LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

I promise I won't keep updating you on what Frolov does during the regular season.  Well, unless he scores 40 goals this year like I think he will.  He was the game's first star last night and had this nice little dangle.

Ponikarovsky Is Frolov 2.0: Better Defensively; Not As Good Offensively Just hours after it became official that Alexander Frolov was a New York Ranger; the Kings made their first acquisition of the off-season signing winger Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year deal worth $3.2 million. The 30-year old Ukrainian-born Ponikarovsky is almost a mirror-image of Frolov.  Poni, similar to Fro, is as streaky as they come.  He'll show glimpses of world-class talent only to disappear for weeks at a time.  His inconsistent play frustrated Leafs management and fans alike.  The Pittsburgh Penguins outbid a number of teams for Ponikarovsky at last season's trade deadline to lineup with Sidney Crosby only to have Poni disappear and be a healthy scratch during the playoffs. Poni isn't nearly as skilled as Frolov but Poni is a better defensive player.  Poni's 6'4 frame adds size up front and he definitely likes to hit more than Frolov.  He'll help the Kings cycle the puck ...

Unlike their blueline and center positions; the Kings are missing that first-line franchise winger or blue-chip prospect. Their decision to move Michael Cammalleri was the right decision at the time but the Kings have been unable to find a consistent goal-scoring threat from the wing since his departure. The Kings have a nice collection of second and third line talent on the wings. Dustin Brown and Wayne Simmonds are among the best young power forwards in the league. While veterans Ryan Smyth and Justin Williams were nice additions to their top six but injuries have become an issue for both over the past few seasons. The Kings may let their most talented winger Alexander Frolov walk on July 1st, leaving another hole for the Kings to plug this off-season. Read the player profiles after the jump...

I'd Miss Fro's Wrap-Around Attempts Let the speculation begin.  The Kings have nine free-agents going into the summer.  Six UFA's.  Three RFA's.  If it were up to Helene Elliot; she wouldn't want any of them back.   You can see what she says and what I think about the Six UFA's after the jump....