tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89993348681746230782024-03-13T05:10:21.845-07:00LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-1577505138234018212020-09-19T00:52:00.006-07:002020-09-19T00:53:14.926-07:00YEAR FOUR: Time To Make A Trade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxZcOxmhhKA/X2W1AE9s0vI/AAAAAAAACZc/6qStMu-uZVEGgXkxWKzpzk9xi3f6wVn9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Lombardi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1024" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxZcOxmhhKA/X2W1AE9s0vI/AAAAAAAACZc/6qStMu-uZVEGgXkxWKzpzk9xi3f6wVn9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h414/Lombardi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Dean Lombardi was hired as General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings on April 21, 2006. Six years later, the Kings hosted the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. The former GM of the Sharks certainly didn’t hit on every trade, draft pick, or free agent signing he made during his tenure in Los Angeles. But after a few short years in Los Angeles; he brought a sense of direction and an identity that the franchise had severely lacked for over a decade.</div><div> </div><div>The 2016-17 season was an absolute disappointment. With that said, I never understood how a GM who brought the franchise such success didn’t get the chance to breakdown the team he constructed and rebuild it. The Kings were only a year removed from a 102-point season when Lombardi was relieved of his GM duties. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LOMBARDI 2.0? </span></h3><div>I was surprised when the Kings promoted Rob Blake as general manager. After all, he was hired as assistant GM by Lombardi for the 2013-14 season. He was one of ‘Dean’s guys.’ Wasn’t he just going to provide more of the same? After Blake hired assistant coach John Stevens to takeover for Daryl Sutter. We had our answer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dean’s core bounced back for the 2017-18 season; 98-points and a first-round sweep by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. That off-season Blake took his first big swing as GM and signed 35-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk to a three-year contract in an attempt to jumpstart their anemic offense. The Kings struggled out of the gate, Stevens was fired a month into the season and then the puzzling hire of Willie Desjardins as interim head coach. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHO'S KINGS ARE THESE?</span></h3><div>The roster Dean Lombardi took over in 2006 looked nothing like the Kings roster that made a 22-point improvement in his fourth season as GM. I wanted to provide a snapshot of the rosters from each of those seasons to show the slow progression made. </div><div><br /></div><div>Using a combination of the old and new expansion draft protection rules; I created a snapshot of the NHL roster: 9 forwards, 5 defensemen, 1 goaltender based strictly by time-on-ice. First and second-year pros were exempt. Also players 35 years or older were exempt. Notable prospects are players in the system that appeared in at least one NHL game.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2uJknUpFXD0/X2Wsmt-wBYI/AAAAAAAACXA/r2gceUDznaw0fS1TtDtvrMy6F2KTsToXQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="723" height="410" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2uJknUpFXD0/X2Wsmt-wBYI/AAAAAAAACXA/r2gceUDznaw0fS1TtDtvrMy6F2KTsToXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h410/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tRFuUVxi2gs/X2Wud5M5rNI/AAAAAAAACXU/Q0ktsVf-fBwG9Nf0-G6xwQS5e_lYX1_nQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="724" height="494" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tRFuUVxi2gs/X2Wud5M5rNI/AAAAAAAACXU/Q0ktsVf-fBwG9Nf0-G6xwQS5e_lYX1_nQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JEIP4fzCjs/X2WvZzO72eI/AAAAAAAACX0/wgnC6TSxHGss5-zc7yEdoj1fhWXWjOiYQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="724" height="494" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JEIP4fzCjs/X2WvZzO72eI/AAAAAAAACX0/wgnC6TSxHGss5-zc7yEdoj1fhWXWjOiYQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now let’s be clear the first three seasons under Lombardi, The Kings weren’t good. They finished with 68, 71, & 79 points in his first three seasons. The team drafted 4th (2007), 2nd (2008), and 5th (2009) overall. </div><div><br /></div><div>After four short years, Dean Lombardi had completely overhauled the roster top-to-bottom. Using my snapshot parameters, only four key players/prospects were Dave Taylor acquisitions: Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov, and Jonathan Quick were still in the picture four years later. That 2009-10 season began a run of five straight playoff appearances; two Stanley Cups and three Western Conference Finals appearances.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, let’s do the same exercise with the 2016-17 roster that Rob Blake inherited and what it looked like at the end of this season.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jt1VR3DrG4s/X2Wwzmz-WJI/AAAAAAAACYU/cqusPXcVP50tnQy0o2sdB_4xX9Va4oJbACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="724" height="494" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jt1VR3DrG4s/X2Wwzmz-WJI/AAAAAAAACYU/cqusPXcVP50tnQy0o2sdB_4xX9Va4oJbACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nu5xNX5Vnfk/X2WlUXOGGkI/AAAAAAAACWk/ihFKsUMjvJMV9I6yBf__FqY36siTFwo_wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="11" data-original-width="10368" height="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nu5xNX5Vnfk/X2WlUXOGGkI/AAAAAAAACWk/ihFKsUMjvJMV9I6yBf__FqY36siTFwo_wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tlt-GCzzOPo/X2WyphEfECI/AAAAAAAACYw/GcXo0oVCd5otVJMseuJZ7GW5UY7mNm1ngCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="461" height="424" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tlt-GCzzOPo/X2WyphEfECI/AAAAAAAACYw/GcXo0oVCd5otVJMseuJZ7GW5UY7mNm1ngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h424/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><h3><span style="font-size: x-large;">FULL REBUILD? </span></h3><h3><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">What Rob Blake has done over the last two seasons is the easy part. Hoarding prospects and picks for key veterans like Alec Martinez, Tyler Toffoli, Kyle Clifford, Jake Muzzin, and Tanner Pearson is fine business. The Kings have quickly amassed an embarrassment of riches in the AHL and the prospect pipeline (albeit possibly lacking that blue-chip prospect). With their lockdown lottery luck; this year’s #2 draft pick should bring that top-end prospect into the mix. </div></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHAT’S NEXT?</span></b></h3></div><div><div>If you prorate the Kings 29-35-6 record this season to 82 games; the Kings would end up with 75 points. For the 2018-19 season, Colorado needed 90 points to secure the 8th seed in the West. Will full seasons from Vilardi and Bjornfot get the Kings another 15 points next season? No.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Kings have made 23 picks in the last three Entry Drafts under Blake (eight picks in the first two rounds). The Kings have another 11 picks in this year’s Draft (four more picks in the first three rounds). You can only have 50 players under contract. Blake has done a fine job accumulating picks and strengthening the prospect pool. <a href="https://dobberprospects.com/nhl-draft-pick-probabilities/" target="_blank">But the chances of these prospects carving out lengthy NHL careers are less than a coin flip</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anze Kopitar just turned 33. Drew Doughty is 30. Both are two of the highest paid players in the NHL. And both are still two of the best at their positions but for how much longer? The current roster is lopsided; the Kings most productive players are on the wrong side of 30. Short of Alex Iafallo, Sean Walker, and Matt Roy; the roster is missing players in their mid-20s that can be relied upon to contribute. By the time we start hearing names like Turcotte, Kaliyev, and Kupari contributing at the NHL level, it will most likely be too late for Kopitar & Doughty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dean Lombardi put his stamp on the roster in his third year, trading fan favorite Lubomir Visnovsky (who he’d just signed to a five-year extension) to Edmonton for Jarret Stoll (26 years old) and Matt Greene (25 years old). The only significant move that Blake has made to the NHL roster in three seasons is striking out on Ilya Kovalchuk. Blake is already on this third coach. The clock is ticking. It’s time for Blake to make this Kings team his own. Now. </div></div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-4958285847012832852020-08-06T12:42:00.003-07:002020-08-06T12:45:23.563-07:00Where Do The Kraken Stack Up?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CluzoFIyTo/XyxZjyuzScI/AAAAAAAACUk/LESxqVX7ZW48DRJx6hxioAoUu3u-3bkBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1140/Kraken_Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1140" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CluzoFIyTo/XyxZjyuzScI/AAAAAAAACUk/LESxqVX7ZW48DRJx6hxioAoUu3u-3bkBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h450/Kraken_Header.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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The Seattle Kraken were introduced as the NHL’s 32<sup>nd</sup> franchise two weeks ago. Normally teams will drag out their branding introduction; dropping little bits of information for fans to consume during the off-season summer months. Props to Seattle for giving it to us all at once. Team name, logos, and jerseys were the talk of the NHL and for good reason. I think the Kraken will have some of the best-looking logos and jerseys in the league. But how do they stack up against other team’s inaugural season launches of the last 25 years?</div>
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I included re-located franchises but omitted the Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes re-brands. So here’s the 12 franchises I looked at based on Logo and Jerseys.</div>
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1993-94: Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim</div>
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1995-96: Colorado Avalanche</div>
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1996-97: Phoenix Coyotes</div>
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1997-98: Carolina Hurricanes</div>
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1998-99: Nashville Predators</div>
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1999-00: Atlanta Thrashers</div>
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2000-01: Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild</div>
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2011-12: Winnipeg Jets</div>
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2017-18: Vegas Golden Knights</div>
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2021-22: Seattle Kraken</div>
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Huge shoutout to <a href="http://sportslogos.net/">Sportslogos.net</a> & <a href="http://icethetics.com/">Icethetics.com</a> for all the graphics. Any fan of logos or jerseys could spend hours on those sites looking at all their resources. These rankings are completely subjective. Let me know what you think! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#12 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS</span></b></div>
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<b>LOGO</b></div>
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I had to look this one up. I honestly thought the Blue Jackets were named after a fictional insect. Blue Jackets kind of like Yellow Jackets wasps? Nope! The Blue Jackets name is supposed to honor the Civil War history in the state of Ohio and city of Columbus. The CB in the logo is mimicking the flag of Ohio. I always thought it was a billboard marquee. </div>
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The Stinger secondary logo also played into my thought that the Blue Jackets were named after a bug. Nope! Now here’s where it get’s confusing again. Stinger, the team’s mascot was a Yellow Jacket and introduced as a “bug with attitude.” Stinger is a “symbol to characterize the citizens of Columbus known for their hard work and pride for their team.” </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">What a mess.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luckily, the Blue Jackets phased these logos out for the 2007-08 season.</span> </div>
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<b>JERSEYS</b></div>
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These jerseys are as bland as they come. For a team who’s identity is based on patriotism, hiding a couple stars on the cuff of a jersey underneath a hockey glove that nobody could see was an odd choice. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#11 ATLANTA THRASHERS</span></b></div>
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<b>LOGO</b></div>
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We should have known this franchise was doomed from the second they unveiled the logo. The team was named after Georgia’s state bird, the Brown Thrasher. Neither of these logos work form me. I’m not even sure what the secondary logo is; a bird’s eye-view of a Thrasher? The primary logo simplified with just the Thrasher head was a bit of an upgrade but not enough to make these work.</div>
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<b>JERSEYS</b></div>
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I actually like the color palette. The deep burgundy, navy, and gold compliment each other well. The away jersey is actually quite stunning minus the confusing secondary logo. The arrow pattern going around the bottom stripe and neck is a nice detail. Again, not sure what it represents. Maybe Thrasher foot prints? </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#10 FLORIDA PANTHERS</span></b></div>
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<b>LOGO</b></div>
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A leaping cat! There’s not a whole lot to say about it. I’m a fan of the secondary logo even if it does look like three clip arts pieced together. The secondary logo keeps the logo set from really dropping down the ranks.</div>
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<b>JERSEYS</b></div>
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I like the red and gold here. The font is boring. I’d like to see the Panthers follow the Heat and Marlins and go full 80’s with the Miami Vice color palette. Could be a cool look.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#9 NASHVILLE PREDATORS</span></b></div>
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<b>LOGO</b></div>
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The saber-toothed cat always looked cool to me. It was a bit busy with too many colors and different shading elements. The simplified current iteration is a huge improvement. The secondary logo featuring the Gaylord Center (now Bridgestone Arena) is a nice touch though it could probably do without the Nashville across the bottom. And stylized N could’ve got a long ways to improving it.</div>
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<b>JERSEYS</b></div>
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I remember the shiny silver panels on the shoulder yokes and down the sides of the body. I’m not sure I remember many hockey sweaters featuring silver so prominently before Nashville tried this. With that said, they made a huge improvement by embracing gold as their primary color.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#8 CAROLINA HURRICANES</span></b></div>
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I’m not really impressed by the primary logo; I think Carolina needs to switch the primary and secondary logos. The Canes have released alternate uniforms with the secondary logos that really stand out for me.</div>
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<b>JERSEYS</b></div>
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The hurricane warning flag pattern trim is such a distinct look; similar to the Coyotes’ Kachina pattern. It feels like the font could be stylized to fit the hurricane theme more. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#7 WINNIPEG JETS</span></b></div>
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The new Jets logo doesn’t hold a candle to any Jets logo of the past and I'm probably holding it against them here. The current one pays homage to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet. It looks like a logo for the RCAF not the hockey team. The secondary logo does a better job of implementing elements of both. </div>
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The wordmark bothers me the most here. It looks unbalanced and clunky. Compare it to the slick Jets wordmarks used by the team from the 70s-90s and it makes no sense why they went this route. The team updated to a cursive design in 2018-19 that’s still boring but better than what they launched with. </div>
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<b>JERSEYS</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other than the double stripes on the sleeves; these sweaters are pretty boring. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The logo really holds these back especially when you compare it to the two previous iterations. It'd be a real bonus of the Jets could implement some red into these like they do on their Heritage sweaters.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#6 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS</span></b></div>
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For a glitzy place like Vegas to use a muted shade of gold and double down with grey is just a letdown for me. The logo’s a knight’s helmet with a V in it. There’s not a ton going on here. </div>
