lost his starting job the previous season at Grand Rapids of the now-defunct International Hockey League, where was 11-12-1, with a 2.48 GAA, and a .894 save percentage. He was criticized that season by Senators General Manager John Muckler for having a "poor work ethic." The previous year at Grand Rapids, Chouinard was 17-7-1, with a 2.64 GAA and a .902 save percentage. In the IHL playoffs, he was 1-1-0 in three games, with a 1.78 GAA. The signing may indicate that the Kings could not reach an agreement with Jamie Storr, and that he will sign with another team. As for what else the Kings might do this summer, Taylor was, as usual, mostly non-committal. "I think we're still going to look around the rest of the summer, without question," said Taylor. "If the right player comes along in terms of a top six forward, we would look at that. We would also look at a defenseman." "We'd be open to a trade," he added. "We'll continue talking to other teams and we'll also look at who's available among the free agents." | |
| 7-1-03 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed forward Chris Schmidt to a contract. They also announced that their 2003 Development Camp will be held from July 6-19, 2003.
Schmidt, 27, was signed to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Schmidt made his NHL debut on February 11, 2003 in Nashville. In ten games with the Kings, the 6-3, 212-pound forward recorded two assists and five penalty minutes. He also appeared in 53 games this last year for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League scoring 12 goals and 14 assists for 25 points with 60 penalty minutes. In two playoff games with the Monarchs, he contributed two assists. Schmidt was originally selected by the Kings in the fifth round (111th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings 2003 Development Camp, held at the HealthSouth Training Center will have thirty Kings players participating, either learning what they need to work on to make to the NHL level, to improve their NHL game, or just to gauge their progress in recovery from injury. Among those scheduled to take place in this year's annual Development Camp are five of the Kings first six draft selections from the recent NHL Entry Draft: Dustin Brown (1st round, 13th overall); Brian Boyle (1st round, 26th overall); Jeff Tambellini (1st round, 27th overall); Ryan Munce (3rd round, 82nd overall); and Brady Murray (5th round, 152nd overall). Also participating will be forward prospects Jared Aulin, Michael Cammalleri, Kip Brennan and Jerred Smithson. All saw time with the Kings last season. Most notable among the participants will be winger Alexander Frolov, who will enter his second season with the Kings after a good rookie season in 2002-03, and winger Adam Deadmarsh, who will be finding out where he in on the road to recovery from post-concussion syndrome. Unlike the previous years when there were two or three scrimmage games, this year, there will be only one, scheduled for July 18, at 7:00 PM PDT, which will be free and is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, all on-ice workouts during the camp are open to the public. For the scrimmage game, fans are strongly advised to get to the HealthSouth Training Center EARLY. In the previous camps, all the scrimmages drew overflow crowds, and once the building reached capacity, many angry fans had to be turned away. The following is the camp roster: FORWARDS Aulin, Jared, Center Boyle, Brian, Center Brennan, Kip, Left Wing Brown, Dustin, Right Wing Cammalleri, Michael, Center Clarke, Noah, Left Wing Deadmarsh, Adam, Right Wing Frolov, Alexander, Left Wing Guerin, Martin, Right Wing James, Connor, Forward Kanko, Petr, Right Wing Lehoux, Yanick, Center/Right Wing Murray, Brady, Center Murphy, Ryan, Right Wing Parros, George, Right Wing Rooneem, Mark, Left Wing Smithson, Jerred, Center Steckel, David, Center Tambellini, Jeff, Left Wing Welch, Dan, Right Wing DEFENSEMEN Andresen, Joel Gabinet, Mike Gleason, Tim Mantyla, Tuukka Petiot, Richard Rome, Aaron GOALIES Denike, Terry Munce, Ryan Zaba, Matt | |
| 6-30-03 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have made qualifying offers to twelve players, retaining their rights. The Kings also announced their 2003 pre-season schedule, and that defenseman Jaroslav Modry underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder to remove bone spurs.
Qualifying offers were made to forwards Sean Avery, Scott Barney, Kip Brennan, Adam Deadmarsh, Ryan Flinn, Steve Kelly, Jon Sim, Jerred Smithson, and Jozef Stumpel, along with defensemen Maxim Kuznetsov, Joe Rullier and Richard Seeley. The qualifying offers had to be made by 9:00 PM PST on June 30 in order for the Kings to retain their rights to these players. The Kings did not make qualifying offers to forwards Mikko Eloranta, Craig Johnson, Eric Rasmussen, backup goalie Jamie Storr, and goalie prospect Alexey Volkov. They will be unrestricted free agents on July 1, and can sign with any team. Sources close to the Kings have stated that the Kings and Storr are talking about a new contract at a rate lower than the $1.595 million he earned last season, but Storr will reportedly talk to other teams as well. The Kings also allowed contracts to expire for forwards Derek Bekar and Greg Koehler, defensemen Brad Norton and Michael Pudlick, and goalie Travis Scott. These players are now unrestricted free agents. The Kings 2003 pre-season schedule has eight games, including four home games, two of which will be played at Staples Center: (all times PACIFIC; Home games indicated in BOLD letters) Thu., 9/18/03 - Anaheim, 7:30 PM, Staples Center Sat., 9/20/03 - Phoenix, 7:30 PM, Staples Center Sun., 9/21/03 - San Jose, 5:00 PM, Bakersfield Centennial Garden Tue., 9/23/03 - at Colorado, 6:00 PM, Pepsi Center Sat., 9/27/03 - Colorado, 6:00 PM, MGM Grand, Las Vegas Sat., 9/30/03 - at Phoenix, 7:00 PM, America West Arena Tue., 10/1/03 - at San Jose, 7:00 PM, Arco Arena, Sacramento Sat., 10/3/03 - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM, Arrowhead Pond The September 27 game against the Colorado Avalanche is "Frozen Fury 7," the Kings' annual exhibition game in Las Vegas at the Grand Garden Arena of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Tickets for that game go on sale on July 12 at 10:00 AM PST at the MGM Grand box office, all TicketMaster locations in Las Vegas, TicketMaster's web site, or by calling TicketMaster (Nevada) at (702) 474-4000. Tickets for Frozen Fury 7 will be priced at $65.00, $50.00, $30.00 and $20.00. No details were provided regarding when tickets for their other pre-season games will go on sale. Kings team physician Dr. Ronald Kvitne of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic performed the successful surgery on Modry, who is expected to undergo rehabilitation for about twelve weeks. | |
| 6-26-03 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings signed right wing prospect Petr Kanko to a three-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Kanko, 19, is one of the Kings' top prospects. He played in 60 regular season games with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League last season, winning the Memorial Cup Championship. He scored 33 goals and added 34 assists for 67 while racking up 123 penalty minutes with his gritty style of play. Kanko's numbers ranked him second on the team in goals, and third in scoring. Kanko was on the winning squad at the 2003 Hershey Cup All-Star Game. In the playoffs, Kanko scored 11 goals and contributed 16 assists for 27 points in 21 games, playing a big role in both the OHL playoffs, and in the Memorial Cup tournament, where he scored four of his 11 post-season goals. Internationally, Kanko represented his native Czech Republic at the 2001 World Juniors Under-18 tournament in Finland, where he recorded seven points in seven games, including six goals. He also shined at the Kings annual Development Camp last summer, where he was, by far, the best player. Originally drafted by the Kings in the third round (66th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Kanko, who is 5-9 and weighs 195 pounds. | |
| 6-22-03 | |
| On Sunday, the National Hockey League completed their 2003 Entry Draft, and the Los Angeles Kings selected four forwards and a goalie in rounds 4-9. They also made two minor trades.
To open the day, the Kings traded their seventh round pick (210th overall) and their seventh round pick from Boston (213th overall in the Jozef Stumpel trade on June 20) to the Nashville Predators for their sixth round pick (174th overall). The Kings also traded their ninth round pick (283rd overall) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for their ninth round pick in the 2004 Entry Draft. The Kings did not have a fourth-round pick, but they used their fifth-round pick (152nd overall) to select center Brady Murray. Kings fans who have watched the scrimmage games at the Kings annual Development Camp for their young prospects the past two summers will remember that Brady is the son of Kings head coach Andy Murray, and was one of the standouts at the camps. Brady Murray, 18, appeared in 59 games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL), scoring 42 goals and 59 assists for 101 points with 30 penalty minutes. "Brady Murray is a player we are very familiar with as he's been to our development camp the last couple of years and has shown well with our young pro players and had a terrific season with Salmon Arm," said Al Murray, the Kings Director of Amateur Scouting. The knock on Brady Murray, who is ranked 183rd among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau (CSB) is his size--he is 5-9 and weighs 165 pounds. He will certainly need to bulk up in order to make it in the NHL. Esa Pirnes was the Kings' sixth-round selection (174th overall). The 6-0, 189-pound center from Tappara of the Finnish Elite League scored 23 goals and 14 assists for 37 points in 56 games last season, and led the league in playoff scoring with five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 15 games. Pirnes, 26, also played in six games with Finland at the 2003 World Championships where he scored two goals and three assists for five points. The Kings are hoping Pirnes might be able to crack their lineup next season. "Esa Pirnes is an older Finnish player who we feel might have an opportunity to come in and help immediately," said Al Murray. The Kings had no seventh round pick because of their earlier trade with Nashville, but in the eighth round, they selected goalie Matt Zaba and center Mike Sullivan. Zaba, who was selected 231st overall is ranked 28th among North American goalies by CSB. Zaba is 6-1 and weighs 168 pounds. With the Vernon Vipers of the BCJHL, he had a 2.21 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in 44 games. "Matt Zaba is a goaltender who has improved tremendously the last two years and will be going to Colorado College on a scholarship," said Al Murray. Sullivan, who was selected 157th overall, is ranked 161st among North American skaters by CSB. The 6-4, 190-pound center played for Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Provincial Junior A league of the Ontario Hockey Association. In 49 games, Sullivan scored 24 goals and 37 assists for 61 points with 14 penalty minutes. "Mike Sullivan is a young player with good potential who needs some time to develop and will be attending Clarkson University next year," said Al Murray. The Kings used their ninth round pick (274th overall) to select right wing Martin Guerin of the Des Moines Buccaneers of the US Hockey League. Guerin is a 20-year-old who is 6-1 and weighs 190 pounds. He played in 60 games for the Buccaneers last season, scoring 27 goals and 33 assists for 60 points with 30 penalty minutes. "Martin Guerin is another player who is developing and will be attending the University of Miami, Ohio," said Al Murray. | |
| 6-21-03 | |
| On Saturday at the National Hockey League's 2003 Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings decided to hold onto their three first-round draft picks.
