Fresh back from a five-day trip to Russia, Marcel Dionne arrived in LA last week to participate in the LA Kings Fantasy Camp. The night before he joined several other members of the Kings Alumni and this year's campers, I met with Dionne for a one-on-one interview, where we covered a wide range of topics.
[note: His thoughts on Anze Kopitar were posted here]
Dionne's 735 goals alone were enough to give some goalies nightmares. But, add in the more than 1,500 scored by that trio of companions and you're talking about an unlimited highlight reel of how to pick up points in the NHL. Yet, in this feature, we'll take a look at the other side of putting pucks in the net - the guys wearing pads and a mask and trying to stop those snipers.
We began with an obvious one, Jonathan Quick - is he the real deal?
Long time followers of MayorsManor - especially those who've listened to any of my radio interviews - know that when talking about Jonathan Quick, I often make mention of a passing comment Sean O'Donnell made to me in Las Vegas in the fall of 2009.
To set the stage properly, it's important to understand that the season before that conversation took place, Quick had split time between Manchester (AHL) and Los Angeles. And the year prior to that, he was in the ECHL. So, with only 47 games of big league experience, very little was still known about Quick.
Yet, O'Donnell told me that he saw big things in Quick's future, including a Stanley Cup.
From talking to players over the years you develop the ability to cut through some of the rhetoric and fluff. Make no mistake about it, O'Donnell wasn't pumping the tires of a teammate when he said it. In fact, he's the one that brought up Quick. With such praise coming from a well respected veteran (one with over 1000 games played, a former team captain, Stanley Cup winner, etc.), I took note.
Then, as if O'Donnell knew the script, Quick went on to win 39 games that year - setting the Kings' single-season franchise record in the process. He went on to top that with a stellar season last year and a Vezina Trophy worthy campaign is underway at the moment.
So, when I had a chance to catch up with O'Donnell over the weekend, I just had to know... What did he see in Quick way back then?
If you like the horn at Staples Center, you're going to love the video below.
These highlights from last night's Kings game vs. the Blackhawks feature clips of Jeff Carter, Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar, Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner and several others. Yet, the night belonged to Dustin Brown.
After the game, I asked him which of the three goals were his favorite - "The first one. Stolly probably made the play happen. He skated all the way up the ice, drove the 'D' back. That gave me a little bit of room to cut to the middle and I just found a way to score."
On Friday, Brown sat down for a one-on-one interview with us where he opened up about how he was dealing with recent trade rumors. If you missed it, be sure to give it a read here.
On Saturday, he made the ultimate 'actions speak louder than words' statement.
Recently, we kicked off a 'Player of the Week' segment in conjunction with a regular appearance on All the Kings Men podcast. During this week's show we talk about the Kings' minor league affiliates in Manchester and Ontario, as well discussed the rookie call-ups and where the Kings should go from here with the roster.
You can listen to this week's episode at this link.
With only two games played between February 13-19 - and the Kings not getting goals in either - filling out the ballot for 'King of the Week' was challenging. However, in the podcast we reviewed why Mike Richards and Willie Mitchell deserve to be nominated. So be sure to give it a listen.
Here's a quick review of this week's candidates:
Jonathan Quick... two games played, only gave up one goal in each - posting a .948 save percentage in the process
Mike Richards - four shots on goal, four hits, seven penalty minutes - including a fight with a guy two feet taller than him
Willie Mitchell - stout defensive play
This poll closes at 8pm PST on Wednesday.
To view the results of last week's poll, click here.
For the past few years we've run a 'Player of the Month' poll here on MayorsManor. Now, through the remainder of the season, we'll be publishing a poll for the 'King of the Week.' I'm scheduled to appear each Monday on the brand new All the Kings Men podcast, where we'll discuss the top Kings' performances from the prior week and narrow the field to three.
You can listen to this week's episode at this link.
As you'll hear, we're then looking for you to weigh in on who deserves the crown - so to speak.
The list of nominees for the week of February 6-12 are:
Jonathan Quick... record of 2-1-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average and .921 save percentage - also was the 2nd star vs Lightning and Islanders
Jordan Nolan... first NHL goal, in his second NHL game, was a game winner vs the Stars (also had five hits and was third star of the night) - plus, two hits and one takeaway vs. Islanders
Justin Williams... three points on the week - including one goal, one assist, plus-1 vs Stars
Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick tried to remain positive after the team's 2-1 overtime loss to the Islanders earlier today. Here's what he had to say back in the locker room...
