Cruising the Mall with Simmonds and Doughty

What's the first thing Wayne Simmonds did upon returning to Los Angeles recently?

"I didn't do much. I pretty much slept all day (Sunday). When you're on a long road trip like that you don't always get the sleep that you want. So, when you come home and you get that day off you use it to sleep."

How about that off day last Friday? With the Kings based in Long Island, a few of the players chose to go into the city after practice.

Not everybody though...

"Some of the guys had friends and family in, so they were the ones that went back into the city. I didn't," explained Simmonds. "A couple of us just hung out and went to the mall and went for dinner there."

Drew Doughty added "It was about 3:00 after practice and we wouldn't have gotten into the city until about 4:00. So, we just decided to go shopping in Long Island."

How does that work out, a couple of hockey players just cruising the local mall?

"Actually, we got recognized a couple times," said Simmonds. "It was alright. I guess one of the salespersons helping us out recognized who we were and he just wished us good luck."

As for the play on the ice, several teammates have talked about the Kings finding ways to grab points on the trip even when the team wasn't playing its best at times (see below for links). Is that how they both see things?

First up, Doughty...

MayorsManor Podcast - featuring Ian Laperriere

Trevor Lewis is wearing #22 this season. Before him were names like Baumgartner, Huddy, Tocchet, Conroy and Halpern. However, for most Kings fans there's only one #22...Ian Laperriere.

And the admiration for Lappy isn't just among the fans.

"Ian, the way he plays, tells it all" said captain Dustin Brown when talking about the four leaders that inspired him earlier in his career. Luc Robitaille specifically called out Laperriere during his Hall of Fame induction speech. So, it really doesn't matter who you're talking with, from coaches to teammates to opponents, everybody has deep respect from what Lappy brings to the game of hockey.

Therefore, when it came time to launch the new MayorsManor podcast, he was the perfect guest. Not only does he have great stories, that French-Canadian accent could only mean one thing - hockey!

He doesn't need much more of an introduction, so let's get right to it.

In this interview we cover the trade that brought him to Los Angeles, the highs and lows of his career, playoff memories at Staples Center, contract talks with the Kings...plus, a word association segment that is one for the ages.  Truly candid comments from Lappy.



update: ALSO AVAILABLE on itunes - click here to start



FOR A LIST OF OTHER MayorsManor PODCASTS - click here


The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Rob Blake

Interview with Andy Murray

Interview with Luc Robitaille

Kings vs Flyers Preview with Ian Laperriere

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Camping Guide 2010 - Interview w/ Michal Handzus

The Zeus is loose. Just look at the hair.

When Dean Lombardi signed Michal Handzus to a four-year free agent contract in the summer of 2007, he hoped Zeus would return to the player he was out east (where he posted back-to back 20 goal seasons for the Flyers) - not the player he was the prior year in Chicago. A knee injury saw his numbers go south with the Blackhawks, only eight games played the entire year.

Year one in LA was almost like an extended rehab assignment. He didn't score his first real goal that season until December 6th (his goal on opening night in London, vs. the Ducks, was actually an empty netter).

That appeared to be the start of his stats heading north again though.  He posted four goals in seven games, three of them short-handed!  Yet, after December 17th, he wouldn't find the back of the net again until March 22nd.  Just a tough year no matter you slice it.

He turned the page in the summer of '08 and has really never looked back.  In fact, for the last two years he's arguably been the Kings MVP.  A durable, third line center - with a knack for scoring timely goals.

First the knee returned.  Next was his goal scoring.  Now, he's looking to complete the hat-trick...the hair is back.

While not as famous as say Jaromir Jagr's mullet, Zeus used to have a fresh Euro-hockey look.  One that was uniquely his.  Call it part-Michael Bolton, part-Kenny Powers.

How about the important questions though, like what does he think of Frolov being Eastbound and is he down with Poni being his new linemate? 

It's all here, in an exclusive interview with Michal Handzus.

MM:  As things started to shake out over the summer with the Kovalchuk situation, for a brief moment it looked like Frolov may come back to the Kings.  Was that something you were excited about or mentally had you already moved on?

10 Tidbits on HockeyFest 2010

Over the weekend, the Kings held their second annual HockeyFest. While the new end-of-summer tradition was scaled back from last year's grand event, a sold-out crowd of 2,000 fans seemed to enjoy it just as much.

Like last year, by far, the most popular activities at the event were the speaker sessions. Fans were treated to current and former players sharing stories and answering questions.

And it all kicked off early Saturday morning - too early - with Dean Lombardi, Ron Hextall and Jeff Solomon giving a State of the Franchise.

Using our popular 10 Tidbits format, here are selected highlights from the event...

1.  Goalies - The unintentional funny quote of the day came from Hextall when he said "Bernier hasn't made the team yet." Um, ok.  I guess that gives hope to three of you that previously purchased Ersberg jerseys.  To end any possible controversy heading into camp, he also said "Jonathan Quick is our #1 goalie" about 32 times.  Regarding Niemi - "We didn't even talk about it. Our goaltending is solid."

10 Tidbits on Alex Ponikarovsky

While it was the Karate Kid receiving the remake treatment this summer, it will probably be another Ralph Macchio flick, The Outsiders, that will have more staying power as the calendar flips to the winter months.

Earlier today the the Los Angeles Kings announced the signing of unrestricted free agent Alexei Ponikarovsky. And although he was formerly known as "The Poni Express", out in Hollywood...er, Hockeywood...he'll simply be Poni Boy.

Here are 10 Tidbits to get you primed and ready to go on the Kings newest left wing...with a special twitter twist:

* First question out of the gate, does Ponikarovsky have the longest last name of any player in Kings history?  No.  Well, he's tied.  There's the popular Mike Krushelnyski from the end of the 80s.  Then, according to several alert tweeters - including @KingsKoolAid, @kevinsyoung and @LHHockey - you also have Sheldon Kannegiesser ('73-77) and Steve Clippingdale (16 games in '76-77) checking in with 12 letters.  @SoundFlyer14 thinks Frank St. Marseille tops them all with 13 "units" (including the period and space).  But, I don't count that way.  That's just me.

* The comparisons to Alexander Frolov are almost too easy - both could be classified as "classic underachievers".  They've even played for the same teams back in Russia, just not concurrently.  Frolov spent time with Krylja Sovetov in '01-02 (just before joining the Kings), while Poni played there three seasons prior.  During the NHL lockout in '04, Frolov spent some time at home playing for Moscow Dynamo.  Poni was there from '98-00 (ironically, just before he came over to play for the Maple Leafs).