With their first selection in the first round (13th overall), they selected right wing Dustin Brown of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Brown, who is ranked second among North Americans skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau (CSB) and was listed as the 12th best prospect by The Hockey News, is a 6-0, 195-pound forward from Ithaca, New York. Brown, 18, played in 58 games last year with Guelph, scoring 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points with 89 penalty minutes. He also played for the United States at the 2003 World Junior Championships in Halifax, where in seven games he scored two goals and two assists for four points. Brown, who is 6-0 and weighs 200 pounds, is the first player in OHL history to win the Bobby Smith Award as Scholastic Player of the Year three years in a row. He was also the youngest player on the US team at the 2002 World Junior Championships where he appeared in seven games, scoring a goal and three assists for four points. "Dustin Brown is a very competitive player who is strong and solid on his skates and goes to the net real hard," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He plays the body, goes into the corners and has the ability to finish." For further information on Brown, check out: nhl.com Sports Illustrated With their second selection in the round (26th overall), the Kings selected center/left wing Brian Boyle of St. Sebastien's High School. Boyle, who is ranked 34th among North American skaters by CSB, is listed at 6-7, 222 pounds. The 18-year-old center played in 31 games last year, scoring 32 goals and 31 assists for 63 points with 46 penalty minutes. He will be attending Boston College this fall. Boyle, who is considered a project by some because he reportedly needs to learn how to play more physical hockey, but has been called a playmaker with a scoring touch. "Brian Boyle has played for St. Sebastian's High School, a prestigious high school in the Boston area, and he is unique in that he is a big man who can skate and has great hands," said Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray. For more on Boyle, check out: Sports Illustrated The Kings also had the 27th pick, and they selected left wing Jeff Tambellini from the University of Michigan. Tambellini, 19, is 5-11, and weighs 186 pounds. He is ranked 21st among North American skaters by CSB. In 43 games with the Wolverines, Tambellini led the team in scoring with 26 goals and 19 assists for 45 points with 24 penalty minutes. "Jeff Tambellini has a long history in the sport as his father played professionally in the NHL, and his grandfather played professionally overseas," said Murray. "He is a tremendously gifted skater, who was one of the two or three fastest players in the draft, and had one of the top fitness tests to coincide with a strong season with the University of Michigan." "I'm so excited," said Tambellini. "This is a dream come true." More information on Tambellini can be found at: nhl.com Sports Illustrated In the second round (44th overall), the Kings selected center/right wing Konstantin Pushkaryov of Ust-Kamenogorsk (KZA) in Kazakhstan. He is ranked 36th among European skaters by CSB. Some publications also have his last name as "Pushkarev." Pushkaryov, 18, is 6-0 and weighs 169 pounds. Although he recorded no points in four games with his team in Kazakhstan, he played in five games for Team Kazakhstan at the 2003 World Junior Championships, scoring a goal and adding an assist for two points. Known as a sniper with speed, Pushkaryov made a name for himself in the 2003 World Under-18 Championships where he scored nine goals and an assist for 10 points. His nine goals led the tournament. "Konstantin Pushkaryov had not really been heard of until the World Under-18 Championships in Yaroslavl, Russia," explained Murray. "While playing for a really overmatched Kazakhstan team, he was able to lead the entire tournament in goals. He is a dynamic skater with great hands and the ability to score in a lot of ways." For more information: Russian Prospects The third round saw the Kings select Ryan Munce with the 82nd overall pick. Munce is 6-1, 180-pound goalie who played for the Sarnia Sting in the OHL last season. He is rated third among North American goalie prospects by CSB. In 27 games with the Sting, Munce earned a 14-6-0 record with a 2.64 goals-against-average, .920 save-percentage and three shutouts. Munce also won a Gold Medal with Team Canada at the 2003 World Under-18 Championships. In seven games, he had a 1.83 goals-against average, a .940 save percentage and two shutouts. "Ryan Munce steadily got better over the past season and ended up being selected to represent Team Canada at the World Under-18 Championships where he was the number one goalie on the Gold Medal winning team." For more information: nhl.com Sports Illustrated Rounds 4-9 of the draft will be completed on Sunday. | |
| 6-20-03 | |
| Late Friday, the Los Angeles Kings re-acquired veteran center Jozef Stumpel along with a seventh-round selection (213th overall) in this weekend's 2003 NHL Entry Draft from the Boston Bruins.
In exchange, Boston receives a fourth round pick (129th overall, originally from Philadelphia in the deal that sent defenseman Dmirty Yushkevich to the Flyers) in this weekend's draft, and a second round pick (from Detroit in the trade that sent defenseman Mathieu Schneider to the Red Wings) in 2004. Stumpel, 30, played in 78 games for Boston last season, scoring 14 goals and 37 assists for 51 points. In the 2001-02 season, Stumpel scored seven goals and added 47 assists for 54 points. Stumpel played for the Kings from 1997-2001 before being traded to Boston with right wing Glen Murray for Jason Alison and Mikko Eloranta on October 24, 2001. Stumpel was originally traded to the Kings with Sandy Moger and a fourth-round selection (Kip Brennan) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft for Byron Dafoe and Dmitri Khristich on August 29, 1997. In 271 regular-season games with the Kings, Stumpel scored 68 goals and 162 assists for 230 points. His best season in the NHL was with the Kings in 1997-98, when he scored 21 goals and 58 assists for 79 points. Overall, Stumpel has scored 143 goals and 368 assists for 511 points in 694 regular-season games. In the playoffs, Stumpel has scored six goals and 24 assists for 30 points in 55 games with Boston and the Kings. His best post-season was in 2000-01 with the Kings, when he scored three goals and five assists for eight points in 13 games. Stumpel, who is 6-3 and weighs 225 pounds, is a good playmaking center, but the big knock on him is his unwillingness to shoot, which allows the defense to overplay the pass, often rendering him ineffective. Nevertheless, the Kings are hoping Stumpel will give them the true second-line center they need. "Jozef Stumpel is a proven top-six forward who our coaches, players and fans are certainly familiar with," said Kings Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "Stumpel, along with center Jason Allison, gives us a formidable one-two punch down the middle." Taylor is certainly gambling with this deal, hoping that Stumpel, who has tallied at least 50 points in seven of the last eight seasons, will bring some much-needed playmaking ability to the team's second line. "Jozef has played some of his best hockey in a Kings uniform, and his puck-handling ability and overall skill will be a great addition to our hockey club next season." | |
| 6-19-03 | |
| The National Hockey League's Entry Draft will be held this weekend, starting on Saturday at 10:00 AM PST, and the Los Angeles Kings are expected to make a big splash with three first-round selections. Here is a round-up of the Kings' picks:
First Round (three picks): 13, 26 (from Colorado to complete the Rob Blake and Steven Reinprecht for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, Jared Aulin and first-round selection in 2001 NHL Entry Draft), 27 (from Detroit to complete the Mathieu Schneider for Sean Avery and Maxim Kuznetsov trade) Second Round: 44 Third Round: 82 Fourth Round: None Fifth Round: 152 (from Florida to complete the Dmitry Yushkevich for Andreas Lilja and Jaroslav Bednar trade) Sixth Round: None Seventh Round: 210, 213 (from Boston in Friday's trade for Jozef Stumpel) Eighth Round (two picks): 231 (compensatory pick assigned to Los Angeles for loss of Group III free agent Kelly Buchberger), 244 Ninth Round (two picks): 274, 283 (compensatory pick assigned to Los Angeles for loss of Group III free agent Ted Donato) Rounds 1-3 will be held on Saturday, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, TN, and will be televised on ESPN2 at 10:00 AM PST. Rounds 4-9 will be held on Sunday, and will not be televised. Check back here frequently on Saturday for the latest on the Kings' draft picks and possible draft-day trades. | |
| 6-14-03 | |
| The Los Angeles Times reported in Saturday's edition that the Los Angeles Kings are expected to do some significant house cleaning of veteran players...
Jerry Crowe reported that the Kings are expected to: * - Not offer left wing Craig Johnson a contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. * - Demand that backup goalie Jamie Storr sign a contract for less than the qualifying offer of $1.75 million, or they will also allow him to become an unrestricted free agent. * - Allow defenseman Chris McAlpine and left wings Mikko Eloranta and Ken Belanger to become unrestricted free agents. There has been speculation that such moves would free up money that could allow the Kings to make a deal for a top six forward. | |
| 6-12-03 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they will broadcast a special edition of "Kings Talk" on ESPN Radio 710 on the day of the National Hockey League's Entry Draft.
Kings radio broadcasters Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans will host the show live, and will conduct several interviews and take calls from Kings fans. The Kings have three first-round selections in this year's draft. | |
| 7-30-02 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed defenseman
prospect Michael Pudlick to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Pudlick, 24, scored nine goals and added six assists for fifteen points with 42 penalty minutes last season with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate. Pudlick, who is 6-3 and weighs 201 pounds, was signed by the Kings as a free agent on April 1, 2000. | |
| 7-26-02 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have avoided salary
arbitration with center Eric Belanger, signing him to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Belanger, 24 played in 53 games for the Kings last season, scoring 8 goals and adding 16 assists for 24 points, a career-high. He also ranked sixth in the NHL in face-off win percentage (57.7%). In 115 NHL games, all with the Kings, Belanger has scored 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points with 37 penalty minutes. Belanger was selected by the Kings in the fourth-round (96th overall) of the 1996 NHL draft. | |
| 7-25-02 | |
| On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed center
prospect Mike Cammalleri to a multi-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Michael has decided to forego his senior year at Michigan, and the Kings are very pleased to have him under contract with our organization," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "Michael was generally regarded as the best player in college hockey this past season. He is a highly-skilled, intelligent player who has excelled at all levels of hockey thus far. He will certainly compete for a spot with the Kings this season as we consider him to be an elite prospect." Cammalleri, 20, just finshed his junior season at the University of Michigan, where he led the Wolverines in goals (23), power play goals (9), and game-winning goals (7). His 44 points (23 goals and 21 assists) ranked him second on the team. At 5-9 and weighing 180 pounds, Cammalleri was the co-recipient of the Hal Dowes Trophy, which is awarded annually to most valuable player for the Michigan team. He won the award even though he missed fifteen games with mononucleosis. He was also the most valuable player of the 2002 Central Collegiate Hockey Association's Super Six Championship tournament, and was twice named the CCHA's Offensive Player of the Week. Cammalleri would have ranked among the top five among NCAA hockey players if he had played in at least 75 percent of Michigan's games. He averaged 1.5 points and 0.8 goals-per-game. During 2000-01 season, Cammalleri, who was selected by the Kings in the second round (49th overall) of the 2000 NHL draft, led the Wolverines with 29 goals and ranked second in team scoring with 61 points in 42 games. He also co-led the team with ten power play goals. In 110 games during his three seasons with the Wolverines, Cammalleri scored 65 goals and added 66 assists for 131 points and 84 penalty minutes. Cammalleri also played for the silver-medal-winning Canadian National Junior Team at the 2002 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, where he was named the tournament's top forward. In seven games with Team Canada, Cammalleri led the entire tournament in scoring with 11 points (7 goals and 4 assists). His seven goals also tied him for the tournament lead in goals. He also played for Team Canada at the 2001 World Junior Championships in Russia. | |
| 7-24-02 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have acquired forward