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I’m not a fan of grey hockey jerseys. They’re drab and they mute any secondary colors. With that said, the different shade of gold used on the sweaters pops a lot more than on the logo. If you get a chance to see the ornate detail work in the gold stripes; it’s something straight out of Ceasar’s Palace (I love it!). I’d be really interested to see a home jersey that’s primarily black with gold accents. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#5 PHOENIX COYOTES</span></b></div>
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Is it too busy? Yes. Are there too many colors? Probably. Does it all work? I think it does! I’m a huge fan of jerseys that are able to work in elements of the city they represent. The distinct Southwestern flavor from the use of geometric shapes and the color palette used hit the right chord for me. Brick red and sand on a hockey logo! </div>
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Everything I said about the logo can be applied to the jerseys. The Kachina pattern makes these instantly recognizable. There’s a reason that the team is wearing these during the postseason this year. They’re classics without a doubt. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#4 MINNESOTA WILD</span></b></div>
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I've never been a huge fan of the Wild's logo or jersey until doing a bit of research for this writeup. The primary logo has a lot going on but it all works. Fitting in all the different outdoor elements with the trees, rising sun, and the river (as the mouth!) inside the head of a wild animal is awesome. The North Star tribute as the eye is the icing on the cake. </div>
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With such a busy primary logo, I think the simpler jerseys work here. The number font is a nice play on the secondary logo too. The color palette does a lot of the heavy lifting here to make the set work. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#3 MIGHTY DUCKS OF ANAHEIM</span></b></div>
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The Mighty Ducks movies sparked my interest in hockey so of course I get nostalgic when it comes to this one. There’s a reason the franchise brought this logo back to put on the Ducks current orange alternate jerseys. I don’t think hockey fans realized how good the Mighty Ducks had it until the abomination of a rebrand for the 2006-07 season. Yikes!</div>
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Teal and Eggplant! Teal and Eggplant on a hockey jersey! Yes please! The angled stripes across the bottom hem and sleeves are a nice change from the standard diagonal stripes that we see on the majority of sweaters. It’s different without being too over the top like Coyotes Kachina jerseys.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>#2 SEATTLE KRAKEN</b></span></div>
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I’m a big fan of both logos and the wordmark. I think all the different shades of blue depict the deep ocean theme well. My mind goes directly to the Pacific Northwest when I see those colors. The primary logo is good with the arm of Kraken splitting the S but the star of the show is the secondary logo. Working the Space Needle into the anchor is a touch of genius. Some hardcore sports fans up in Seattle probably wanted to see some green to honor the Metropolitans or lime green to match the Seahawks and Sounders. But as an outsider, I love everything about these.</div>
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I love the color palette so of course I love the jerseys; especially the Navy home jersey. The different shades of lighter blue really pop on the Navy. The touch of red breaks up all the blue.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#1 COLORADO AVALANCHE</span></b></div>
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<b>LOGO</b></div>
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The primary logo is a classic. The A grabs your attention and the C swooping around is subtle enough that it’s not in your face. The Bigfoot secondary logo adds a fun element too. There’s a reason the primary Avalanche logo has gone almost untouched since they introduced it. </div>
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The bold mountain peak stripes on this jersey make it for me. The burgundy and shade of blue really work here too. The fun number font compliments the secondary Bigfoot logo too. These are classics. </div>
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Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-13930738995942640962020-07-24T15:35:00.000-07:002020-07-24T15:35:01.129-07:00Meeting Jarome Iginla & Photomatching His Helmet<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTFtVThcVII/XxtX4MAx87I/AAAAAAAACKY/thGOeXxQfyYUKX1937NzAOGlneEnWzn3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTFtVThcVII/XxtX4MAx87I/AAAAAAAACKY/thGOeXxQfyYUKX1937NzAOGlneEnWzn3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6222.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p>Clearly, I’m a Jarome Iginla fanboy and I’ll share the reason why. I was at an Anaheim Angels game back in 1998. In line for concessions, 12-year-old me is contemplating nachos or Red Vines. As I’m deep in thought, Jarome Iginla just paid for two ice creams and is walking right past me in line back to his seats. I can’t believe it! <div><br /></div><div>As he walked by, all I could blurt out is, “Are you Jarome Iginla???” He smiled and seemed pretty surprised that anyone recognized him at a baseball game (The Flames were in town to play the Ducks in a preseason game the following night). I asked if I could get his autograph; he said of course and I went running to the nearest usher for a pen. When I handed him the pen and ticket stub; he handed me his ice creams to hold. It was a pretty surreal moment to be getting an autograph of one of your hockey heroes. </div><div><br /></div><div>He personalized the autograph AND spelled my name right??? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">It was long before the days of smartphones so I don’t have a selfie or photo with him but luckily I’ve kept the ticket stub after all these years.</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sagpx6lAGto/XxtYPf5auDI/AAAAAAAACKo/-LEZ8Q4DbIwx_RVQ8pK_q0_c3KW52gKwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sagpx6lAGto/XxtYPf5auDI/AAAAAAAACKo/-LEZ8Q4DbIwx_RVQ8pK_q0_c3KW52gKwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6221.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">It sounds cliche to say but it's 100% true; taking a minute out of his day made me a fan for life. So of course I was ecstatic when the Kings finally acquired Iginla in March of 2017. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2010/11/jarome-arthur-leigh-adekunle-tig-junior.html">I had been calling on the Kings to acquire Iginla for years on this blog</a>. Better late than never! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">I have a few Kings memorabilia items. Not many. A handful of sticks from some randoms like Oscar Moller and Erik Ersberg. A Brian Boyle stick that is about as tall as my doorway. But my memorabilia collecting days for the most part has stopped mainly because it’s gotten so darn expensive. But every once in a while I’ll browse the Kings Game Used website or one of their parking lot sales for a deal.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">At one of the parking lot sales, I was able to grab a Jarome Iginla helmet. I think I paid $75-$100 for it. It didn’t come with any Certificate of Authenticity but I figured I was never selling it so that’s not a big deal. I'm not that familiar with how many helmets are issued to the players over a season but I just assumed this was a practice helmet or a backup helmet (if such things exist).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOhvjctHmpo/XxtbDW8uH1I/AAAAAAAACK4/Dk2b2J1T_RUA31Dzb9wBp1yfGbc51fl8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOhvjctHmpo/XxtbDW8uH1I/AAAAAAAACK4/Dk2b2J1T_RUA31Dzb9wBp1yfGbc51fl8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6185.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqy51tEUCEU/XxtbDZCo_qI/AAAAAAAACLA/_O3VE71eL44VucPC_kN03GiKdqpS0gjmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqy51tEUCEU/XxtbDZCo_qI/AAAAAAAACLA/_O3VE71eL44VucPC_kN03GiKdqpS0gjmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6186.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVSPrlSevRI/XxtbDeQI4-I/AAAAAAAACK8/tiQ7M3JK71oufdagEDZWafVKRSkOhLLVACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVSPrlSevRI/XxtbDeQI4-I/AAAAAAAACK8/tiQ7M3JK71oufdagEDZWafVKRSkOhLLVACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6187.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But earlier this week, I was looking at the helmet on top of my bookshelf and wondered if I could photomatch it to any game action. I started Google image searching for hi-res Iginla photos which is probably the hardest part of the process (especially when you're trying to photomatch a helmet). And secondly, a black helmet seems to reflect every light source in the arena which makes it really hard to match any scuffs. You start to think you see something but you're not sure and then soon enough you're cross-eyed looking at your monitor.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Putting on my Sherlock Holmes detective glasses; I found a few distinct markings on the helmet:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The second #8 on the front of the helmet has a notch cut out of it on the bottom and is lifted a bit on the bottom right</li><li>There's a small nick about 2 CM long on the right of the visor</li><li>A small notch taken out of the right earhole about 1/3 way down the side bracket</li><li>The bottom screw on the right side of the visor may have been overtightened leaving a bit of corroding of the poly around the screw</li><li>The CCM sticker on the bottom right side of the visor doesn't align well and a corner of the clear coat on the sticker is peeling up</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn__y73uzWk/XxtcD9cCZjI/AAAAAAAACLU/8lKbq7Dx8sAMd9imtb7-ZHwiVV7oujpRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn__y73uzWk/XxtcD9cCZjI/AAAAAAAACLU/8lKbq7Dx8sAMd9imtb7-ZHwiVV7oujpRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6191.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOrCnGOIz9Q/Xxtcjlzu8LI/AAAAAAAACLg/xFoTgmIaUmkg3zIXda9Pqa6qR790qIwoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1976/IMG_6193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="1976" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOrCnGOIz9Q/Xxtcjlzu8LI/AAAAAAAACLg/xFoTgmIaUmkg3zIXda9Pqa6qR790qIwoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6193.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvUWrAw_fAk/XxtcD7aqIPI/AAAAAAAACLQ/V09jCaBliZQFmbU3f00pVl3dFSd4SPNFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvUWrAw_fAk/XxtcD7aqIPI/AAAAAAAACLQ/V09jCaBliZQFmbU3f00pVl3dFSd4SPNFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6195.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">So with that I think I was able to match the helmet to photos from at least three games towards the end of the 2016-17 season. Or again, maybe I'm just wanting to see things that aren't there. Who knows?!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff1OUqY1mqM/XxtUBG_K25I/AAAAAAAACJU/jNVTzEV7YBYcKIgjhs-6Jo9JpUvboMA1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Iginla_Helmet_02_Getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff1OUqY1mqM/XxtUBG_K25I/AAAAAAAACJU/jNVTzEV7YBYcKIgjhs-6Jo9JpUvboMA1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_Helmet_02_Getty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GetCK29pnWo/XxtUEkjVCQI/AAAAAAAACJY/2a8Meeojy-ELMQmYNZtD5vde7_GriUt6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1126/Iginla_Helmet_02_Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1126" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GetCK29pnWo/XxtUEkjVCQI/AAAAAAAACJY/2a8Meeojy-ELMQmYNZtD5vde7_GriUt6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_Helmet_02_Edit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3/23/2017 vs. Winnipeg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgLPldd6-WI/XxtU9IfIxNI/AAAAAAAACJk/PF-hMgV6RtMTD0i58wRLIgw_ReYS8pLLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Iginla_Helmet_01_Getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgLPldd6-WI/XxtU9IfIxNI/AAAAAAAACJk/PF-hMgV6RtMTD0i58wRLIgw_ReYS8pLLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_Helmet_01_Getty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dzz6zNytkw/XxtVCcZdUKI/AAAAAAAACJo/aE9w5aXzHQQtBcYmABvtwIUL5xnAIkZJACLcBGAsYHQ/s581/Iginla_Helmet_01_Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="581" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dzz6zNytkw/XxtVCcZdUKI/AAAAAAAACJo/aE9w5aXzHQQtBcYmABvtwIUL5xnAIkZJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_Helmet_01_Edit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4/2/2017 vs. Arizona</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D-7bdvp3wA/XxtVOt6oIfI/AAAAAAAACJw/zMGVn5JrIl0x_XgTRE89UvWNDWGKFvcXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Iginla_Helmet_03_Getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D-7bdvp3wA/XxtVOt6oIfI/AAAAAAAACJw/zMGVn5JrIl0x_XgTRE89UvWNDWGKFvcXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_Helmet_03_Getty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIrSwn0CCyQ/XxtVS7NjsBI/AAAAAAAACJ4/_3n27Vm94DgiAmdWyYFezlLHubeR75yPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1018/Iginla_Helmet_03_Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1018" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIrSwn0CCyQ/XxtVS7NjsBI/AAAAAAAACJ4/_3n27Vm94DgiAmdWyYFezlLHubeR75yPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_Helmet_03_Edit.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4/6/2017 vs. Calgary</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I might be crazy after spending hours researching photos and documenting it. But it was fun nonetheless. Again, that one minute Jarome Iginla took to ask 12-year-old me my name and sign an autograph has me writing close to a 1,000 words on how awesome he is 22 years later. </div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-16275565856880508232020-07-22T22:38:00.001-07:002020-07-22T22:38:19.806-07:00Former King & Hockey Hall of Famer: Jarome Iginla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvSYnEGQ5-I/XxkaRCxUoDI/AAAAAAAACJE/PZW8d3m8vG8qSnSZF_87Z5HSmDtvDYNcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Iginla_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvSYnEGQ5-I/XxkaRCxUoDI/AAAAAAAACJE/PZW8d3m8vG8qSnSZF_87Z5HSmDtvDYNcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iginla_01.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The last stop of Jarome Iginla’s illustrious Hall of Fame career in Los
Angeles was brief. When GM Dean Lombardi acquired the 39-year-old Iginla
towards the end of the 2016-17 season; it was clear that his best days were
behind him. The Kings were in desperate need of an offensive spark trying to claw their way into the 8th seed. Iggy
registered a respectable six goals and three assists in his 19 games with the
Kings. The romantic in me of course wanted a Ray Bourque-esque ending with Iggy receiving the Cup handoff from newly appointed Captain Anze Kopitar.</p>
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Unfortunately, the Kings failed to make the postseason. The Kings gold anniversary was a complete letdown and the Kings were mathematically eliminated with four games remaining in the regular season. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">I always thought
keeping Iggy one more season in a mentor role could have done some players on
that roster some good (Oh! Hey there Tyler!). It’s anyone’s
guess if a guy who scored 625 goals in his career would have been happy in
that role. But once AEG cleaned house of GM Dean Lombardi and Head Coach
Daryl Sutter; any chance of a reunion went out the door with them. </span></p>
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That 2016-17 season was a busy one for Kings fans: the NHL celebrated 100
years, the Kings celebrated 50 years, Staples Center hosted
the NHL All-Star Game, and Bob Miller was calling his last season of Kings
hockey. It felt like a player of Iginla's stature deserved more of a sendoff but most of us were too busy celebrating our own legend behind the microphone.</p>
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But there’s no denying we were watching one of the sports greatest ever on the ice.
<a href="https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/by-the-numbers-jarome-iginla/c-299613040">His CV is absolutely ridiculous</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1,300 points (625 G, 675 A) in 1,554 regular season games</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">68 points (37 G, 31 A) in 81 playoff games</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Art Ross Trophy (2001-02)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Two-time Maurice Richard Trophy (2001-02, 2003-04)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ted Lindsay Award (2001-02)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2003-04)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Mark Messier Leadership Award (2008-09)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Six-time NHL All-Star</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Three-time NHL 1</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">st</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Team All-Star</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Two-time Memorial Cup Champion (1993-94, 1994-95)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">World Junior Championship Gold Medalist (1996)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">World Championship Gold Medalist (1997)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2002, 2010)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">World Cup of Hockey Gold Medalist (2004)</span> </li></ul><p></p>
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I always admired Iginla for the way he played the game. He was the rare
combination of skill and toughness. He was the ultimate throwback superstar that could register the Gordie Howe hat trick on any given
night. Calling him the league’s last great power forward doesn’t do his
game enough justice.
