Kings coach Darryl Sutter clarifies his plans for asst coaches

At Darryl Sutter's initial press conference with the LA media most of the statements were pretty standard fare. It was about what you'd expect for a new coach being brought in to take over a struggling team.

The obvious highlight was Sutter ending his speaking portion at the podium by flashing double peace signs (pictured here). And there was one other little tidbit that caught the attention of several in the crowd. When asked about his plan for the assistant coaches, Sutter said John Stevens had done an awesome job helping the team through the transition and he knew goaltending coach Bill Ranford from the past. He also said Jamie Kompon did a lot of work in the locker room.

Then, came this - "We just want to focus on - especially being so close to the holidays - I just want to focus on this group. That’s the best way to put it. I’m satisfied. I’m good. Those guys are familiar with the team and that really helps."

Being so close to the holidays?

Hall of Fame writer Helene Elliott of the LA Times was even tweeting about that quote as recently as last night, following the game in Winnipeg.

Kings prospect JF Berube probably seeking new nickname

Since being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, goaltender JF Berube has seen his stock quietly rise.

This past season he posted some of the best numbers in the entire Quebec junior league - including 32 wins, a 2.60 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. His team then swept their first round opponent in the playoffs, only to lose a tough second round series in six games.

The highs and lows continued over the next few months for the 20-year-old netminder when soon thereafter he had minor surgery on his hip and later signed his first pro contract.

Now, it appears a change in nickname may be in order for the man known as 'Hollywood' - a handle Kings goaltending coach Bill Ranford spoke about during Development Camp.

"I saw that. But, I didn't even know that was his nickname," explained Ranford. "It's not really his demeanor. I'm guessing it was more the tie-in that he was drafted by LA because he doesn't come across as a Hollywood guy, by any means."

With Jeff Zatkoff recently signing a one-year deal, he and Martin Jones will most likely be the goaltenders in Manchester again.  Leaving all signs pointing to Berube staring the year with the Ontario Reign, the Kings' ECHL affiliate. However, Ranford wasn't ready just yet to commit to such a plan.

Goalie Chris Gibson - camp quotes and coaches evaluation

Vey shoots on Gibson at camp (photo: C. Ikiri)

When the Los Angeles Kings used their first selection at the recent NHL Draft to take a goaltender - well, it caught some people off guard.

Sure, everybody's heard the mantra 'take the best player available.'

However, the team will most likely have five goaltenders under the age of 26 playing pro hockey next season - two in LA, two in Manchester (AHL) and one in Ontario (ECHL).

Plus, with the market for goaltenders at a low point over the past few summers, was it really necessary to use such a high pick on another goalie at this time?

"I have no opinion on that," said Kings coach Terry Murray. "Quite honestly, I don't follow the depth of the organization. That's not my job. The people upstairs do what they need to do to keep everything in place."

Murray did admit to being a little confused though when he first met Chris Gibson earlier this week. "He's a Finn, he speaks English and when I first met him I thought he was French (because of his accent)," the coach explained. After Gibson told him he spoke all three languages, Murray responded with 'Wow, that's pretty impressive.'

On the ice, Murray was a little more clear on what the Kings acquired in Gibson. "He's a very competitive guy. This is an 18-year old player who played a lot, (37) games in the Quebec league last year - on one of the poorer teams in the league. He faced the most shots and still, at the same time, had a pretty high save percentage over the course of the year."

LA Kings coaches heaping praise at goalie Martin Jones

Martin Jones (photo: Kasey Spatz)

You never quite know what you're going to get with a prospect.

Young forwards usually need to learn the defensive side of the game before being NHL ready. Defensemen tend to mature around the age of 24. Goalies, historically, take a little longer.

As is the case with LA's two Jonathans, Quick and Bernier, Martin Jones is probably a little ahead of the curve.

Only 21, he was signed as a free agent in October 2008. The following season he wrapped up his junior career in stellar style, being named the 2009-10 WHL Goaltender of the Year (behind a 2.21 goals-against average and .919 save percentage).

What did he do for an encore? He turned pro, went to Manchester (AHL) and practically stole the starting job from Jeff Zatkoff. In 39 games played, he posted a 23-12-1 record with a 2.25 goals-against-average and a .924 save percentage. He also was the starting goaltender in the AHL All-Star Game - yes, as a rookie.

Summing it up, he's pretty much sky rocketed to third on the team's overall depth chart in net.

As for his performance at Development Camp this week, here's what Head Coach Terry Murray and (former Stanley Cup winner, now) Goaltending Coach Bill Ranford thought of his performance:

Coach Murray - "This young man, to me, has maybe grown more than anyone on the ice right now (in camp). I've seen incredible change in maturity and composure. In sitting in and listening to the goaltender sessions they had before getting on the ice, he's very astute, very analytical, technical, well-spoken. He's a man. He's becoming a very intelligent person about the game and I think it just translates right into his game on the ice. We're seeing that big body, he's really grown a lot too, in a couple years now. We're seeing a player who's going to keep pushing it up here. He definitely needs more time and needs to be the number one guy in the American Hockey League and all of that stuff. We have a player on our hands here."

Revisiting The Hockey News Curse

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

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

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

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

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

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

Future Fridays - Interview w/ Brandon Glover

In yesterday's Thursday Throwback article we spoke with former Kings goaltender Robb Stauber about the team's run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993.

Today we go the other direction, eyeing the future.  In fact, this kid hadn't even celebrated his first birthday back when Blueline and Hrudey were dueling it out between the pipes at the Forum.

Brandon Glover is a 17 year-old netminder standing 6'3".  He played last season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL (one of Dean Lombardi's favorite leagues), where he saw action against several of the Kings top prospects - like Martin Jones, Jordan Weal and Brandon Kuzon to name a few.

After not being selected at the NHL Draft a few weeks ago, he was invited to the Kings Developmental Camp held in El Segundo.  In the interview below Brandon talks about coming to camp, the influence of Bill Ranford, some of his teammates, the best prank he's pulled, college hockey vs. junior hockey, the Olympics and what the future may hold for him.