...And Now You're Caught Up

For the loyal hockey fans who work hard all week and don't have time to follow the key stories, here are the ten things you need to know before the game tonight...

* Yesterday was Ozzy Osborne's 62nd birthday. Tonight, the other Ozzy - Chris Osgood, will start in goal for the Detroit Red Wings. He has a career record of 19-10-4 vs. the Kings, including 7-3-0 at Staples Center. Jonathan Quick will be in net for LA.

* Quick ran away with the October Player of the Month poll, capturing 51% of the votes.  Who won the November poll this week?  Results available here.

* Is AEG thinking of selling the Kings?  That's what money gurus Forbes say in this article. (h/t to Royal Half)

* The Montreal Canadiens are having their game-used equipment sale today. If you're still looking for a smelly Mike Cammalleri jersey, you better hurry.

* While Cammy continues to thrive since leaving Los Angeles, the same can't be said for one Mr. Alexander Frolov. This week he played just eight minutes for the Rangers on Thursday and was limited to only two shifts in the third period of Monday's game. Forget the goals, he hasn't had a single point in seven straight games. Ouch!

Forbort vs Gravel - Round One Results

While it isn't uncommon for two Kings prospects to play each other in junior hockey, it doesn't happen nearly as often at the NCAA level.

Yet, with the Kings loading up on former college hockey players right now, especially on defense - Matt Greene, Rob Scuderi, Jack Johnson, Peter Harrold, Davis Drewiske, etc. - it could become a little more frequent.

Last night was one such occasion, as two potential future additions to the Kings' blue line faced off against each other for the first time. Derek Forbort (first round pick 2010) and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux were hosting the St. Cloud State Huskies and Kevin Gravel (fifth round 2010).

UND entered the weekend ranked #7 in the nation, while SCSU has remained unranked this year.

Prior to the game, Gravel told me "I think this weekend is going to be a good weekend for us. We've been inconsistent at times this season and there's no better team to turn the season around than against North Dakota. We'll be ready to go tonight."

Marco Sturm: Five Points on the LA-Boston trade

Magic Mountain has nothing on the Kings this year. If you want a wild ride, just try following LA's hockey team. Winning streaks, losing streaks, injuries, trades, no trades - it's a wild ride.

Here are five points on the 'Marco Sturm to the Kings' trade...

1. Like the Alexei Ponikarovsky signing over the summer, this isn't THE deal. So, for those worried that Kings GM Dean Lombardi might see this as a way of fixing all the Kings offensive woes, think again. A trade for Sturm is a depth move. And when it comes to LW, the Kings don't have much in the cupboard right now.  So, even if you don't like the player or the move, remember this - it would cost the Kings virtually nothing to acquire him. If the trade includes a conditional draft pick to Boston (believed to be a fifth rounder), this is a no-brainer. It's low risk, all upside.

2. The deal wasn't made yesterday, despite reports. The deal isn't dead, despite other reports. "There is no deal," Kings GM Dean Lombardi said. "There is no trade in place with Marco," said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli. But, but, but...it could be coming. Apparently, the Kings were concerned with what they saw in some of the medical reports. There seems to be some discrepancies on when Sturm might be available to return. Is is about a week or is it more like a month? That's a big difference. For now, the Kings are continuing to monitor things and the trade could still happen.

Kings Pass Felix Potvin, Barry Potomski in 3-2 Win

Losing sucks. Winning is fun.

In honor of those simple facts, let's look back at last night's Kings' win over the visiting Florida Panthers with a little humor and wit - or at least attempt some.

You should have known you were in for a good time though just by reading the headline. Any article featuring past players like Barry Potomski has to be fun, right?

On twitter the game was summed up like this by the LAKingsAlumni account:

'PP? 0 goal Stoll! 1-0 weird bounce! 1-1 outplayed em & poof down 2-1 TMMOTI! 2X!? Nice screen Clifford goal Harrold! 2-2 pk41√ Kopi GWG!!!'

If you're looking for something that may be a little easier to understand. Try this stream...

@FoxSportsWest @LAKings vs. Panthers coming up next at 7:30p...flip that switch & catch special guest Rob Blake who joins the broadcast crew!

[ed. note - wait, what?]

Ryan Smyth Readies for the Florida Panthers

Ryan Smyth is the eldest of the veterans on this year's LA Kings team. So, he's been there, done that when it comes to most things in the National Hockey League - including losing streaks.

In the article below he talks leadership, preparing for the Florida Panthers and provides some thoughts on a former teammate.

MM: With the losses piling up do you start to look differently at the teams coming in this week (Florida and Detroit) or you more introspective at this point?