<a href="https://www.hockeyfights.com/players/114">Iginla fought 81 times during his career (72 regular season, 5 postseason,
4 preseason!!!). </a>
</p>
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<o:p> </o:p>
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I’ll always remember Iginla’s final visit to the Saddledome in Calgary. The Kings were
trailing 1-0 midway thru the first period; Kopitar got dumped behind the net
on a clean hit from Deryk Engelland. Iginla immediately challenged
Calgary’s tough guy and left him bloodied following a marathon of a
bout. The Kings would score four unanswered goals and win 4-1; Iginla
netted a goal and an assist. He literally willed the Kings to victory that night. The win kept the Kings dwindling playoff hopes alive one more day. It was a throwback performance from a
truly a one-of-a-kind superstar. Iginla will be remembered as a Flame
forever but that night he showed he was a true King.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1vG5o8H22I" width="480"></iframe>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xK1UZwnv9r8" width="480"></iframe></div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-85566051458559128452020-06-27T01:13:00.000-07:002020-06-27T01:13:36.233-07:00WE BACK !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFwLLdtomQ4/XvbxfFl-ROI/AAAAAAAACHc/ScVnj1apuG4x3GZjImqA9_YRelcFB1Y6wCK4BGAsYHg/s1200/2020_01_27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFwLLdtomQ4/XvbxfFl-ROI/AAAAAAAACHc/ScVnj1apuG4x3GZjImqA9_YRelcFB1Y6wCK4BGAsYHg/s320/2020_01_27.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After an eight-year hiatus the LA Kings Outsider is back! I'm still living in the glory of the 2012 & 2014 Stanley Cup winners. The core of Brown-Kopitar-Quick-Doughty could go the rest of their careers without winning another playoff series and I would be completely satisfied.<div><br /></div><div>COVID-19 is changing our world forever. Who knows the next time we'll be allowed back into Staples Center. Who knows if the NHL's plan to resume the 2019-20 season will even get the go ahead. There's so much uncertainty for the foreseeable future.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was at the Kings v. Avalanche game on Monday, March 9th. My friend and I were aware of the possible threat but neither of us had any idea the severity of the situation. I remember constantly washing my hands and heading for the hand sanitizer stations that were positioned all around the concourse every chance I got. I remember being hesitant to high-five the strangers in front of me who turned around and faced us with extended hands for all three Kings goals. None of us had any idea the world would shut down by the end of that week. </div><div><br /></div><div>I started this blog in January of 2010 which was about three months after the Kings introduced Rich Hammond as the LAKingsInsider. It was hard to see Rich move on (especially under those circumstances). Just as it was disappointing to see the Kings let go of Jon Rosen just a few weeks ago. I don't understand the logic in letting go of content creators at this time. It seems like now more than ever would be the time you need to try and keep your fans engaged. It's even more upsetting to see the Kings now allowing other contributors to post on LAKingsInsider.com right now. But I digress. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure how often I'll post. I don't know this current Kings roster well but I do know GM Rob Blake is stockpiling picks and prospects. And in all honesty, it's feeling a bit like Dean Lombardi circa 2010 all over again. And I hope in two years time, we're having another parade (with masks?). </div><div><br /></div><div>(P.S. - Sorry for all the broken photo links on my archived posts. I got tired of people stealing my photos off Flickr...Even my beloved Kings took a couple to use on their website! I thought about starting a new blog but these archived posts are fun to look back at even with the missing photos.)</div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-11985331841581476642012-05-09T11:16:00.001-07:002012-05-09T23:10:30.508-07:00Western Conference Finals Preview: Goaltending<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/7160104990/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jonathan Quick by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jonathan Quick" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7160104990_aa66a9edff_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Quick is the best goaltender in this series.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Western Conference will feature the two hottest goaltenders in the playoffs: Jonathan Quick for Los Angeles and Mike Smith for Phoenix. Quick’s postseason #’s: 8-1, 1.55 GAA, .949 SV%. Smith’s #’s: 8-3, 1.77 GAA, .948 SV%. Their nearly identical SV%’s are the highest of any goaltenders still in the postseason.<br />
<br />
Their head-to-head numbers during the regular season are nearly identical as well. Quick was 3-1-2 with a 1.79 GAA and .932 SV% with two shutouts in six starts. In five starts, Smith was 3-1-1 with a 1.76 GAA and .938 SV% with one shutout.<br />
<br />
Quick is a first-time Vezina Trophy nominee coming off his third 35+ win season. To contrast, Mike Smith was on waivers last season and went unclaimed. Credit his reclamation to reuniting with Dave Tippett, his former head coach in Dallas, and his system? Credit to working with Los Angeles Kings Legend/Coyotes Goalie Coach Sean Burke? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JasFZGEIJoM/T6qz-vOmRnI/AAAAAAAABB8/fV_SvSPXmFM/s1600/Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JasFZGEIJoM/T6qz-vOmRnI/AAAAAAAABB8/fV_SvSPXmFM/s640/Smith.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Smith has been great this season just not "Jonathan Quick great."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It’s no secret that Phoenix gives up a lot of shots. They’re giving up 36.4 shots per game to their opponents in the playoffs, dead last. They gave up 31.6 (28th) in the regular season. But to get a real understanding of just how much of an impact Smith and Quick are having on their teams; we have to look at the number of scoring chances each team is giving up and how frequently both goaltenders are saving those chances.<br />
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Both goalies are on top of their games but Quick gets the slight edge. The proof is in their SV% on scoring chances. Scoring chances are loosely defined as shots coming from the area from the top of the faceoff circles inside the faceoff dots to the goal line.<br />
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Jonathan Quick stopped 53 of 57 scoring chances for a .930 SV% against Vancouver. Mike Smith stopped 92 of 100 chances (.920 SV%) against Chicago. In Round Two, Quick stopped 53 of 58 chances for a .914 SV% against St. Louis. Mike Smith stopped 53 of 60 chances (.883 SV%) against Nashville. <br />
Mike Smith absolutely stole Round One against Chicago. Only Ottawa gave up more quality scoring chances (103). His .883 SV% against Nashville is still well above-average but not nearly as impressive as his first round performance.<br />
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Thru the first two-rounds: Quick has stopped 106 of 115 scoring chances (.922 SV%). Smith has stopped 145 of 165 chances (.906 SV%). Mike Smith has had to make 379 saves thru 11 games. Quick has made 260 saves thru 9 games. All those saves are adding up quickly for Smith and should start to take their toll vs. Los Angeles.<br />
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The Coyotes are allowing 36.4 shots per game while registering only 26.8 shots on net for a difference of -9.6 shots in the playoffs (vs. Chicago: -13.7; vs. Nashville: -4.6). Recent history suggests the Coyotes can’t keep playing this way and expect to advance onto the Stanley Cup Finals. Looking at every Finals matchup since the lockout, only the 2006 Edmonton Oilers gave up at least two more shots than they took (-4.4). So while there’s no denying that Mike Smith is the Coyotes’ MVP, Phoenix will need to become more aggressive on offense and tighten up defensively if they expect to make it past Los Angeles in the Conference Finals.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-32505363009219150802012-04-28T15:16:00.002-07:002012-04-28T15:20:09.163-07:00Kings-Blues Playoff Preview<div class="MsoNormal">The Kings and Blues are the same team. Terrific defensively. Struggle offensively. Fantastic goaltending. Mid-season coaching changes that turned their seasons around. Rosters built through the draft. The comparisons can go on forever. So here are three reasons to be worried and three reasons to be confident going into tonight...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>REASONS TO BE WORRIED...</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6807519194/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jeff Carter by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jeff Carter" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6807519194_34bc004e1d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
1. <b>JEFF CARTER</b>. After his epic pass of the skate to Dustin Penner on the Kings game-winning goal, Carter disappeared of the scoresheet. It’s easy to speculate that his ankle is still bothering him. Hopefully, the week off helped his rehab along a bit more because the Kings will need Carter to contribute in the goal column vs. St. Louis.<br />
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2. <b>GIVEAWAYS</b>. Obviously the statistic varies from arena to arena but the Kings had 58 giveaways to 36 takeaways. There were times in the series where the defense was unable to clear the zone that lead to scoring opportunities for Vancouver. St. Louis is relentless on the forecheck and creates a lot of offense on takeaways. Slava Voynov struggled at times in Round 1; don’t think that Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock didn’t notice.<br />
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3. <b>SCORING CHANCES</b>. The Kings defensive system is great. The Blues defensive system might be even better. The same system that turned the duo of Roman Cechmanek and Robert Esche into Jennings Trophy winners in Philadelphia has transformed Brian Elliot, statistically the worst goaltender in the NHL last year into one of the ‘elite.’ Anyone that was at Staples Center to watch their last regular season matchup saw a first period where the Kings struggled to even get a shot on goal. They finished the period with three. With that said, adjustments were made at the Kings outshot the Blues 37-35 in a 1-0 shootout victory. The Blues don't allow their opponent many chances (26.7 shots, 1st in regular season) so the Kings will have to continue to stay the course and stay aggressive. Pressure their defense into turnovers when possible on the forecheck. Looking at you Trevor Lewis!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Key Matchup: Mike Richards v. Patrik Berglund</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’ll be fun to see Dustin Brown and David Backes match each other hit for hit but the matchup that intrigues me the most is the #2 center position. The Kings finally have their #2 center after years of searching; the Blues think their #2 has finally arrived too. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mike Richards dominated in Game 1 vs. Vancouver. A goal and two assists and four hits including a bone crushing hit on Alex Burrows that set the tone for the series. After that, he was held off the scoresheet. The Kings are going to need more from offense from Mike Richards. Whether he looks for his own shot or looks to get Jeff Carter going; the Kings need more. He’ll also need to carry over his 52% faceoff percentage into the second round.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6773337403/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Patrik Berglund by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Patrik Berglund" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6773337403_efdff31d1e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Patrik Berglund is a curious case. At 6’4, he’s got all the tools to be a dominant forward with his size and skill. His regular season production regressed from 52 points to 38 points this past season but he dominated the Sharks in Round One with three goals and four assists. He was a key component to the Blues success on the power play (2 G, 1 A). Berglund will sit himself at the top of the goalie’s crease and screen the goaltender while looking for deflections and rebounds. Berglund struggled in the faceoff circle in the first round, only winning 35.9% of his draws.</div><br />
<b>REASONS TO BE EXCITED!</b><br />
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1. <b>JONATHAN QUICK</b>. The Vezina Trophy nominee posted the second best save percentage in the first round (.953). In addition, Quick managed led the league in even-strength save percentage (.963) by stopping 129 of 134 shots. Quick answered his critics who questioned whether he could succeed in the playoffs after posting .884% and .913% save percentages over the last two years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6773498739/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jarret Stoll by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jarret Stoll" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6773498739_64940e8ab1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
2. <b>KINGS THIRD LINE</b>. The third line of Jarret Stoll, Trevor Lewis, and Dustin Penner combined for four goals and two assists in their opening-round series. They held Vancouver’s third-line of Hansen-Pahlsson-Higgins to just two goals in the series after the trio had combined for 38 goals during the regular season. It looks like Penner will skate with Richards and Carter to start the series but the Kings top three lines all made huge contributions in Round One.<br />
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3. <b>PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE</b>. The Kings have eight players that have appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals. They have four Cup winners. The Blues have three players that have appeared in the Finals; all of them won Cups. The Kings lineup has appeared in 455 playoff games. The Blues have appeared in 433 games. Pretty close right? Remove veterans Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner, who have combined for 252 NHL playoff games and three Stanley Cups. Both well-respected players around the league but both are bottom-six forwards at this point in their career. The rest of the Blues lineup has only appeared in 181 postseason games. Twelve players on their roster have appeared in five games or less entering this postseason. In a series where defense will be key. The Kings top-6 blueline has played in 160 postseason games. The Blues top-6? 23 games. <br />
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<b>CONCLUSION...</b><br />
I thought the Kings-Canucks series was too close to call. This series is going to be even tougher to predict. I expect it to go a minimum of 6 or 7 games with at least a couple OT games thrown-in. It’s going to be a low-scoring, grind it out, physical series, highlighted by two fantastic goaltenders. The series will most likely be decided by who gets a bounce or two their way. <br />
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The goaltending is even. The special teams are even. The defense is even but the Kings experience on the blueline trumps the Blues’ backend. The Kings top-six has more experience and more potential to breakout in the series. <b>Kings in Seven Games. Mike Richards with the game-winner in 2OT.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/7008105857/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mike Richards SO Goal by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Mike Richards SO Goal" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7275/7008105857_36aefb3e18_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-92006303389947870562012-04-11T12:37:00.003-07:002012-04-11T12:46:27.403-07:00Kings-Canucks Playoff Preview Part IV: Predictions!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6502384267/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Handshakes by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Handshakes" height="308" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6502384267_548b373389_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles: Upset City?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Despite the Canucks capturing their second consecutive President’s Trophy; they play in the worst division in the NHL. The Northwest Division is the only division in hockey featuring one playoff team. With Daniel Sedin unlikely to play Game 1, the Canucks potent offense doesn’t look nearly as impressive. Canucks fans will turn to the final nine games of the season in which Vancouver went 8-1 without Daniel to prove that they’ve got enough depth. I’d argue that eight of those nine games came against non-playoff opponents. The only playoff opponent? A 1-0 victory over Los Angeles where Luongo stood on his head and stopped 40 shots.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Make no mistake about it: the Kings offense has struggled to score all season long up until the last month of the season. The Kings believe they have a real shot to upset Vancouver. And they should be confident that they’ve got a chance to take down the top team in the regular season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Kings and Canucks battled each other as close as two teams could during the regular season. Two one-goal games and another decided by a shootout. Quick & Luongo were both spectacular in net; both with save percentages hovering around .940. The difference in this series will be the little things: faceoffs, matchups, special teams, etc.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In four games, the Kings and Canucks split faceoffs right down the middle. L.A. won 49.8% of the draws while Vancouver won 50.2%. Kesler was absolute dynamite winning 67% of his faceoffs (51/29) while Henrik Sedin wasn’t nearly as impressive at 43.7% (28/36). Kopitar performed well at 57.7% (44/35) while Richards struggled for L.A. 44.7% (21/26). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A key matchup to keep an eye on will be how often Alain Vigneault is able to get his checking line of Higgins-Pahlsson-Hansen out against the Kings top two lines. If that line is effective, it could take some pressure off Ryan Kesler’s second line and open the ice up to create offense.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, special teams. The Kings took 327 minor penalties this year, 6<sup>th</sup> most in the NHL. Vancouver took 325, 8<sup>th</sup> most. Vancouver took 41 major penalties (not including fighting majors). The Kings took 35. Vancouver’s PP was impressive for most of the season, scoring on 19.8% of their chances (4<sup>th</sup>). But without Daniel Sedin, the PP has struggled. They’re 2-for-35 in their past nine games. The Kings still can not afford to give Vancouver opportunities to get their PP back on track. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Los Angeles was successful at a 16.9% clip(17<sup>th</sup>). Both teams were equally impressive on the penalty kill. L.A. at 87% (4<sup>th</sup>) while Vancouver was at 86% (6<sup>th</sup>). Six of the 15 goals scored between the two teams in four matchups were on the man-advantage; three goals each. Neither team can afford to be short-handed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally. If I haven’t tried to convince you that these teams are a lot closer than people think. <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7791749/2012-stanley-cup-playoffs-playoff-power-meter-detroit-red-wings-rank-no-1">ESPN has developed a Playoff Power Meter formula</a>. A formula that helps: “find teams that most resemble Stanley Cup champions” based on important stats, benchmarks, and point system. It basically looks at eight different statistical categories: record vs. playoff teams, goals scored, shots allowed, etc. and assigns benchmarks and different point values to each of the eight categories. Both the Kings & Canucks finished 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> in the rankings with 29 points (Detroit led with 37). Vancouver played the least amount of games against playoff opponents than anyone. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One last stat: The Kings record vs. other Western Conference playoff teams: 20-10-6 (.555 winning%). The Canucks record vs. other Western Conference playoff teams: 16-8-5 (.552%). Their record against each other in the regular season: 2-2. Goaltending. Even. Forwards. Even. Defense. Even. I’d be shocked if this series doesn’t go the distance. Tipping point: Is it Sedin or Carter that come back sooner and closer to 100%? <b>KINGS IN SEVEN.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6502385823/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Roberto Luongo & Jonathan Quick by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Roberto Luongo & Jonathan Quick" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6502385823_d004366d30_z.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobby Lu to Quick: "Great series, Jon. Best of luck in round 2."<br />