Erik Rasmussen from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for center Adam Mair and a fifth-round selection in the 2003 NHL entry draft. Rasmussen, 25, appeared in 69 games last season for the Sabres, scoring 8 goals and added 11 assists for 19 points with 34 penalty minutes. Rasmussen, who is 6-3 and weighs 208 pounds, was second on the club in hits with 164. He was drafted by the Sabres in the first round of the 1996 draft (seventh overall). In the 2000-01 season, he posted career-highs in goals (12), assists (19) and points (31) in 82 games, also a career-best. He also led the Sabres in hits that season with 207. In 281 NHL games, all with Buffalo, Rasmussen has scored 33 goals and added 46 assists for 79 points while racking up 179 penalty minutes. "Erik will upgrade our team speed and size, and his physical style of play makes him difficult to play against," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He has an offensive upside and we feel strongly that with his size, speed and talent, he has a chance to be a legitimate power forward in the NHL." | |
| 7-21-02 | |
| Los Angeles Kings 2002 Development Camp Scrimmages - Final Statistics (CORRECTED)
SCORING LEADERS Mair: 5 goals, 4 assists = 9 points Murray: 4G, 5A = 9 pts. Kanko: 0G, 8A = 8 pts. Lehoux: 3G, 2A = 5 pts. O'Flaherty: 2G, 3A = 5 pts. Aulin: 1G, 4A = 5 pts. Hogeboom: 2G, 2A = 4 pts. Juntunen: 2G, 2A = 4 pts. GOALTENDING STATISTICS Schwartz: 4 Games Played, .949 save percentage, 1.26 GAA Boxma: 4 GP, .928, 1.88 GAA Millar: 2 GP, .882, 3.00 GAA Denike: 4 GP, 789, 5.04 GAA Yeats: 4 GP, .718, 6.90 GAA Wolf: 2 GP, .625, 9.00 GAA | |
| 7-20-02 | |
| DEFENSE AND GOALTENDING TAKE A BACK SEAT AGAIN AS CAMP ENDS
TEAM WHITE SKATES PAST TEAM BLACK, 7-3 EL SEGUNDO, CA ? Yanick Lehoux scored two goals and contributed an assist, and Adam Mair scored a goal and an assist to lead Team White to what turned out to be a rather lopsided 7-3 victory over Team Black in the fourth and final scrimmage of the Los Angeles Kings 2002 Development Camp on Saturday afternoon. A not-quite-capacity crowd at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo saw two teams that appeared to be in a hurry to catch their flights home toss caution to the wind, forgetting about defense and focusing on scoring. This led to a bunch of careless plays and complete breakdowns by both teams?all ten goals scored were the direct result of a careless play by the defense, a miscue, or a blown coverage. Indeed, it seemed like everything was rushed in this game, and not just the up-and-down, run-and-gun play. Unlike most hockey games where they have twenty-minute periods and fifteen-minute intermissions, this game had periods that were just seventeen minutes long. And to save time, the ice was not re-surfaced after the opening warm-ups, and the second intermission was just a quick two-minute break. Based on the fact that a number of the players were seen rushing out of the building after the game seemed to indicate that many players had to catch flights home shortly after the game, so the game time was cut in order to accomodate their flight schedules. But with the rush to keep the game short came the lack of attention to detail, and it showed in the ragged play by both teams. Numerous players made bad mental mistakes or just fell down without being touched. It was clear that their minds were on more than just what they needed to do on the ice. Team Black took a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by center Jared Aulin and George Parros, while Team Black goalie Dustin Schwartz, made at least five tough saves, including two breakaways, bailing out the porous defense in front of him. But Team Black's defense really fell apart after that. Late in the second period, Team White scored five straight goals in a span of 5:22, with the first two goals coming just 39 seconds apart, and the first three goals coming just 1:56 apart. Each of the five goals came on defensive breakdowns or miscues by Team Black. At 11:33, defenseman Tomas Zizka was left all alone as he carried the puck through the left circle, and went to the bottom of the left circle untouched, scoring on a backhand that beat Team Black goalie Mathew Yeats, who replaced Schwartz at the 10:36 mark. Mair scored his fifth goal of the camp at 12:12, going in alone on Yeats after Team Black defenseman Jason Crain got caught heading up ice when the puck was turned over. Crain did not cough up the puck, but he was positioned too aggressively based on where his teammates had the puck at the time. Mark Rooneem followed with a breakaway goal at 13:29 after Team Black defenseman Spencer Dillon fell down for no apparent reason at his own blue line. Just minutes later, Team White defenseman Tobias Draxinger scored on a wrist shot from below the right face-off dot after he was allowed to walk in all the way from right point, completely unnoticed. Team White center Kevin O'Flaherty scored at 15:04, another easy goal after Team White got caught in a bad line change. But don't think that Team White was mistake-free. All three goals they allowed were the clear result of defensive mistakes or bad decisions by defensive players. As poorly as everyone played, there were some bright spots: Both Aulin and Lehoux showed great moves and soft hands. Both made some great moves to free themselves up to get off shots, and in Lehoux's case, one of those great moves resulted in his second goal of the game. Right wing Petr Kanko was one of the few who played a solid game, trying to stay in good defensive position while being dangerous offensively. He had a few good scoring chances, but was thwarted by Team White goalies Terry Denike and B.J. Boxma. BOX SCORE Black: 2-1-0?3 White: 0-5-2?7 FIRST PERIOD?Scoring: 1. Black. Aulin 1 (Verdule, Kanko), 7:02. 2. Black. Parros 1 (Romy), 12:12. Penalties: Rome, White (tripping), 4:18. SECOND PERIOD?Scoring: 3. White. Zizka 1 (Draxinger, Mair), 9:33. 4. White. Mair 5 (Lehoux, Rome), 12:12. 5. White. Rooneem 1 (unassisted), 13:29. 6. White. Draxinger 1 (Zizka, Boudreau), 13:55. 7. White. O'Flaherty 2 (Schlender, Murphy), 15:04. 8. Black. Murray 5 (Brennan, Charpantier), 16:56. Penalties: None. THIRD PERIOD?Scoring: 9. White. Lehoux 2 (Draxinger), 6:58. 10. White. Lehoux 3 (Juntunen, Mair), 13:19. Penalties: Verdule, Black (roughing), 9:22. Shots on Goal Black: 9-5-10--24 White: 9-11-6--26 Power play conversions: Black: 0/1, White: 0/1. Goalies: Black: Schwartz (11 shots, 11 saves), Yeats (8:24 of second period; 15, 8: 0-2-0); White: Denike (11 shots, 9 saves), Boxma (8:24 of second period; 7, 7: 2-0-0). Referee: Parker. Linesmen: Corona, Devine. 11:40 AM PDT On Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed center Adam Mair to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Mair, 23, appeared in 18 games with the Kings last season, scoring a goal and an assist for two points with 57 penalty minutes. Mair, who is 6-1 and weighs 210 pounds, also played in 27 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL, scoring 10 goals with 9 assists for 19 points with 48 penalty minutes. In 28 NHL games with the Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs, Mair has two goals and three assists for five points while racking up 83 penalty minutes. | |
| 7-19-02 | |
| DEFENSE AND GOALTENDING TAKE CENTER STAGE
TEAM WHITE FINALLY WINS ONE, 2-0 EL SEGUNDO, CA?After two high-scoring games, a relatively sparse crowd got to see the young kids hunker down and play defense in the third scrimmage of the Los Angeles Kings' 2002 Development Camp on Friday night at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo. And to compliment the tough defense by both team's skaters, the goaltenders put on a show, making tough saves throughout the game. Team White center Adam Mair got things rolling with a power play goal at 5:07 of the first period, his fourth goal of the Development Camp scrimmages. Center Kevin O'Flaherty gave Team White a 2-0 lead at 19:33, scoring off a rebound at right crease. But with both teams playing considerably better defense, there was very little room to maneuver on either side. Both teams were backchecking well through the neutral zone, and were clogging up the middle of the ice. Defensemen were standing up at their own blue lines well, forcing the opposition's forwards to dump the puck into the attacking zone, rather than carry it in and immediately be able to make plays. But the White team was a bit better at standing up at their own blue line, and in controlling the middle of the ice. They thwarted the efforts of Team Black, which included forward Jared Aulin, who was moved to the Black squad roster, along with forward Brady Murray. They were joined by right wing Petr Kanko (already on the Team Black roster) on the top line for Team Black. This line was able to generate a few quality scoring chances, including a great chance for Kanko on a wrist shot from between the hashmarks in the first period. It looked like a sure-goal, but Team White goalie B.J. Boxma came up with a big glove save. At 10:18 of the second period, both goalies were replaced, and Terry Denike picked up right where Boxma left off. He made some great saves on first and second efforts from point-blank range, as the Black team was able to generate some offensive pressure, especially in the third period. Denike made some sprawling saves and looked very good in goal after two outings where he did not play nearly as well. In such a defensive battle, there were no real standouts, outside of Boxma and Denike... Team White defenseman Michael Pudlick put in another solid, if not spectacular effort. He was usually in good position, and made good decisions, with and without the puck. He needs to work on his strength, however, especially in front of the net. Team Black defenseman Jason Crain skates pretty well and although he is listed as being 6-3 and weighing 190 pounds, he does not look that tall (at least not when you're sitting in the stands) and he definitely needs to bulk up?he needs to be more physical if he expects to make it to the NHL. But he is young and has time to learn. He did show some decent offensive skills for a defenseman, but he appears to be hesitant to take the hard shot from the point when he has the opportunity. After two good games, Murray had an off-game. He skated well, and made some good passes, but he also made a number of poor decisions with the puck, either holding it for too long or making an ill-advised pass. In each case, he turned the puck over and gave Team Black a scoring chance at the other end, one of which was an outnumbered attack. He was very fortunate that Team Black could not capitalize on those gift-wrapped opportunities. Right wing Petr Kanko continued his impressive play, putting in a solid performance for Team Black. Because of the extra emphasis on defense, he was not as much of a threat as he was in the second scrimmage, but he was still dangerous on most shifts. He continued to skate well, he made good decisions with and without the puck, he backchecked very well, and was always in good defensive position. Kanko also showed good speed and great hands on a shorthanded breakaway in the second period on which his backhand from just outside right crease beat Denike, but he clanked his shot off the right goal post or the cross bar. Kanko also threw a couple of nice hits, and even got into a bit of a shoving match?he showed that he was not afraid to mix it up with anyone. He was also talkative on the ice, perhaps playing a leadership role on his team. In the end, he played a very solid game in all three zones, and showed that he may have some good leadership qualities. This kid just might develop into a star in the NHL some day. BOX SCORE Black: 0-0-0?0 White: 2-0-0?2 FIRST PERIOD?Scoring: 1. WHITE. Mair 4 (power play) (Jutunen, Lehoux), 5:07. 2. WHITE. O'Flaherty 1 (Schlender, Murphy), 19:33. Penalties: Rooneem, Black (interference), 4:15; Lahache, Black (hooking), 16:19. SECOND PERIOD?Scoring: None. Penalties: Brennan, Black (roughing), 11:14. THIRD PERIOD?Scoring: None. Penalties: Charpantier, Black (interference), 5:32; White bench (too many men on the ice), served by Boudreau, 6:48; Pudlick, White (roughing), 19:39. Shots on Goal Black: 6-6-8?20 White: 6-5-9?20 Power play conversions: Black: 0/2, White: 1/4. Goalies: Black, Yeats (7 shots, 5 saves, 0-1-0), Schwartz (10:18 of second period, 13, 13); White, Boxma (7 shots, 7 saves, 1-0-0), Denike (10:18 of second period, 13, 13). Referee: Parker. Linesmen: Corona, Savage. Scratches (both teams combined): Antoine Bergeron, Noah Clarke, Ryan Flinn, Greg Hogeboom, Alex Kim, Jonothan Lessard, Richard Petiot, Joe Rullier, Richard Seeley, Jerred Smithson, Garret Stafford. | |
| 7-18-02 | |
| PHYSICAL PLAY AND DEFENSE MORE APPARENT IN SECOND SCRIMMAGE
