LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

I've ordered my Hemsky jersey...have you??? How quickly things change.  The last time I blogged the Kings had dropped 8 of 10 games and were dead last in the division.  Well, The Kings not only survived the record road trip that was supposed to kill their playoff hopes but they earned 15 out of a possible 20 points on the road trip. A flurry of moves have been made over the past couple of weeks leading up to the deadline.  The Western Conference is loading up on talent and it may be time for the Kings to respond... Before you start asking: "Where's Brad Richards?" "Where's Marian Gaborik?!" "Where's David Booth?!?!"  Please read my qualifications for making it onto this exclusive shopping list. I used Sportsclubstats.com to distinguish which teams are selling.  Any team with less than a 30% chance of making the playoffs was considered a seller (Oilers, Senators, Devils, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Avalanche, Panthers, Thrashers, Blue...

PANIC TIME! With the Kings in the midst of a three-game losing streak; it's time to hit the panic button.  The Kings defensive zone play in the past three games has been terrible.  Untimely penalties, terrible zone coverage, and just a lack of intensity at times have cost the Kings in the last three games.  Only four points separates all five teams in the Pacific Division.  Yikes! Thomas Hickey...Where are you ? WHERE'S THOSE PROSPECTS?!?! The loss of Willie Mitchell has exposed the lack of NHL-ready defenseman in the Kings system.  Davis Drewiske has played solid this season but he can't anchor a defensive pairing.  When Coach Murray pairs him with Peter Harrold or Jake Muzzin; Kings fans everywhere start getting the sweats.  If Campbell, Hickey, Martinez, Teubert, Voynov, etc. aren't ready to step in now; it's time to acquire someone who can.  Souray anyone ?  I thought former Flame Ian White may been the perfect acquisition but those...

Thomas Hickey: This Season's P.K. Subban! Hammer reports that the Kings have sent Thomas Hickey back to Manchester .  I'm not against this move considering Hickey only played in 19 games last season in Manchester; he needs to be able to show he can stay healthy for a full-season in the AHL before he gets killed in the NHL.  I'm just not very confident in the Kings other options.  With Matt Greene expected to miss at least the first month of the season; Terry Murray will have to choose a bottom-pairing from the likes of Davis Drewiske, Peter Harrold, and Jake Muzzin.  Sheldon Souray ?   Best-case scenario : Drewiske finds his game pre-last season's injury, Harrold plays like Mike Weaver, and Muzzin plays like Randy Jones?   Worst-case scenario : Drewiske doesn't find his game, Harrold plays like Harrold, and Muzzin plays like an over-aged junior player with 14 games of AHL experience making the jump to the NHL. I'm thinking it falls somewhere in-betw...

Souray Is Done In Edmonton; Re-entry Waivers Next? Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini issued a statement Monday evening that the organization would not allow defenseman Sheldon Souray at camp when it opens this weekend.  Per TSN . "We've been trying to move the player for some time obviously," Tambellini explained to reporters at the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, B.C. "Sheldon has expressed strong interest over a long period of time that it's best for him to move and we're going to try and help him with that. I couldn't get that done prior to this camp. I hope to get it done during camp, but it's best for the Oilers for him not to be at camp right now." The relationship between the organization and Souray has been strained almost since the day Souray signed a 5-year, $27-million deal in Edmonton.  In his first season as an Oiler, he played in a career-low 26 games after suffering a separated shoulder.  Their tumultuous relationshi...