VIDEO: NHL 36 special on Kings' Mike Richards

If you missed the debut of 'NHL 36: Mike Richards' last night, here's the full episode. There are lots of behind the scenes shots of areas usually off limits to cameras - including the players lounge at TSC and more. They really did a great job capturing his routine leading up to the game last Thursday vs. Phoenix. Although, some of you will probably think Andrei Loktionov stole the show...

Ricahrds was also a recent guest on MayorsManor, where he talked openly about the Jeff Carter trade rumors - click here to read what he had to say.

The Mayor
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Trevor Lewis hopes they can 'find the back of the net soon'

Trevor Lewis (photo: D. Sheehan)

Trevor Lewis has played in all 15 games since coach Darryl Sutter took over on December 22 against the Ducks. That's a bit of contrast from the 15 games prior, where then-coach Terry Murray only put him in the line-up for six and scratched him for the other nine games.

The former first round draft pick has been playing primarily with Brad Richardson and Andrei Loktionov, and after practice yesterday Sutter said it was Lewis who was 'carrying the line' of late. Rather high praise for a guy who's only scored one goal this season.

Yet, it's more than just his offensive production that Sutter is looking at to evaluate Lewis' all around game. One recent positive was his career-high six hits vs the Flames on Thursday.

"I was trying to get in on the forecheck," said Lewis. "I think that's kind of the key to our line - to turn pucks over and grind 'em down low. I was first most of the time (on Thursday), so I had more hits."

On any improvement in his overall game over the last five games or so, Lewis was quick to point to his teammates.

"I think it's a credit to my line. We're playing well. As you play well, I think your confidence goes a little higher and you start to carry the puck a little bit more and make more plays. I just need to keep going and hopefully our line can find the back of the net pretty soon."

Does part of that confidence come from playing with the same two guys on a regular basis?

"Definitely. You're playing with them all the time and in practice. I think we've been together for...well, I don't even know how many games now. But, it's nice to know where they're going to be and what their tendencies are."

Sutter may have summed it up best though. After praising the line for 'doing a lot of good things and working hard,' he cut right to the chase - "Our third line has got to start scoring some goals for us. You do the math. How many goals does the third line have?"

Well, in the six games they've been together, that would be one.

The Mayor
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LA Kings prospect Nick Deslauriers starting to find his way

Nick Deslauriers (photo: Scott Slingsby)

About 400 miles down the Atlantic coast, gym-tan-laundry is all the rage. Yet, for Kings prospect Nick Deslauriers, it's more about training, eating and shopping when he's not at the rink.

Earlier this week, we spoke by phone and talked about his adjustment to the AHL, as well as his first professional goal - scored last Sunday in front of the hometown Manchester crowd.

"It was a power play," Deslauriers began, when asked to describe the play. "I was with Thomas Hickey, who sets me up all the time. I've had a lot of chances that just haven't gone in. But that time, I took a one-timer and it finally went through."

While he wasn't surprised the puck made it past the goalie - as "Dwight King did a perfect job of screening him" - he was a bit perplexed that it's taken so long. "I think luck finally came to me and it was about time that something happened, with all the shots I've been taking. I've been posting around four to six shots nearly every game."

Drafted by the Kings out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2009, Deslauriers has leaned heavily on Monarchs captain - and fellow Frenchman - Marc-Andre Cliche as he settles in to this chapter of his hockey career.

"We talk a lot," he explained. "We try to talk in English in front of everybody. But, it's kind of weird - two French guys talking English. So, it's fun having one French guy here, just to talk with. If I have some problems that I can't communicate in English, I just go to him and he helps me. Having a little French time together is pretty awesome."

But, it was the support of the entire D-core that worked to keep his confidence high earlier in the season when he wasn't getting much playing time, largely due to the Monarchs having so many defenseman on the roster.

Checking in with Loktionov - new skates, new attitude

It's only been a few weeks since the Kings coaching change, but some of Darryl Sutter's answers have been real gems. They're often short and seem to write their own headlines.

For example, I recently asked Sutter if he had any comment about the hoopla surrounding rookie Andrei Loktionov playing at center or wing earlier this seasons. And what pearls of wisdom did the coach lay on me?  'I don't care where he plays.'

Of course, Sutter went on to explain that he thinks most of the Kings forwards are talented enough to play multiple positions, yada, yada, yada. All good stuff, sure.  Yet, the simplified version is much more fun.

Loktionov was out of the line-up for Sutter's first three games. However, he's played in five straight games now and like most of the Kings, he seems to be taking to his new coach rather well.

