LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

I'm sad Smytty's gone No tearful farewell .  Just a bunch of rumors .  A denial .  Some awkward negotiations .  And finally, #94 was gone . 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. Everyone was all smiles a couple years ago 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....

You Know It's Opening Night When All 20 Kings Are Standing On The Blue Line For The National Anthem The hockey season doesn't officially start for me until the home opener.  It's always fun to get reacquainted with the Kings equipment managers and training staff.  I didn't get there early enough for all the pregame fun outside of Staples Center but Chris Kontos over at The Royal Half did .  Kings won 3-1.

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...

The iPhone Camera Isn't Doing The Sigs Justice I knew I had to go get Kopi & Smitty's signatures when I heard they were signing at the Sports Chalet five minutes from my house. The signing was supposed to take place from 7:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday.  From my past experience with Dodgers players appearances, there's always a mixture of collectors, fans and shoppers that camp out for autographs.  I knew I needed to go early.  I got there around 5:45 and was already about 40th in line.  The line just grew from there.  By 6:45 when the guys arrived, there must have been over 150 people in line. From my past life as an autograph seeker at the Toyota Training Center, I saw some familiar mugs.  Funny to see the same guys first in line here considering they live at the TSC.  If you see a short Filipino guy limping after a player with a sharpie; it's this man ( http://myworld.ebay.com/sassportsintl/ ).  He's already got his Kopi bobblehead up for $80! ...