* Similar to Ilya Kovalchuck's apparent obsession with the number 17, Poni has one he favors too.  Supposedly, he's been wearing 23 to honor his grandparents and wife, who were all born that day.  He'll need a new number in LA though.  Dustin Brown isn't trading that for a trip to Hawaii or a year's membership at a nice country club.

Here We Go Again...

In April the Kings returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

After losing a grueling six game battle with Vancouver, some suggested the Kings were only a player or two away from making a serious run next season.  'Who would the Kings add over the summer?' almost immediately had loyal fans worked up into a frenzy.  Message boards began lighting up with conjecture and wish lists.

The team's previous trip to the NHL's spring dance in '02 was captained by Mattias Norstrom and featured Ziggy Palffy, Ian Laperriere and Mathieu Schneider.  By the time the Kings returned for their 2010 run, those names had been replaced by guys like Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and Wayne Simmonds.

LA's previous exit came against the Colorado Avalanche - the same team that defeated the Kings in a bitter seven game series the year before.  Emotions and tempers were running high in that initial series for two main reasons.  One, Rob Blake, the team's long time captain, had been dealt to the Avs just before the trading deadline a few months prior - a trade that still stokes the ire of many Kings fans to this day.  For his part, Blake said things like "I came into the league a Los Angeles King and that's what I wanted to remain" and "we're in a business" when he stopped by MayorsManor earlier this year to talk about his move out of LA.

On a more positive note, the 8th seeded Kings had just upset the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings in the opening round - largely due to the heroics of Eric Belanger and the then-newly acquired Adam Deadmarsh (who arrived in the package from Colorado as part of the Blake deal).

The Kings were close that year.  The Avs were already there.  After beating the Kings, they went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2001.

In a familiar sounding scenario, the prevailing thought at the time was if the Kings could add perhaps one key player over the summer, they'd be considered a serious threat the following season.  Instead, they let Luc Robitaille walk in early July - a move he talked about in an interview with The Mayor, saying "I still don't quite know what happened. I thought we had a great run...I had a great year. I was 11th in scoring in the league...But then I was offered a pay cut. I wasn't expecting a huge, um - I don't know what I was expecting. But I was expecting something."

Throwback Thursdays - Cowboy Bill Flett

Several decades before Alexander Frolov began driving Kings' management and fans batty with his sporadic and irregular play, the team had another superstar in the making...Cowboy Bill Flett.

Known as a hard partier during his playing days, Flett passed away in 1999 from liver related complications.  Had he still been with us, yesterday would have been his 67th birthday.  How ironic considering his big break came in '67.

Originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Flett was selected in the 18th round of the '67 expansion draft by the Kings.  A few months later when the season began he was well on his way to becoming one of the early stars of the new hockey team in Los Angeles.

Like another player in the news this week, he wore #17 (bet you didn't see a Kovalchuk reference coming in this story, did you?).  Playing on the top line, in the now legendary purple and gold uniforms, he netted a team-high 26 goals his rookie season.  However, Flett's goal production declined each of the next four seasons and in January 1972 the Kings had seen enough, packaging him in a deal to the Philadelphia Flyers.

As often happens in such situations, he appeared to get the message.  Flett posted the best statistical year of his career the following season, 43 goals and 74 points.  He topped that 12 months later by winning the Stanley Cup with the Flyers, the first by an expansion team.

Similar to what the Chicago Blackhawks experienced last month, the celebration didn't last long.  Just a week after drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup, Flett was traded to the Leafs.

Tuesday's 10 Tidbits on... the free agents

It's been five days since the Free Agent Frenzy began in the NHL.  Yet, here in LA, the only fireworks we've seen this July have been up in the sky.

As of this writing, the Kings have not added a player via free agency or trade.  In fact, they lost a player when Sean O'Donnell signed with the Flyers.

Fans came out of this past season energized and excited about the team's future.  Eager to balance that optimism with a dose of realism, GM Dean Lombardi has been quick to remind anybody who will listen that off-season tinkering could come via trade, just as easily as free agency.

However, given that trade possibilities are entirely too exhaustive to predict in advance, let's stick with free agency for today's 10 Tidbits article.  In alphabetical order below, we give you nuggets of info on 10 of the best free agents still on the market, many with some sort of a connection to Kings players of past or present...

* Maxim Afinogenov RW - has scored 20 or more goals in four of the eight seasons that saw him play more than 50 games, including last year in Atlanta.  His 61 points with the Thrashers placed him 13th among right wingers in the NHL.  Coincidentally, he also wore #61 this season in Hot-lanta.  Any team that signs him is advised to make it a short term deal, given his past work ethic issues.  For the right price, could be a solid "depth" signing.

* Eric Belanger C - played for the Kings from 2000-2006, including when he scored a now famous goal in the 2001 playoffs vs. the Detroit Red Wings. Belly was part of Lomabrdi's first big move as GM of the Kings, when he was traded in a package to Carolina for a then-college hockey player named Jack Johnson. Belly is probably best served as a third line center. His key strength is face-offs...he finished 9th in the league this year with a winning percentage of 56.4%, just ahead of Jarrett Stoll at 56.0%.

Draft 2010: Interview with Ivan Telegin

The LA Kings know all about having a Russian forward on the team. For seven seasons now Alexander Frolov has been a key component in the rebuilding of the team. It's also the only NHL team he's ever known. Ironically, less than a week before he prepares to possibly depart the team via free agency, another high powered Russian forward could be joining the franchise.

As of now, GM Dean Lombardi's first pick in the draft will be at #19. One slot earlier than when Frolov was a first round selection back in 2000.

In addition to the slew of North American players vying to be picked, there are five Russians that may still be on the board when Lombardi and crew are given the mic on the draft podium.

Vladimir Tarasenko, Evengy Kuznetsov and Maxim Kitsyn are the three "pure" Russians in the group, in the sense that they play over there. Stanislav Galiev and Ivan Telegin have already begun their adjustment to North America by playing Canadian Junior Hockey this past season.

Telegin is a 6'2" left wing playing for the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL.  Interestingly enough, if he hadn't decided to come over from Russia, he'd be on the same team back home with Kitsyn.

The paths of all five have crossed throughout their youth in the Russian national program and most of them will meet up again at the World Junior Championships next winter.  For now though, they aren't a unit, they're five individuals looking to be drafted by NHL teams.

So while the debate rages on about how to individually rank the Super Five, James Paliafito - the Director of Scouting for Telegin's OHL team - had this to say about the player he knows best "Ivan works as hard as any player in the game. Always the first to the puck and very accountable in all three zones. He will score goals and win all of his battles on the boards. Great in front of the net where he enjoys physical contact. Ivan is superb on the power play; he has the ability to deflect shots as well as shoot without much preparation.”