"Oh I like him, he's a good coach," said the 21-year old Russian, with an ear-to-ear smile. "I like his system we play in the offensive zone, the defensive zone. At center, you have to always play down low. You have to always play in the middle. He says in the offensive zone we can send three guys behind the net and keep it a live puck. I like it."

Matt Greene's New Year's Resolutions for his teammates

Yes, it's January 1st, which means it's time for a New Year's article. Only this time, instead of hearing about what somebody hopes to accomplish or change in the coming year, we have one of the Kings' players sharing some resolutions for his teammates.

Kevin Westgarth started the tradition on MayorsManor last year and it seemed like a good idea to give it another whirl. So, here are some New Year's Resolutions Matt Greene offers up to his fellow LA Kings...

Mike Richards - Score more

Dustin Brown - Tip in a couple of Jack's shots (Johnson, sitting in the stall nearby, jokingly added, 'Yeah, instead of blocking them!')

Anze Kopitar - Play more minutes

Kyle Clifford - Get harder, you're getting soft off the ice.

Willie Mitchell - Be more vocal, talk a little bit more and make sure everybody knows what's on your mind.

Coach Sutter offers early reviews of Lewis and Loktionov

Much of the Kings roster came into the season with defined roles, both on defense and offense. Two players still searching to find their niche are forwards Trevor Lewis and Andrei Loktionov.

Lewis has benched for a large portion of coach Terry Murray's final month with the Kings and in 28 games played this year he's posted zero goals and one assist. Primarily used as a defensive forward last year, the Kings were hoping for more offense from the former first round draft pick this season.

Loktionov is also scoreless in 17 games played since his recall from Manchester in mid-November. On several occasions, it's appeared that the talented Russian was hours from being returned to the AHL, only to some how find another lifeline to stay in the NHL.

After practice yesterday, coach Darryl Sutter offered some impressions on both players after five games behind the bench...

Has there been a player that's caught your eye so far? - "The player I didn't really know much about is Trevor Lewis. I'm trying to show lots of confidence in him. I know he's, obviously, struggling to score - with a goose egg, right? He has a good enough skill set. I'm impressed with his attitude. How come he hasn't scored? I don't know. I think he gives us a speed dimension. I see guys like Vancouver, players like (Jannik) Hansen and kids like that. There's similarities. He just needs to do all those things and then chip some in for us."

Why Andrei Loktionov needs to be sent to Manchester

Before all the Loktionov lovers lose their mind, relax.

If you've heard any of my recent radio/podcast interviews, the kid has talent. He's still young, he'll be fine. The Kings thought the cake might be done, they pulled it out of the oven, had a bite and it's not fully cooked yet. Put it back in the oven for a little longer (in Manchester) and everything will be just fine.

At the end of last season and over the summer, Loktionov talked of only wanting to play center, he felt more comfortable there. Then, when he was called up this year, he was put on the left wing - because that was the need at the time. Everybody tried to put a smile on and power through it. Fact is, it didn't work. The same issues from last season were still there.

A few weeks later he found himself at center when Mike Richards went down and that should have been his chance to shine. It didn't happen. Fifteen games into his call-up he has no goals and two assists to show for it. Don't buy into the 'he's not being used properly' line of thinking. Good players make things happen when given the ice time. He hasn't done that by any stretch of the imagination.

The only reason he's still with the Kings right now is because of the NHL's holiday trade freeze. When Richards came off of IR last week, the team should have needed to make a corresponding roster move to make room for him. Yet, the freeze allowed them to carry an extra player through today.

But, as timing would have it, with the injury to Simon Gagne last night, the Kings might not need to make a roster move today - other than putting #12 on IR.

Clifford cements his role on fourth line, others on the clock

Kyle Clifford is still 20 years old.

That's an important point to remember. Yet, sometimes, a hard fact to keep in mind. People have been calling him things like 'a kid trapped in a man's body' for the last few years. While true, some were expecting more from The Colonel coming into the season - especially after his coming out party during last year's playoff series with San Jose.

He's played in all 27 games this season and has three points to show for it (one goal, two assists). In his 27th game last year, he picked up his second goal and fifth point. So, he's not that far behind.

However, back the post season, he put up five points in six games - including tying for the team lead with three goals.

Still, while nobody probably expected him to be a top-six forward this year, does he belong on the fourth line?

"Well, that's actually where he should be, is on the fourth line, in reality" said coach Terry Murray after practice today. "That's where he played last year. He showed great signs in the playoffs last year, had some nice success. You'd like to think he could make a step up to third line and he will be there someday - that would be his position down the road. But, again, second year, it's not easy. His work ethic, his attitude, his try is tremendous. He loves the team. He works hard for the team and wants to win every night. But, there's a process that you need to go through and he's in the middle of it right now."