RS: We're trying to focus on ourselves. The coaches do a good job of setting out a game plan for us personally and for the opponent. First and foremost we have to collectively come together and play a full 60 minutes. And just execute - execute the game plan. We're not too far off. It's just a matter of believing in ourselves and believing we can win again.

Marty Reasoner is now with the Panthers, you played with him in Edmonton. Any thoughts about playing against your old teammate?

He's a competitor. He battles hard. He's really good up the middle. I think he's great on face-offs. He's well respected around the league and I think as a guy that battles hard, he rubs off on his teammates too.

A hot topic in the sports world the last few days was the quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals laughing on the sidelines while his team was getting blown-out on the field Monday night. Have you had to deal with guys joking around at maybe the wrong time at some point in your career, like during a losing streak or a bad blowout?

Obviously you have to take your job seriously. We're professional athletes. You have to deal with it properly. People deal with it in different ways. That's the way they dealt with it. It's just a matter of, in my opinion, you should handle it like a professional.

As we talked about it for a few more minutes, he went on to say "There's a time and a place for everything. But, it all reflects back on the team."

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor


RELATED ARTICLES:

Alexei Ponikarovsky comments - Florida Panthers game preview, injury update

Brad Richardson comments - Panthers game preview and update on team frustration level

Five Fun Facts for Ryan Smyth's 1000th NHL Game


photo courtesy of Michael Zampelli
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Two Minutes In The Box...with Brad Richardson

Brad Richardson has been up, down and all around this season for the LA Kings. He's played top line minutes with Anze Kopitar...and been a fourth-line role player along side Kevin Westgarth.

So, naturally, in the article below he covers things from all bases - talking about the team's recent play, this week's game preparation and the ever changing line combinations.

MM: Given the number of losses over the last few weeks, where is the frustration level within the team right now?

BR: I don't know if it's frustration. I think we obviously are (frustrated). But, we thought we played well in Anaheim. That was one of the best games we've played in a while. I think we know what we have to do and we're determined. We want to turn this around right now. We don't want to let it slide any further.

In a situation like this, do you guys spend any extra time preparing for opponents like Florida and Detroit - or is the focus more internal?

We go over video and review the team for every game. It doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game or if it's Florida or whoever it is. We know our opponents. But, the main thing right now is we're trying to focus on what we need to do. We're working on certain things in practice - our forecheck, creating a little more offense, getting the 'D' involved. Right now it comes down to us and working hard for 60 minutes.

You've been up and down the lines this season. Does it get frustrating at times not knowing who you'll be playing with on any given night or are you just happy to be getting minutes?

I guess a little bit of both. Obviously, it's nice to be in the line-up and contributing. But, it would be nice to be on a line where you kinda know what your role is going to be. But, that's the way it is right now. So, that's what I have to deal with. Wherever I'm playing, I'm going to try to go out and do my best and contribute to that line.

Keep an eye out for him. Brad Richardson - a plug and play option on line-up cards everywhere.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor


RELATED ARTICLES:

Alexei Ponikarovsky comments - injury update and Florida Panthers scouting report

Ryan Smyth comments on facing the Florida Panthers - plus his opinion on recent NFL drama


photo courtesy of Michael Zampelli
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Ponikarovsky - Reporting From The Sidelines

Alexei Ponikarovsky was brought in this summer to essentially replace Alexander Frolov on the third line.

He seemed to be fitting in just nicely until he broke his finger on November 6th vs. Nashville - ironically, the same night fellow newcomer, Willie Mitchell, was injured too.

In the article below, Ponikarovsky talks Florida Panthers hockey, updates us on his finger, the Kings' overall mental health and comments on Kyle Clifford's play...

MM: Help us preview the Panthers a bit. Their captain is Brian McCabe, your former teammate in Toronto (2003-08). What's the scouting report?

AP:  Florida is a good team, hard working team. The guys (the Kings) are going to have to outwork them. They have pretty good goaltending. Brian is playing a big role for them on defense and their power play as well.

You'll probably be sitting this one out, but when you're in the line-up and you go up against a former teammate, does it motivate you all?

Brayden Schenn on The Road to Nowhere

For the past few months Kings prospect Brayden Schenn must feel like he's living the life of a Talking Heads song from the mid-80s.

He's been to Team Canada's summer camp, the Kings training camp, played a handful of games in the NHL, two weeks in the AHL...all while waiting to find out if he's going back to the WHL at some point.

Indeed, a road to nowhere at the moment.

After the Kings morning skate today at their training facility in El Segundo, CA, Schenn provided the following comments exclusively to MayorsManor...

MM: How good does it feel to be back in LA right now?

BS: It feels great. I'm still not sure, certainly, what's going to happen. There are a few options still left. But, for now I'm here. Just take it day by day. That's all I can really do.