Like his game on the ice, Telegin has been working hard to improve his communication as well. Through his broken English and the Mayor's broken Russian, they had the following conversation...

NHL.com draft note

With the Kings out of the playoffs now most (some?) of the attention among LA hockey fans has turned to the draft - being held here in SoCal next month.

NHL.com has also slowly been rolling out their draft experts over the last month or so, offering various predictions for the first round.  Last month they offered five different mock drafts - eat your heart out Mel Kiper fans.  A few of their guys had the Kings drafting...gulp...a player labeled 'the Next Frolov' - Stanislav Galiev (we had a recap article on that one up here).

Well, today came a new nugget from NHL.com.  They asked three of their experts to do a second mock draft.  Hope you're sitting down for this one.

After each player projected to be taken by the Kings the author was allowed a one line justification of his pick.  It usually is a comment about the player.

However, Brad Holland's prognostication had this gem on the Kings organization:

PICK:  Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (HIGH-MN)SKINNY: Not much the Kings need – they're loaded in almost every position – Bjugstad a good backup to Kopitar.


Re-read it a few times.  Not often will you see things like that written about the Kings.

Even though it's not completely true - they aren't loaded with forwards - it's still amazing what Dean Lombardi has done with the franchise in just a few short years.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119

High / Low Season Review with... the Mayor

Over the past six months a myriad of hockey personalities have stopped by with their opinions on the Kings and the NHL as a whole.  Names like Luc Robitaille, Jeremy Roenick, Mike Modano, Marcel Dionne, Jim Fox and many, many more.

Today, it's my turn.  The Mayor weighs in with his thoughts on the 2009-10 Kings season.  So, here we go...

HIGHS

* Drew Doughty - Nearly every game Kings fans and coaches are probably pinching themselves and asking 'Is he really only 20 years old?' He was amazing as a rookie and didn't experience the dreaded sophomore slump. In fact, he got better. The Olympics were invaluable to his learning experience and the Norris Trophy nomination was the icing on the cake to a great second season for DD.

* 101 Points - Hockey experts picked this team 7th, 8th or out of the playoffs.  To cross the century mark in points was fabulous for a team that is just now starting to come together.  You can see the potential in the core group of players...the potential that Dean Lombardi has been talking about the last three seasons.  If there was any knock on the regular season, it's the loss of points that could have been.  When a team gives up a point in a game coaches like to say 'it all evens out over the course of the year'.  By my count it didn't balance out after 82 games.  The Kings gave away about four more points than they stole.  Getting just one of those points would have meant a different match up in the playoffs.  However, I know...coulda, shoulda, woulda.

The next Frolov sits at #20

The Kings are getting ready to throw a party like Los Angeles and the NHL has never seen before. And no, I'm not talking about the playoffs. The NHL Entry Draft heads to SoCal for the first time ever this June. While this event is usually reserved almost exclusively for northeastern cities, the Kings staff convinced the NHL brass it was time to come west.

Earlier today the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau published its latest player rankings...with an interesting twist. They've now given us their comparisons to current and former stars.

Tuesday Tidbits from Kings-Stars game

Nice 5-1 win tonight for the Kings in Dallas. Truth be told though, it was a little strange watching the Kings game tonight. It almost had a preseason feel to it after not seeing the Kings for nearly a month.

The games played over the last few weeks in Vancouver just had so much riding on them that each pass, stoppage and penalty seemed like life or death. Tonight's game, while important in the standings, had more of a ho-hum feel to it.

That said, here are a few observations from the game in Dallas:

* Frolov might have played the strongest game of the year. Or did it just seem like that since I haven't seen him play in a few weeks?

* I might have to disagree with Jim Fox on this one...I think I prefer the international rule on icing better. Why waste time sending guys down to touch the puck? If the NHL wants to shorten the time needed for regular season games, those Olympic games seemed to fly by with just a few tweaks to the rules.

* Taking in the local flavor is always part of the fun when you're on the road. Checking out the boards in the arena usually gives you a feel for some of the larger corporations in the area that support hockey. Tonight in Dallas - Chipotle...yum, sounds good. Dr Pepper...tasty. JCPenney...born in Wyoming, but headquartered in Dallas. State Farm insurance...fairly standard around the league. The Dump...what? Yes, in case you missed it (see picture above)...one of the boards was sponsored by THE DUMP?!?!

* Wayne 'the Train' Simmonds is all motion...and some commotion. Did you see him jawing at the fans after being sent to the penalty box in the second period. Too funny.

* Why Ott, Why? I'm sure the Stars fans are happy you resigned in Dallas...yet you would have looked so good in a Kings uniform.

* How ironic - Marc Andre Cliche makes his NHL debut in Dallas. Cliche was acquired by the Kings in a deal with the Rangers for Sean Avery. Yes, the same Avery that was run out of Texas soon after signing a big money contract there a few years ago.

* There are few things in hockey that make me laugh as much as seeing the look on Marc Crawford's face when the Kings score against him. That vein in his forehead always looks like it's about to explode.

* According to the Stars Blog 'Defending Big D' their local tv coverage tonight was going to include a test of an overhead cable camera - similar to what they use in the NFL. Sounds interesting. Would like to see more views from there. Different angles usually add to the overall coverage. One more thing...every time I see the cable cams when watching football I'm reminded that the XFL came up with that idea. Has there ever been a bigger debacle in pro sports than the XFL? In case you didn't know, the LA franchise won the one and only season championship. Fun fact of the day.

* What was worse - having Team USA on the ice in Vancouver while Team Canada celebrated and received their gold medals...or making Michal Handzus sit there tonight and listen to Drew Doughty talk to Bob Miller about it? Seriously - Zues and the SlovaKings had an awesome tournament and came home with nothing to show for it. Such a bummer.

* There have been some reports that Jack Johnson was avoiding Drew Doughty and/or giving him a little bit of an attitude leading up to and during the Olympics. JMFJ disputes all of the reports. Still...it was somewhat interesting that Coach Terry Murray chose to pair them together tonight instead of playing them with their normal d-partners. Was Murray trying to send a message of solidarity now that the Olympics are over?

