LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

Ethan Moreau's So Excited To Be A King He Got A Haircut  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 check out this link to follow all the transactions thru the years . 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. Jackets fans didn't have much to be excited about going into the 2010-11 season but they were confident that t...

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....

Mike Richards Is A KING?!?! Yeah...I'll Drink To That Remember when it was rumored that the Kings might be after Vinny Lecavalier back in February 2010 ?  I said this. 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. 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.  And then remember when the Kings were struggling in January this season and I said this .  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.  A lot of ‘experts’ compare Schenn to Philadel...