Thoughts from coach Darryl Sutter and team captain Dustin Brown are up on the homepage right now.
Kings captain Dustin Brown was obviously disappointed with his team's performance today vs. the Islanders. After, he spoke with the media - including sharing thoughts on goalie Jonathan Quick and rookie Jordan Nolan.
Post-game thoughts from coach Darryl Sutter and Quick are up on the homepage.
In his post-game conversation with the media in Tampa Bay, Kings coach Darryl Sutter discussed the importance of getting the first goal, having a young hockey team, the play of Jonathan Quick and more. Take a listen...
The two best three-word Sutterism of the night may have been 'broken stick goal' (in reference to Steven Stamkos scoring the Lightning's lone goal) and 'just move on' (regarding last Saturday's tough loss in Carolina).
While Canadians proudly proclaim hockey is their sport, few things are as American as the Super Bowl. Whether you're gathering with friends today to watch the game, the commercials or just eat a bunch of food, the game has nearly turned into a national holiday. Football fan or not, it's hard to escape the hype surrounding the biggest sporting event of the year. So, who are the Kings favoring today...
Drew Doughty - "I want the Pats to win. I kind of have a few things going with some of the guys on the team. Quickie is a big Giants fan. So, I have to make sure I'm able to rub that in."
Jack Johnson - "Patriots. I think Eli (Manning) is great, I like him. Yet, when push comes to shove, I have a hard time betting against Tom Brady. I hope it's not a low scoring game though. I'd like to see a little bit of a shootout, that makes things more interesting."
Matt Greene - "Patriots. The total points in the game will be 67."
Rob Scuderi thinks it going to be a high scoring game too - "I'll take the Patriots. I don't care about the score, as long as it ends up to 57 (total points) or over."
So, three guys from one of the stingiest defenses in the National Hockey League are looking for an offensive explosion in the Super Bowl?
Fine, how about the forwards - what do they think?
When the Kings returned to their practice facility on Monday after nearly a week long break there was a stranger sitting in Jonathan Quick's stall. Perhaps even more confusing to some, he was putting on goalie equipment.
Salvatore Tecci had been at the rink since noon, hours before practice was set to start. As the players slowly trickled in, each pretty much did the same thing. "They would walk past me, then turn and do a double take," he said. "Many had a look of 'Who is this kid?'"
Eventually, they came over and welcomed him. "But, they would introduce themselves by their first names, which didn't really help because I didn't know who they were," he shared. "Having lived in Boston for seven years, if I would have practiced with the Bruins, I probably would have known everyone on the team."
Tecci primarily grew up in Henderson, NV and his only exposure to pro hockey was the Las Vegas Thunder of the old IHL.
"When I first stared playing, there were only two ice rinks within 100 miles," said the 20-year old netminder. "I started skating when I was five, and eventually only became a goalie because one day somebody didn't show up. So, I said 'Yeah, I'll play goalie, they play the whole game.' I was always the youngest kid on the team, so they wouldn't give me a lot of playing time before."
In between filling in for one of his teammates back then and subbing for Quick while he was at the All-Star festivities, Tecci also attended the famed Thayer Prep School in Massachusetts - where a young Jeremy Roenick met Tony Amonte and skated on the same line together. As a freshman Tecci led the state in wins.
NHL scouts and college coaches paid him plenty of attention over the next few years. Yet, it all came to an abrupt end his senior year when he developed an eye infection that put him out of action for several months.
With the All-Star break now behind us, it's time to look ahead towards February - when the Kings return to the ice tomorrow night vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, before we do, let's first open up the polls to determine who was the Kings Player of the Month for January.
Overall, the Kings went 5-2-4 in 11 games last month, including a 3-2-3 record at home and 2-0-1 on the road. As for individual stats, try these brain teasers out to get the juices flowing...
- Which King led the team in shots on goal? No, he wasn't a center. Justin Williams paced the team with 39 SOG, eight more than Koptiar.
- Which player on the second line had the most goals - Dustin Penner, Mike Richards or Jarret Stoll? None, or all, depending on how you look at it. They each had one goal. Penner led the way with 21 shots (and played one fewer game than his linemates).