* With the Penguins acquiring Ponikarovsky they're out of the Ray Whitney sweepstakes. Will this help the Kings chances? A deal with Carolina that brings the Wizard and Gleason to LA would just be to awesome for words. More likely - Andy 'Ronald' McDonald, Paul 'Once a Duck, Always a Duck' Kariya or Raffi Torres. Ethan Moreau has been rumored for weeks, but you would think if that deal was getting done, it would be done already. Eric Belanger would just make too much sense...a center that wins face offs - something this team struggles with at times. Those are some of the forwards that are likely to get moved. Rumor is the Kings are looking for a defenseman too. Then again, with Dean's track record, he's probably going off the grid with any trades. It'll be a name out of left field.

Tomorrow will be fun...and there's not even a game!

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119

Storm Watch 2010 - Trade Winds Picking Up

The LA Kings have been downright maddening so far in 2010.

The problem has been known since last season - they need more offense.

Ryan Smyth may be back from injury, but he can't carry the top line by himself. Randy Jones may add some occasional offense, but he's usually a huge defensive liability. Alexander Frolov continues to...well, put it this way - he and Patrick Marleau will both be unrestricted free agents this summer. On guy currently leads the NHL with 35 goals and the other...well, continues to be Frolov.

The Kings need Frolov to put up those type of numbers, not be a solid two-way forward that chips in some goals only periodically. Wayne Simmonds has more goals right now than Frolov...and he's played three fewer games than Fro. That's unacceptable.

Much has been made about the team's restocking of the farm system over the last few years and their development of younger players. And while this isn't a knock on any individual player, the roster is filled with too many kids right now.

A trade for a top-six forward needs to be made now, not closer to the trade deadline. The points in the next 10 games are too valuable.

Take a look at how the Kings have been performing:

Last night's win came in the 50th game of the season. Breaking the season down into 10-game segments shows a rather consistent performance by the Kings:

1st 10 games = 12 points
2nd 10 games = 12 points
3rd 10 games = 13 points
4th 10 games = 10 points
5th 10 games = 12 points

Which leads us to the real question... Is that same level of performance (about 12 points in every 10 games) going to be enough? It could be, but probably not. Most other years it probably would be. However, this season continues to be filled with three point games by a lot of teams.

For the Kings, it's too risky a proposition to hold your breath and hope they have enough to reach the finish line.  The team has been largely hovering around the 8th seed all year. The time for a trade is now.

Yes, the Kings have been learning how to win. And they've been learning how to lose.

All the while, they've also been trying to raise their compete level (the trendy saying of the moment) and coach Terry Murray continues to preach his 'shot mentality.'

Yet, the bottom line remains, this version of the LA Kings is short on offense...and to win games they need more of it.

Here's a quick review of some of the names who might be available to help:

* Eric Belanger - solid, veteran center...other than Jarret Stoll, the Kings are terrible on faceoffs...he's an unrestricted free agent this summer, so could be a good rental player...when I asked somebody in the Kings organization about him recently they said 'He's been one of the best faceoff men in the league, he's still got a lot of speed'

* Raffi Torres - he certainly would follow the theme of the last few years, where LA picks up a guy who's had some recent injuries...all jokes aside, he plays wing - which is the most critical need for the Kings right now...he has 26 points in 49 games this season - more than Scott Parse, Brad Richardson and Teddy Purcell

* Ray Whitney - one of the better choices available...he's a proven top-six forward with a Stanley Cup ring...great character guy...rumor is, it would probably cost a second round pick...it's a complicated situation though because he has a no trade clause and reportedly loves playing in Carolina

* Tampa Bay Lightning - two years ago it was heavily rumored that the Kings were interested in Vincent Lecavalier - but, at this point, it just doesn't make sense with his big contract...the Lightning have three other players who might be better options, each with varying levels of probability when it comes to their availability - Martin St Louis (least likely, has a no trade clause), Ryan Malone (maybe) and Alex Tanguay (rumored to be available and would cost the least)...getting Tanguay would be interesting, as he was available last summer and Dean Lombardi passed on him

* Scott Hartnell - another player with a limited movement clause - however, this is the PERFECT guy for LA...some would complain that Dean Lombardi went after another former Flyer, yet that would be unfair criticism...Hartnell was drafted by and raised in the Nashville system...he plays on the top line in Philly and if you're going to move Frolov in a package, this is the type of guy you want in return

* Ilya Kovalchuk - of course, the Kings have been rumored to be in the sweepstakes for weeks...I just don't see it...Atlanta is going to want (and get) too much in return for a guy that will be unrestricted in July...plus, in the back of my mind I keep thinking about baseball (and we all know how much Lombardi loves baseball)...GMs there are often warned about taking the best pitcher on a bad team...I'd argue the same concern exists here with Kovi...an alternative from Atlanta might be Kozlov.

* Duck haters beware - two other possibilities include Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya

To get something you have to give up something (or some things). Trading draft picks is fine. If the Kings can get what they need with that, great - it's just highly unlikely to be that 'inexpensive.' Trading Purcell isn't going to get you much in return either. They may need to use Frolov to fetch more than what a package of 'Purcell and picks' would yield.  However, would they really be better off swapping out his goals for those of somebody else? Not really - that sounds more like a replacement than an addition.

So, what's left? Prospects that still have high trade value.

Lombardi has commented that he probably waited to long to trade Brian Boyle. The Kings have several kids in the system that may still yield a high return. So, perhaps the time has come to part with some of the future. Thomas Hickey may have been the guy they wanted at that draft, but how many young defensemen can the Kings really work in over the next two to three years? They already have Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson playing in LA.  Having Hickey, Colten Tuebert and Viatcheslav Voynov in the system is at least one too many blueliners.
It's a good problem to have, for sure - but somebody has to go.

The future is now. As in right now, not in another month at the trade deadline. There are 32 games left as of this morning - a third of which will be played before the deadline on March 3rd.

Fans have been doing their part in LA, with several sellouts since Christmas.

Dean Lombardi, you're on the clock. What are you going to do next?

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

Frolov Rumor: Team Russia?

It wouldn't be a good hockey week without a good Frolov rumor.

When the Olympic hockey rosters were announced a few weeks back Russian officials raised some eyebrows after saying the published list was only their 'preliminary' roster. They openly said they planned on making some changes. It was then reported that Brian Burke and Steve Yzerman, GMs of the U.S. and Canadian teams, asked IIHF officials for a clarification on the rules. They were under the impression that the rosters they submitted could be changed prior to the Games beginning...however ONLY in the case of a valid injury.

Well, fire up the story again...

According to RussianHockeyFans.com they've sourced a report out of Russia claiming nine players will be swapped out on the motherland's roster. Three of the reported substitutes come from the NHL, including the Kings Alexander Frolov.

Read the full report by clicking here.

While this would be great news for Frolov, perhaps even righting the original wrong of him not being included in the first place, this type of move by Russia isn't going to come without a little controversy...and perhaps even a protest or complaint filed by one of the other countries.