Quick to Bobby Lu: "Thanks. If you hurry...you can still play for Canada at the World Championships."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-26198189800585347442012-04-11T05:13:00.003-07:002012-04-11T12:28:35.346-07:00Kings-Canucks Playoff Preview Part III: Defense<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6811025071/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drew Doughty by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Drew Doughty" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6811025071_1d707832c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doughty could win or lose this series for the Kings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Most Kings fans would immediately give the advantage to Los Angeles here. The Kings allowed 2.07 goals per game, 2<sup>nd</sup> best in the league but Vancouver wasn’t far behind allowing 2.22 goals, 5<sup>th</sup> best.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Both teams showcase two of the brightest young blueliners in the NHL. The Kings are led by 22-year old Drew Doughty, who burst onto the scene as one of Canada's best defenseman in the 2010 Olympics. The past two seasons have been filled with inconsistencies and a contract dispute but make no mistake he's still been the Kings most valuable blueliner. With the departure of Christian Ehrhoff to Buffalo via free agency, 25-year-old Swede Alexander Edler made sure the Canucks didn’t miss a beat and had by far the most productive season of his young career.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Kings and Canucks bluelines are built differently. The Kings have three puck-moving defenseman featuring Doughty, Slava Voynov, and Alec Martinez. Each are paired with a stay-at-home partner: Rob Scuderi, Willie Mitchell, and Matt Greene. The Canucks blueline features more two-way hybrid defenseman in Edler, Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis, and Sami Salo.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FIRST PAIRING</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6741445475/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drew Doughty by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Drew Doughty" height="503" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6741445475_1aa1df68eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doughty's play will dictate L.A.'s success.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Scuderi-Doughty</div><div class="MsoNormal">For all of Doughty’s mental lapses this season, he’s still the Kings franchise defenseman. At $7-million for the next five seasons, now would be as good a time as any to start earning that paycheck. Doughty seems to really enjoy playing Vancouver. In four games this season, he registered a goal and two assists while dishing out eight hits. </div><div class="MsoNormal">While still extremely sound in his own end, Scuderi started showing some cracks when pressured in his own zone. His lack of anything resembling offense can become frustrating. He was a -7 this season; the first time he’s been a negative +/- player in seven seasons. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Bieksa-Edler</div><div class="MsoNormal">After Ryan Suter and Shea Weber in Nashville, there may not have been a better defensive pairing in the entire NHL than Vancouver’s top defensive pairing. Like all good defenseman both Bieksa and Edler are well-rounded. The duo combined for 19 goals and 74 assists this season to go along with 302 hits and 251 blocked shots. Both players like to join the rush; Edler a bit more (who had a career-high 49 points but was an even +/-); Bieksa (+12) is still the veteran presence who anchors the entire Canucks blueline and is one tough S.O.B.. (Just ask Mike Richards if he remembers the two poundings he took while with Philly.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<b>SECOND PAIRING</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6773457839/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Willie Mitchell by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Willie Mitchell" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6773457839_93479670c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willie Mitchell has been L.A.'s most consistent d-man all year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Voynov-Mitchell</div><div class="MsoNormal">When the Kings dealt Jack Johnson to acquire Jeff Carter in February; <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2012/02/hey-mr-carter.html#more">Kings fans knew the team wouldn’t miss a beat because of Slava Voynov</a>. He was the Kings best blueliner on many nights this season pre- and post-Jack Johnson. The poise he shows with the puck and ability to hit the net with his shot makes him a really valuable piece for Daryl Sutter. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Willie Mitchell was a team best +20 this season. Not an easy feat for a player who logs 22:13 of ice-time including over 3:30 minutes on the penalty kill (a whole minute more than any other Kings blueliner). The main reason for tying his career-high with 23 points? Simple: he’s getting some time on the 2<sup>nd</sup> PP unit and he’s shooting the puck more. His 104 shots are the highest total of his career.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6788272063/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Chris Tanev by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Chris Tanev" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6788272063_d147b7e51b_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Tanev, the pride of RIT.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Hamhuis-Tanev</div></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hamhuis was underappreciated by fans in Nashville having to play behind All-World blueliners like Suter and Weber. He returned to B.C. to play for his hometown Canucks and it’s much of the same for “Mr. Consistency.” Hamhuis goes unnoticed on most nights but wouldn’t you know he was the only Vancouver blueliner to play in all 82 games while logging over 23 minutes of ice-time a night. He also led all blueliners with a +29 while scoring 37 points, (4 goals, 33 assists) his highest total in seven seasons.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Quick! Name the first alumni of Rochester Institute of Technology to appear in an NHL game. You guessed it: Chris Tanev of the Canucks. Tanev, born in East York, ON, was heavily scouted by the Canucks while playing in the 2010 NCAA tournament as a freshman and signed as an undrafted free agent, foregoing his final three years of college hockey eligibility. Tanev is still only 22, hasn’t even had a full-season of AHL experience but has been praised for his maturity and hockey-sense. He impressed the coaching staff enough to appear in three Stanley Cup finals last season. It only makes sense that the Tanev who plays well beyond his years would be paired with “Mr. Consistency.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>THIRD PAIRING</b></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6953629977/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Matt Greene by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Matt Greene" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6953629977_cfc1983969_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Greene has been to the Stanley Cup before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;">Martinez-Greene</div></div><div class="MsoNormal">Alec Martinez had to be jumping for joy once the Kings dealt Johnson to Columbus. It solidified his spot on the blueline. A smooth skater who has a real knack for getting pucks through to the net especially on the man-advantage. Seven of his 12 points came on the power play. <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=30&s=30&f1=2011_s&f2=5v5&f4=D&f5=L.A&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+13+14+29+30+32+33+34+45+46+63+67">Martinez’s ability to get shots thru raises his Corsi way above the rest of the Kings blueline.</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Matt Greene wears an A on his sweater for a reason. He makes up for his lack of foot speed by playing strong in his own end. He’s a hard-nosed player who protects his teammates and plays a physical style. His 241 hits were 100 more than any other Kings blueliner. One of the growing number of Kings with Stanley Cup Finals experience.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;">Salo-Rome</div></div><div class="MsoNormal">Salo may just be the most dangerous blueliner on the Canucks power play. Of his nine goals this past season, seven of them came on the man-advantage. His shot is hard and accurate from the point and a key weapon for Vancouver. At 37, Salo still skates well, plays sound defensively, and blocks shots (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/10/sami-salo-injury-video-ru_n_569778.html">None more famous than a blocked shot against Chicago in the postseason two seasons ago.)</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Believe it or not, Aaron Rome was Kings property at one time; drafted by L.A. in the 4<sup>th</sup> round in 2002. He signed with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim two years later and was shuttled back and forth between the AHL and NHL for the next five seasons before finding a permanent NHL home in Vancouver. He’s proved to be a valuable depth defenseman for a Canucks blueline that has suffered a number of injuries over the past couple seasons. A prototypical stay-at-home defenseman who plays physical, blocks shots, and protects his teammates. Rome’s game compliments the offensive-minded defenseman of Vancouver. Rome is best known for his questionable hit on Bruins forward Nathan Horton in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals and earned him a suspension for the rest of the Finals. The hit proved to be a rallying point for Boston who was trailing 2-0 in series.<br />
<br />
<b>EXTRAS</b><br />
Los Angeles<br />
Davis Drewiske- <i>While Westgarth hasn't appeared in a game since February 16th. DD hasn't seen game action since the 18th of February. The Kings are very comfortable with their top-6 but things could get ugly quick if they lose any of them.</i><br />
<br />
Vancouver<br />
Andrew Alberts- <i>I'll never forget Kings fans riding Alberts two years ago in the postseason. It felt like he was doing everything he could to hand L.A. the series lead but the Kings refused. He compiled 23-minutes worth of penalties in Games 1 and 2 (no fighting majors). I hope he's up for a repeat performance this season.</i><br />
Keith Ballard- <i>Ballard made his last appearance February 7 vs. Nashville. He's been on the long road back from a concussion that he believed he suffered two nights earlier in Colorado. Apparently, playoff hockey is the cure all because Ballard is now skating and cleared for contact but it's difficult to say when he'll be inserted back into the lineup considering he hasn't played a game in over two months. If and when he's reinserted back into the lineup, Ballard will bring another degree of toughness that is lacking behind Bieksa. A strong skater who enjoys to throw the body at anytime. Ballard can play outside of himself at times which got him into trouble last season and led to him being healthy-scratched for a good majority of the playoffs. His days of being a 30+ point producer seem to be behind him.</i><br />
Marc-Andre Gragnani-<i> Acquired along with young power forward Zack Kassian, Gragnani was once considered one of the top offensive d-prospects in the NHL. He put up three strong seasons in Portland, the Sabres AHL-affiliate but could never crack up the Sabres top-6 for long stretches. He's got some offensive upside still but he's still 7th/8th on Vancouver's depth-chart when everyone is healthy.</i><br />
<br />
<b>EDGE- EVEN</b>. Both teams defenses are strong. If the Canucks still had Christian Ehrhoff, it'd be a no-brainer in favor of the the Canucks. Vancouver has more depth 1-7 but it's more than likely that each team will only dress six in which case it's a real tossup. The trade of Jack Johnson has opened up spots for Voynov and Martinez to emerge. Both groups are capable of creating offense. Since acquiring Jeff Carter, the Kings defense has scored 13 goals and 24 assists in March/April with 163 shots. The Canucks defense has 8 goals and 29 assists with 164 shots during the same time frame. It's too close to call!</div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-50576914608965076902012-04-09T15:20:00.000-07:002012-04-09T15:20:32.029-07:00Kings-Canucks Playoff Preview Part II: Forwards<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6502339705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Anze Kopitar by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Anze Kopitar" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6502339705_a16d1fdd15_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kings can score now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i>Each team relies on their top-line to lead the way offensively. The line of Kopitar-Brown-Williams were the Kings' top three point producers this season. Vancouver's top line of the Sedins and Burrows also led the way for the Canucks. Both lines have produced at a similar pace this season. L.A.'s top trio has combined for 69 goals while Vancouver's has combined for 72 goals. Both lines led their respective teams during their four regular season matchups this season. For Los Angeles, Anze Kopitar (goal, 3 assists) and Justin Williams (2 goals, 1 assist) led the way. Vancouver was led by the NHL’s favorite Swedish twins, Daniel (goal, 3 assists) and Henrik Sedin (2 assists). </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Kings offensive struggles have been well-documented. They were shutout a league-high 10 times this season. With that said, the Kings have only been shutout once since the acquisition of Jeff Carter (vs. Vancouver 1-0). The Kings have actually averaged three goals per game over the past month which is a far cry from their 2.29 (29<sup>th</sup>) goals per game season average.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While the Canucks goals per game is down from a year ago (3.15 GF/G). Their 2.94 goals per game was still good enough for 5<sup>th</sup> best in the NHL. But coming into the series, it’s actually Vancouver’s offense that has sputtered a bit, averaging 2.44 goals per game over the last month of the regular season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The key for both teams will be finding secondary scoring. The Canucks have six players outside their top line who reached double-digit goal totals. Ryan Kesler (22 goals), Chris Higgins (18), David Booth (16), Jannik Hansen (16), Alex Edler (11), and Mason Raymond (10) will all be looked upon to provide offense.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For Los Angeles, only three players outside their top-line reached the 10-goal plateau: Jeff Carter (21 goals), Mike Richards (18), and defenseman Drew Doughty (10).<br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FIRST LINE </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6741458927/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Anze Kopitar by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Anze Kopitar" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6741458927_b8540eb045_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anze Kopitar is playing the best hockey of his career.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Brown-Kopitar-Williams</div><div class="MsoNormal">After disappointing for much of the regular season; all it took were a few trade rumors involving the Kings captain, a Hall of Famer calling out the team’s #1 center, and the addition of a perennial 40-goal scorer to the second line to get the Kings top line rolling. And boy are they rolling. The trio combined for 20 goals and 34 assists over the final 18 games of the season. <i><a href="http://mayorsmanor.com/2012/03/marcel-dionne-kopitar-needs-to-make-a-decision/">After being singled-out by former Kings captain Marcel Dionne</a> in early March; Kopitar responded to the criticism by taking his game to a level that hadn’t been seen before, scoring seven goals and 15 assists down the stretch.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6788230259/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Daniel Sedin by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Daniel Sedin" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6788230259_472775ff83_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A healthy Daniel is bad news for L.A.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">D. Sedin-H. Sedin- Burrows</div><div class="MsoNormal">The most dominant pair of twins the NHL has ever seen were at it again this season until Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith had had enough and delivered a vicious elbow to the head of Daniel. The youngest Sedin hasn’t played since suffering a concussion on that play in Chicago on March 21st. <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Daniel+Sedin+return+Canucks+playoffs/6427255/story.html">Sedin is skating on his own and is expected back in time for Game 1</a> of the series but as we saw when Mike Richards came back from suffering a concussion in December, it takes time to get back up to speed. Every player recovers differently but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Los Angeles tested Daniel early and often to see if he truly is 100%. <i>The Sedins are two of the best offensive players in the game and perform magic together. They turn former ECHL fodder into legit 30 goal NHL scorers (Burrows) and extend the careers of failed Kings’ trade deadline acquisitions (Anson Carter’s career-high 33 goals in 2005-06).</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><b>SECOND LINE </b></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6807519194/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jeff Carter by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jeff Carter" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6807519194_34bc004e1d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A healthy Jeff Carter is bad news for Vancouver.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">King-Richards-Carter</div><div class="MsoNormal">The acquisition of Jeff Carter has rejuvenated the entire Kings offense but especially Carter’s former running mate in Philadelphia, Mike Richards (who finished with 44 points; his lowest point total in five seasons). The line of Carter, Richards, and rookie Dwight King could be the key to the series for Los Angeles. The three combined for 11 goals and 13 assists in 16 games before Carter went down with ankle injury on March 28.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Raymond-Kesler-Booth</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some may call this line the only blemish on Vancouver's sparkling 2011-12 resume. Three more than capable scorers who haven't quite lived up to their expectations. Mason Raymond (10 goals) saw his goal total drop for the second consecutive season; down from 25 two years ago. Ryan Kesler has also struggled (See Key Matchup). While David Booth (16 goals) doesn’t look like he’ll ever reach that 31-goal mark of three years ago. </div><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6931190539/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mike Richards by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Mike Richards" height="266" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6931190539_7243801be7_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>KEY MATCHUP: Richards vs. Kesler</b></div>While Richards is having a down year offensively for the Kings, the same could be said of Ryan Kesler for Vancouver. After putting up 41 goals last season and consecutive 70+ point seasons; his offensive numbers dropped to 22 goals and 49 points (ironically, the lowest total for him in five years…sound familiar?). </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Richards and Carter are two of the premier two-way centermen in the NHL. Both are expected to shutdown the other team’s top line while also contributing offensively. Both played similar roles for their countries at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; Kesler for the US and Richards for Canada. Richards was drafted one pick after Kesler in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The series could sway depending on which of these premier centerman step up their games in the postseason.</blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>THIRD LINE</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6810991345/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jarret Stoll by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jarret Stoll" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6810991345_3c18f57359_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoll is L.A.'s 'go-to' faceoff specialist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Penner-Stoll-Lewis</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">This line of misfit parts and specialized skills was thrown together by Coach Darryl Sutter and it’s actually turned into a pretty solid line. Penner (7 goals) has completely lost his scoring touch and is now relied on to use his 6-4 frame to throw his body around (90 hits, new career-high). Jarret Stoll (6 goals) hasn’t been able to find his offensive game since being dumped to the third line following the acquisition Richards in the offseason. But Stoll is still one of the best in the faceoff circle winning 55% of his draws this season. And finally, Trevor Lewis is by far the most dangerous forechecker the Kings because of his skating. Sutter realized Lewis couldn’t center the fourth line because he couldn’t win a faceoff (43%) but his speed makes him the perfect safety net to Penner.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Higgins-Pahlsson-Hansen</div><div class="MsoNormal">Without a doubt, this is Vancouver’s “shutdown” line. Coach Alaine Vigneault will try to shut down the Kings top two-lines by deploying this trio. <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=63&s=13&f1=2011_s&f2=5v5&f4=C+LW+RW&f5=VAN&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+11+12+13+14+15+16+63+67+57+58+59+60+61+62+64+65+66">Their Relative Corsi Quality of Competition are top three among forwards on Vancouver.