- Kyle Clifford had the second most penalty minutes in January (30). Who had the most? Richards with 31. And who was third? Drew Doughty with 20. Not what you want to see from two of your best players.
OK, enough is enough. How about some nominees for the Kings' January Player of the Month...
Dustin Brown - tied for the team goal lead (4) and produced the most hits (41) in January
Drew Doughty - led all defensemen with six assists and was a team best plus-7
Jack Johnson - most goals by a defensemen (3) and only one back from the team lead, led all d-men in shots (26), had only four penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating
Anze Kopitar - tied for the team goal lead (4) and was second in points (9)
Jonathan Quick - started ten of the team's 11 games, posting a 4-2-4 record with one shutout and five games where he only gave up one goal - giving him a goals-against average well under 2.00
Justin Williams - Led the team in assists (7), points (10), power play goals (3) and shots (39), was also tied for second in goals (3), just one back of Brown and Kopitar
Was it really this bad when the All-Star Game was held in Los Angeles back in 2002? Is it because the event was held in 'hockey crazed' Canada? Or has the whole thing just turned into a nutty media thing, ala the Super Bowl? Watch as Kings goalie Jonathan Quick attempts to answer some - interesting? - questions...
Thanks to Kings Vision for supplying the video content.
Below is a short video with goalie Jonathan Quick after being selected with the third pick by Team Alfredsson at the NHL All-Star Game Fantasy Draft. After watching him answer some questions from the media, be sure to click the link under the player to see a special message he taped just for LA Kings fans.
Brief message from Quick after day one of his NHL All Star experience - play here.
Led by Kyle Clifford's first Gordie Howe hat trick, the Kings downed the Senators 4-1 tonight and improved their record to 11-1-1 vs. Ottawa. The video below includes some great saves by Jonathan Quick, Trevor Lewis taking a penalty shot - plus goals by Willie Mitchell, Clifford and Jack Johnson.
If you'd like to watch Clifford's first period fight with Zenon Konopeka, click here.
Daniel Alfredsson, who stopped by MayorsManor prior to the game to discuss the Kings and the upcoming All Stat Game (link), scored the lone Ottawa goal.
We'll have post-game notes and quotes up early in the morning
In the last meeting between the Kings and Senators (on November 22, 2010), Anze Kopitar opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first period. LA eventually lost that game 3-2. It stands as Kopitar's only goal vs Ottawa in four career games. How have some of his teammates fared?
As the Kings and Avalanche enter tonight, both teams have played 48 games. The somewhat surprising statistic is that Colorado has actually won more of them, 25 to LA's 23. Most people were expecting the Kings to contend for the Pacific Division crown this year, while Avs coach Joe Sacco was rumored to be on the hot seat just last month.
Both teams are taking an average of 31 shots per game. Yet, like just about every team in the league, they're scoring more goals than the Kings, 124 to 106.
Colorado visited LA earlier this month, and - surprise - the game was tied after three periods. In fact, nine of the 15 games played since Darryl Sutter took over behind the bench have needed more than 60 minutes.
"We've played them twice (this season)," said Sutter. "Once when I wasn't here, we lost up there 3-2. Then, we lost here in the shootout. If you break it down...shots for and against, well, we've out shot them 2-1 and haven't beat them yet. So, it's about finishing opportunities. You have to handle their skill. They're still a great - it goes back to Sakic and Forsberg, it's still in their system, the triangle and the way they play in the offensive zone. This group carries that on for them. Those kids are quick. You have to be able to defend really well against them or they're going to...they're a quick team."
Goalie Jonathan Quick has been in net for both losses to the Avalanche this season, a rather odd stat considering he entered the year with a 7-0-0 record and two shutouts against them.
On the positive side, LA is 4-0-2 at home against Colorado since October 2008. So, tonight gives them a chance to pick up at least a point in seven straight against them at Staples Center.
One definite change from the other two contests this season will be the addition of Peter Mueller (a teammate of Jack Johnson's back at the US National Development Program) to the Avs line-up. He recently returned after missing all of the 2010-11 season and the first 40 games this year.
Full rosters and line combinations for both teams will be posted later today.
Goalie Jonathan Bernier has started just eight of the Kings' 48 games last year. However, it's not his 3-4-1 record that is holding him back from getting more playing time - it's starter Jonathan Quick, who is posting such incredible numbers that he's starting to generate discussions about being a possible Vezina Trophy candidate.