TEAM BLACK ROUTS TEAM WHITE, 6-1 EL SEGUNDO, CA ? Adam Mair recorded a hat trick and added two assists, Brady Murray scored two goals and contributed three assists, and Petr Kanko was very impressive with five assists, leading the Black squad to their second straight decisive victory over the White squad, a 6-1 blowout win. Another packed house got to see some very entertaining hockey in the second scrimmage of the Los Angeles Kings' 2002 Development Camp at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo on Wednesday night. This game had both teams playing much more physical hockey than they did in the first scrimmage on Saturday night. The teams also concentrated more on defense, even though the score might give one the impression that the White team did not bother to play much defense at all. There were no fights in this scrimmage, unlike the first one, but in this game, there were the usual face-washes, pushing, shoving, cross-checks, and a good amount of hitting, exactly what one would see in a regular NHL game?those were mostly absent in the first scrimmage. The intensity was definitely a few degrees higher in this one, and it showed in the physical nature of the game, right from the opening face-off. The Kings kept the squads virtually the same as in the first scrimmage, with a few minor changes. Team White had virtually the same, offensive-minded lineup, white Team Black was clearly designed with defense and physical play in mind. But the line combinations and defensive pairings were all different. One example was that for Team White, the line of Greg Hogeboom-Jared Aulin-Yanick Lehoux was broken up, with Lehoux centering Thomas Derungs and Ryan Murphy. For Team White, the Lehoux line played very well overall. They were able to generate a good forecheck, keeping Team Black bottled up in their own zone for long periods of time, and getting some decent, if not high-quality, scoring opportunities. The Lehoux line was also very disciplined, as they backchecked well throughout the game. In the first scrimmage, Lehoux failed to backcheck at all, instead, coasting back on defense. But in this game, he was often the forward who stayed high in the zone, and was always in good defensive position. Even the Aulin line looked decent on the forecheck, something Aulin did not do much of in the first scrimmage. Aulin still needs to work harder on his defensive game, but he was more involved on the backcheck in this game than he was in the first scrimmage. Team White defenseman Michael Pudlick played poorly in the first scrimmage, but was the best defensemen on the ice in this game. He played the body well, especially in taking out on-rushing puck carriers on the wings, and made good decisions with the puck and without it. He also showed off a decent one-time shot on the power play, although, at least in the one instance we saw, he took too long to get off his slap shot from the point on the power play. In the NHL, such shots will get blocked almost every time. Overall, Team White looked better defensively than they did in the first scrimmage, but they swere weak in front of their own net, where most of Team Black's goals were scored from. And speaking of Team Black, the best players on the ice came from that squad, most notably, the line of Murray, Mair and Kanko, who combined for five goals and ten assists for fifteen points. Murray, the son of Kings' head coach Andy Murray, showed off a decent one-time shot on his second goal, decent speed, great strength on the puck for a smallish forward (he's about 5-9), and good ice vision and playmaking abilities. And when you think that he is not even a high school senior yet, one has to think that if he grows a bit more and bulks up, he could become quite a player. But the best player on the ice in this game was Kanko. He exhibited great speed and quickness, strength on the puck, considerable grit, the willingness to get his nose dirty in the corners and along the boards for loose pucks, and he was never out of good defensive position. He also showed that he has the speed, quickness and agility to make a potential hitter miss him, as he slipped a number of checks in this game. He also showed off some great hands and slick footwork when he faked a Team White defenseman at the top of the slot. The defenseman fell down, giving Kanko a wide-open chance from the slot. Kanko missed the net just wide to the right, but wound up setting up Mair for his second goal of the game on a little wrist shot from right crease at 7:37 of the first period. But it was Kanko's playmaking ability that shined the brightest. He skated with his head up throughout the game, and he was the key player in each of the scoring plays he assisted on. He showed good ice vision and the hands to put passes right on the tape of his intended recipient. Despite scoring the hat trick and adding his two assists, Mair was actually the least impressive of the three players on his line. He played well and contributed on the forecheck. As for the goalies, Matt Millar (son of Kings' equipment manager Peter Millar), and Mathew Yeats played well for Team Black, both making some good saves. WHITE SQUAD Forward Lines (Left Wing-Center-Right Wing) DeRungs-Lehoux-Murphy Hogeboom-Aulin-Henkel Kip Brennan-Jerred Smithson-Mark Rooneem Jared Bye-Kevin Romy-Ben Boudreau Defensive Pairs Joe Rullier-Tomas Zizka Pudlick-Keith McWilliams Jonothan Lessard-Bryan Vines Goalies 1st Period - Terry Denike 2nd Period - Matt Wolf 3rd Period - B.J. Boxma BLACK SQUAD Forward Lines Murray-Mair-Kanko Lucus Lawson-Kevin O'Flaherty-Graham Schlender Ryan Flinn-Henrik Juntunen-George Parros Tobias Draxinger-Jimmy Verdule-Bryce Charpantier (all defensemen who were moved to a forward line to fill in for injured players) Defensive Pairs Richard Petiot-Aaron Rome Richard Seeley-Jason Crain Hunter LaChance-Spencer Dillon Goalies 1st Period: Schwartz 2nd Period: Millar 3rd Period: Yeats Scratches Antoine Bergeron, Noah Clarke, Alex Kim, Garret Stafford (all injured) Box Score Black: 3-3-0--6 White: 1-0-0--1 FIRST PERIOD ? Scoring: 1. BLACK. Mair 1 (Murray, Kanko), 4:13. 2. BLACK. Mair 2 (Kanko, Murray), 7:37. 3. WHITE. Henkel 1 (Hogeboom, Aulin), 11:18. 4. BLACK. Murray 3 (Kanko, Mair), 18:37. Penalties: None. SECOND PERIOD ? Scoring: 5. BLACK. Mair 3 (Murray, Kanko), 3:42. 6. BLACK. Schlender 1 (O'Flaherty, Lawson), 9:59. 7. BLACK. Murray 4 (power play) (Kanko, Mair), 19:14. Penalties: Verdule, Black (delay of game), 7:51; McWilliams, White (boarding), 18:37. THIRD PERIOD ? Scoring: None. Penalties: Verdule, Black (cross check), 3:35; Rullier, Black (roughing), 6:08; Charpantier, Black (interference), 11:28. Shots on Goal: Black: 9-8-4--21 White: 7-9-9--25 Power Play Conversions: Black: 1/1, White - 0/4. Goalies: Black, Schwartz (7 shots, 6 saves, 2-0-0), Millar (start of second period; 9, 9), Yeats (start of third period; 9/9); White, Denike (6 saves, 9 shots: 0-2-0), Wolf (start of second period; 8/5), Boxma (start of third period; 4, 4). Gann's Three Stars: #3 - Mair; #2 - Murray; #1 - Kanko For those of who you may be going through hockey withdrawal after not seeing a good hockey game since the Stanley Cup Finals ended in June, there are two more scrimmage games left this week, Friday, July 20 at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, July 21 at 12:30 PM. Both games will be played at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo. It isn't NHL-quality hockey, but no one should expect that anyway. Nevertheless, just like last summer, it is absolutely wonderful to see very good, spirited hockey from players who are clearly trying to make a good impression. And what makes it even better is...who gets to see decent hockey in the middle of July? Once again, those planning to attend the scrimmage games are advised to arrive early, as there is very limited seating and standing room available, and once the building is filled to capacity, people arriving after that time will be turned away. | |
| 7-17-02 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that John Van Boxmeer has been
signed to a multi-year deal as an assistant coach. Financial terms were not disclosed. Van Boxmeer, 50, replaces Dave Tippett, who became the head coach of the Dallas Stars on May 16. "We are very pleased to have John join our staff," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He has a tremendous background in coaching. "Having worked closely with him the last couple of years while he was in Long Beach, I feel very confident that he will make a significant contribution to our team and our organization." "John's background as a player and his success as a coach--plus his familiarity with our team--will make him a very strong contributor to our coaching staff," said Kings' head coach Andy Murray. Van Boxmeer was the Vice President of Hockey Operations and Head Coach of the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the West Coast Hockey League, spending the last seven years with the franchise. In 1997, Van Boxmeer led the team to the Turner Cup finals (IHL championship). He was also named the IHL's Coach of the Year, and was a co-coach at the IHL All-Star Game. Overall (IHL and WCHL combined), Van Boxmeer has a record of 313-181-60. He began his coaching career in 1985 with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, and became their all-time winningest coach with 333 wins in nine seasons. His teams won the 1987 Calder Cup Championship and reached the Calder Cup Finals twice more. As a player, Van Boxmeer got his start in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens during the 1974-75 season. A first round choice (14th overall) by Montreal in the 1972 NHL Entry Draft, he played parts of four seasons with the Canadiens and won a Stanley Cup with them in 1976. He was also selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1982. Van Boxmeer played in 588 regular season NHL games with the Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, Buffalo Sabres and the Quebec Nordiques, scoring 84 goals and adding 274 assists for 358 points with 465 penalty minutes. "I am certainly excited about the opportunity," said Van Boxmeer. "This team has shown great improvement the last three years. They are a young, up-and-coming team, and they are going in the right direction to take the next step to the next level." | |
| 7-16-02 | |
| 3:02 PM PDT
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have acquired forward Derek Armstrong from the New York Rangers for a conditional pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings then signed Armstrong to a one-year contract with a club option for an additional year. Financial terms were not disclosed. Armstrong, 28, appeared in 44 games with SC Bern of the Swiss League last season, scoring 17 goals and 36 assists for 53 points with 60 penalty minutes. Armstrong, who is 6-0, and weighs 195 pounds, spent the 2001-02 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, winning the Calder Cup (AHL championship) that year. Selected by the New York Islanders in the sixth round (128th overall) in the 1992 draft, Armstrong has played in 86 NHL games with the Rangers, Islanders and Ottawa Senators, scoring 9 goals and 10 assists for 19 points with 56 penalty minutes. The Kings also re-signed winger Brad Chartrand to a one-year contract, with a club option for a second year. Again, financial terms were not disclosed. Chartrand, 27, played in 27 games for the Kings last year, scoring 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points with 40 penalty minutes--all career-highs. The 5-11, 191-pound forward also appeared in 22 games at Manchester of the AHL, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points with 1 penalty minutes. In 100 NHL games, all with the Kings, Chartrand has scored 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points while racking up 59 penalty minutes. And in a surprise move, the Kings also announced that they have signed right wing Pavel Rosa to a two-year contract. Once again, financial terms were not disclosed. Rosa, 25, appeared in 46 games with Jokerit Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League last season, scoring 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points with 37 penalty minutes, helping Jokerit win the Finnish Elite League Championship. In the post-season, Rosa scored 3 goals and added 5 assists for 8 points with 18 penalty minutes. Rosa was originally drafted by the Kings in the second round (50th overall) of the 1995 draft. He has played in 32 NHL games, all with the Kings, scoring 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points. Late Tuesday, the Kings announced that they have signed defenseman prospect Richard Seeley to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Seeley appeared in 61 games at Manchester of the AHL last season, scoring 2 goals and adding 10 assists for 12 points with 78 penalty minutes. Seeley, who is 6-0 and weighs 210 pounds, was selected by the Kings in the sixth round (137th overall) of the 1997 NHL entry draft. | |
| 7-15-02 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed forward
Alexander Frolov to a three-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Alexander brings a rare package of talent which combines size, strength and on-ice vision with the ability to finish," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He plays an intelligent game and will compete for a starting position in our lineup this season." Frolov, 20, played in the Russian Super League last season where he led the Soviet Wings in scoring with 30 points on 18 goals and 12 assists in 44 games. Selected by the Kings in the first round (20th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-3, 200-pound Frolov played on the Russian National Junior Team that won the gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships. He co-led the Russian team in scoring with six goals and two assists for eight points in seven games. Frolov was recently rated the fourth-best player not yet playing in the NHL by McKeens Hockey Pool Yearbook, an annual Canadian publication featured in USA Today, which specializes in NHL prospects, follows the progress of drafted players, and rates the top prospects coming into the NHL each season. | |
| 7-14-02 | |
| TOP PROSPECTS DISAPPOINT DEFENSIVELY