Stay tuned.

One19
www.twitter.com/Mayor119

100 NHL Goals for Dustin Brown

Somewhat lost in the middle of the Kings destruction of the Ducks last night was a milestone for Dustin Brown. At 12:43 of the second period he tipped in a shot from Frolov and Doughty, his 100th NHL goal.

That's quite an accomplishment for a guy that claims to have been a better lacrosse player than hockey player growing up.

However, he ended up playing Junior hockey in Canada after leaving his native New York. And he's found plenty of success ever since.

To celebrate his century mark in goals, let's take a look at 10 Tidbits on Brownie:

• Was selected in the first round, #13 overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. For a team that has been criticized for decades about trading away their picks, it was an odd year for the Kings. They had three first round picks. Brown was the only one pan out.
• The Guelph days - He wore #32 for his Junior team, the Storm. They also claim Dan Cloutier and Drew Doughty as former players. Brown left with 194 points (and 195 penalty minutes) in 174 games. He also left with quite a few awards - Scholastic Player of the Year all three years he was in Guelph, was voted the most popular player on the Storm in 2001-02 and was the Top Scorer in 2002-03.
• Becoming a fixture on Team USA - played twice at the World Junior Championships ('02 and '03), totalling 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 14 games. Alexander Frolov's Russian team beat Canada for the gold in 2002, with Brown's US squad finishing fifth. Then in 2003, the US lost the Bronze Medal game to Finland. He's also played for Team USA four times at the World Championships that take place late in the Spring each year. Last April he was named captain of the team and they finished fourth in the standings. Next up, he'll play for Team USA again at the 2010 Olympics, where he'll return to wearing #32 and he'll be an assistant captain.
• Regarding the NHL lockout in 2004 he said "It was a blessing in disguise for me. I loved my time in Manchester. I learned a ton about how to be a pro."
• His wife also had a stellar hockey career before settling down with Dustin and becoming a full-time mom. (click here for an interview with her)
• In baseball you would call him a five-tool player. Brownie has it all - the ability to score, play defense, dish out big hits...and he's even been known to drop the gloves when needed.
• 2007-08 led the Kings in goals with 33.
• 2008-09 was a monumental year for Brown. He was the first American born player ever chosen to captain the Kings, he played in his first NHL All Star Game and in December '08 he scored his first hat trick against St Louis. After the game against the Blues, the always humble Brown said "I felt like I'd been in a slump. I was getting chances, but the pucks weren't going in. So, I was just trying to keep it simple and putting pucks on the net. That's what we need as a team, throwing pucks at the net."
• Was the youngest player in franchise history to be named captain.
• He is currently under contract with the LA Kings through June, 2014. While it has never been officially confirmed, it is believed he has the LA Kings logo "tattooed on his ass" like GM Dean Lombardi has said he needs his players to have.

Congratulations on goal #100. Fans throughout Staples Center appreciate what you do on a nightly basis to help the Kings win and are proud to call you THE CAPTAIN.

One19
www.twitter.com/Mayor119


note - part of the above article was originally published in Nov 2009 on Brownie's birthday...it was updated for today's post


RELATED ARTICLES:

10 Free Agent Tidbits - notes on Frolov and Ponikarovsky, plus thoughts on Kariya

10 Tidbits on Alexander Frolov

10 Tidbits on Wayne Simmonds

10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty


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MayorsManor presents the Frolov 500

Sounds more like a NASCAR race, doesn't it?

In fact, we're talking about Alexander Frolov playing in his 500th game for the LA Kings tonight vs. the San Jose Sharks.

The benchmark number puts him #17 all time for the Kings and it's a threshold that's been narrowly missed by many, including past fan favorites Marty McSorley (472) and Lubomir Visnovsky (499).

To help celebrate this accomplishment, here are 10 tidbits you might not know about Alexander Frolov.

* Two significant honors before joining the Kings: 2001-02 Rookie of the Year in the Russian Super League and a gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships (where he scored a goal for Russia in the final game and led the team with 6 goals and 8 points in 7 games).

* Was selected #20 in the first round of the 2000 NHL Draft. Other players taken in that same first round: ahead of him (Rick DiPietro, Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Scott Hartnell and Brooks Orpik), after him (Brad Boyes, Steve Ott and current teammate Justin Williams).

* Has been durable for the Kings, averaging 76 games per year during his six full seasons in LA.

* A few high points with the Kings: First NHL goal on October 25, 2002 vs New York Rangers. First NHL hat trick on November 13, 2005 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets. Has led the team in goals three times - 2003-04 (24 Goals), 2006-07 (35 goals) and 2008-09 (32 goals).

* Played in the Russian Elite League before making his NHL debut with the Kings in 2002-03. Then returned to Russia during the NHL Lockout in 2004, playing 42 games with CSKA Moscow and 6 games with Moscow Dynamo.

* According to AlexanderFrolov.com these are some of Fro's favorites: Shrek (movie), Andre Agassi (athlete) and Aerosmith (band).

* No fro-love from the mother country? Has significant international experience - playing for Team Russia in the 2002 WJC, 2004 World Cup, 2006 Olympics and three times at the World Championships ('03, '07 and '09). No matter...he was not asked to join Russia for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. A move that surprised many.

* Played in the 2003 NHL YoungStars game, the first Kings player to get the call. The game originated the year before as part of the All Star weekend in Los Angeles, where Team Barry Melrose defeated Team Jim Fox 13-7. MVP of the debut game was Ilya Kovalchuk of the Thrashers. Other participants in 2002 included Roberto Luongo, Pavel Datsyuk, Dany Heatley, Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik and Brenden Morrow. Young Stars indeed.

* Lotto numbers - Frolov has worn a variety of jersey numbers throughout his hockey career. He tried #31 while with the Soviet Wings in 2000-01 and in 2001-02. Number 42 went for a test drive in '04 with Dynamo. Of course, he has been wearing #24 for the Kings and most years with Team Russia.

* Throughout his time here in LA he's been rumored to be traded to just about every team in the NHL. This is not at an all encompassing list, but he's been linked to Montreal, Atlanta, Buffalo, Vancouver, Edmonton, Chicago, New York, Colorado, Ottawa, Pittsburgh...just Google 'Frolov trade rumors' and you can read one hilarious story after another. Nothing's happened so far. At this point, it's 500 and counting in a Kings jersey.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119




RELATED ARTICLES:

10 Free Agent Tidbits - more notes on Frolov and Poni Boy, plus thoughts on Kariya

10 Tidbits on Wayne Simmonds

10 Tidbits on Dustin Brown

10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty


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Interview with Andy Murray

They say nice guys finish last. Well, they at least get screwed over.