So, what does all this mean for Bernier? After all, by this time last year, Bernier had already made 13 starts.
After practice today, coach Darryl Sutter was asked if there's been any message to Bernier, in terms of staying prepared?
"That's his job," said Sutter. "We have one season that's done on Monday or Tuesday (referring to the upcoming break in the NHL schedule for the All Star Game). Then, another one starts a week after that. That's the only way I look at it. I'm not about anything other than getting the max out of everybody. If the players have to stay ready and sharp in practice, that's going to be there problem, not mine. He's been fine though, he's been awesome. What more do you want? Obviously he probably wants to play more. But, it's about winning games right now. We're in a playoff battle. When he goes in, he better look at like it's game seven."
Do you have a rough plan for the goalie rotation?
"I think everybody that has an ace does that or tries to. But, very seldom does that hold. Especially in a year where our team gets a seven day break. So, that's what you have to try and manage. Quite honestly, we have 32 games left after the break and we have six back to backs and a lot of road games. So, you have to think that he's going to play more than he did in the first 50 (games)."
Last year, Bernier had a 5-8 record at this point and in five of those games he gave up four or more goals. In a previous interview, Bernier told us that it took him the first half of the season to feel comfortable in Los Angeles (interview here). One would have to agree with his assessment too, considering he posted a 6-0-3 record after the All Star break, including three shutouts.
A few pregame notes on tonight's Kings-Flames match-up at The Stapler...
- LA has beaten Calgary three straight games at home, all by the final score of 2-1.
- Curtis Glencross, the Flames leading goal scorer (with 18) was sent back to Calgary after suffering a lower body injury in San Jose on Tuesday.
- The Flames are expected to have four former Kings in the line-up tonight (and it could have been five if Raitis Ivanans wasn't sent back to the minors a few weeks ago). Their projected line combos are:
Note: The Flames played with a extra defenseman vs the Sharks. If they do that again tonight, Horak will likely be scratched in favor of Anton Babchuk.
- Miikka Kiprusoff will start for the Flames and the Kings will counter with Jonathan Quick in net. Kipper is 17-8-3 lifetime vs. LA, with a 2.17 goals-against average. However, at Staples Center he's only 6-5-2. Quick is 5-3-0 vs the Flames overall, with a stellar 1.84 GAA.
- Coach Darryl Sutter is not expected to make any line-up changes tonight, so expect to see the following line combos:
Dustin Brown - Anze Kopitar - Justin Williams
Dustin Penner - Mike Richards - Jarret Stoll
Brad Richardson - Andrei Loktionov - Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford - Colin Fraser - Trent Hunter
Finally, we'll be giving away a free pair of tickets in tonight's MayorsManor First Goal contest. It's easy to play, simply leave a comment below with the LA player you think will score first vs. the Flames...or reply to the facebook / twitter updates that will come out around 6:30pm. All correct answers will be pooled together and one random winner will get a pair of tickets to see the Kings and Avalanche on Saturday night. Good luck!
Below is a short video that covers a lot of ground, as Kings goalie Jonathan Quick talks about three of his masks - the traditional black and silver one he wears most games, the 'Rogie Vachon' model worn with the purple and yellow vintage jerseys and the Team USA mask he took to the Olympics in 2010.
Check it out...
For more articles on Kings goaltenders and their masks, click here to read an article about Jonathan Bernier's lid being selected as tops in the NHL and click here for a sneak peek we gave earlier this year to prospect JF Berube's new design (and one of the sharpest looking masks you'll see).
Coach Darryl Sutter suffered his first regulation loss since stepping behind the Kings' bench a few weeks ago, with a record of 5-1-3 after today's 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sadly, his post-game presser was not filled with as many of his three-word answers as we've come to expect - little things of beauty, which are quickly becoming popular around these parts.
The best one today was 'Keep Bangin' Away' (when talking about what to do with the power play). Slightly re-phrasing one of his answers though, we could have 'Big Boy Goals' (on what's needed). Finally, it's a little too long to qualify as a three word answer - but, 'What Do Ya Do?' was another solid response.
Take a look (and listen) at what he had to say when asked about the power play, Dustin Penner's injury that popped up just before the game, the play of Jonathan Quick and much more...
Is Jack Johnson now nicknamed 'Johnny'...hmmm, I didn't get the memo.