</a> If all they do is neutralize the Kings top-six forwards, Vigneault will be happy but the trio has some scoring touch too. It’ll be interesting to see if Higgins (18 goals) and Hansen (16) can create offense on their own line without the aid of the Sedins and Kesler. Their speed makes them dangerous in any situation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FOURTH LINE</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6773515947/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kyle Clifford by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Kyle Clifford" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6773515947_c9ce99eaf5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle Clifford needs to improve last postseason was no fluke.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Clifford-Fraser-Nolan</div><div class="MsoNormal">The enforcer, agitator, run-the-goalie, hit everything that moves line. This line is key for the Kings. This trio will be the first to test Vancouver’s toughness that’s been in question ever since being pushed around by Boston for seven games. If Clifford and Fraser can play physical and stay disciplined it’ll be a huge advantage for Los Angeles. Clifford netted three goals and two assists in the Kings first-round matchup vs. San Jose a year ago. Any offensive output from this line will be an added bonus though because they’ll have their hands full trying to stay disciplined against agitators like Lapierre and Hansen.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6788246371/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Maxim Lappiere by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Maxim Lappiere" height="512" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6788246371_73bdb24508_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maxim Lapierre: Hard-nosed player or Rat? Somewhere in-between.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Weise-Malhotra-Lapierre</div><div class="MsoNormal">Weise is the added muscle. He and Clifford fought to a draw back in November in the only fight between the two teams during the regular season. Malhotra who wins 58% of his draws is likely to see a lot of Stoll in the faceoff dot. He can still skate and should provide a tough matchup for L.A.. Maxim Lapierre is the real key to this line. He’s an in-your-face, never keeps his mouth shut kind of agitator. He racked up 244 hits along with 130 PIM (both led the team), his eight major penalties are second only to Weise. He’s also managed five misconduct penalties and a game misconduct. Only Zac Rinaldo and Derek Dorsett have racked up more misconduct penalties than the Lapierre this season.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>EXTRA FORWARDS</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Los Angeles</div><div class="MsoNormal">Brad Richardson- <i>The speedy forward filled-in adequately for Carter. Recording two goals and an assist in the final five games of the regular season. Richardson also delivered in the postseason with two goals and three assists in the Kings first-round loss to San Jose.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">Kevin Westgarth- <i>The Kings enforcer hasn’t appeared in a game since February 16. Should tell you a lot about how this series is going if we see him anytime soon.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Vancouver</div><div class="MsoNormal">Byron Bitz- <i>Bitz missed the entire 2010-11 season with a sports hernia injury. Was placed on waivers and recalled by Vancouver this season. Should provide some grit to the 4<sup>th</sup> line especially if Weise or Zack Kassian stumbles.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">Andrew Ebbett- <i>This year’s Jeff Tambellini. Small. Fast. Offensive-minded. Not quite good enough for the NHL.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">Zack Kassian- <i>Canucks GM Mike Gillis acquired Kassian at the deadline to provide another element of size and grit for the postseason. In 17 games with Vancouver, Kassian had a goal, two assists, 31 PIMs, and delivered 40 hits. The young winger is still raw but has comparisons to Boston tough guy Milan Lucic. Kassian’s playoff experience includes three games with the Portland Pirates of the AHL and 47 games over four seasons in the OHL including a Memorial Cup with the Winsor Spitfires two years ago. It’ll be interesting to see if Kassian has shown Vigneault enough over the past month to prove that he’s ready for the big-stage.</i><br />
<br />
<b>EDGE- EVEN</b>. The Kings have proved over the last month that they can score goals now. Their top six forwards are as strong if not stronger than Vancouver. The Kings have acquired two world-class talents since falling to San Jose a year ago in six games and now roll two legitimate scoring lines and are light years ahead of the team that lined up against Vancouver two years ago. The health of Daniel Sedin and Jeff Carter will obviously have a major impact on the series. <br />
<br />
The most interesting matchup will be seeing how effectively the Canucks third-line of Higgins-Pahlsson-Hansen can neutralize the Kings top two lines. Without a true shutdown line, the Kings rely on their top two lines to matchup alot against other team's top offensive lines. Also, Look for Lapierre and Clifford to start jawing and hitting everything that moves from the drop of the puck. </div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-20778193487087844652012-04-09T13:53:00.000-07:002012-04-09T13:53:59.951-07:00Kings-Canucks Playoff Preview Part I: Goaltending<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/6502333845/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jonathan Quick by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jonathan Quick" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6502333845_27b26ba5d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Quick: Vezina Worthy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The Kings choked again! Ryan Clowe stole the Pacific Division from us! Jonathan Quick can’t win the big game! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Forget all that…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On March 1<sup>st</sup>, the Kings were sitting in 10<sup>th</sup> place with a 29-23-12 record after winning only five of fourteen games in the month of February but after the acquisition of Jeff Carter; Los Angeles has gone 13-5-3. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Canucks, winners of back-to-back Presidents’ Trophy are looking to make back-to-back Stanley Cup appearances after falling to Boston in the Finals a year ago. Much has been made of their regular season success in recent years but Vancouver is still in search of that elusive first Stanley Cup.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/2012/04/08/kings-vs-canucks-looking-back-and-forward/">This teams split four regular season games by a total of one goal. Two games were decided by a goal and another by a shootout</a>. Goaltending in the series will be huge.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>GOALTENDING</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Both Jonathan and Quick and Roberto Luongo have had Vezina-worthy campaigns. Quick’s numbers have been absolutely spectacular this season. A 35-21-13 record to go along with a 1.95 GAA, .929 SV% and franchise-record 10 shutouts. Luongo had another strong season for Vancouver with a 31-14-8 record and 2.41 GAA, .919 SV% with 5 shutouts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>In four games between the two teams this season, Quick and Luongo were equally impressive. Their save percentages were nearly identical. Quick allowed seven goals while recording a .941 SV% over four games while Luongo allowed eight goals and owned a .944 SV%. The Kings actually threw more rubber Luongo’s way outshooting the Canucks 142-118. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>EDGE- EVEN</b>. This is an absolute tossup. Both goaltenders are capable of stealing multiple games in the series. There’s no doubt that if Quick struggles; he’ll be between the pipes for the following game. His resume speaks for itself this season. For Vancouver, 31 wins just isn’t enough to avoid a goaltending controversy going into the postseason especially when backup Cory Schneider has 20 wins, a 1.96 GAA and .937 SV% with 3 shutouts. If Luongo falters early expect Alain Vigneault to turn to his 26-year old backup and never look back.</div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-42017088549995168692012-02-24T15:54:00.000-08:002012-02-24T15:54:58.582-08:00Hey Mr. Carter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4-1BLmSIXw/T0ghlQN0npI/AAAAAAAABBk/i06LJ0mPAyo/s1600/108867108_crop_650x440.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4-1BLmSIXw/T0ghlQN0npI/AAAAAAAABBk/i06LJ0mPAyo/s640/108867108_crop_650x440.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Reunited & It Feels So Good.."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It’s no secret. The Los Angeles Kings are floundering. The Kings have won only two of their last ten. The entire roster has struggled to score goals, averaging only 2.05 goals per game, dead last in the NHL.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Kings averaged 2.55 goals last season (25<sup>th</sup> in the league). Dean Lombardi did his best to bolster their anemic offense in the offseason. Unfortunately, the results this season have been mixed at best.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fans were ecstatic when Dean Lombardi acquired Mike Richards prior to the Draft. He was fantastic during the first two months of the season posting 20 points in 24 games. Unfortunately, Richards has only 11 points in 29 games since suffering a concussion in early December. PASS.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Perfect, DL got a #1A center to compliment Kopitar. Only box that needed to be checked was a top-line left wing…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dustin Penner. His late-season struggles followed him into this season. He’s got five goals in 44 games. A handful of healthy scratches. Currently in Coach Sutter’s doghouse. FAIL.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Simon Gagne. Finally, the left wing that Kopitar has been so desperate for. Seven goals in 34 games before going down with a concussion. FAIL.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Scott Parse. Two goals in 9 games before season-ending hip surgery. FAIL.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enter Jeff Carter. Yes. THAT Jeff Carter.<br />
<a name='more'></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Forget the last 39 games where Carter was forced to play alongside another goal scorer in Rick Nash with no playmaker in Columbus. Forget that he’s signed thru 2022 for a moment. Forget that Dry Island garbage too.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>This guy is the sniper that the Kings have been longing for. Carter has averaged 36 goals over the past four seasons. He’s lit the lamp 144 times over the past four seasons. To put that into perspective, only three players have scored more goals since the 2007-08 season: Alexander Ovechkin (203), Ilya Kovalchuk (167) & Jarome Iginla (160).</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No player has seen his stock fall more than Carter this season. <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/Carters-agent-Holmgren-lied.html">He wasn’t happy about going to Columbus</a>. Once he finally got there; the BJs were terrible. <a href="http://www.jacketscannon.com/2011/11/19/2573687/carter-content-in-columbus">Then rumors began swirling that Carter wanted out</a>. Oh, and he hurt his shoulder too. Now, Columbus is taking offers for their captain. Simply put: Columbus is a mess. The BJs made the best out of a bad situation and the Kings vastly improved their offense with the acquisition of Mr. Carter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Kings fans are pretty pessimistic when it comes to Carter helping this team. But what else is new...<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>“Carter & Richards partied too much in Philly. How out of control will they be in Los Angeles?”</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I could care less about what Mike Richards and Jeff Carter do in their spare time. DL shouldn’t care either. The Kings are desperate for goals. That’s all Carter knows how to do. Shoot. Score. Celebrate with a drink after the game. And do it all over again next game. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Put all that Dry Island garbage to rest. If a teammate is going to call into question Richards’s and Carter’s character after they’ve already been dealt at least attach your name to it. That entire mess should give you a good idea of what that locker room was like last season. Richards was John Stevens's captain. Chris Pronger was Peter Laviolette's captain. And there's a reason nobody likes Chris Pronger. Just saying...<br />
<br />
GM Paul Holmgren was in no rush to move either Richards or Carter. Flyers President Ed Snider forced Holmgren to shore up their goaltending and outbid everyone for free agent Ilya Bryzgalov. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-heck-did-we-get-mike-richards.html">Just watch Holmgren try and answer questions regarding the trades of Richards & Carte</a>r.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>“Jeff Carter is going to be Dustin Penner 2.0!”</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jeff Carter is not Dustin Penner. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/04/curious-case-of-dustin-penner.html">Penner relies heavily on his linemates</a>. He’s not the type of player to carry a line. He’ll wait in the slot and look for a one-timer. Jeff Carter can skate, create his own shot, and go hard to the net. He’s constantly among the NHL leaders in shots. <b><i>He’s averaged 337 shots over the past four seasons. In the past four seasons, no Kings player has approached 300 shots. Blame the offense! Blame the coaching! Blame the system! You have to shoot to score. Carter does both. A lot.</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>“Jack Johnson was having his best season yet!”</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OqdjM7u-ccY/T0ginRErBnI/AAAAAAAABB0/5sie7H9P-Z0/s1600/6800689669_b74dc204d6_z.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OqdjM7u-ccY/T0ginRErBnI/AAAAAAAABB0/5sie7H9P-Z0/s640/6800689669_b74dc204d6_z.jpeg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voynov: Already Better Than JJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Kings dealt away Jack Johnson. JJ is in the first year of a self-negotiated 7-year, $30.5 million deal. If you’ve read my blogs and followed me on Twitter, you’ll know I’m not a JJ fan. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/05/2010-11-season-review-jack-johnson.html">My season review of JJ pretty much sums up my thoughts on him</a>. Ironically enough, the last sentence read:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>With blueline prospects like Muzzin, Voynov, and Hickey all considered offensive defensemen; JJ will need to improve all aspects of his game because with each ill-timed pinch in the offensive zone, JJ's name and 'cap-friendly' $4.35M are inching closer and closer to the rumor mill.</i></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal">If Slava Voynov didn’t outplay the entire Kings blueline during his stints in Los Angeles this year, the Kings don’t deal Johnson. The Kings won’t miss Johnson. Numbers don’t lie. Don’t even get me started with relative corsi ratings on these two…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Johnson’s stat line (61 GP, 8 G, 16 A, 24 PTs, -12 rating, 14 PPPs, 120 shots, 72 hits). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Voynov’s stat line (33 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 PTs, +4 rating 4 PPPs, 52 shots, 48 hits).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>If you pro-rate Voynov’s #’s over 61 games: 7 G, 13 A, 20 PTs, 7 PPPs, 96 shots, 89 hits. It may end up being a wash. I think Voynov is actually an upgrade. </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>“How could we trade that 1<sup>st</sup> round pick?!?!”</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes. DL doesn’t have a 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> round pick in this year’s draft. And depending on whether or not the Kings turn this around, he may not have a first rounder either. DL’s job is on the line and he can’t afford to look ahead anymore. His time's up. The Kings aren’t in rebuild mode anymore. They need to win now. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">DL won this trade by a landslide. He’s put together a good roster on paper. They lack speed on the wings but they still play solid team defense and have gotten outstanding goaltending. <b><i>DL’s biggest mistake may have been underestimating the loss of Frolov, Handzus, Ponikarovsky, Simmonds, and Smyth over the past two seasons. Over the pasy couple seasons, the Kings masked their lack of foot speed with size and big bodies that could win battles along the boards on the cycle in the offensive zone. The Kings don’t have those types of guys anymore. They've become a team in search of an identity. The guys that can skate, can't finish. The guys that have a nose for the net, can't skate quick enough to get there. </i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With all that said, DL essentially dealt Jack Johnson, Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn & a 1<sup>st</sup> round pick for Mike Richards & Jeff Carter. Regardless of whether or not the Kings offense was last in the league, 29 other NHL GMs make that deal in a heartbeat. With the Kings offense struggling to score goals, this deal is an absolute no-brainer. With a core of Brown, Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, Richards, and Carter the Kings should be competing for a Stanley Cup this season. With this deal, I think the Kings made a step in the right direction.</div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-15059176057560182842011-11-07T19:15:00.000-08:002011-11-07T19:15:37.482-08:00October Review: Forwards<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lNA4srgkfA/TLLVCT01MJI/AAAAAAAAAqg/UBYyVLEqQS4/s1600/i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lNA4srgkfA/TLLVCT01MJI/AAAAAAAAAqg/UBYyVLEqQS4/s640/i.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-10 Player in the NHL?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Anze Kopitar (6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS, +2, 0 PIM) Grade: A</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lady Byng? Selke? Hart? The sky is the limit for Kopitar. No one has benefited more from Mike Richards than Kopi. Like Jim Fox enjoys pointing out every game, Kopi is looking to shoot from all over the ice more than he ever has in his career. He’s playing like a true #1 center. He’s leading the Kings forwards in PP, PK, ES, and overall ice-time right now. His faceoff % is up too. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Gagne and Williams will stay relatively healthy all year, if so, Kopi should set career-high’s across the board. The only thing holding him back from a perfect score from me is the blatant turnover he had against NJ at home that led directly to a goal. Can’t get that one out of my head.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Trevor Lewis (0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, +0, 2 PIM) Grade: B</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I really like what I’ve seen from Lewis this season especially on the penalty kill. He’s seems stronger on his edges this season, last year, it seemed he’d always be falling down. He’s never going to light it up but with his skating ability, Lewis should be able to chip in 10-12 goals as a bottom-six forward. While his defensive awareness makes him valuable as a center his 39% in the faceoff circle again this season may mean an eventual move to the wing (wrote this before his move to RW tonight vs SJ).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Mike Richards (2 G, 8 A, 10 PTS, -1, 7 PIM) Grade: A</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As good as advertised. His on-ice vision and playmaking ability brings me off the couch every night. His presence on the man-advantage may be the sole reason for the huge improvement this season. His combination of grit, toughness, and pure skill seem to compliment Dustin Brown’s similar game. Still not really sure what Philadelphia was thinking trading this guy but thank you so much for the gift. At a $5.75 million cap hit, he’s worth every penny.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Brad Richardson (0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, +/- 0, 4 PIM) Grade: B</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Richie had himself a breakout performance in last year’s playoff series vs. San Jose, registering 5 points in the six-game series. And while he hasn’t come close to those numbers in October, he’s become a nice bottom-six forward who provides some speed and grit. He seems to have a lot more confidence this season carrying the puck and isn’t afraid to try and create on his own.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Jarret Stoll (1 G, 2 A, 3 PTS, +/- 0, 4 PIM) Grade: B</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The acquisition of Mike Richards sent Stoll down to the third line and good on him for stepping aside. Third line center is a much better spot for Stoll. He can focus on keeping the game simple by winning faceoffs and playing a strong defensive game. Hopefully in time, he can find chemistry with Penner as #25 continues to freefall down the depth chart.