Tonight the Kings take on the Blues, an opponent that usually doesn't get the juices flowing for most fans in LA. There isn't any sort of a rivalry between the two teams.

Although, a decade ago there was plenty of hate when the Blues swept the Kings in the opening round of the playoffs (in game 3 the Kings were up 3-0, LA's Sean O'Donnell 'politely introduced himself' to Geoff Courtnall - after he took a run at the Kings goalie - resulting in a five minute powerplay for the Blues...St Louis rallied back and won the game).

For most, the memories have faded since then and this game is no different now than Columbus or Nashville coming to town.

However, prior to last Saturday, there was another reason to care. A beloved former Kings coach was at the helm and it was always great to see him back, even as a visitor.

Andy Murray went from being a virtual unknown when he was first hired by the Kings to their most successful coach in history. After three trips to the playoffs and with the team above .500, despite being riddled with injuries, he was let go with just a handful of games remaining in the 2005-06 season.

It may have been de ja vu all over again last Saturday morning. Murray led the Blues to a remarkable second half run last season, putting the team in the playoffs for the first time in five years. His team was riddled with injuries this season, played poorly at home and he was promptly welcomed into 2010 by getting his walking papers from the Blues.

Prior to his being let go I had a chance to speak with the always approachable Murray as part of my game preview for today. Obviously, some of it is out of context now, but the answers and insight were still worth sharing. We talked about his career, the Blues, family and a team he truly cares about - the Kings.

MM:  Your first year as the head coach of Hershey in the AHL you guys won the Calder Cup and then you were promoted to the Flyers as an assistant. Did you have to switch your mindset a little with the move?

AM:  When Bob Clark (GM of the Flyers) asked me to help out Paul Holmgren (head coach) I was happy to do so, but I would say my mindset hasn't really changed from one league to another. I've been coaching practically my whole life. I was even starting to coach back when I was still playing. My dad taught me that people are your most important assets in business or when managing a team, so I've always tried to approach things the same way, regardless of where or what level I'm coaching.

In 1992 you were an assistant with the North Stars when they went to the Stanley Cup finals...

Bob Clark got me that job too. He was fired in Philly and when he landed in Minnesota he called and asked me to join him.

Before the finals, did you feel you guys needed to alter your approach at all or was it important to just continue doing the things that got you there?

Well, at that point the guys are tired. They're getting banged up every night, but running on lots of adrenaline. Not a lot needs to be said at that point. It's funny. You get labeled in life, it doesn't matter if you're a coach or a player. At the time people were saying I like to have a lot of meetings, even if I didn't have them. But, I remember trying to keep the message simple.

Eventually you ended up taking some time away from the NHL. In 1996-98 you coached Team Canada and then eventually ended up at Shattuck-St. Mary's, a prep school...

The real reason I took the job at St. Mary's was when I was the coach for Team Canada - I mean it's a great gig, you're coaching one of the best programs in the world - but we didn't have any home games. Our home base was in Calgary. We'd have practice there and maybe some hockey clinics, but we traveled all over the world to play our games. Brady was playing at St. Mary's and when the coach left there was an opening. It was a great opportunity for me to spend more time with my family.

Then in '99 you were hired by the Kings...

When I got the job in LA I had never met Dave Taylor before. I knew Al Murray and I knew Rob Blake from coaching him with Team Canada. I had one interview with the Kings and when they asked me back I figured they must have liked me. When we went out to dinner and they offered the job I think I surprised them when I said I needed to think about it. But, I wasn't expecting them to offer me the job so soon and wanted to talk to my family and think about the kids back home that I had made a commitment to when I became their coach.

You mentioned taking the Shattuck job to spend more time with family. Why take the job with the Kings? Was it to get back to the NHL, was it the opportunity to be a head coach?

For sure. There are only 30 NHL head coaching positions. To be considered for one means that you have done some good things leading up to it. That's why I tell young coaches "Don't think so much about the future. Coach the team you have. If you do that well, the future opportunities will come." To answer your question though, there were other reasons. I always admired Dave Taylor as a player and I wanted to work with him. I also enjoyed coaching Rob Blake with Canada, so that appealed to me. The best part of being a coach is the day they ask you. It's a validation of all you've done up until that point.

Your first three seasons in LA your teams had 90+ points and made the playoffs all three years. Then the team lost to Colorado in '02. The next season the Kings had 78 points. What happened?

Well...I don't like to use injuries as an excuse. However, we set a record at one point for the most man games lost over a multi year period. We lost Allison, Deadmarsh, Palffy was out for an extended period - plus other guys. We weren't dealing with small injuries either. We had guys out with broken bones and concussions. That would be like Anaheim losing Getzlaf and Perry this season. It would crush them. Or the Kings losing Kopitar. It would hurt. Who knows where we would have been without a guy like Derek Armstrong. I think people forget, he basically became our number one center. It was a tough road to hoe there. We were struggling to find consistency. Looks like the Kings have that solved this year. But, that was a problem in LA for a number of years.

You left LA with more wins than any other coach in Kings history. Is that your legacy here or would you like to be remembered for something else?

You know what means the most to me? Going to the rink and having guys come up to me and still want to shake my hand. The way I'm treated when I return. Players, front office people and the fans, they all treat me so well. I love the handshakes and the hellos. The Kings are a great team finally. They are so fun to watch and I truly enjoy the people in LA. I'm glad they still welcome me.

In the Spring of 2006 you were fired with just a few games left in the season. Looking back on it, do you think it was a desperation move by a GM trying to save his own job?

I remember us being 8 games over .500 when I was fired. But we had been playing poorly for awhile and just came off a terrible game in Colorado. It was about 4pm and Dave Taylor called me into his office. I knew something was up. The only time he called me to his office at a time like that was if we were sending somebody down to Manchester. He'd call me in and we'd tell the player together. I knew that wasn't the case here so I went over and stuck my head in his office and said "Are you sending me down to Manchester?" and he was white in the face. I knew what was coming. I thanked him for what he had done for me, how he helped me and for the opportunity he gave me.

I'm not mad though. I had a great time in LA. I liked working for Mr Anschutz, Tim Leiweke and the whole team. I loved everything about being the Kings coach. I just wish we could have stayed healthy. It also would have been nice to still be there when guys like Brown and Frolov developed into the players they are today. Wow, they're something special. The only thing that bothers me is some of the stuff that people wrote that wasn't true - about my supposed battles with certain players and stuff like that. Even with Sean Avery. Sure, he's a real character. But he's become a pretty darn good hockey player for the Rangers.