KINGS' KIDS TRY TO IMPRESS IN FIRST SCRIMMAGE EL SEGUNDO, CA?Yanick Lehoux scored two goals, and Jared Aulin had three assists to lead the White squad, but the Black squad won the first scrimmage game of the Los Angeles Kings' 2002 Development Camp, 8-5, in front of a packed house at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo on Saturday night. Right wing Greg Hogeboom scored two goals and tallied an assist, while playing on the line with Lehoux and Aulin. The scrimmage even featured four fights, two between the Kings' enforcer-to-be Ryan Flinn and defenseman Jimmy Verdule (St. Francis Xavier University), and two between right wing George Parros (Princeton University) and left wing Kip Brennan, who played at the Kings' AFL affiliate in Manchester last season. On the plus side, the Black squad standouts were center Brady Murray (Shattuck-St. Mary's High School; Kings' head coach Andy Murray's son), who showed some good speed and skill, scoring two nice goals for the Black team. Right wing Henrik Juntunen (Karpat, Finland), also scored two goals for the Black squad. Defenseman Joe Corvo (three assists) made some solid defensive plays for the Black team. He moved the puck well and looked good offensively. He could provide strong competition for a spot on the Kings' defensive corps next season. Also impressive for the Black squad was left wing Petr Kanko (two assists), the Kings' third-round pick in 2002 entry draft in June. He exhibited good quickness and better-than-decent speed, agility, some real grit for a small winger, and a quick wrist shot. He hustled and worked hard on every shift, and showed that he just might have the talent to make it in the NHL in a few years. He could indeed be like Ian Laperriere, but with more speed and offensive skill. For the White squad, defenseman Joe Rullier (assist) played a decent game, despite being placed on a team that was clearly put-together solely for their offensive talents. On the negative side of the ledger, defenseman Richard Petiot (assist) looked mostly lost on the ice for the Black squad. He got turned around a lot, found himself caught way out of position a few times, and was on the ice for a couple of goals. He generally looked lost on the ice, just like he did during the scrimmages in last summer's Development Camp. For the White squad, defensemen Michael Pudlick and Tomas Zizka were paired together, and even though they played for the Kings' AHL affiliate at Manchester, they played poorly, and were on the ice for a couple of goals as well. Disappointingly, the Kings' best prospects played poorly overall. Aulin and Lehoux looked impressive when they had the puck on the rush, but once they lost the puck, their effort dropped off the scale completely. On most shifts, the line of Aulin, Hogeboom and Lehoux played very well when they were flying up ice with the puck, and they scored three of their four goals on the rush, with the fourth coming off a turnover by the Black squad defense. They showed good speed and footwork, neat moves with the puck, and good hands. But when it came time to get their noses dirty on forecheck or getting back on defense, they clearly lost interest. They did not play the body in the corners, or battle for loose pucks. Their forecheck was non-existent, and they usually coasted back on defense--definitely not the impression that young prospects want to make on Andy Murray, Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor, and the entire Kings' scouting staff. While Hogeboom was just drafted and has an excuse, Aulin and Lehoux have been in the Kings' system and they participated in the Kings' Development Camp last summer. In short, they should know better. As two of the Kings' best prospects, they had better figure out what they are doing wrong before their next scrimmage, as much more is expected of them in this year's Development Camp than they showed on Saturday night. The rosters in this game were designed to pit the more offensively talented players (White squad) against the more defensive-minded players (Black squad). The rosters/line combinations were: WHITE SQUAD Jared Aulin, C (Kamloops, WHL) Antoine Bergeron, D (Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL) Ben Boudreau, F (St. Catherine's [Canadian Major Midget AAA]) B.J. Boxma, G (Kootenay, WHL) Kip Brennan, LW (Manchester, AHL) Jared Bye, LW (Fargo, NCAA) Bryce Charpantier, D (Salmon Arm, BCHL) Terry Denike, G (Lake Superior State University) Thomas Derungs, LW (Geneva) Jim Henkel, C (Rensaleer Polytechnic University) Greg Hogeboom, RW (Miami University [Ohio]) Yanick Lehoux, RW (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL) Jonathon Lessard, D (Moncton, QMJHL) Ryan Murphy, F (Boston College) Michael Pudlick, D (Manchester) Kevin Romy, F (Geneva, Switzerland) Mark Rooneem, LW (Kamloops) Joe Rullier, D (Manchester) Jerred Smithson, C (Manchester) Jimmy Verdule, D (St. Francis Xavier Univ.) Bryan Vines, D (Denver University) Matt Wolf, G (Los Angeles) Tomas Zizka, D (Manchester) Forward Lines (Left Wing-Center-Right Wing) Hogeboom-Aulin-Lehoux Bye-Romy-Boudreau Brennan-Henkel-Rooneem Derungs-Smithson-Murphy Defensive Pairs Pudlick-Zizka Rullier-Lessard Charpantier-Vines Goalies 1st Period - Boxma 2nd Period - Wolf 3rd Period - Denike BLACK SQUAD Noah Clarke, LW (Colorado College) Joe Corvo, D (Manchester) Jason Crain, D (Ohio State University) Spencer Dillon, F (Shattuck St. Mary's; added to camp roster) Tobias Draxinger, D (Berlin University) Ryan Flinn, LW (Manchester) Henrik Juntunen, RW (Karpat, Finland) Petr Kanko, RW (Kitchener, OHL) Alex Kim, F (Colorado College; added to camp roster) Lucas Lawson, F (University of Maine; added to camp roster) Adam Mair, C (Manchester) Matt Millar (Bethel College) Brady Murray, C (Shattuck St. Mary's) Kevin O'Flaherty (Clarkson University; added to camp roster) George Parros, RW (Princeton University) Richard Petiot, D (Colorado College) Aaron Rome, D (Swift Current, WHL) Brian Salcido, F (Shattuck St. Mary's) Graham Schlender, F (Univ. of New Brunswick; added to camp roster) Dustin Schwartz, G (University of Alberta) Gerard Stafford, D (Univ. of New Hampshire) Mathew Yeats, G (University of Maine) Forward Lines Kanko-Juntunen-O'Flaherty Clarke-Murray-Mair Kim-Lawson-Schlender Flinn-Salcido-Parros Defensive Pairs Not available Goalies 1st Period: Yeats 2nd Period: Millar 3rd Period: Schwartz Box Score FIRST PERIOD?Scoring: 1. BLACK. Murray 1 (Corvo, Clarke), 0:58. 2. WHITE. Lehoux 1 (Aulin, Hogeboom), 5:49. 3. WHITE. Hogeboom 1 (Aulin), 6:10. 4. BLACK. Juntunen 1 (Kanko, O'Flaherty), 13:31. Penalties: Flinn, Black (fighting major), time unavailable; Verdule, White (fighting major), time unavailable; Flinn, Black (fighting major), time unavailable; Verdule, White (fighting major), time unavailable. SECOND PERIOD?Scoring: 5. BLACK. Murray 2 (Mair, Corvo), 4:23. 6. WHITE. Brennan 1 (Murphy), 14:50. 7. BLACK. Seeley 1 (Petiot), 15:37. 8. WHITE. Hogeboom 2 (Rullier, Aulin), 17:07. 9. BLACK. Juntunen 2 (Kanko, O'Flaherty), 19:29. Penalties: None. THIRD PERIOD?Scoring: 10. BLACK. Lawson 1 (power play) (Corvo), 3:25. 11. BLACK. Salcido 1 (Parros), 4:26. 12. WHITE. Murphy 1 (Smithson), 4:53. 13. BLACK. Flinn 1 (Parros, Salcido), 6:52. Penalties: White bench (too many men on the ice; served by Bye), 3:20; Parros, Black (fighting major), time unavailable; Brennan, White (fighting major), time unavailable; Parros, Black (fighting major), time unavailable; Brennan, White (fighting major), time unavailable. Shots on Goal Black: 18 8 8 -- 34 White: 7 8 8 -- 23 Power Play Conversions: BLACK: 1/1, WHITE - 0/0. Goalies: Black, Yeats (7 shots, 5 saves), Millar (start of second period; 8, 6), Schwarz (start of third period; 8, 7: 1-0-0); White, Boxma (18 shots, 16 saves), Wolf (start of second period; 8/5), Denike (start of third period; 8, 5: 0-1-0). Gann's Three Stars #3 - Murray; #2 - Kanko; #1 - Corvo The Kings' Development Camp continues through July 20 at the HealthSouth Training Center, and they have three more scrimmage games scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, at 7:00 PM, Friday, July 19, at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, July 20, at 12:30 PM. Those planning to attend the scrimmage games are advised to arrive early, as there is very limited seating and standing room available, and once the building is filled to capacity, people arriving after that time will be turned away. Last summer, a considerable number of angry fans were turned away at the door after all the seating and standing areas filled to capacity. This year, HealthSouth Training Center staff issued tickets to fans, enabling them to more easily keep track of attendance and control the crowd. By 6:00 PM, the seating area was mostly filled. The standing areas still had some room, however. Nevertheless, there were later reports of angry fans being turned away at the door. Again, be sure to arrive early or you risk not getting into the building at all. | |
| 7-10-02 | |
| 4:08 PM PDT
On Wednesday, the National Hockey League released their 2002-03 regular season schedule, and the Los Angeles Kings will begin the season with a two-game home stand. Opening night is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9. Prior to that game, the Kings will retire Wayne Gretzky's number 99 in a pre-game ceremony. Gretzky's jersey number will be the fourth to be retired by the Kings. Gretzky will join Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Rogie Vachon, all of whom have their jersey numbers hanging in the rafters of Staples Center. "I look forward to sharing this honor with my family, friends, and especially the fans, whose support of both myself and the Kings over the years has been tremendous and very humbling," said Gretzky. "It is also exciting that the Coyotes will be there to be part of the festivities." Prior to opening night, on Monday, October 7, the Kings will host the Wayne Gretzky Jersey Retirement Gala Dinner in The Grand Ballroom in Hollywood (next to the Kodak Theatre). The charity dinner will feature an array of special guests and entertainment, and the Kings and Coyotes players are expected to attend. All proceed from the event will benefit the Kings Care Foundation and the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. For ticket information, call (213) 763-7793. Other schedule notes... The 2002-03 schedule has the Kings facing Pacific Division rivals five times each. They will play Western Conference teams outside of the Pacific Division four times each. The Kings will also face all Eastern Conference teams at least once. However, the Kings will not travel to New Jersey, Florida, Boston or the New York Islanders, and Toronto, Buffalo, Washington and the New York Rangers will not make an appearance at Staples Center. The full schedule is as follows (all times are PACIFIC; television coverage to be announced later): October, 2002 10/09 - Wednesday - Phoenix, 7:30 PM 10/12 - Saturday - Detroit, 7:30 PM 10/16 - Wednesday - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 10/17 - Thursday - Colorado, 7:30 PM 10/19 - Saturday - Vancouver, 7:30 PM 10/23 - Wednesday - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 10/25 - Friday - at NY Rangers, 4:00 PM 10/27 - Sunday - at Columbus, 2:00 PM 10/29 - Tuesday - at Atlanta, 4:30 PM 10/31 - Thursday - at Chicago, 5:30 PM November 11/02 - Saturday - Nashville, 7:30 PM 11/04 - Monday - Minnesota, 7:30 PM 11/05 - Tuesday - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 11/08 - Friday - at Ottawa, 4:00 PM 11/09 - Saturday - at Montreal, 4:00 PM 11/12 - Tuesday - at Toronto, 4:30 PM 11/14 - Thursday - at Vancouver, 7:00 PM 11/16 - Saturday - at Edmonton, 5:00 PM 11/19 - Tuesday - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 11/21 - Thursday - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 11/23 - Saturday - Dallas, 7:30 PM 11/27 - Wednesday - Florida, 7:30 PM 11/29 - Friday - at Anaheim, 1:00 PM 11/30 - Saturday - Chicago, 7:30 PM December 12/05 - Thursday - Nashville, 7:30 PM 12/07 - Saturday - Columbus, 7:30 PM 12/10 - Tuesday - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 12/11 - Wednesday - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 12/14 - Saturday - Pittsburgh, 7:30 PM 12/15 - Sunday - at Phoenix, 3:00 PM 12/17 - Tuesday - St. Louis, 7:30 PM 12/19 - Thursday - Anaheim, 7:30 PM 12/22 - Sunday - at Chicago, 5:00 PM 12/23 - Monday - at St. Louis, 5:00 PM 12/26 - Thursday - Phoenix, 7:30 PM 12/29 - Sunday - at Colorado, 3:00 PM 12/30 - Monday - Chicago, 7:30 PM January, 2003 01/02 - Thursday - Philadelphia, 7:00 PM 01/04 - Saturday - - Dallas, 7:30 PM 01/06 - Monday - at Minnesota, 5:00 PM 01/07 - Tuesday - at Dallas, 5:30 PM 01/09 - Thursday - Edmonton, 7:30 PM 01/11 - Saturday - St. Louis, 7:30 PM 01/13 - Monday - San Jose, 7:30 PM 01/16 - Thursday - at Edmonton, 6:00 PM 01/18 - Saturday - at Calgary, 7:00 PM 01/22 - Wednesday - at Anaheim, 7:30 PM 01/23 - Thursday - Minnesota, 7:30 PM 01/25 - Saturday - New Jersey, 7:30 PM 01/27 - Monday - San Jose, 7:30 PM 01/28 - Tuesday - at San Jose, 7:30 PM 01/30 - Thursday - Ottawa, 7:30 PM February 02/05 - Wednesday - Phoenix, 7:30 PM 02/07 - Friday - Carolina, 7:30 PM 02/09 - Sunday - at Dallas, 4:00 PM 02/11 - Tuesday - at Nashville, 5:00 PM 02/13 - Thursday - Calgary, 7:30 PM 02/15 - Saturday - NY Islanders, 1:00 PM 02/17 - Monday - San Jose, 7:00 PM 02/20 - Thursday - at Philadelphia, 5:00 PM 02/21 - Friday - at Buffalo, 4:00 PM 02/24 - Monday - at Detroit, 4:30 PM 02/25 - Tuesday - at Pittsburgh, 4:30 PM 02/27 - Thursday - at Columbus, 4:00 PM March 03/01 - Saturday - Atlanta, 1:00 PM 03/04 - Tuesday - Anaheim, 7:30 PM 03/06 - Thursday - Edmonton, 7:30 PM 03/08 - Saturday - Montreal, 7:00 PM 03/10 - Monday - Detroit, 7:30 PM 03/12 - Wednesday - at Tampa Bay, 4:00 PM 03/14 - Friday - at Washington, 4:00 PM 03/15 - Saturday - at Carolina, 4:00 PM 03/18 - Tuesday - Calgary, 7:30 PM 03/20 - Thursday - Lightning, 7:30 PM 03/22 - Saturday - Bruins, 7:30 PM 03/25 - Tuesday - Columbus, 7:30 PM 03/27 - Thursday - at Colorado, 5:00 PM 03/29 - Saturday - Vancouver, 7:00 PM 03/31 - Monday - at Phoenix, 6:00 PM April 04/02 - Wednesday - Colorado, 7:30 PM 04/04 - Friday - at Calgary, 6:00 PM 04/06 - Sunday - at Vancouver, 1:00 PM | |
| 7-9-02 | |
| On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed goalie
