LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

The $56-million man?!?! Terry Murray (6-3-2, 2.36 GF/G, 1.91 GA/G, 22.5 PP%, 86.1 PK%) Grade: C 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. Jonathan Quick (6-1-2, 1.52 GAA, .947 SV%, 3 SO) Grade: A 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.  Jonathan Bernier (0-2-0, 3.55 GAA, .857 SV%, 0 SO) Grade: C I thought ...

Matt Greene 2010-11 Stats: 71 GP, 2 G, 9 A, 11 PTS, +3, 0 PPP, 70 PIM   Signed through 2012-13; $2.95M I love Matt Greene.  One of the only Kings that plays a truly physical game.  He's well aware of his responsibilities on the ice: play physical, play strong defensively, and protect teammates.  He knows his game well and is aware of his limitations and makes the most of his skill set.  He's not the best skater but makes up for it with sound positioning.  The arrival of veterans Rob Scuderi and Willie Mitchell have helped Greene more than anything.  When he arrived in L.A., Greene played nearly 20 minutes a night but over the past two seasons, his time-on-ice has dropped to 17:29 (2009-10) to 16:59 (2010-11).  The decrease in ice-time has actually helped Greener's effectiveness on most nights not always having to face a team's top-line or power play unit.  Always among the NHL's hit leaders; Greene laid out 243 hits on the season.   ...

The Kings Need Don King To Sell L.A. To Kovy Tomorrow So what's the latest on Kovalchuk?  He's coming to LA!...for a meeting ?  If he's coming to hear Kings executives pitch the organization and city again; I think the Kings are close.  I think we might hear something as soon as tomorrow.  Or maybe Deano will stand firm and watch Kovy skate back over to Jersey.  Or to Russia.  Or maybe he'll take another meeting with the Ducks!  Who knows! Congratulations to Spain on their World Cup Finals victory.  And congrats to Matt Greene and Germany for finishing third.  OK.  So that's German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger but I thought there was quite a resemblance...

Team USA Needs This D-Man When Jack Johnson was selected for Team USA, I thought JJ was probably the fourth-best American defenseman on the Kings this season.  Scuderi, Greene and Drewiske were all playing better hockey at the time of his selection.  I'm sure JJ's international experience and performance in last year's World Championships helped his selection. Now, ESPN reports that Team USA defenseman Paul Martin has not healed quickly enough from his arm-injury to skate for the Americans in Vancouver.   Martin's replacement has not been announced yet but a few have speculated on Martin's possible replacement being Ducks defenseman Ryan Whitney. Per USA Today's Kevin Allen Conference call tomorrow decided Paul Martin's replacement on U.S. squad, but bet on it being Anaheim's Ryan Whitney. Bob McKenzie also agreed with the report.  I'm not familiar enough with Martin's game but I've seen enough of Whitney to know that he's not the bes...

A couple awesome videos here. First Up: Kopitar 101- First Hundred Goals. Amazing video.  I actually watched all 101 goals; you should too.  I still think Kopi should shoot more. Next Up: Puck Daddy did an interview with Matt Greene about what's on his iPod. Funny stuff. Puck Tracks Episode 3: Matt Greene, LA Kings from Greg Wyshynski on Vimeo . Greener is a warrior.  I love him.  Love the Hall & Oates; those are guys are awesome.