POLL: What's the right roster move for the LA Kings?

As reported yesterday, Dustin Penner is set to return to the Kings line-up this Thursday. In order for that to happen though, the team needs to make a roster move to create a slot for him.

If you were the Kings GM, which of the following moves would you make?

To answer the question properly, first assume a few things... Penner isn't getting traded and/or waived, Bobby Ryan isn't moving across town to Staples Center and all other trades are temporarily off the table. Thus, one of the options below is what 'you' and your Kings management team are trying to reach consensus on.

For those unfamiliar with the finer points of the decision, some players can be sent to Manchester without a problem (i.e. usually younger players, with fewer games played in the NHL - like Andrei Loktionov). Others, usually more experienced players, would first have to be placed on 'waivers,' allowing another NHL team to claim them - which would also free up cap space for the Kings. If the waived player isn't taken by any other team, he can then be assigned to Manchester.

Weighing all options, which one is the right move?




Poll closes at noon on Tuesday or when the final decision is announced by the team.

The Mayor
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Evaluating coach Murray's new line combinations - includes quotes from Loktionov

Evaluating coach Terry Murray's new line combinations

All the talk about coach Terry Murray's re-shuffling of the lines today reminded me of a conversation I had with Andrei Loktionov last Monday.

It was the team's first practice since their loss to Detroit two days prior and I had asked him about being moved back to center during the third period of that game...

"I feel more comfortable there," he immediately said. "When I played center, I took more shots. I think I had three shots. So, it's a little bit more comfortable for me."

He also shared a few thoughts on playing with Mike Richards - "It's good. He's a good player. When he has the puck he gives it to you, then he moves around. I love playing with him."

Well, he can 'love' it all he wants. But, the fact remains Loktionov's numbers haven't been what the Kings are looking for (just two assists in six games since his recall). Hence the changes today.

Which then reminded me of something else Loktionov had told me after he showed up in town a few weeks ago. Back in Manchester, he had been playing with Brandon Kozun and Jordan Nolan.

So, now, let's revisit the line combinations suggested here on MayorsManor recently and compare then to what Murray did earlier today.

Mike Richards on his latest left wings - Stoll and Loktionov

Earlier today we heard from Kings coach Terry Murray and center Jarret Stoll about the line shuffling that took place during the third period on Saturday afternoon.

Now we check in with Mike Richards, who saw his left wings swapped out...

Richards on Andrei Loktionov - "He's a smart player. I think he's going to get better as he gets more comfortable. It's not an easy situation for him to come into - two division rival games and then against Detroit. So, I think time is going to be valuable for him, just to get his feet wet, more comfortable on the ice and then build his confidence. But, right now he's playing well, has a lot of good vision on the ice and works hard. So, hopefully he can just keep getting better."

Richards on the move that put Stoll on his left wing - "It's tough. Stollie and I are both centermen. So, I think we have a lot off of reading off of each other. Even though you're on the ice, you read off of each other anyway. It's just, you have set positions and in the third period you're just looking for offense and you're pushing a little bit more."

Still to come, notes from our talk with Loktionov following practice today.

The Mayor
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Stoll and Murray talk center vs left wing, possible changes

During his post game presser on Saturday, LA coach Terry Murray said he wouldn't be sticking with the third period line combinations he used against Detroit - which featured Andrei Loktionov as the third line center and moving Jarret Stoll to the second line left wing.

However, after practice today, he seemed to soften his stance just a bit...

On the thought of Loktionov at center - "I've thought about it a lot. Before we got him back up here, that was part of the thought process - where am I going to play him, is it going to be left wing? I felt good about him on the left side and I still do."

On where Loktionov will play versus St. Louis - "I'll leave that line the way it is (the second line), with him on the left side, for the game tomorrow. I know I have an option. I know I can make some moves there and he would be one of those players who I could move to a different position if I feel I need to."

On playing Stoll at center or left wing - "He prefers to be in the middle of the ice. But, sometimes you have to make those kind of changes and we'll see where this all goes. Loktionov might be fine on the left wing and we'll just leave him there. I don't want to put any doubt in anybody's head here, as to what I might do."

Loktionov to center, Stoll to wing - only temporary moves

Sunday was a day off for the Kings.

It also gave coach Terry Murray a chance to wash out the blender, dry it off and return it to the shelf from which he removed it on Saturday afternoon.

With the Kings struggling to generate offense against the Red Wings, he moved some of his players around - namely swapping Andrei Loktionov (who had been the second line left wing) with Jarret Stoll, the third line center.