prospect Cristobal Huet to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Huet, 26, was selected by the Kings in the seventh round (214th overall) of the 2001 NHL draft. He played in 38 games for Lugano in the Swiss League last season, earning a 20-14-4 record, with a 2.78 goals-against average (GAA) and four shutouts. | |
| 7-8-02 | |
| On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they signed defenseman prospect
Joe Corvo to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Corvo, 25, played for the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL last season, the Kings' AHL affiliate. At Manchester, Corvo played in a team-high 80 games, scoring 13 goals and a team-high 37 assists for 50 points, second on the club. Corvo led Manchester defensemen in goals, points and shots (234), and was fourth in power play goals with seven. He was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round (83rd overall) of the 1997 NHL draft. The Kings also announced their 2002 pre-season schedule, which includes eight games, including two games at Staples Center (all times are Pacific Daylight): Thursday, 9/19 - San Jose, Staples Center, 7:30 PM Sunday, 9/22 - Anaheim (Bakersfield Centennial Garden), 5:00 PM Wednesday, 9/25 - at Colorado, 5:00 PM Thursday, 9/26 - Phoenix, Staples Center, 7:30 PM Saturday, 9/28 - at San Jose, 7:30 PM Sunday, 9/29 - at Anaheim, 5:00 PM Thursday, 10/3 - Phoenix (Ford Center, Oklahoma City), TBA The Kings' annual Frozen Fury pre-season game will be held on Saturday, October 5, against the Colorado Avalanche, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas. Game time is 7:30 PM. Tickets for Frozen Fury 6 will go on sale starting this Saturday, July 13, at noon PDT. Tickets are available at the MGM Grand Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations in Las Vegas, at ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets are priced at $60.00, $45.00, $30.00 and $20.00. Tickets for the Anaheim game in Bakersfield are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (661) 322-2525. Ticket prices start at $15.00 | |
| 7-6-02 | |
| Various sources are reporting late Saturday that left wing Kelly Buchberger has
signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. Buchberger, who scored six goals and seven assists for thirteen points in 74 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season, became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. "I still feel like I'm a guy who will be out there every night, giving it all for the team," Buchberger said. | |
| 7-3-02 | |
| On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced their scrimmage game schedule for
their annual Development Camp for their prospects (July 8-20, 2002): Saturday, July 13, 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 17, 7:00 PM Friday, July 19, 7:00 PM Saturday, July 20, 12:30 PM All on-ice sessions and scrimmages will be held at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo. They are free, and open to the public. | |
| 7-2-02 | |
| Various sources reported late Tuesday that the Los Angeles Kings have offered
veteran left wing Kelly Buchberger a one-year contract. Buchberger, 35, became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Kings also lost defenseman Philippe Boucher on Tuesday, as he was signed to a four-year, $9.5 million contract by the Dallas Stars. Boucher was rumored to have been offered a three-year, $6 million deal by the Kings after earning $582,038 last season. Boucher also became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. | |
| 6-30-02 | |
| ASSOCIATED PRESS is reporting that right wing Nelson Emerson will become an
unrestricted free agent on Monday, as the Los Angeles Kings have bought out the remainder of his contract. Emerson, who will be 35 in August, had five goals and two assists for seven points after sitting out 41 games during the regular season, mostly due to the effects of post-concussion syndrome. In the playoffs, Emerson recorded one assist in five games. In 2+ seasons with the Kings, Emerson scored 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points with 79 penalty minutes in 144 games from the end of the 1999-00 season, through the 2001-02 season. In the playoffs, Emerson played in 19 games for the Kings, scoring two goals and three assists for five points, with six penalty minutes. Over his entire NHL career, Emerson has played in 771 regular season games with St. Louis, Winnipeg, Hartford, Carolina, Ottawa, Chicago, Atlanta and the Kings. He has scored 195 goals and 293 assists for 488 points with 575 penalty minutes. In the NHL playoffs, Emerson has appeared in 40 games with St. Louis, Ottawa, and the Kings, scoring seven goals and fifteen assists for 22 points with 33 penalty minutes. Emerson earned $1.9 million/year with the Kings last season. | |
| 6-28-02 | |
| On Friday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed defenseman
prospect Jason Holland to a two-year contract, and have exercised their contract option on left wing prospect Derek Bekar. Financial terms for both deals were not disclosed. Holland, 27, played in three games for the Kings this past season after signing with the club as a free agent on August 23. Holland, who is 6-3 and weighs 210 pounds, also played in 65 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, where he scored 9 goals and 18 assists for 27 points and 39 penalty minutes. In 24 career NHL games with the Kings, New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres, a goal and an assist and 12 penalty minutes. Bekar, 26, played in 74 games for the Monarchs this past season, scoring a team-high 27 goals, while adding 20 assists for 47 points. Bekar, who is 6-2 and weighs 205 pounds, signed with the Kings on September 25 after attending the 2001 Kings training camp. He was recalled by the Kings on October 31, but did not appear in a game. | |
| 6-27-02 | |
| 11:30 AM PDT
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they will hold their annual Development Camp for the young prospects in their system from July 8-20, 2002, at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo. Forty players will participate in the camp, which will include on-ice and off-ice workouts, and scrimmages. All scrimmages and on-ice workouts are open to the public at no charge. The scrimmage games will be held on Saturday, July 13, Wednesday, July 17, and Saturday, July 20. Start times have not yet been announced. Development Camp Roster Jared Aulin, Center/Right Wing Kip Brennan, Left Wing Ben Boudreau, Forward Jared Bye, Left Wing Bryce Charpantier, Right Wing Noah Clarke, Left Wing Thomas Derungs, Left Wing Robbie Earl, Forward Ryan Flinn, Left Wing Jim Henkel, Center Greg Hogeboom, Forward Connor James, Forward Henrik Juntunen, Right Wing Petr Kanko, Right Wing Jens Karlsson, Right Wing Yanick Lehoux, Center/Right Wing Adam Mair, Right Wing Ryan Murphy, Forward Brady Murray, Center George Parros, Right Wing Kevin Romy, Forward Mark Rooneem, Left Wing Jerred Smithson, Center Joel Andresen, Defenseman Joe Corvo, Defenseman Tobias Draxinger, Defenseman Richard Petiot, Defenseman Michael Pudlick, Defenseman Aaron Rome, Defenseman Joe Rullier, Defenseman Richard Seeley, Defenseman Garrett Stafford, Defenseman Tomas Zizka, Defenseman Terry Denike, Goalie Matt Millar, Goalie Matt Wolf, Goalie Mathew Yeats, Goalie 5:00 PM PDT Late Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have exercised their contract option on goaltender Felix Potvin for the 2002-03 season. Potvin, 31, set a franchise record for games played last season with 71. He also had a career-best 2.31 goals-against average and became the third goalie in Kings' history to earned thirty wins in one season, with a 31-27-8 record. He also tied a career-high with six shutouts. "Felix has done a tremendous job in goal for us the past two years and we are very pleased to have him on board for next season," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "Our team responds very well to his steady play in both the regular season and playoffs." Potvin will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2003, unless the Kings can reach a new deal with him prior to that date. | |
| 6-23-02 | |
| On Sunday at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada, the National Hockey
League completed rounds 4-9 of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, and the Los Angeles Kings added four forwards and three defensemen to their corps of young prospects. Fourth Round In the fourth round, the Kings selected Aaron Rome, a 6-1, 197 pound defenseman from the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Rome was selected 104th overall, the pick the Kings received in exchange for left wing Cliff Ronning, completing Saturday's trade with the Minnesota Wild. "Rome is a good, solid all-around defenseman," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He moves the puck well and he has decent size and agility." Rome was ranked 24th among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau (CSB), who said that he is "...a good, well-balanced skater who is strong on his skates...displays good agility...has strong passing skills, both forehand and backhand...will join the offensive rush when opportunity presents itself...is not overly physical, but will stand up to the opposition in the neutral zone...is used on both the power play and penalty killing units...gives a good outlet pass to lead the breakout and has a good hard shot from the point." CSB also reported that last season, Rome was "Red Deer's Most Improved Player for 2000-01...helped Red Deer capture the WHL championship and the Memorial Cup last season...finished ninth in team scoring last season...performed for Team Western in the under-17 2000 World Hockey Challenge in Timmins...finished seventh in team scoring as a rookie in 1999-00...selected 76th overall by Red Deer in the 1998 WHL bantam draft...spent the 1998-99 season performing for the Regina bantam AA team (70-102-172 in 60 GP)." CSB stated that Rome also "...played for Team Western in the under-17 2000 World Hockey Challenge in Timmins and was selected 96th overall by Saskatoon in the 1998 WHL bantam draft, but was traded to Kootenay at the beginning of the 2000-01 season." "Aaron is a solid defenseman that adds size to our defensive corps," said Bob McEwen, head coach and general manager of the Swift Current Broncos. "He is a good playmaker, he skates well, he's very responsible with the puck and can be an offensive defenseman." "Aaron is an essential power play guy," added McEwen. "When looking back on the trade when we acquired Aaron, I would have to say we considered his experience and his size to be his highest attributes." Last season, Rome played in 70 games, scoring seven goals and added twenty-four assists for thirty-one points with 168 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, Rome played in ten games, scoring a goal, and adding four assists for five points. He was a +4 in the post-season, and racked up twenty-three penalty minutes. In the 2000-01 season, Rome played in 56 games with Kootenay of the WHL, scoring two goals and eight assists for ten points with 45 penalty minutes. Later in the fourth round, the Kings chose 6-1, 185-pound left wing Mark Rooneem (115th overall) from Kamloops of the WHL. Last season, Rooneem played in 69 games, scoring 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. He was a +11 with 77 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, Rooneem did not record a point in four games, but did rack up ten penalty minutes. Rooneem was ranked 134th overall among North American skaters by CSB. "Rooneem is an elite skater," said Taylor. "He is very strong and he is the type of player who could project into a solid third-line forward." Rounds 5-9 In the fifth round, the Kings used the 152nd overall pick to select Greg Hogeboom, a 6-0, 190-pound right wing from the University of Miami (Ohio; CCHA). In 36 games, Hogeboom scored 14 goals and added 9 assists for 23 points, with 22 penalty minutes. Hogeboom was ranked 178th among North American skaters by CSB. Also in the fifth round, the Kings selected 6-3, 200-pound defenseman Joel Andresen (157th overall) from St. Albert (AJHL). Andresen played in 53 games, scoring nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points with 62 penalty minutes last season. Andresen was chosen using the fifth-round selection from the New York Islanders, completing their January 3, 2001 trade that sent winger Jason Blake to the Isles. The Kings chose Ryan Murphy with their sixth round pick (185th overall), a 5-11, 185-pound right wing from Boston College (Hockey East). In 35 games last season, Murphy scored seven goals and added seven assists for fourteen points with sixteen penalty minutes. CSB ranked Murphy 123rd overall among North American skaters. Mikhael Lyubushin, a 6-1, 185-pound defenseman from the Soviet Wings of the Russian Elite League was the Kings seventh round selection (215th overall). In thirteen games last season, Lyubushin recorded an assist with 14 penalty minutes. In the eighth round, the Kings chose Tuukka Pulliainen (248th overall), a 5-11, 176-pound center/right wing from Tuto in the Finnish League. Pulliainen played in 41 games last season, scoring 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points with 18 penalty minutes. Pulliainen was ranked 123rd among European skaters. With their ninth and final selection (279th overall), the Kings chose Connor James, a 5-10, 165-pound forward, out of the University of Denver (WCHA). James played in 41 games last season, scoring twenty goals and twenty-three assists for 43 points with eighteen penalty minutes. Was It a Good Draft for the Kings? Looking back at all their picks in the draft, Taylor said that the Kings are happy with the players they selected. "Overall, we are pleased with our draft," Taylor