For me, it's all about the relationships. I feel like now I can go back there when I retire and sit and watch the Kings games and enjoy it.

As far as the decision to let me go, sure I was disappointed. But, those things happen in our business and you just have to move on. I don't blame Dave. I'm a big Dave Taylor fan. Still am right now.

Let's move on to family. Your son Brady was drafted by the Kings and then finally made his debut in the NHL when the team played a series over in London back in '07. Was that a bittersweet moment for you since you couldn't be there at the game?

First off, I had no idea we were drafting him. It's a common misconception that I influenced that happening. Truth is I didn't know. As a coach you really don't get to see the draft book. Sure, you go to the draft - but that's basically just to shake hands or if there is a trade being proposed they'll consult you. But, most coaches know nothing about the draft - unless you're a coach and GM. You're not part of the decisions. I didn't even know where we had him ranked. In fact, I had been told by somebody in the Nashville organization that the Preds were looking to draft him around the third round. I guess somebody they had ranked higher fell to them in the second or third and then when it came around to us picking Al Murray walked around to the end of the table and said 'We're going to take Brady.' I had no idea. They told me just minutes before it was announced.

Anyway, it was great that he finally made the team in '07. He had a good summer camp. Nelson Emerson was keeping me informed. He was just living the dream there.

Then, when the Kings came home, one of their first games was against us (the Blues). So, to see him playing for the Kings at Staples Center - a building he was skating around in as a kid when it was first being built - it was special.

A couple games later he scored his first NHL goal, only to be sent down the next day. So, that was an exciting time, we just wished he could have stayed up a little longer.

He's playing in Europe right now, right?

Yes. He's playing as a non-import over there since I was there for eight years. He's making real good money and he led the league is scoring last year. The Kings qualified him. However, LA just has so many good young players right now you just never know if there's room for him. Who knows. In another year or two maybe he'll be back to give it another crack.

And your other son, Jordy, he's a left wing is in his second season at the University of Wisconsin. How's he enjoying himself?

He really likes it there. He was a little down in December after separating his shoulder. Right after it happened he was a little sour about being out. But, he'll be fine.

I just watched a tape of my daughter Sarah too, she is playing at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, one of the best women's hockey programs every year. She's a senior and she's getting ready to go play in a real good women's pro league over in Switzerland. In fact, she's going to sign with a team that's in the same city as Brady, so that will be pretty exciting.

(Just a reminder before the next section, he was still coaching the Blues at the time...)

Last year St Louis finished #6 in the West after being near the bottom of the standings at the All-Star break. As a coach you're constantly having to build guys up and keep them motivated. Confidence is important. How did you keep yourself motivated during that time period...to not start doubting your ability to coach?

Again, a big part of it came down to injuries. We lost Brewer, Kariya, MacDonald, TJ Oshie, guys like that in the first half of the season. So we had lost a lot of close games, but we played our butts off. I didn't talk to the team about the standings or points. I just tried to keep everybody focused on he next game. This season people here (in St Louis) got ahead of themselves and started talking Stanley Cup and stuff. That's too much pressure for most young players. Look at Kopitar, it took him three years to figure things out. Young guys like Doughty are definitely the exception.

Anyway, we just tried to think about the next game. If anybody had told our players in January how many games they would need to win in the second half to make the playoffs, it would have been overwhelming. We didn't even talk that way. We just talked about the next game on our schedule. I know that sounds very much like a coaches cliche. But, guys believed in that. We were just trying to win the next game. Its the same thing we're doing right now. It's a tight league, every point is so valuable. You have to win the next game though. If you don't win enough 'next games', you wont have any more to play at the end of the regular season.

When you were coaching in LA you often talked about the most important shift in a game being the one right after a goal is scored. When the Blues visited Staples back in early December the Kings scored, then you guys came right back and scored on the next shift...

That's why I harp on it, it's so important. A few weeks before that we had three of our young guys on the ice and a goal was scored against them. As soon as it happened all three of the young guys skated to the bench. Jackman and a couple other guys hopped on and lined up for the face off. Their thought was they got scored on, so I must have wanted them off. I made them get back out there. I made a point right then saying 'If I want to change it, I'll change it.'

I never want to see a player change himself. Unless it was a lazy goal or something, when a goal is scored on you I want you to go right back out to center ice and line-up. Show our team and show the opponents you're ready to battle.

When that goal was scored by the Kings, all five our guys stayed out. I was impressed by that. Obviously, they got a goal on that next shift. But, that's just a bonus. You want to have a strong shift after a goal is scored. You want to take the game back and we do talk about that. I was very proud of our guys at that moment.

How about some word association Andy?

Sure!

Here we go, we'll start with some guys you coached early in your career and move forward from there...

Dallas Drake - tough
Tie Domi - irritator
Nelson Emerson - great guy
Brent Thompson - passionate
Jay Wells - competitor
Ron Hextall - ultimate competitor
Rick Tocchet - ultra, ultra competitor (he laughs)...how about 'total package'
Mike Modano - quality guy, quality player
Rob Blake - great person
Luc Robitaille - one of the nicest guys in the game
Frolov - happy guy...I love being around him, always makes me smile
Ziggy Palffy - I still talk to Ziggy quite a bit - for him I'll say 'dynamic player'
Dustin Brown - wish we had him on our team
Sean Avery - underrated as a player
Ian Laperriere - love the guy
Jeremy Roenick - was fun to coach
Mattias Norstrom - warrior (then he laughed and said or 'a Canadian Swede')
Keith Tkachuck - classy guy, real leader on our team

* * * * * *

When we wrapped things up I thanked him and said I'd see him today. Only I won't.

A week ago he was fired by the Blues. Their home record - worst in the league - was partly to blame. Overall, Blues management felt he wasn't getting through to the team anymore and it was time for a change. Such is the life of a head coach. Hired to be fired.

In one of his final moves, on the way out the door, Murray left a a hand written note for new Blues coach Davis Payne. He wished him well.

And now it's official...Andy Murray might just be the nicest guy - not only in hockey, but anywhere, ever.

A class act.

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

RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Rob Blake

Interview with Luc Robitaille

Interview with Ian Laperriere

Oh, Canada...times two

Earlier today, with the entire nation of Canada hanging on his every word, GM Steve Yzerman announced Team Canada's 2010 Olympic Roster. In a somewhat surprising move, LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty made the final cut.

And in the irony of the day department - Doughty and the Kings are in Calgary to take on the Flames tonight, a team that features the two biggest names snubbed by Team Canada - Dion Phaneuf and Jay Bouwmeester. The same J-Bow that was the most sought after guy in hockey a mere six months ago.

