Tyler Toffoli - Team Canada's only Kings prospect?

The times they are a-changin'. Or are they?

For the last few years, the Kings have had more prospects invited to Team Canada's World Junior evaluation camps than just about any other NHL club. Last year alone, they had Brayden Schenn, Linden Vey, JF Berube, Kyle Clifford and several others on the list.

The Kings have also had several players put in leadership roles for Canada at the tournament itself - as Schenn, Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert all wore letters on their chest in recent years.

However, as of right now, Tyler Toffoli is the only Kings prospect set to attend this summer's evaluation camp for the 2012 World Junior Championship.
That could change after next weekend's NHL Draft though, as 20 of the 46 players invited are draft eligible - and are expected to be selected.  Who knows, maybe the Kings will nab a few of those.

So, the final prospect count is really still TBD.

As reported last week, Derek Forbort and Kevin Gravel (both selected by the Kings at the 2010 NHL Draft) were invited to attend the upcoming Team USA evaluation camp.

Toffoli, who led the OHL in scoring this past season, was a guest on MayorsManor right before the playoffs began - click here if you missed it.

To read Clifford's exclusive Team Canada report from last summer's camp - including his thoughts on the other Kings prospects - click here.

Meanwhile, Toffoli has been working out in Ottawa with the gang at Greco Lean and Fit. He's expected to be in Los Angeles for the Kings annual Development Camp in a few weeks. More on that later.

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

order here --> MayorsManor Store

SAVE 12% TODAY - USE COUPON CODE TSHIRTSALE12 (expires 6/30/2011)

Matt Greene tattoos his Los Angeles Kings teammates

NOTE: This is the archived version of MayorsManor.

We've moved to our new location HERE. 

This article is available by clicking here.

Tired of hearing about the Bruins and/or the Canucks? Fear not, that will die down in the next week of so. Plus, you have the NHL Awards coming up next week. Then, the NHL Draft next weekend. Before you know it, free agency will be here.

For now though, how about a Kings related story to get your weekend off to a great start...

A few months back Matt Greene was the judge of a tattoo contest on LAKings.com. Basically, fans were encouraged to send in photos of their ink and Greene would determine who had the best stuff.

Why Greene you ask? Well, the man knows tats - as evidenced by his left leg. Rather than a half-sleeve, I'd guess you'd call it a full-quad? I don't know.

Anyway, throughout the season during various conversations I asked Greener for his opinion on different teammates. As he looked around the locker room he would offer up his suggestion on their first trip to a tattoo parlor.

With some never before published comments, here's what each of these guys should get, according to Matt Greene...

Drew Doughty - "He wants to get his family crest, but I doubt he'll actually pull through on it. He's a little gun shy about the whole 'it's there for life thing.'"

Jack Johnson - "Bald eagle, right across the chest."

Willie Mitchell - "Maybe a stock portfolio, somewhere on his arm."

Kyle Clifford - "Something really tough, maybe brass knuckles. But, when we talked to Cliffy about it he wants to get a big wolf."

Ryan Smyth - "I don't Smitty's going to get a tattoo. But, if he did, it would be Canada. It would be a maple leaf, like 70% of the other Canadians that you play with."

Alec Martinez - "A Louisville Slugger. His girlfriend's from Louisville and she used to work at the Louisville Slugger plant."

Rob Scuderi - "The Jets. New York Jets, right on his heart."

Dustin Brown - "His kids portraits, right across his back."

Jarret Stoll - "Stolly? That's tough. It's always changing with his style. That would be a temporary one, for sure."

Jonathan Bernier - "He already has enough. I might take a couple of his off. He has some bad ones. He knows which one too."

Jonathan Quick - "He got one last summer, so he's pretty fresh. I can't give him anymore right now. He's joining in though. He's going to get some more."

With dozens of tattoo shops in Vegas, who knows - maybe he can get some fresh color during the NHL Awards next week. If I see him there, expect a a follow-up to this article.

PLEASE NOTE - MayorsManor has moved to our new location.  CLICK HERE to visit the new website!

Follow @mayorNHL

Which Team Won't Be Back?

The NHL's 2010-11 season is now over, with the Boston Bruins crowned as Stanley Cup Champions.

For those ready to turn the page and look ahead, let's talk about the Western Conference standings.

Every year there is a certain amount of turnover within the eight teams qualifying for the post-season. For example, last season, four 'new' teams made it in the West compared to the 2008-09 campaign.

However, this season, only one team didn't return - Colorado was replaced in the pack by Anaheim.

So, of the eight Western teams that took a shot at the Cup this year, which do you think is most likely to have a drop off...and not return to the playoffs next season?



Results will be posted Monday.

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

RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Nashville captain Shea Weber

Interview with San Jose captain Joe Thornton

Kings players on Columbus captain Rick Nash

Interview with Coyotes center Eric Belanger

Interview with Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks

LA Kings Roundtable - Stanley Cup Conteners in 2012?

On the eve of the NHL's post-season coming to end, there are still two open questions - who will win the Stanley Cup this year, Boston or Vancouver?

And what about the Kings?

For more on that second one, the guys over at KingsCast pulled together a panel, consisting of people like Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner and Dave Joseph of ESPN to help explore the issue.

Over the last few weeks several videos have been posted on various topics surrounding the Kings past, present and future. Below is the final installment - where we talk in-depth about the players, attitude and philosophy needed for the LA Kings to become Stanley Cup contenders next season.

Some of the conversation centers around Willie Mitchell vs. Chris Pronger, who will win the Pacific Division, can the Kings challenge for one of the top spots in the Western Conference and much more.



If you haven't been keeping up with the whole series, here's a recap with links:

Part one - discussion on Drew Doughty

Part two - discussion on the power play and prospects

Part three - lots of talk on free agents, trade rumors, Kopitar, Bernier, Penner, etc.

Part four - focus on coaching and Johnson vs. Doughty

Part five - debating player contracts and roster changes

Be sure to check back next week for plenty of coverage live from NHL Awards week in Las Vegas - the parties, the players and all the scoop.

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

RELATED ARTICLES:

Coach Terry Murray sizes up his defense

Willie Mitchell on Vancouver's tendency to 'come unglued'

Mitchell still not sure what went wrong

Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team

Prospect Report - notes on Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel and Team USA