said. "We feel that we have added some solid prospects, not necessarily anyone who is going to step in next season, but players who overall possess good skating ability and the ability to improve in the years to come." Indeed, even their top selections in the draft should not be expected to make an immediate impact on the Kings. Even their top pick, defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, will not even be coming to North America for next season. "He will play next season with his Russian team, Yaroslavl, because he can play in the Superleague [the highest Russian division] all season," Taylor told LAKINGS.COM. "He also plans on playing in his third straight World Junior Championship. The Yaroslavl team is very strong and won the championship this season." Taylor compared Grebeshkov to Kings' defensemen Mathieu Schneider and Lubomir Visnovsky. "On our team, he might be a cross between a Mathieu Schneider and a Lubomir Visnovsky," Taylor explained. "Agility and puck-moving skills from the defensive position." Kings' Director of Amateur Scouting characterized Grebeshkov as a solid, two-way defenseman. "He's very solid positionally?doesn't get caught running around or out of position," he told LAKINGS.COM. "He can throw a short or long passes to start the breakout and with the no-red line in international hockey, it becomes very clear that he is a very good passer. He can set up in the offensive zone and run the power play which he does on the Russian World Junior team and he's getting more and more responsibilities with his men's team. But Grebeshkov may need to bulk up, and work on the physical side of his game. "Not a real banger but takes the player and takes the body," Murray said. "He finishes his check but he is not a punishing checker at this point." Murray also talked about the Kings' second round selection, right wing Sergei Anshakov. "He is a left shot winger who usually plays the right side," he explained. "He has a very thin build but is an elite skater... . He scored some goals and was very solid positionally and defensively. He looks like he has some offensive upside to us." Murray also discussed Petr Kanko, the Kings' third-round pick. "He is [also] a left shot who plays right wing," he said. "He is about 5-9 and 195 pounds, [but] has a solid build for a player his size. He is a good skater who is very talented offensively and plays both end of the ice." Murray pointed out that Kanko plays bigger than his size. "Petr is very physical and formerly played for Sparta, the team we own in the Czech Republic," he said. "We got very good reports on him out of Sparta and some of our scouts have been watching him since the under-16 and under-17 programs so we have a long history of him and he has been one of the elite players in the Czech Republic for a long time... . He is a top prospect who probably slipped because of his height." Murray indicated that if Grebeshkov develops as hoped, the Kings would try to sign him after a year. Anshakov is about two years away, and Kanko has two years of junior eligibility remaining. While it is doubtful that either Grebeshkov or Anshakov will be able to participate in the Kings' Development Camp in July. "We will invite both of them, but it is doubtful that either one of them will make it to the camp," said Taylor. "Anshakov is in the middle of his military duty which is why he was not in attendance here at the draft. We will talk to Grebeshkov's team in Yaroslavl, but they begin their training camp very early in the summertime, and chances are that he will be working out with the men's team. We'd be surprised and certainly be happy if he was released for the two weeks in Los Angeles." But they do expect Kanko to be there. "I would be surprised if Petr Kanko is not at our development camp," said Murray. "He played in North America and has no problem traveling back and forth and has no commitments to any teams in the summer time." For more on Grebeshkov, Anshakov and Kanko, check out www.lakings.com. Taylor also explained why they traded left wing Cliff Ronning to the Wild. "We were not going to exercise the option on Cliff's contract," Taylor said to LAKINGS.COM. "Minnesota was willing to do it." The big reason was that the Kings apparently believe that at least one of their top prospects could crack the Kings' lineup next season. "We signed a couple of young guys and we hope to sign a couple more young guys, including Alexander Frolov, before the middle of July. We would like to create an opportunity for one of those guys to make our team next year." | |
| 6-22-02 | |
| 11:55 PM PDT
On a day where the top three teams in the NHL Draft were involved in a trade, with the Florida Panthers sending the first pick in the draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Los Angeles Kings were unable to strike a deal to move up in the draft, which started on Saturday, June 22 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. But even though the draft is a major crapshoot after the first handful of picks, the Kings appeared to do well with their selections, taking a defenseman and two right wings, all ranked among the top prospects in the world. Kings Think Defense First With the 18th overall selection, the Kings selected Denis Grebeshkov in the first round. He is a 6-0, 189-pound defenseman who played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, the champions of the Russian Super League last season. "Denis has excellent mobility and good offensive skills," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He is the type of defenseman who can run or quarterback a power play. He was, in our opinion, the best prospect available when we picked." Grebeshkov was ranked fourth among European prospects by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau (CSB). He also played for the gold medal-winning Russian National Team in the 2001 World Junior Championships, and for the Russian team in the 2001 World Under-18 Championships, where Russia won the gold medal. Here's what CSB said about Grebeshkov: "An excellent skater with good mobility...strong passing skills and playmaking ability...a steady, solid player in the defensive zone usually opting for the safe and simple play...a stay-at-home defenseman...an intelligent player with a good understanding of the game...has a powerful shot...a solid body checker who will not shy away from the physical aspects of the game." "Is rated 4th among European prospects on Central Scouting's final ranking, was 4th at mid-season...completed his second season in the Russian Senior League...performed for Russia at the 2002 World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic, capturing the Gold medal...ranked seventh among the tournament's top scoring defensemen (1-2-3 in 7 GP)...performed for Russia at the 2001 World Junior Championship in Russia as a 17-year-old, ranking seventh among the tournament's top scoring defensemen (2-1-3 in 7 GP)...performed for the Russian under-18 team in the 2000 Five Nations Cup in Salt Lake City." "Grebeshkov is a solid all-around defenseman who had a very consistent season," said Eugene Belashchenko of HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM. "He has the potential to be a top four two-way defenseman who is steady and responsible in all areas of the ice." "Denis absorbs knowledge like a sponge. He learns fast and always works hard on the ice," added Belaschenko. "Denis possesses a strong and well-aimed shot. He is also a solid power play quarterback. His lack of experience is the main thing that is stopping him from taking a more prominent role on offense." And like all players, Grebeshkov is not perfect. "Grebeshkov has the tools, but is prone to making mistakes and hence hesitates to take serious chances in the offensive zone," Belaschenko said. "This is less evident if his play is assessed by only watching the international tournaments, because he is light years ahead of many other players his own age. He possesses a great hockey sense." Belaschneko also assessed Grebeshkov's play in the 2001 World Junior Championships. "Denis was very mobile, displaying great puck handling and skating ability," he said. "Grebeshkov showed a lot of hockey sense and impressive vision of the ice." "[But he] was not very physical and according to an observer from the tournament, he needs to bulk up and add some upper body strength," Belaschenko explained. "Denis also did not shoot the puck enough." Belaschenko adds that Grebeshkov needs at least one more year with his Russian team to develop. "Alexander has the potential of being a top four NHL defenseman," Belaschneko observed. "He is already mature beyond his age...In 2002-03, he will earn a promotion to the first or second defensive pairing with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. If his development continues at the current rate, he will be ready to make a serious impact in the NHL in 2003." For more on Grebeshkov, check out HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM. The RED LINE REPORT ranked Grebeshkov 26th in their top 30 draft prospects world-wide. "Solid defenseman who's not afraid to join the attack," said Kyle Woodlief of the RED LINE REPORT. "Moves the puck quickly, makes a crisp first pass, and thinks the game well. Good size and sees a lot of quality ice time on special teams. He's an outstanding power play quarterback with good vision who makes outstanding decisions in puck distribution." "While his point shot is not a cannon, more important, it is consistently low and accurate, and he doesn't get it blocked," added Woodlief, who projects that Grebeshkov will become a good number three defenseman with a good deal of upside. "He's very solid and consistent in his own zone," said Woodlief, who thinks Grebeshkov's style is similar to that of Phoenix Coyotes' defenseman Danil Markov. "Not a big baggage smasher, but will take the body, and is always in the proper position. Good defensive zone awareness and is decisive in his movements. Not flashy, but a steadying influence along the blue line who's very dependable and consistent." TSN.CA had Grebeshkov ranked 14th among European skaters. "The Russian defender is known for his fluid skating, but is hindered by lack of physical play," said Bob McKenzie of TSN.CA. "Nevertheless, the Kings could groom him." "He can be electrifying, with great skating and puck skills," McKenzie added. "With a potential crackdown on obstruction, he could really flourish." Grebeshkov By the Numbers...
Kings Get Offensive In the second round, the Kings used their pick (50th overall), to select right wing Sergei Anshakov, who played with HC CSKA of the Russian League. Anshakov, who is 6-2, and weighs 183 pounds, was ranked eighth among European skaters by CSB. "Sergei Anshakov is an elite skater who has played up and down in the Russian League," said Kings' Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray. "He had good numbers at that level and played on the Russian national under-18 team. He scored some goals and was very solid positionally and defensively. He looks like he has some offensive upside to us." According to CSB, Anshakov, who moved up the CSB's rankings from 32nd at mid-season, "....performed for Russia at the 2002 World Under-18 Championship in Slovakia, capturing a Silver medal (2-2-4 in 8 GP)...performed for the Russian under-18 team at the 2002 Five Nations Cup in Russia." "An excellent powerful skater with a good change of pace...a confident player with strong puck-handling skills...is very effective in the offensive zone...takes advantage of his impressive size and strength, dominating the play along the boards and in the corners...is very difficult to move when in front of the net...an intense and motivated player...a good competitor." "Sergei has a great drive for the net and makes most of his scoring chances," said Belaschenko for HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM and RUSSIANPROSPECTS.COM. "One of his most admirable qualities is that he does not give up on a play until the game is stopped or his team scores." "He is a powerful skater with large strides," added Belaschenko. "Sergei is also an excellent stick handler with above average puck-handing ability. He has a very good shot--well-aimed with good power. Sergei possesses solid character--he works hard in practice and always leaves everything on the ice." Belaschenko also said that Anshakov needs to bulk up a bit as part of his development, but added that he is a strong player on HC CSKA's second line. "Sergei has prospered with HC CSKA," he said. "Playing on the team's second line, he logs about 15-20 minutes on the ice during each game [and] is one of the team's top snipers." For more on Anshakov check out HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM. "Has a long, lean body and a fluid skating stride," said Woodlief for the RED LINE REPORT. "Fights hard to get himself to open ice in scoring territory. Uses his body well to gain positioning and hold off defenders." Indeed, it appears that Anshakov, who was ranked 18th by the RED LINE REPORT, could become a good power forward. "Has good patience around net," said Woodlief, who compares Anshakov's style to that of Phoenix Coyotes' forward Brian Savage. "Has size, wheels, good puck skills, and is very good laterally for a big man. Responds to getting hit by playing harder. Has excellent sized frame to fill out, and can really wheel when he gets up a head of steam through neutral zone. Very good strength and balance. Powerful stride and tough to knock off the puck." "Can be a force when he plays with intensity, but needs to show passion more consistently," added Woodlief. "Gets himself into position to shoot and is always ready for the pass in scoring territory." Anshakov By the Numbers...