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Dustin Brown (3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS, +/-0, 10 PIM) Grade: B</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Brownie is being more careful this year than he’s ever been out on the ice. Whether he’s afraid of getting fined or suspending, Brownie isn’t throwing his weight around like in year’s past. His 22 hits in October were third among Kings forwards. Even with Brownie pulling back on the hitting, he clicked early with Mike Richards who really makes all of his linemates better. Hopefully, Brown can find a compromise and ratchet up the physical play in November.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Trent Hunter (0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, -1, 0 PIM) Grade: C</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I predicted Hunter would make this team and beat Scott Parse out of a job. Hunter appeared in 5 of the 11 October games. It’s doubtful that he’ll ever reach the 20-25 goal mark like he did on the Isle playing 4<sup>th</sup> line minutes this season. He and Brad Richardson actually lead the team in Relative Corsi at +19. A nice complimentary bottom-six forward, I’d really like to see Hunter use his big frame and play the physical game more.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Scott Parse (2 G, 0 A, 2 PTS, +1, 12 PIM) Grade: C</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Call me crazy but I think this is Teddy Purcell all over again. The Kings are giving him every opportunity to prove himself even after failing to grab his spot in training camp but I just don’t see what all the hype is about. I think he’s waived/traded before the New Year. He’s got two goals in five games and that’s great but he’s got six minor penalties (the hat-trick in Dallas). He looks to be a one-dimensional player that doesn’t have enough grit to play a bottom-six role and doesn’t create enough offense to play a top-six role. His Relative Corsi is 2<sup>nd</sup> worse to Westgarth at a -10.9. This is Parse’s last real opportunity to show something (he was drafted all the way back in 2004!) before he’s passed up by the depth of the Kings farm system. If Oscar Moller were given this many second chances…don’t get me started…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Kevin Westgarth (0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, -1, 19 PIM) Grade: C+</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I respect Westgarth for the job he has to do but I’m just not a fan of the guy that sits on the end of the bench and can’t contribute to the game other than with his fists. He’s improved his skating and continues to improve all aspects of his game. His assist on Clifford’s goal in Phoenix was a thing of beauty but his Relative Corsi of -30.4 is 20 points lower than anybody on the roster. For a team looking for offense, sitting Westgarth and starting anyon else would be a start.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Justin Williams (3 G, 5 A, 8 PTS, +2, 0 PIM) Grade: A-</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I really enjoy watching J-Dub play. His finesse with the puck on his stick is unmatched on this team. I’m glad TM was smart enough to start Kopi off with Gagne and Williams because they all compliment eachother’s games nicely. Hopefully (knock on wood) this is the year that Williams can stay healthy. I’d consider another 73 games a healthy season for Williams.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Kyle Clifford (1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS, -1, 5 PIM) Grade: C</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Whether it’s the pressure ‘The Colonel’ is putting on himself to fill the void left by Wayne Simmonds departure or the fact that he wasn’t playing to make the team this year, Clifford’s game has been missing that bite that we saw from him last season. Expectations were high for Clifford after his breakout performance in last year’s postseason in which he had five points (3 G, 2 A). We forget that he’s only 20 years old so there’s still some growing pains to go thru with Clifford. I’d really like to see TM use Clifford on the man-advantage every once in a while and be that front of the net presence. I really think he would thrive in that role. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Simon Gagne (3 G, 4 A, 7 PTS, +4, 8 PIM) Grade: A-</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My choice for surprise player of the year, Gagne has been everything I expected. Crafty in the offensive zone, strong defensively, and bound to miss a few games because of maintenance. You hope like Williams, Gagne can stay relatively healthy this season and if that means missing a few games here and there to keep the legs fresh so be it. Gagne is the first left wing that could keep up with Kopitar since Michael Cammalleri back in Kopi’s first two NHL seasons; these two should play together all season long. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ethan Moreau (0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, +/- 0, 6 PIM) Grade: B+</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I really like Moreau’s game. At 36, I thought he’d be hesitant to throw his body around. Boy, was I wrong. 28 hits in October were only 2<sup>nd</sup> to defenseman Matt Greene. I don’t know about all the off-ice politics but on-the-ice he’s the perfect bottom-six forward. Great skater who sacrifices his body on every shift. He welcomed Colten Teubert to the NHL with a nice cheapshot in his NHL debut…I love it!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Dustin Penner (0 G, 1 A, -1, +/-1, 21 PIM) Grade: D+ (+ for that fight he had in Philly)</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s hard to feel bad for anyone who makes millions of dollars playing sports but I’m really starting to feel bad for Penner. He’s become the whipping boy for everything that’s wrong in the world. Unemployment, Earthquakes, Traffic…all Dustin Penner’s fault. I blame TM and DL for making this guy out to be a top-line player. Yes, he’s being paid like one but there’s a reason everyone called Kevin Lowe crazy for giving up that much to acquire Penner and then paying him that much money. Fans need to temper their expectations a bit. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The guy worked hard this offseason so you can’t question his work ethic anymore. He’s throwing his body around and while some say he doesn’t look like he’s trying; please checkout his highlights from Anaheim and Edmonton; he looks exactly the same. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He wants this to work more than anyone else and I think it wll. Right now, Penner is stationary for too long during his shifts. It takes him twice as long to get his feet moving so he should always be skating. He was never known to create much offense on his own so don’t expect him to carry guys on his back to the net like Jason Allison use to. He needs to play with a guy willing to do work in the corners to get him the puck. And Penner needs to work harder to get open in the slot. If you watch his goals in Edmonton, 90% of his goals are scored from 15 feet and in around the slot. Pairing him with Mike Richards, who can win puck battles in the corner and dish out front to Penner might just get this guy going. Or hell, go trade for Ales Hemsky who always seemed to find chemistry playing alongside Penner in Edmonton. </div><!--EndFragment-->Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-52613990196269920182011-11-03T15:36:00.000-07:002011-11-03T15:36:43.308-07:00October Review: Goaltenders & Defense<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipXV6ywF0Cw/S-H1vggTsxI/AAAAAAAAAe0/dnlRLdPMRVU/s1600/Doughty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipXV6ywF0Cw/S-H1vggTsxI/AAAAAAAAAe0/dnlRLdPMRVU/s400/Doughty.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The $56-million man?!?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Terry Murray (6-3-2, 2.36 GF/G, 1.91 GA/G, 22.5 PP%, 86.1 PK%) Grade: C</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">I only grade TM because I hated his decision to start Bernier vs. New Jersey. I heard his explanation and still disagree. I understand that he wanted Quick against the two division rivals but Quick and the Kings were on an absolute roll. I’m a big believer in momentum and without a doubt the Kings had it. The Kings played their worst game of the season in front of Bernier and got shutout by New Jersey.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Jonathan Quick (6-1-2, 1.52 GAA, .947 SV%, 3 SO) Grade: A</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Quick has been outstanding for the Kings in the first month of the season. Three consecutive shutouts earned him a Player of The Week honor already. But don’t get too excited yet because Quick started off hot last October (7-1-0, 1.84 GAA, .936) only to never reach those numbers again for the rest of the season. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Jonathan Bernier (0-2-0, 3.55 GAA, .857 SV%, 0 SO) Grade: C</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought Bernier looked shaky during training camp but how much can you rely on practice drills. The defense hasn’t done much to help Bernier in his two losses but there’s really no excuse for giving up seven goals on 49 shots. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Drew Doughty (0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS, -2, 4 PIM) Grade: C-</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/10/season-preview-time.html">The $56-million man was my pick for this season’s whippingboy</a>. When I saw him get hit by Zac Rinaldo in the open-ice, I immediately said that Doughty rolls/spins off that check in the past. He sat out all of training camp and the pre-season and his timing hasn’t been there and he got hammered. No doubt he's playing big minutes for the Kings but for $7-million a season I want to see a Bobby Orr like performance every night. I can only cross my fingers and hope Doughty catches up sooner than later.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Davis Drewiske (0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, +0, 0 PIM) Grade: Inc.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Drewiske dressed for one game this season vs. Philadelphia. A nice fit as a 7<sup>th</sup> depth defenseman, there’s no doubt he was feeling the heat during Voynov’s brief stint.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Matt Greene (0 G, 0 A, 2 PTS, -3, 10 PIM) Grade: B+</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Greener trails only Mitchell in penalty kill ice-time. He continues to play the tough and physical game that’s made him a fan-favorite in L.A. With that said, I always hold my breath when he steps up on a forward who’s dumped the puck in but surprisingly, Greener has been yet to be called for interference this season. Oh and he took another puck to the face. Warrior!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Jack Johnson (3 G, 2 A, 5 PTS, +2, 4 PIM) Grade: A-</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/05/2010-11-season-review-jack-johnson.html">Nobody was tougher on JJ than me last season</a>. But at 24, his game is still evolving. While he’s made some blatant turnovers this season, Quick has bailed him out. What excites me the most about the JJ this season is his play on the man-advantage. His insistence on going to the net on the man-advantage is something I’ve been asking for ever since our power play went into the dumps. His three game winning goals is a nice reward for a strong start.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Alec Martinez (0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -4, 0 PIM) Grade: B-</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Alec was a pleasant surprise last season mostly for his ability to get shots to the net. His 19 shots on goal this season are tied with JJ for most from the blueline through the first month of the season. With that said, his defensive zone play has struggled at times this season. The emergence of Voynov could bump Martinez down into a depth role sooner rather than later.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Willie Mitchell (0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS, +2, 2 PIM) Grade: B</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mitchell has been steady again this season. Nothing flashy but continues to play tough minutes against other team’s top lines. Once again, he leads the team in ice-time on the penalty kill, averaging 3:24 a game.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Rob Scuderi (0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, +4, 2 PIM) Grade: B</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">I tend to write the same thing about Scuds. He doesn’t do anything that stands out but he’s about as consistent as they come. The ideal stay-at-home defenseman, Scuds is absolutely no threat on offense.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Slava Voynov ( 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS, +3, 0 PIM) Grade: A</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Voynov’s status with the Kings has been of the most debated topics over the past couple of seasons. After two all-star seasons in the AHL, the looming threat of Voynov heading for the KHL, Voynov finally got his chance in the NHL. Terry Murray gave him every chance to succeed, VV averaging over 20 minutes of ice-time and over three minutes on the man-advantage during his five games. A very special-talent, it’s a guarantee we’ll be seeing more of him before the season’s over.</div><!--EndFragment-->Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-13223086722176473442011-10-06T14:52:00.000-07:002011-10-06T14:53:12.791-07:00Prediction Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjAEmET9faI/To4fJDTvQrI/AAAAAAAABBY/rKhibv4X-Kk/s1600/1993_team_photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjAEmET9faI/To4fJDTvQrI/AAAAAAAABBY/rKhibv4X-Kk/s640/1993_team_photo.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan The Parade Now...Kings Are Winning The Cup</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
With the season only a few hours away, here are my predictions for the 2011-12 season...<br />
<br />
<b>EASTERN CONFERENCE</b><br />
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Atlantic, 1st): <i>Malkin wins the Art Ross.</i><br />
2. Washington Capitals (Southeast, 1st): <i>Ovechkin scores 53 goals.</i><br />
3. Boston Bruins (Northeast, 1st): <i>Tuuka Rask is starting by January.</i><br />
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (Southeast, 2nd): <i>Roloson's wheels fall off.</i><br />
5. Philadelph Flyers (Atlantic, 2nd): <i>Giroux makes fans forget about Richards/Carter.</i><br />
6. N.Y. Rangers (Atlantic, 3rd): <i>Richards flops on Broadway.</i><br />
7. Buffalo Sabres (Northeast, 2nd): <i>Miller wins the Vezina.</i><br />
8. New Jersey Devils (Atlantic, 4th): <i>Kovalchuk scores 50 and Parise stays.</i><br />
<br />
9. Montreal Canadiens (Northeast, 3rd)<br />
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (Northeast, 4th)<br />
11. Carolina Hurricanes (Southeast, 3rd)<br />
12. Winnipeg Jets (Southeast, 4th)<br />
13. New York Islanders (Atlantic, 5th)<br />
14. Ottawa Senators (Northeast, 5th)<br />
15. Florida Panthers (Southeast, 5th)<br />
<br />
<b>WESTERN CONFERENCE</b><br />
1. Vancouver Canucks (Northwest, 1st): <i>Luongo dominates the regular season only to fail in the postseason.</i><br />
2. Detroit Red Wings (Central, 1st): <i>Wings transition from Rafalski to White goes without a hitch.</i><br />
3. Los Angeles Kings (Pacific, 1st): <i>Doughty wins the Norris.</i><br />
4. San Jose Sharks (Pacific, 2nd): <i>Havlat misses 40+ games.</i><br />
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Central, 2nd): <i>Crawford stumbles Emery takes over the net.</i><br />
6. Anaheim Ducks (Pacific, 3rd): <i>Selanne is finally slowed by injuries and misses 40+ games.</i><br />
7. St. Louis Blues (Central, 3rd): <i>Halak finds his game and the Blues young forwards all mature.</i><br />
8. Colorado Avalanche (Northwest, 2nd): <i>Avs get average defense and outstanding goaltending from Varlamov to sneak into the postseason.</i><br />
<br />
9. Columbus Blue Jackets (Central, 4th)<br />
10. Nashville Predators (Central, 5th)<br />
11. Calgary Flames (Northwest, 3rd)<br />
12. Edmonton Oilers (Northwest, 4th)<br />
13. Minnesota Wild (Northwest, 5th)<br />
14. Dallas Stars (Pacific, 4th)<br />
15. Phoenix Coyotes (Pacific, 5th)<br />
<br />
<b>Eastern Conference Finals</b><br />
Washington Capitals over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Seven Games<br />
<blockquote><i>The Caps have added some much needed grit by acquiring forwards Joel Ward and Troy Brouwer. Tomas Vokoun will thrive being back in the spotlight of the postseason. And stars Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green will take the necessary steps in the postseason to push the Caps over the top and into the Cup Finals. </i></blockquote><b>Western Conference Finals</b><br />
Los Angeles Kings over the Vancouver Canucks in Six Games<br />
<blockquote><i>Over the past few seasons the Kings have built their identity on goaltending and strong defensive play while ignoring their offensive deficiencies. DL finally acknowledged the team's anemic offense by acquiring two top-six forwards in Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. If the Kings forwards can stay healthy, they'll give Vancouver all they can handle and may just run Roberto Luongo out of town.</i></blockquote><b>Stanley Cup Finals</b><br />
Los Angeles Kings over the Washington Capitals in Seven Games<br />
<blockquote><i>I like the Caps to win the Cup in this matchup but if I've got the Kings advancing all the way to the Cup; they've got to win it all, right? <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2011/story/_/id/7065374/2011-12-nhl-preview-10-questions-new-season">If the Kings can acquire Zach Parise like many 'experts' are already speculating then the Kings would have to be heavy favorites</a>. I think the Kings and Caps matchup well. The Kings defense first system will stifle the Caps dynamic forwards. The Kopitar-Richards combination will outplay Backstrom-Laich. And Drew Doughty will show everyone that he was worth every penny by winning the Conn Smythe Award for shutting down Ovechkin all series long.</i></blockquote>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-1705812369685028392011-10-05T13:08:00.000-07:002011-10-05T13:08:21.520-07:00Season Preview Time!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5361574156/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drew Doughty by cikiri, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Drew Doughty" height="457" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5361574156_581d418be0_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;">My #1 Whipping Boy For the 2011-12 Season</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;">If you haven't read it yet, check out <a href="http://theroyalhalf.com/2011-articles/october/season-preview-expert-analysis.html">The Royal Half's season preview</a>. A blogger roundtable of sorts on the upcoming season. I submitted my answers to Chris Kontos about a month ago so I'm going to update a few of my answers regarding the team...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>Who will be the leading scorer for the Kings this season and why?</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">Mike Richards. I’m not convinced that Kopi is 100% recovered from his broken right ankle. Richards is more than capable of putting together another 75-80 point campaign. Pairing Richards with Simon Gagne should be a no-brainer for TM and hopefully both players can regain their 2008-09 form, which saw them combine for 64 goals, 90 assists, a +42 rating and 58 points on the man-advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><b>UPDATE</b>: After actually catching a couple exhibition games, I think Kopitar is fine and he will indeed lead the Kings in scoring. Putting up career-high's across the board. I'm thinking 90+ points this season.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Who will be the whipping boy for the Kings this season and why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">Drew Doughty. Regardless of whether he signs tomorrow, sits out the first week of camp, or the first month of the season. I don’t care if he’s pissed that DL traded his bosom buddy away or whether he thinks he’s the next Bobby Orr. Bottom line: He followed up his Norris-candidate/Olympic Gold Medal performance season with a very mediocre 2010-11 season that shouldn’t merit half of what Kopitar’s making. He’ll get his money eventually. I just hope he’s training hard and not sitting on his couch playing NHL 12 on his XBOX. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><b>UPDATE</b>: Well, as you know Doughty is signed but I'm not changing my answer. Missing all of training camp is a big deal regardless of what the players say. At $7 million a season, Doughty is the third-highest paid defenseman in the league at 21 years old; 5 years younger than the highest-paid blueliner Shea Weber. Let's keep our fingers crossed, he's more Weber than Brian Campbell. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Who will you miss most... Michal Handzus, Wayne Simmonds or Brayden Schenn? And why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">As a fan, I’m going to miss Simmer. I drove the Simmer bandwagon ever since his first development camp back in 2007. I’ve got his Owen Sound Attack game-worn jersey collecting dust in my closet to prove it. It’s tough to see one of Dean Lombardi first homegrown picks get dealt away but I’m sure I’ll get over it when I’m rioting on Chick Hearn Court after the Kings hoist the Cup this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">If I’m Terry Murray or Jamie Kompon or the pet monkey that draws up the Kings power play, I think the Kings will miss Handzus and Smyth the most. Zeus & Smitty were two of the only Kings willing to stand in front of the net and I’m not sure who will fill that role now. Penner would be the obvious choice but he plays more like a 5’9 sniper than the 6’4 behemoth that he is.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Will Terry Murray be the coach of this team come December?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">Yes. TM’s system works. But I wouldn’t be opposed to John Stevens and Terry Murray switching roles at some point during the season. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Who do you think will be the biggest surprise on the Kings team this season?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">Simon Gagne. It feels like he’s been playing forever but he’s still only 31 years old. After a slow start, there weren’t many players that had a better second-half than Gagne last season. He posted 27 points (8 goals, 19 assists), a +7 rating, and 10 points on the man-advantage in 27 games after the All-Star break. If he can stay healthy and play alongside Richards all season, he could easily reach 30+ goals and 70+ points.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>UPDATE</b>: My numbers may have been a bit generous considering that Gagne will have to play under Terry Murray's system which seems to put a wet blanket on top of any offensive creativity. I'm sticking with Gagne but I'll temper expectations and say 25+ goals and 65+ points assuming he stay's healthy.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Quick or Bernier... who you got? And why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: inherit;">Quick. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/04/2010-11-season-review-goaltending.html">Read mygoaltender review blog post</a>. Call me crazy but I think Martin Jones might be the best of the bunch. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Which player on the Kings would you most like to have a beer with and why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">I don’t drink but based on some photos floating around the interweb, it looks like Mike Richards knows how to have a good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>What is the biggest misconception of the Los Angeles-Based Hockey Fan?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">That we’re ‘fair weather fans’ like all other L.A.-based sports fans. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Just a few short years ago, Kings fans were spending their hard earned cash to watch a team contending for the first-pick overall, a Kings team that played 11 different goalies over two seasons: Garon, Burke, Cloutier, Brust, Fukufuji, LaBarbera, Ersberg, Aubin, Quick, Bernier, and Taylor. We’re as passionate a fan base as they come. We’ve waited long enough. Now’s our time. It’s got to be!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Where are the Kings going to finish in the Pacific? In the Western Conference?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">First in the Pacific. Third in West. With the acquisition of Mike Richards, the Kings are my favorites to win the division. A team’s success can always be traced back to their top two centers and/or their goaltending. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">Here’s how I project the West based solely on top-two centers and goaltending:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">1. Canucks: H. Sedin/Kesler – Luongo/Schneider<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">2. Red Wings: Datsyuk/Zetterberg – Howard/Conklin<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">3. Kings: Kopitar/Richards - Quick/Bernier<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">4. Sharks: Thornton/Pavelski – Niemi/Nittymaki <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">5. Blackhawks: Toews/Sharp – Crawford/Emery<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">6. Ducks: Getzlaf/Koivu - Hiller/Ellis <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">7. Blues: Backes/Berglund - Halak/Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">8. Avalanche: Duchene/Stastny – Varlamov/Giguere<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">9. Blue Jackets- Carter/Umberger - Mason/Sanford<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">10. Predators: Fisher/Legwand – Rinne/Lindback<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">11. Flames: Jokinen/Stajan - Kiprusoff/Karlsson<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">12. Oilers: Gagner/Eberle – Khabibulin/Dubnyk<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">13. Wild- Koivu/Cullen – Backstrom/Harding<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">14. Stars: Ribeiro/Ott - Lehtonen/Raycroft <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: inherit;">15. Coyotes: Hanzal/Turris – LaBarbera/Smith</span></div>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-32327399863932272702011-08-21T02:50:00.000-07:002011-08-21T02:51:17.700-07:00Ethan Moreau?...Sure Why Not<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAa0fyhIRf4/TlDShaPbLhI/AAAAAAAAAtM/8Jz9SSWejrU/s1600/Moreau.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAa0fyhIRf4/TlDShaPbLhI/AAAAAAAAAtM/8Jz9SSWejrU/s640/Moreau.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan Moreau's So Excited To Be A King He Got A Haircut </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ethan Moreau and the Kings will always be linked via Wayne Gretzky's trade to Los Angeles. Moreau was the final link to "The Trade." You can break out your media guides or <a href="http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=8899">check out this link to follow all the transactions thru the years</a>. <br />
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Ethan Moreau was one of the most heralded third-line checkers in the NHL after Edmonton's improbable run to the 2006 Cup Final (along with current Kings Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene). But at 35 years old, Moreau is a shadow of his former-self and a walking band-aid. He missed 43 games last season with a laundry list of injuries: broken hand, rib injury, and bruised foot. Moreau was plucked off of waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets after the Oilers attempted to dump his $1.75 million salary on some unsuspecting victim. The Jackets bit.<br />
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Jackets fans didn't have much to be excited about going into the 2010-11 season but they were confident that their third-line of Moreau, Sammy Pahlsson, and Chris Clark would be one of the best in the league. <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/04/13/young-talent-old-problems.html">Unfortunately, they were a huge disappointment</a>. <br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>With a price tag of $7.2 million, those three combined for 13 goals, 28 assists and a minus-25 rating. Moreau and Clark combined to miss 74 games because of injuries or as healthy scratches.</i></span></blockquote>If Moreau can stay healthy, he'll be everything Terry Murray wants from a fourth-line player. A good skater who plays defense first, will throw some big hits, and block some shots. Expect some grit and toughness but don't expect him to generate much offense this season for the Kings. His -18.78 CORSI rating was worst among Blue Jackets forwards last season. To put that into perspective, Michal Handzus -6.75 CORSI rating was the lowest amongst Kings forwards. Two years ago with the Oilers, Moreau also had a team worst -22.99 CORSI rating.<br />
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During his career, Moreau has always been lined up against other team's top lines but numbers show he's lost most of his effectiveness as a shutdown forward. Last season, Moreau averaged 1.8 penalties taken per 60 minutes which led Columbus. Kevin Westgarth led the Kings with 1.8 penalties/60 also. Ironically enough, Moreau could be battling Westgarth for that fourth-line left wing spot all season long. <br />
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I was hoping Dwight King would get a shot on the Kings fourth-line this year but I like the signing of Moreau for $600,000. There's no doubt he's a true professional (<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zS7DMyv6JYM/Stj2qI2hTQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/PI9A_UHFTJQ/s1600/hockey1-13175-aa.jpg">although, I really hope he regrets posing for this photo</a>) who's going to bring another veteran presence to the locker room. He'll help continue to develop some of the Kings young bottom-six forwards like Clifford, Lewis, and Richardson. Whether or not he can play 60-70 games is a big question but Moreau's true value will come off-the-ice and in the locker room. Now, let's sign Drew and get this season started.<br />
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Moreau's had his run-ins with the Kings over the years...<br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bY9nIA340ZQ" width="480"></iframe></center>Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-37016680041348369212011-06-28T18:09:00.000-07:002011-06-28T18:09:16.949-07:00Don't Cry: Thanks For The Memories Smytty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMKog_k8k7k/Tgp3TjTxduI/AAAAAAAAAtI/bGmbYTC4n3g/s1600/smyth_crying_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMKog_k8k7k/Tgp3TjTxduI/AAAAAAAAAtI/bGmbYTC4n3g/s640/smyth_crying_640.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sad Smytty's gone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=desNNUzLjZg">No tearful farewell</a>. <a href="http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f4/ryan_smyth_traded_oilers_colin_fraser-287277.html">Just a bunch of rumors</a>. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=edmjour-ca-4977570">A denial</a>. <a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/41003-Kings-working-on-Ryan-Smyth-trade-Flames-interested.html">Some awkward negotiations</a>. <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/06/26/smyth-traded-to-oilers-yes-really/">And finally, #94 was gone</a>.<br />
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Smytty put DL and the Kings in a tough spot. Demanding a trade is hard enough for a GM. Requesting a trade to only one team is nearly impossible. Give DL credit for accommodating Smyth and his family. Hopefully, players around the league take notice that the Kings organization does have some class after all.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtMrBzVLHCc/Tgp2IYwHE-I/AAAAAAAAAtE/rw-K-DxwphM/s1600/6a00e54f2f71c18833011570df61bf970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtMrBzVLHCc/Tgp2IYwHE-I/AAAAAAAAAtE/rw-K-DxwphM/s640/6a00e54f2f71c18833011570df61bf970c-800wi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone was all smiles a couple years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was ecstatic when the Kings acquired Ryan Smyth two years ago from Colorado. I knew on July 3, 2009 that the Kings were beginning to transition from rebuilding to contending. The fact, that DL was willing to absorb a $6.25 million cap hit for the next three seasons said alot. Sure enough, Smyth was as-advertised if not better. His veteran leadership and presence in front of the net was something that the Kings sorely needed. His 45 goals over the last two seasons was third to only Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown (4th, if you include Dustin Penner's goals in EDM). His 20 power-play goals over the past two seasons is tied for the team-high with Kopi. Oh. And don't forget the Kings made the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. <br />
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<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/20/sports/la-sp-kings-20110621">Then out of left field, Smytty wants out and word is that the Kings would be willing to move Smytty for 'mid-range draft pick'</a>. Smytty's $6.25 million cap hit is a tough contract for any team to take on but his value to the Kings was absolutely worth more than a draft pick (or so I thought). Even if the Kings were to clear his contract off the books; there's not many UFA left wingers that could provide the type of production that Smyth has brought over the past two seasons. <br />
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In the end, <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/06/24/smyth-for-brule-and-draft-pick/">the Kings acquired Gilbert Brule and a fourth-round pick</a> and I was genuinely excited. I'm a sucker for young talent and prospects. Still only 24, Brule has had an up-and-down pro career marred by injuries. <a href="http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2011/05/23/rear-view-mirror-gilbert-brule-in-2010-11/">He showed signs of life in 2009-10 before completely falling flat on his face last season</a>. At a $1.85 million cap hit, the price was steep but the upside is still there. If he were able to play 70 plus games; Brule could have been a productive third-line player with second-line upside. Unfortunately, he's not healthy but he is a good person. <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/06/25/lombardi-talks-about-smyth-trade-breakdown/">Although, it saddens me to read that the Kings had no intentions of keeping Mr. Brule</a>.<br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aeqp87nR6Jk" width="560"></iframe></center><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/4449431171/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Colin Fraser by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Colin Fraser" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4449431171_62da4beeb0_z.jpg" width="266" /></a>So instead, the <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/06/26/lombardi-smyth-trade-probably-harder-than-making-the-gretzky-deal/#more-15365">Kings got a healthy Colin Fraser</a>. <a href="http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2011/05/01/rear-view-mirror-colin-fraser-in-2010-11/">Who by all accounts will probably be as much of an offensive threat as a concussed Gilbert Brule</a>. Fraser comes with a cap hit of $825K and the pick went from a 4th to a 7th. So you could say the difference in value from a 4th to 7th round pick is roughly a million bucks. While most Kings fans expected Fraser to be bought out, DL says Fraser will get an opportunity to compete for a spot, presumably a 4th-line role. <a href="http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2011/05/01/rear-view-mirror-colin-fraser-in-2010-11/">He's a defense-first forward and is serviceable in that role.</a><br />
<blockquote><i>"...Colin Fraser was hardly a non-participant. That his best skill, shot blocking, is one that neutralizes the opposition as opposed to initiating something positive in and of itself, is something of a tell."</i></blockquote>Don't get me wrong. DL filled a huge hole acquiring Mike Richards as the Kings #2 center but the departure of Smyth now leaves a gaping hole on the left wing. Colin Fraser won't be potting 20 goals anytime soon. Or leading the Kings in power-play goals. I don't know where the Kings look to fill the void left by Smyth. The Kings will lean on players already on the roster. Yes. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/04/curious-case-of-dustin-penner.html">That means Dustin Penner</a>. Yes. That means Scott Parse. Unfortunately, I'm not sold on either. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-plea-to-dean-lombardi-get-kariya.html">Paul Kariya anyone</a>?Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-1592990855446215462011-06-25T01:51:00.000-07:002011-06-25T01:54:11.681-07:00How The Heck Did We Get Mike Richards?!<center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAO3xP7vjSo/TgWgWbsbviI/AAAAAAAAAs8/ED4tIy5RbW4/s1600/Richards3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAO3xP7vjSo/TgWgWbsbviI/AAAAAAAAAs8/ED4tIy5RbW4/s640/Richards3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Richards Is A KING?!?! Yeah...I'll Drink To That</td></tr>
</tbody></table></center><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember when it was rumored that the <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2010/02/vinny-lecavalier.html">Kings might be after Vinny Lecavalier back in February 2010</a>? I said this.</span></div><blockquote style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Take a look at recent Stanley Cup Winners. In addition to great goaltending; every team's had a great 1A/1B center combination. Penguins with Crosby/Malkin, Red Wings with Datsyuk/Zetterberg, Hurricanes with Brind'Amour/Staal, Lightning with Lecavalier/Richards.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>As much as I love Jarret Stoll; he's not in the same-class as any of those players. Some would argue that Brayden Schenn could be that player but I'm not sure the Kings are prepared to wait 3-4 years to find out. </i></span></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then remember when the <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2011/01/same-old-kings.html">Kings were struggling in January this season and I said this</a>. </span></div><blockquote style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>DL will wait for a full season of Brayden Schenn before he even considers making a move for an impact player. Schenn will play next season as a 20-year old. <b> A lot of ‘experts’ compare Schenn to Philadelphia’s Mike Richards especially after his breakout performance at the 2011 WJC. Keep this in mind, Richards also debuted for the Flyers as a 20 year old. His breakout year came three years later when he scored 75 points in 73 games. Just saying. Four more years is a longtime to wait.</b></i></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, I guess DL agreed that the Kings needed a legit #2 center and just couldn't wait those four years for Schenn to develop. Instead, he dealt Schenn for the 26-year old Flyers captain. I have to type that again. Dean Lombardi <a href="http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/06/23/report-mike-richards-to-kings/">traded prized prospect Brayden Schenn along with Wayne Simmonds and 2012 second-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for Mike Richards</a>. </span><br />
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My first reaction was, "We got Mike Richards?!" My next reaction was, "Has Philly lost their mind?"<br />
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I was under the impression that Philly had signed Richards and Jeff Carter to long-term deals to watch them finish their careers in Philly. Based on Flyers GM Paul Holmgren's reactions to the deal, I would say he was under the same impression as well.<br />
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<center><embed allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#ffffff" flashvars="v=http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/PDK/CSN/csnphi/vars.txt&releaseURL=http://link.theplatform.com/s/-/c28u0JDrngPOBUUpIVqMGzwdEuqy6qIV?MBR=true&zone=video_home&playerURL=www.csnphilly.com/pages/video_v3?PID=c28u0JDrngPOBUUpIVqMGzwdEuqy6qIV&embeddedPlayerHTML=%3CEMBED+SRC%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2Fweb%2Fswf%2FflvPlayer.swf%22+flashvars%3D%22v%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnphilly.com%2Fcommon%2FthePlatform%2FPDK%2FCSN%2Fcsnphi%2Fvars.txt%26releaseURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Flink.theplatform.com%2Fs%2F-%2F%7BreleasePID%7D%3FMBR%3Dtrue%26zone%3Dvideo_home%26playerURL%3Dwww.csnphilly.com%2Fpages%2Fvideo_v3%3FPID%3D%7BreleasePID%7D%22+height%3D%22378%22+width%3D%22640%22+type%3D%22application%2Fx-shockwave-flash%22+allowFullScreen%3D%22true%22+bgcolor%3D%22%23ffffff%22%3E%3C%2FEMBED%3E" height="378" src="http://www.csnphilly.com/common/thePlatform/web/swf/flvPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640"></embed></center><br />
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Holmgren certainly didn't sound like a GM who was happy that he just dealt his team's captain and two players that he'd signed to a combined 23-years worth $127 million. With that said, the pair of trades are directly linked to the Flyers acquisition of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. The trio of moves seems to have the fingerprints of Flyers chairman Ed Snider all over it. A man who witnessed Bernie Parent backstop his Flyers to consecutive Cups in 1974 and 1975. Snider vowed the Flyers would fix their goaltending issues after being swept in the Conference Semi-finals by the Boston Bruins. A series which saw the Flyers tie an NHL record with seven in-game goalie changes. The Flyers goaltending carousel also failed to record a shutout all season.<br />
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Was Snider upset with his captain? Perhaps. Snider anointed Richards the 17th captain in franchise history for the start of the 2008-09 season. Richards scored a career-high 80 points but has failed to reach 70 points in each of the last two seasons. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Flyers-captain-Mike-Richards-vs-the-Philadelphi?urn=nhl-197842">Mike Richards relationship with the Philadelphia media has been well-documented for years now</a>. As well as some of his antics off the ice. It looks as though Snider got tired of the act and wanted a major shakeup. Mission accomplished. I would like to personally thank Mr. Snider for being one of the most proactive owners in hockey. I would also like to thank the inabilities of Sergei Brobrovsky, Brian Boucher, and Michael Leighton to stop a puck in the postseason. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6697758">I would also like to thank Rich Winter, agent of Ilya Bryzgalov for getting his client a ridiculous 9-year, $51-million contract</a>. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Welcome to L.A. Mike Richards!Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-25634409725701392102011-06-17T12:49:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:49:59.371-07:002010-11 Season Review: Michal Handzus<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5010696188/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Michal Handzus by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Michal Handzus" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5010696188_b101748f8c_z.jpg" width="457" /></a><b>Michal Handzus</b><br />