However, when the team takes the ice for practice tomorrow morning, things will return to how they were prior to the third period of yesterday's 4-1 loss.

"You’re just trying to change things up, to get the offense going at that time," said Murray of the temporary changes. "We moved Loktionov to the middle, Stoll (to the wing) and Brad Richardson goes up - I'm looking for some speed to the puck, maybe, on the forecheck, to just give Kopi and Gags an opportunity to recover some pucks. Williams goes to Loktionov. I’m looking to try and find some balance in the scoring with that change. It’s not something I’m going to stay with. Lokti will go back to the left wing. I think he's played fine on the left side. But at that time, when it is 3-1, you’re trying to find something that's good."

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Detroit Red Wings at LA Kings - five things to know

When the Red Wings arrive at Staples Center this afternoon, it will be the first time they see the Kings this season.

- Over the last six games between the two teams, LA has gone 5-1-0.

- The Kings are 6-1-0 with Slava Voynov in the line-up. Yes, they are also 2-0 with Andrei Loktionov too.

- Detroit's power play has converted at 16.4% through 17 games, while the Kings' have clicked at 20.2%.

- LA's penalty kill has also performed better, killing off 82.7% compared to Detroit's 77.8%.

- Jimmy Howard has gone 8-5-2 this season, with a 1.90 goals against average and .928 save percentage. Kings coach Terry Murray will counter with Jonathan Quick.

Be sure to follow along on twitter and/or facebook for live quotes from the locker room following the game.

The Mayor
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Coach Murray says 'Frustration is good' after Kings 2-1 win

Although the Kings put up 17 shots in the first period - a season high - and outshot the Ducks 37-24, it still took a shootout to decide tonight's game.

After the Kings 2-1 win, thanks to shootuout goals from Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams, here's what coach Terry Murray had to say...

- On the overall game: "Frustration is good. If you’re getting 37 shots, you get 30 shots after two period and you’re getting frustrated because you’re not scoring, that’s OK. That means you’re doing a lot of good things to get frustrated about. That means you’re putting pucks to the net…The five-on-five play was good. The mentality of getting pucks to the net and having traffic was very good. I liked our power play tonight, we moved it around, we got pucks to the net."

- On Justin Williams scoring in the shootout after his late-game penalty gave the Ducks a power play: "I acknowledged that in the dressing room post-game. It was a huge goal for him to get us the two points. It’s unfortunate with the penalty, he’s just doing the things he has to do to recover some pucks on the fore-check as fast as possible. I think he was just a little off-balanced and the stick just happened to come down…He bounced back. He scored a huge goal for us to get the two points."

- On the play of the two Russian call-ups, Andrei Loktionov and Slava Voynov: "I thought both were very good. Loktionov was on Richards’ line and they played against the top lines on Anaheim here tonight. I was very confident with his play without the puck. Both guys [Loktionov and Voynov] are very skilled with the puck. They’ve got a lot of composure. They see the ice. They make some plays…They’re both going to be very good players."

More later.

The Mayor
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Loktionov talks Hextall, Kozun and other Kings prospects

Loktionov preseason goal (photo: M. Zampelli)

The Russians are coming. It's the story that's dominated the Kings headlines in most places the last few days.

Slava Voynov and Andrei Loktionov, both drafted by the Kings in the 2008 NHL Draft, were recalled from Manchester (AHL) in separate transactions about 24 hours apart.

Following practice yesterday, we spoke one-on-one with Voynov (posted earlier today) and then Loktionov, who arrived in LA just a day before his Russian comrade.

Back in the minors, Loktionov had gotten off to a quick start, scoring three goals in the Monarchs first five games. Since then, he's gone twelve games without a goal. However, he still left the AHL as the teams top point producer, largely behind his 11 assists (which are more than double any other player on the team).

Here's what the 21-year old forward had to say...

- Ron Hextall, Kings Assistant GM (who also serves as the Monarchs GM), called him on Sunday morning to let him know the Kings were calling him up to the NHL.

- Regarding his recent lack of production in Manchester - "We changed linemates after only one week. I was playing with Marc-Andre Cliche and Jordan Nolan. Then, Cliche moved to play center. Then, they moved Brandon Kozun (to my line)."

Ducks at Kings Freeway Faceoff - pregame primer

Tonight will be game number 103 between the Kings and Ducks.

Last year, Anaheim took the season series four games to two.

Through 17 games played by each team, the scales are titled towards the Kings - they have more wins (8 to 6), points (19 to 15), have scored more goals per game (2.41 to a league low 2.00), given up fewer goals per game (2.24 to 2.82), have a better power play (20.3% conversion to 13.6) and have won a greater percentage of faceoffs (51.9% to 46.6%).