MM: There was a report out of Canada yesterday that said the Kings are reluctant to send you back to Brandon (his junior team) right now, given how they're playing. Have you heard anything about that possible theory?

Would, Could, Should and Schenn

While the topic du jour right now in LA hockey circles is what to do about the Kings recent losing streak, there is still another little matter brewing in the background...what to do with Brayden Schenn.

On Monday he was recalled from a two week conditioning assignment with the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings AHL affiliate. However, he didn't play in the game that night vs. the Ducks.

Following practice today, Coach Terry Murray - after first saying "I haven't made a decision on that yet" - eventually said he doesn't plan to play Schenn tomorrow night vs. the visiting Florida Panthers.

So, just what is the broader plan for the young center?  Here are some additional comments from Murray...

MM: There was a report yesterday on HNIC radio that the Kings are hesitant to send Schenn back to juniors as long he would be returning to a poor team (Brandon Wheat Kings). So, would the Kings be more interested in sending him down if he was traded to another WHL club first?

TM: I don't plan on putting Brayden in tomorrow. It's always easier, maybe, given the way we started the first 15 games of the year. We were off to a great start, and you could put a young player in and there’s good momentum. You're rolling, things are happening. (Instead) you're trying to get it turned around right now. You're looking to veteran players and to put your best players on a line, or lines, together and let those guys make the difference in the game. So, I don't want to throw that responsibility on his shoulders right now. I don't think it's the right thing to do. The fact that he went down and played, and played well, in the American Hockey League is a good thing. I know he had some success there and played a lot of minutes. You can only do it for two weeks though. So, we have to make a decision on what we're going to do. (That report) is somebody talking about it, speculating or maybe they know more that I do because I don't know all that stuff.

MM: Does that mean you're not looking at the quality of the team he would be going back to as a factor in the decision?

Revisiting The Hockey News Curse

After a red hot start to the 2009-10 season Anze Kopitar was the toast of the league. People everywhere were taking notice that the 2005 first round draft pick was having a breakout year.

Then, it happened. The Hockey News slapped him on the cover and poof, that was it. Instant slump.

Now, before you discount this theory, continue reading. The proof is here. Let it marinate for a minute or two.

When first tackling this issue in January we pointed out several examples of injuries (Joe Sakic, Luke Schenn, Roberto Luongo), poor playoff performances (Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara) and slumps (Chris Pronger, John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto) linked to players soon after appearing on the cover of the popular magazine.

Sure, Kopitar eventually broke out of his post-cover slump (just five points in 12 games). In fact, about six hours after I wrote the original curse article he went on to post two points against San Jose - his first multi-point night in 23 games. That's a quarter of the season!

The flood gates were open though. In the remaining 18 games leading up to the Olympic break he scored 21 points. Fine, case closed. Or so we thought...

POLL: Player of the Month (November)

Sure, it's hard to vote after a loss - especially a shutout to one of your biggest rivals.

Some may find it even more difficult to vote after the dismal month the Kings just completed.

However, in the spirit of fairness, the calendar has turned to December...and somebody deserves to win. Don't they?

The five leading candidates would be...

Anze Kopitar - 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists)
Justin Williams - 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists)
Ryan Smyth - 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists)
Jarret Stoll - 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists)
Jonathan Quick - 4-4 record (one shutout, only 1 GA in two games, only 2 GA in two games)

What do you think?

Poll closes Thursday at 4pm PST.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Something's Gotta Give

The Kings and the Ducks usually put on a good performance when playing each other, regardless of the their respective records.

Tonight, the Kings are counting on a much better showing than what they've provided lately. And, so are the Ducks. Both teams enter play having lost six of their last seven games.

Anaheim will be adding Teemu Selanne to their, while Los Angeles adds John Zeiler.  What's that old saying about bringing a knife to a gun fight?

Something's gotta give here...

* The Kings are 5-6-0 overall in November.  Obviously, they need a win tonight to balance their books...as well as stop the recent bleeding.

* Although the the last few weeks have been brutal for the Kings, they actually sit just two points behind where they were at the same time one year ago. However, if they expect to seriously challenge San Jose this season, something's gotta give.

* After a hit on Oscar Moller last year Drew Doughty made sure Bobby Ryan got his receipt later in the year.  There's also a little Canada vs. US animosity there.  Will these two find a way to get reacquainted tonight?

* Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams have had a solid November, with 12 and 11 points respectively. Meanwhile, the third and fourth line are contributing next to nothing offensively. Michal Handzus has just two goals and one assist this month. The Colonel, Kyle Clifford, still doesn't have a goal this season. Something's gotta give.