<b>2010-11 Stats: </b>82 GP, 12 G, 18 A, 30 PTS, -5, 10 PPP, 20 PIM<b> </b><b> </b><br />
<b>UFA this summer</b><br />
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<a href="http://video.kings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=731&id=97772">Zeus is serious. And experienced. And this is undisputed</a>. Zeus may be one of the most overpaid players in the league at $4-million a season but he's been invaluable to the Kings over the past three seasons (he was pretty dreadful in his first year year). About as reliable as your 1991 Honda Civic, Zeus has only missed ONE game during his four seasons in Los Angeles. Considering the Kings history with signing oft-injured free-agent forwards, Zeus has been a huge success.<br />
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His ability to play up or down in the lineup and in all situations makes him extremely valuable. Zeus didn an admirable job filling in for Kopitar down the stretch and in the playoffs. He led all Kings in PK ice-time during the regular season with 2:24 which jumped up to 3:33 in the postseason. His 10 points on the man-advantage ranked 6th amongst Kings forwards during the regular season.<br />
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Watching Zeus kill penalties is poetry in motion. Maybe it's his lack of foot speed but watching him struggle to skate back and forth to cover the points and then poke the puck off a d-mans stick with his long reach or lay down and block a shot is pure awesomeness. It's no wonder Zeus has led all Kings forwards in blocked shots in each of the last four seasons. There's no question the guy is giving it his all every single night.<br />
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Alot of fans feel ike Zeus's time in L.A. is over and it may very well be. With Brayden Schenn looking to center the second line next season. Trevor Lewis may be ready to replace Zeus as a jack of all trades although his 39.2% in the faceoff circle is a far cry from Handzus's 51.7%. Having Zeus around to mentor Lewis and Schenn for another season or two might not be such a bad thing.<br />
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<b>FINAL GRADE: B+;</b> Yes. Zeus looks like he skates with cement blocks tied to his skates. Yes. $4-million a year for a guy that's averaged only 14 goals a season during his tenure as a King was way too rich. Yes. Zeus has some of the best hair in the NHL. Yes. Zeus's ability to win faceoffs leaves alot to be desired. With all that said...The Kings need to seriously consider bringing Zeus back for at least one more season. If the Kings can lock up Zeus on a one or two year deal at $2 million per; DL needs to consider it. Otherwise, thanks for the memories Zeus. Your hair will be missed.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-42215710054600125842011-06-16T18:00:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:50:26.535-07:002010-11 Season Review: Rob Scuderi<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5360971041/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Rob Scuderi by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Rob Scuderi" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5360971041_8fb5f83e8b_z.jpg" width="457" /></a><b>Rob Scuderi</b><br />
<b>2010-11 Stats: </b>82 GP, 2 G, 13 A, 15 PTS, +1, 0 PPP, 16 PIM<b> </b><b> </b><br />
<b>Signed thru 2012-13; $3.4 million</b><br />
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<b> </b>What a year for Rob Scuderi. He set a career-high in goals with...two. All kidding aside, Scuderi had himself a solid second year in L.A. Scuds and JJ were the only two Kings defenseman to appear in all 82 games this season. <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2010/05/2009-10-season-review-defense.html">Here's what I wrote about Scuds in the 2009-10 season review...</a><br />
<blockquote><i>Scuds is an interesting one; $3.4 million for 0 goals and 11 assists sounds crazy but that’s the price the market dictated last July. Scuds was as-advertised. A solid stay-at-home defenseman. Nothing more. Nothing Less. He's just a hard-working minutes cruncher that won’t put your team in danger. </i></blockquote>In a nutshell, that pretty much sums up Scuderi's 2010-11 season also. He doesn't do anything flashy but plays a simple game based on positioning that makes him invaluable to the Kings. Adding Mitchell to the fold helped take some of the pressure of Scuderi to constantly play the big minutes against other team's top lines and power play units.<br />
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A bit alarming to some was Scuderi's +/- rating dip from a +16 to +1. A significant drop off considering that the Kings goal differential stayed relatively the same from last season. Scuderi's ice-time increased from just over 19 minutes to 20 minutes per game, his penalty-kill time increase slightly, and his quality of competition rating rose slightly. It appears that two factors played a role in his +/- rating drop. The first seems to be Scuderi's increase in giveaways this season which rose from 33 to 59 (his takeaways dropped from 23 to 22). His giveaway to takeaway ratio rose from 1.43 to 2.6, the only Kings defenseman that saw a significant increase.<br />
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Another difference this season appears to be Scuderi's quality of teammates. <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=34&s=12&f1=2008_s&f2=5v5&f4=D&f5=PIT&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+11+12+13+14+15+16+29+30+31+32+33+34">His QUALTEAM rating dropped from .163 which to -.088 this past season</a>. For a player like Scuderi who isn't much of a threat to create offense on his own, his +/- rating relies heavily on the production of his linemates. Last year's +16 rating was likely a product of Drew Doughty's career year.<br />
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<b>FINAL GRADE: B;</b> I'd love to see Scuds play more physical but even more than that...I want to see Scuds shoot the puck. His insistence on sending the puck around the boards and not even fake a shot is frustrating to watch sometimes. A dominant cycle for 20 seconds will lead to a pass to the point where Scuds will pass up the shot to flip the puck back into a corner. Scuderi does so many things well in the defensive zone it's hard to fault his lack of offense.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-46243037881552955212011-06-16T15:20:00.000-07:002011-06-16T15:20:53.875-07:002010-11 Season Review: Willie Mitchell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5360915919/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Willie Mitchell by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Willie Mitchell" height="457" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5360915919_414cf71c20_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Willie Mitchell</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2010-11 Stats: </b>57 GP, 5 G, 5 A, 10 PTS, +4, 0 PPP, 21 PIM<b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Signed thru 2011-12; $3.5 million</b></div><br />
Leave it to Dean Lombardi and the Kings to sign a player who missed the last 34 regular season games and all 12 playoff games of the 2009-10 season because of a concussion to a two-year contract. The pessimist that lives in all Kings fans thought this signing could easily follow in the footsteps of such blockbuster flops as Valeri Bure and Alyn McCauley. The Kings may have been the only team to offer Willie Mitchell a two-year contract and I don't think DL could be any happier with how his big free-agent acquisition worked out this past season.<br />
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<a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2010/08/welcome-to-la-willie.html">I loved Willie Mitchell's game but had some reservations about his health going into training camp</a>. After watching a full-season of Willie, I'm convinced that Mitchell is indeed a 33-year old version of Sean O'Donnell. He brings nearly all the same tools: leadership, grit, toughness, and an inability to handle the puck with any confidence. Mitchell doesn't hit much but positions himself well to make the simple play in his own zone.<br />
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Much in the same way Rob Scuderi helped the blueline last year, Mitchell provided more of the same. A veteran presence who focuses on defense first, keeps the game simple, and does all the little things that help win hockey games. Mitchell and Scuderi serve as the safety nets to Doughty and Johnson's high-risk, high-reward offensive games. TM leaned on Mitchell to play big minutes against other team's top lines and easily became the Kings #1 penalty killer. Mitchell averaged over 21 minutes of ice-time per game (and over 24 minutes in the playoffs) and led the team averaging 3:24 of ice-time on the penalty kill. <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=20&s=11&f1=2010_s&f2=5v5&f5=L.A&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18+19+20#">Mitchell's quality of competition rating of .086 led the team</a>, which reiterates the thought that Michell played against other team's top players on a nightly basis.<br />
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<b>FINAL GRADE: B+</b>; Mitchell's concussion looks to be a thing of the past but a broken wrist and lower-body injury still cost him 25 games this season. While DL has struck out with most of his forward free agent acquisitions during his tenure in Los Angeles; he's done well adding Scuderi and Mitchell to the blueline over the past two summers. Mitchell is another solid veteran added to a young group still trying to find it's identity. It's no coincidence that the Kings saw their goals allowed per game drop (2.57 GA/G to 2.39 GA/G) and their penalty kill percentage rise (80.3% to 85.5%) this past season.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-37700894461267704472011-06-14T16:05:00.000-07:002011-06-14T16:05:39.131-07:002010-11 Season Review: Alec Martinez<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5360955625/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Alec Martinez by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Alec Martinez" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5360955625_fe150cd25d_z.jpg" width="457" /></a><b>Alec Martinez</b><b> </b><br />
<b>2010-11 Stats: </b>60 GP, 5 G, 11 A, 16 PTS, +11, 5 PPP, 18 PIM<b> </b><b> </b><br />
<b>RFA this summer</b><br />
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While Dean Lombardi may have blown the 2007 NHL Draft by selecting Thomas Hickey #4 overall; he grabbed another puck-moving defenseman in the 4th round that has already had an impact in the NHL. Alec Martinez started the 2009-10 season with the Kings but looked so uncomfortable in his first four NHL games that the Kings were forced to send him down. The pace and speed of the game seemed to overwhelm the 22-year old defenseman.<br />
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Fast forward a year later, Alec Martinez got the call in late-November and didn't look back. He quickly became the third puck-moving defenseman on the Kings blueline and became a reliable contributor on the Kings second power-play unit. Martinez's knack for getting shots thru to the net is what made him so valuable this season. He attempted 112 shots on net with 74 of them reaching target. Of the Kings six regular blueliners; Martinez's 66% was the highest. His five power play points in 60 games was the third highest total behind Doughty and Johnson (whether that's an accomplishment or warning...i'll let you decide).<br />
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When you see Martinez skate with his somewhat upright stride and head always up; you can see a bit of Scott Niedermayer/Brian Rafalski. You can tell that three years at Miami University (Ohio) and two years in the AHL have helped develop his game. His decision making in the defensive zone and knowledge of when to make the simple play is already light years ahead of Jack Johnson. With that said, Martinez's ceiling isn't nearly as high but his consistency is already there. <br />
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<b>FINAL GRADE: B+</b>; For the pessimist in all of us: Martinez serves as a reminder that Hickey has been a bust and the Kings don't trust Voynov who's already a two-time AHL All-Star. Considering no one really expected to see Martinez up again after his disaster of a debut in 2009; Alec was a nice surprise this year. Although his play tapered off towards the end of the season and the pace of the playoffs seemed to be a bit too quick for him. Martinez's 2010 season has sent a message to prospects like Hickey, Voynov, and Muzzin that it's his spot to take going into training camp next season. Resigning him is an absolute no-brainer. An extension similar to what Drewiske received would be ideal. My guess: 3-years, around $2.5 million total.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-5308713777824257932011-05-07T02:27:00.000-07:002011-05-07T02:37:12.426-07:002010-11 Season Review: Jack Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5149330369/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jack Johnson & Mattias Ritola by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Jack Johnson & Mattias Ritola" height="457" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/5149330369_abcdb8161a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jack Johnson</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2010-11 Stats: </b>82 GP, 5 G, 37 A, 42 PTS, -21, 28 PPP, 44 PIM<b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Signed through 2017-18; $4.35 million</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>On the surface, Jack Johnson had himself a career year. He appeared in all 82 games for the first time. His 42 points were a career-high. His 28 points on the man-advantage put him in the top-5 among blueliners. But just a little bit of digging and you realize that Jack Johnson was absolutely brutal this year. Fans calling Drew Doughty the biggest disappointment of the season are letting JJ off the hook way too easy. JJ recorded a career low and team worst +/- rating of -21 following seasons of: -19, -18, -15. Among Kings blueliners Rob Scuderi had the next worst +/- rating +1. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/app?service=page&page=playerstats&fetchKey=20112ALLDADAll&viewName=plusMinus&sort=plusMinus&pg=10">Only SIX NHL defenseman out of the 303 that qualified had a worse +/- and three of those defenseman were from the Ottawa Senators</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=34&s=33&f1=2010_s&f2=5v5&f4=D&f5=L.A&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+29+30+31+32+33+34#">Now, for those fans that don't believe in the +/- statistic; let's take a look at JJ's CORSI # of -2.39 and a REL CORSI # of -8.7</a>. CORSI is a fairly simple formula: On-Ice Shot Differential (goals + saves + missed shots + blocks). The idea is simple: more shots attempted on the opposition's net equals greater offensive output. The most disturbing stat here are JJ's shot and missed shot totals. He recorded a career-high 153 shots but also missed the net a career-high 105 times (3rd most in the NHL among defenseman) for a total of 258 shot attempts at the net. Simple division tells us that JJ hit the net only 59% of the time. During the previous three seasons JJ recorded percentages of: 61% (212 shot attempts), 75% (67 shot attempts), 72% (113 shot attempts). Alec Martinez led all Kings blueliners getting the puck thru 66% of the time on his shot attempts.<br />
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To put these numbers into a bit of perspective, only Dustin Byfuglien and Shea Weber missed the net more among defensemen. Byfuglien missed the net 144 times but led all defensemen with 347 shots for 71%. Shea Weber missed the net 120 times but hit the net with 254 shots (3rd) for 68%. Byfuglien scored 20 goals. Weber scored 16 goals. Johnson scored 5.<br />
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At first glance, JJ's defensive counting stats lead us to believe that he's improved his positioning in the defensive zone. His hits dropped from 144 to 84 but his blocked shots rose from 86 to 133. But his end-to-end offense affected his giveaway totals which also rose from 42 to 59. Johnson's 2010-11 stats look very similar to his first full season in L.A: 84 hits, 136 blocked shots, 62 giveaways. Which has me asking the question: Is Jack Johnson is the same player defensively that he was four years ago?<br />
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<b>FINAL GRADE: C</b>; Don't let the career-high point total fool you. His -21 rating in addition to his disappearing act in the second half of the season made for a disappointing 2010-11 season. His 33 points (4G, 29A, -6, 21 power play points) in the first 50 games prior to the All-Star break were great. He emerged as the only consistent threat on the man-advantage but his 9 points (1G, 8A, -15, 7 power play points) in the final 32 games down the stretch were pitiful. Why hasn't anyone started questioning his conditioning yet?<br />
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At 24, Johnson is still young. But with each season that passes, Kings fans still wonder when JMFJ is going to show up. Where's the high-octane player that dominates both sides of the puck? Will he ever live up to the hype? Johnson signed a massive seven-year contract early in the season that will take him into the 2017-18 season at a cap hit of $4.35 million. With blueline prospects like Muzzin, Voynov, and Hickey all considered offensive defensemen; JJ will need to improve all aspects of his game because with each ill-timed pinch in the offensive zone, JJ's name and 'cap-friendly' $4.35M are inching closer and closer to the rumor mill.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8999334868174623078.post-86445577185777957592011-05-03T16:16:00.000-07:002011-05-03T16:17:45.801-07:002010-11 Season Review: Peter Harrold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42653171@N04/5229760115/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Peter Harrold by cikiri, on Flickr"><img alt="Peter Harrold" height="457" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5229760115_59667d29cc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Peter Harrold</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2010-11 Stats: </b>19 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS, +3, 0 PPP, 4 PIM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><b>Unrestricted Free Agent</b></div><br />
There were only a few guarantees from the Kings in the new calendar year: If the Kings went to a shootout; they were going to win. If the Kings scored first; they'd give up a goal within the next three minutes. And Peter Harrold was probably going to be a healthy scratch. By no fault of his own; Harrold just couldn't crack TM's lineup whether it be as 6th defenseman or the 4th line right-wing. He ended up being the Kings utility player all season long.<br />
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Stats obviously don't tell the whole story but if <a href="http://www.behindthenethockey.com/2009/10/8/1076788/frequently-asked-questions-3-what">you're a stat geek and know what CORSI is</a>. <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=29&s=29&f1=2010_s&f2=5v5&f4=D&f5=L.A&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+17+18+19+20+29+30+31+35+36+37+38+39+40+47+48+49+50+51+52+53+54+55+56#">Peter Harrold led all Kings defenseman with a Relative CORSI number of 14.2</a>. Now obviously, Harrold's sample size is smaller than any other Kings blueliner this season and his numbers could be skewed a bit by his time as a Kings 4th line winger but he did still appear in 19 games. Much like Drewiske, Harrold's role on the team was effected by the emergence of Alec Martinez and the current makeup of the blueline.<br />
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Listed at 6'0, he looks smaller on the ice and lacks the strength to win battles against most NHL forwards. At 27, he still has a chance to develop that part of his game much in the same way Mike Weaver has since leaving the Kings but I keep thinking <a href="http://lakingsoutsider.blogspot.com/2010/01/remember-kevin-dallman.html">an undersized d-man with offensive upside...he may be the next Kevin Dallman</a>.<br />
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<b>FINAL GRADE: B-</b>; I really should have grouped Harrold and Drewiske together but I give a slight nod to Harrold because he showed more versatility as a forward than DD did. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=301021024">Harrold made his season debut on October 21st vs. Phoenix playing over 20 minutes in all situations while filling in for Doughty</a>. His season went down hill from there; only appearing in 18 games after that. Harry will be a UFA in the summer and won't be back.Yutaka33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01275951168747327716noreply@blogger.com0