The Need for Speed, Skill and Grit In the third round, the Kings chose right wing Petr Kanko (66th overall; compensatory pick for Luc Robitaille signing with the Detroit Red Wings last summer) of the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was ranked 26th among North American skaters by CSB. Kanko, who is 5-10 and weighs 190 pounds, is a native of the Czech Republic, and played for Sparta Praha of the Czech Junior League before coming to North America to play in the OHL. "Petr is a good skater who is very talented offensively and plays both ends of the ice," said Murray. "He is very physical and we got very good reports on him out of Sparta where some of our scouts have been watching him since the under-16 and under-17 programs. We have a long history on him and he has been one of the elite players in the Czech Republic for a long time." Kanko, who moved up from 32nd in the CSB's rankings at mid-season, "...performed at the 2002 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Saskatoon," said the CSB. "[He] completed his first season in North America...selected 2nd overall by Kitchener in the 2001 CHL Import Draft...recorded a four-goal game on January 25 in a 8-1 win over Owen Sound...posted a six-game scoring streak from February 24 through March 9 (2-5-7)...finished fifth in the OHL's rookie scoring race, second in team scoring...selected to the OHL's Second All-Rookie Team." CSB also said that "[Kanko] represented the Czech Republic at the 2001 World Under 18 Championship, leading his team in scoring and ranking third among the tournament's leading goal scorers and sixth in points (6-1-7 in 7 GP)...the Czech team was defeated by Finland in the Bronze medal game...led the Czech Republic in scoring at the under 17 2001 World Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia (4-0-4 in 3 GP)...spent the 2000-01 season playing with the Sparta Praha team in the Czech junior league." CSB adds, "Petr is a solid skater with excellent quickness and breakaway speed... possesses strong offensive instincts and has a very quick, accurate shot...an excellent puck-handler with good passing skills...is often used on special teams and can be a scoring threat in shorthanded situations...a tenacious player who has the ability to be a game-breaker...a feisty competitor who seems to enjoy the physical aspects of the game...a strong forechecker who works well in the corners and along the boards...plays with an aggressive edge and can deliver solid body checks." Kanko's coach also had high praise. "Petr Kanko is a player who possesses world-class speed and skill," said Steve Spott, assistant coach and assistant general manager of the Kitchener Rangers. "He plays very much like a North American player in the sense that he is very gritty and tough on the puck. His shot is both hard and accurate. He plays in all situations and is a player that we rely on to make big plays." Spott also said that Kanko is a good two-way player. "As good defensively as he is offensively, he is a player that has all the necessary tools to play in the National Hockey League." But Kanko's immediate future in North America may be in jeopardy. "The former HC Sparta Praha winger began his first season in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers but now faces trouble due to the fact that he wasn't permitted by Sparta Praha to play in the OHL," said Jake Dole of HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM. "Now Sparta wants him back." "Petr Kanko is a flashy speedster with a great skating ability to go along with superb acceleration and an excellent scoring touch," added Dole. "Petr has a nose for the net which he proved at the last Under-18 World Junior Championships, where he ranked among the best with six goals as an underager." Dole also complimented Kanko's hockey sense, ice vision, soft hands, quick wrist shot, hard slap shot, and good puck-handling skills. For more on Kanko, check out HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM. Woodlief said in the RED LINE REPORT that Kanko is a hard-working, gritty player. "What he lacks in size he more than makes up for in heart and grit," Woodlief said about Kanko. "Definitely the top shift-disturber available this season. Kanko is a relentless worker. Ultra-competitive and works hard every shift, always makes things happen. Unafraid to get in anyone's face. And he's more than just an abrasive irritation, he can play, too." Like Dole, Woodlief took note of Kanko's skating and hands. "[Kanko has] great quickness, dandy one-on-one moves and a pro release on the fly," said Woodlief, who ranked Kanko 15th among all prospects. "Good skater with a very low center of gravity that allows him to absorb hits. Has good hands and likes to shoot often. Incredibly aggravating to play against and draws numerous penalties. Though small in stature, he goes to the net with abandon." But Woodlief noted that Kanko needs to work on taking care of his own end, but is a strong, physical player. "[Kanko] can be a defensive liability," he said. "Good vision on the ice and finds teammates well. Uses soft hands to feather passes. Has leadership skills and is a very good hitter, both along the walls and in open ice. Hits to hurt. Has great feet in close and makes tight, quick turns that allow him to slither out of checks." "He is without question the most irritating, annoying player in the 2002 grab bag," Woodlief added. "Think Darcy Tucker, Dino Cicarelli, Ken Linseman. Though small in stature, he drives the net with abandon, has great moves and quickness, and is a highly abrasive shift disturber." TSN.CA ranked Kanko 26th. Kanko By the Numbers...
Kings Send Ronning Packing The Kings also made a draft-day trade, sending left wing Cliff Ronning to the Minnesota Wild for a fourth-round pick (104th overall) in the 2002 draft. The trade gives the Kings two picks in the fourth round (104th and 115th overall). Ronning, 36, appeared in 14 regular season games for the Kings this season, scoring a goal and adding four assists for five points. But Ronning never adjusted to playing in the Kings' system, and was a non-factor in the playoffs, where he was expected to contribute. He was acquired from the Nashville Predators in what has turned out to be a poor trade on March 16, 2002, when they sent defenseman Jere Karalahti to Nashville. In other draft news, the Kings' 83rd pick (third round) went to the Vancouver Canucks, completing the February 15, 2001 trade that brought goalie Felix Potvin to the Kings. The day's proceedings opened with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman paying tribute to former Kings' scouts Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis, who were aboard United Airlines Flight 175 out of Boston's Logan Airport, the second plane to crash into the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11. "I want to honor the memory of two men who are not with us today, but are very much in our thoughts," said Bettman. "Last September 11, the NHL family lost Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis. Scouting was their livelihood, but hockey was their life. We mourn them and we miss them." "Today, on this day of renewal, I want to dedicate this draft to them, and to all the others taken from their families," Bettman added. "We will never forget you." On Sunday, June 23, the draft continues with rounds four through nine. The Kings picks on Sunday are:
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| 6-1-02 | |
| 12:00 PM PDT
Just two hours before the deadline, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they have signed center prospect Jared Aulin to a three-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Kings had until 2:00 PM Pacific Time on June 1 to sign Aulin to a contract. If they failed, he would re-enter the draft, and would be lost to the Kings, who would have received only a compensatory draft pick for one of their highly-touted prospects. "We are pleased to have Jared signed as we like his long-term potential," said Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor. "He is a highly-skilled forward who will have an opportunity at training camp to compete for a roster spot with the Kings." Aulin came to the Kings on February 21, 2000, as part of the trade that sent defenseman Rob Blake and center Steven Reinprecht to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, the Kings received winger Adam Deadmarsh, defenseman Aaron Miller, the Avs' first-round pick in the 2001 draft (David Steckel), and Aulin. Aulin, 20, was originally drafted by Colorado in the second round (47th overall) of the 2000 NHL draft. At Kamloops of the Western Hockey League, Aulin, who is 6-0, and weighs 180 pounds, scored 33 goals and 34 assists for 67 points, while racking up 80 penalty minutes in 46 games. Aulin was also the team captain. He also played for the Canadian National Junior Team at the 2002 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, earning the silver medal. In that tournament, Aulin scored 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in seven games. In other news, the Kings announced that their 2002-03 training camp will begin on Thursday, September 12, 2002, at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo, California. The first on-ice practice will be on Friday, September 13. 2:15 AM PDT With the Los Angeles Kings facing a 2:00 PM PDT Saturday deadline for signing highly-touted center prospect Jared Aulin to a contract, there is no news except to say that at the very least, the two sides are talking. "Discussions with Aulin's representatives are ongoing, and at the highest priority," said Kings' Director of Media Relations and Team Services Mike Altieri. While that statement is not much to go on, nor can any insight be gleaned from it, for the Kings and their fans, the good news is that the two sides are negotiating and there is no word of a contract dispute. But given the Kings' public statements about building with youth developed from within their organization, and not blowing their budget and salary structure on unrestricted free agents in their quest for the Stanley Cup, the Kings cannot afford to lose Aulin. Aulin has been played up by Kings' Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Taylor as a fantastic prospect, part of a bright future for the franchise. But if the Kings fail to sign Aulin, he will re-enter the draft, and will undoubtedly be selected by another team. The Kings would lose him and get nothing in return. Failing to sign Aulin would also mean that the Kings would lose a big chunk of the return value in the deal that sent star defenseman Rob Blake and and fast-developing center Steven Reinprecht to the Colorado Avalanche for winger Adam Deadmarsh, defenseman Aaron Miller, the Avs' first-round pick in the 2001 draft (David Steckel), along with Aulin. As much as the Kings have touted Aulin, along with center Mike Camalleri and winger Alexander Frolov, as top-notch prospects that they are developing in their system, if they do not sign Aulin and allow him to re-enter the draft, the Kings will not be able to explain their failure in such a way that appeases their fans. Not this time. Three years ago, when the Kings allowed center prospect Matt Zultek (15th overall selection in the 1997 draft) to re-enter the draft, the Kings immediately faced serious questions about their decision. Zultek was reportedly seeking the maximum salary for rookies in contract negotiations with the Kings, who balked at the request. But after touting Zultek as one of their very best prospects who would have a bright future with the team, it seemed as if the Kings were doing a very sudden about-face. "Matt hasn't developed like we thought he would the last two years," explained Taylor, back on May 27, 1999. To be sure, the Kings were contradicting their previous praise of Zultek, and many suspected that it was not Zultek's lack of development that was the problem. Instead, they speculated that the Kings did not want to pay him the rookie maximum. As it turned out, the doubters were wrong, and after Zultek re-entered the draft, and was selected by another team, he turned out to be a bust there, too. He retired from hockey, and never made it onto NHL ice. But this time, things are very different. With Aulin, Taylor will not be able to say that he has not developed the way they expected. After all, the Kings have been saying for awhile that they are pleased with their top prospects, and Aulin's name comes up whenever they talk about their best prospects. Moreover, Taylor has said that he has been pleased with Aulin's development on a number of occasions. Should the Kings fail to sign Aulin, this will be a public relations fiasco that they will not be able to explain away. Fans will point to this and accuse the Kings of not being committed to developing a Stanley Cup-caliber team, as the Kings have been saying. Fans will also be able say that this is just more evidence that the Kings' owners are more interested in money and profits than in winning the Cup. And this time, no matter how Taylor or Kings' President Tim Leiweke try to spin it, the fans will be dead-on correct. | |