What does all of that mean? Not much. The Ducks come in having won the last three games played between the two clubs, including the last two in Los Angeles.

Don't expect a heavyweight fight tonight either. George Parros is out recovering from eye surgery. Kevin Westgarth will be a healthy scratch.  (If you want to read a great story about Parros and a Chewbacca suit when he was a Kings prospect playing in Manchester, click here.)

Over the summer, Mike Richards was on MayorsManor talking about his relationship with Corey Perry (here) - which followed up Bobby Ryan talking about his friendship with several Kings players (here) the previous off season.

Still, don't expect a love fest out on the ice. The tension has been growing between these two teams over the last few years.

Slava Voynov... The LA Kings Savior?

Slava Voynov in LA (photo: C. Ikiri)

With Slava Voynov and Andrei Loktionov back in town this week, it was time to brush up on my Russian translation skills.

I called up old friend Alexander Frolov first, but his number had been changed. When I dialed up Vitali Yachmenev next, he just wanted to talk about playing with Gretzky at the Forum - so he wasn't much help.

Alex Zhitnik was worth a shot, but I couldn't understand a thing he said. So, finally, I called up Kelly Hrudey. He doesn't speak Russian, however he always takes my calls.

Although none of the above really happened yesterday, the following did take place...

After practice, I tried to ask Voynov a few questions. It wasn't the thick Russian accent or basic level English that gave me the most trouble though - it was trying to understand what he was saying while smiling from ear to ear. I'm really not sure who was happier, Voynov or Loktionov. They both were smiling so much it was starting to freak me out.

Here's some crib notes from our chat:

- He actually practiced with the Monarchs on Monday, then was told he'd been called up. It wasn't long before he was at the airport and headed to LA.

Murray not impressed with Loktionov so far, chance is now

Loktionov in preseason (photo: M. Zampelli)

Along with his comments about Slava Voynov and the new defensive pairings (posted in earlier articles last hour), Kings coach Terry Murray had plenty to say about the 'other' Russian who's now in town, forward Andrei Loktionov.

For the second day in a row, Murray had the 2008 NHL draft pick playing on the Kings' second line, with Mike Richards and Dustin Brown.

Following practice, Murray talked a little bit about the expectations surrounding Loktionov right now...

"He'll be playing on one of the top two lines here, playing with Richards, that's an important position that he's in. Same as Voynov, he's in a position to play some important minutes."

The move to put him on the left wing is at least eyebrow raising, as Murray and Loktionov both spent quite a bit of time late last season and over the summer talking about the fact the young Russian is better suited for the center position. Murray addressed that point as well...

"Well, I had many different scenarios in my mind on how it would all come together in the summertime, thinking Loktionov would really feed off of his opportunity from last year. I felt his training camp was off, quite frankly. in the exhibition games, in the practices, I saw some hesitation, I saw him not handling the puck, not transporting the puck through the middle of the ice and creating in the offensive zone, as I envisioned it would be. So, with that, that's where it ended up at the start of the year - with him back in Manchester. Now, it's a situation where I need a player to fit into a position. We're pretty much set down the middle. If he's going to fit in and be a player for us, he's up on an IR replacing Penner, we're looking for offense and we're looking for goals. We feel with Loktionov fitting in there now, he's going to give us that same look - creativity, he's a hockey player, he has a high IQ on the ice, I think. He's going to make plays with Richards and Brown."

He went on to talk about any motivational tactics he may use on the two players just called up from Manchester...

The Russians are invading LA - are you prepared?

The Kings will have have a new injection of Eastern European blood when they take the ice on Wednesday night against the visiting Anaheim Ducks.

Two of LA's top prospects were recalled today - forward Andrei Loktionov and defenseman Slava Voynov. Both were born in Russia and drafted by the Kings in the 2008 NHL Draft.

Although they've played the last few seasons together in Manchester, New Hampshire for the Kings' top minor league affiliate, they were born about 1,000 miles apart in their native land. Loktionov hails from Voskresensk, a city not far from Moscow, while Voynov is originally from Chelyabinsk - which is further east on a map.

Voynov held down the fort while Drew Doughty was negotiating a new contract with the Kings during training camp and was the last player cut before opening night rosters were submitted to the NHL.

Then, after Doughty was injured in the fourth game of the season, Voynov was recalled and played the next five games with the team - picking up two goals and an assist. He also scored a goal in his last game with the Monarchs this past Saturday. It was his third goal and fourth point in the AHL this year.