It's quite an accomplishment for Doughty. This is a kid that just turned 20 years old a few weeks ago. And as repetitive as it sounds at this point, it's so true...he plays well beyond his years. Absolutely amazing on the ice.

While it will probably be several more years until we know for sure, for now Dean Lombardi continues to look like a genius for taking Doughty over Zach Bogosian at the 2008 NHL Draft.

Team Canada coach Mike Babcock (once a Duck, always a Duck) said that Doughty was selected for the 2010 team over other higher profile players because he's a "difference maker." Agree.

As for the Kings, well...somebody needs to be a difference maker tonight if they plan on winning in Calgary. It was December '05 when the Kings last won at the Saddledome; when guys like Cammalleri, Demitra and Roenick were wearing the purple and black crown.

In the second odd move of the day, Erik Ersberg will get the start in goal for LA. Sure, the Kings will playing tomorrow night in Minnesota too. However, with the team coming off a long break fatigue shouldn't be an issue for Quick right now. Plus, you usually put your best goalie in there against the better of the two teams in this situation.

However, given the Kings current 1-4 slump, perhaps Coach Murray wanted to shake things up a little. Or, perhaps he wanted to give Quick a chance at the rematch tomorrow night in Minnesota (if so, why?).

Either way, goaltending probably won't be the reason the Kings win or lose tonight (I said probably!). For LA to come out on top they're going to need to get some pucks past Flames goalie Mikra Kipprusoff. They've faced him three times this year already, scoring 2 goals in two and only one in the other game.

Paging Kopitar and Frolov. Please pick up the white courtesy phones.

This is the final meeting of the regular season between the two teams...and the final meeting of this pre-playoff three game series they've been playing in the month of December. Both of the previous games this month have been 2-1 contests, with the home team coming out on top in each.

Wrap it all up and there's a lot riding on tonight's game.

Doughty is out to silence any critics upset about him being selected over Phaneuf and Boumeester.

Meanwhile, the Kings are out to stop their current three game losing streak...looking to tie up the season series with Calgary at 2 each...hoping to win in Calgary for the first time in over four years...and NEEDING two points - desperately.

One 19
www.twitter.com/Mayor119

10 Tidbits on Wayne Simmonds

As a team the Kings are break even in their last 10 games and were only one game above .500 for the month of November. Not exactly setting the world on fire. Individually, the guy that carried the team for the first six weeks of the season - Anze Kopitar - has pulled a Frolov like disappearing act, having not found the back of the net in 9 games now. Back in early September I wrote about the budding bro-mance between Kopi and Ryan Smyth (click HERE for the 'love' article) and it sure seems like he's somewhat lost without him right now.

Then, there's Wayne 'the Train' Simmonds...he's scored a goal in three straight games now, the second time he's pulled that stunt already this season.

His ability to score timely goals is starting to shine through. Here are 10 things you might now now about 'theTrain':

* 109 and Counting - Was one of five Kings players to play in all 82 games last season. He's added to that total by playing in all 27 so far this season.

* He was born August 26th, the same day as former King Steve Carlson. Yes, that guy - 'Killer' Carlson from the movie Slap Shot. Steve played just one season for the Kings, back in '79-80. He played a few more years in the CHL and AHL before eventually coaching the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL. Life imitating art. By the way, if you've never seen the movie, your homework assignment for tomorrow night is to rent it. A true classic.

* Grew up in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Actors Mike Myers, John Candy and Jim Carrey also spent time in Scarborough during their youth. Candy also had (loose) ties to the Kings back in the '90s. He was friends with then owner Bruce McNall and Wayne Gretzky. The three also bought a Canadian football team together in 1991.

* While Kopitar won this year's Eddie Joyal Award (read article by clicking HERE), Simmonds did tie him for the preseason goal lead with 5...and he did it in just six games.

* In 2006-07 and part of '07-08 he played Junior hockey as part of the Owen Sound Attack - the same team that Brad Richardson played for from 2001-2005. It was the '04-05 season where Richardson scored...sit down for this one...41 goals in 68 regular season games. Anaheim's Bobby Ryan was part of that team and was still around when Simmonds joined the team (Richardson left the year before). To put Richardson's accomplishment in perspective, Ryan scored 37 goals in 62 games on that same team. Wow. Those two may never be mentioned in the same sentence again when talking about goals. King prospect Trevor Lewis also played there one year with Simmonds, 2006-07.

* With Owen Sound out of the playoff picture, Simmonds was traded to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the final 31 games (and playoffs) during the '07-08 season. The legendary Greyhounds have a long long list of NHL alumni - including former Kings Charlie Simmer, Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, Rick Tocchet - oh yeah, and Dan Cloutier.

* International Play - was on the 2008 World Juniors team for Canada, a gold medal winning team that included fellow Kings Drew Doughty; Kings prospects Jon Bernier and Thomas Hickey...and two kids named Steven Stamkos and John Tavares. Quite a line-up.

* From the age of 16 until joining the NHL last year, he had consistently been a point a game player each year. Last season, his first in the NHL, he averaged about a point every four games. He's picked it up this year, with 15 points in 23 games (.56 points per game).

* 2007 NHL Draft - Dean Lombardi turned a lot of heads that year, taking Thomas Hickey of the Seattle Thunderbirds with the 4th overall pick (Patrick Kane went #1 to the Blackhawks and Philly selected American born James van Riemsdyk #2). The Kings threw a huge, ultra expensive, open bar party at the new Hollywood and Highland that year to celebrate the draft day activities. They took Oscar Moller with their first of two picks in the second round (#52 overall) and then selected Simmonds #61 overall (the last pick of the second round). Interestingly, that pick had ties to Anaheim. The Kings acquired it on Feb 25, 2007 as part of the compensation from Vancouver when LA shipped Brett Sopel to the Canucks. Vancouver had originally received the pick when Anaheim hired coach Randy Carlyle in August 2005.

* Foreshadowing - In just his 3rd NHL game Simmonds scored his first career goal. Who were the Kings playing that night? Jean-Sébastien Giguère and the Anaheim Ducks.

Perhaps Wayne the Train and the rest of the Kings can ride the rails out of Anaheim with two points tonight. The puck drops in about an hour.

One19

www.twitter.com/Mayor119


RELATED ARTICLES:

10 Free Agent Tidbits - notes on Frolov and Ponikarovsky, plus thoughts on Kariya

10 Tidbits on Alexander Frolov

10 Tidbits on Dustin Brown

10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty


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