What's wrong with the Kings? Geez, it's simple - just ask!

There are many guesses on how to fix the LA Kings right now. However, the final verdict on if the coaching change will be the thing to do the trick won't be known for several months.

In the meantime, message boards and social media outlets continue to be a haven for conspiracy theories, including 'The Curse of the Gretzky Statue' and the absence of Heidi Androl.

Here's a quick spin around the twitterverse from earlier today...

- @Lemay_C has a good memory, recalling something that took place when the ice was installed at Staples Center this season, saying 'I think it's obviously that 2002 penny that Luc has planted at center ice. Red Wings memories jinxing team.'

Solution: Dig up the pennies.

- @TheRealFakeTim has a much longer memory, adding 'I still think the "curse" goes 2 when McSorley started helping out on the broadcast last playoffs. #IllegalStick #LAKings'

Solution: Don't invite Marty back.

- @Project_305 said 'I blame the hype and pressure of acquiring Richie and Gagne and locking up Drew..."Flyers West" they called us'

Solution: Acquire another Oilers player and go back to calling the Kings 'Oilers South.'

- @karenberan couldn't pick just one thing, saying 'Two month post-Europe Hangover!...It's the Randy Jones Curse - it's ALWAYS his fault!...It's the Dan Cloutier Curse - It's ALWAYS his fault too!'

Solution: No more trips to Europe on the books and Dean has promised to not bring back Cloutier or Jones (at least for the rest of this season).

Kevin Westgarth - itching for his first scrap of the season?

Kevin Westgarth (photo: M. Zampelli)

You really have to hand it to Paul Bissonnette of the Phoenix Coyotes. He's taken a fourth line, limited minutes role and turned into something special.

He's a guy who's scored four goals in 108 NHL games. Yet, he picked up more votes than captain Shane Doan for last year's All Star game.

Call it the power of twitter. He has over 150,000 followers - that's two to three times more than most teams have! And, in large part, it's due to his comedic tweets. On the ice, it's a different story. He's usually getting noticed for his fists, not his quick wit.

However, last season, he stopped by MayorsManor and dropped a few bombs in a rather short interview - where he alleged Kyle Clifford was a cheap shot artist and turned him down when he asked for a fight (link).

With the possibility of Kevin Westgarth and Bissonnette finding each other on the ice tonight, I had a few questions for Westy after practice yesterday...

MM: BizNasty has built quite a following on twitter and you're still a newbie in that department. Do you have any pre-game tweets planned to heat things up a little?

KW: Oh, twitter...no. Not just yet. I'll hold off. I like to do my talking on the ice, not with my mouth. That's kind of the way I go about it. I feel like twitter is definitely great for the fans and I give him credit for what he's built for himself (there). But, I'll leave (the tweets) up to BizNasty.

MM: Last year, in the early part of the season you repeatedly talked about how you were 'just itching' to get that first scrap under your belt. Is it the same feeling this year?

LA Kings defenseman Jack Johnson is just trying to get lost

Jack Johnson - LA Kings (photo: M. Zampelli)

Who knew that Mike Richards would become so heavily linked to the Kings defensemen in the early days of his tenure with the Los Angeles Kings.

In the deal that brought him to the Western Conference, Drew Doughty's best friend (Wayne Simmonds) was included in the package traded to the Flyers.

Then, during training camp, Willie Mitchell admitted to forming a bro-mance with the 26-year old center. And more recently, Richards has connected with Jack Johnson on two game-winning goals in overtime.

Any attention thrown Johnson's way for those two goals - including teammate Kevin Westgarth tweeting that he's becoming the new Mr. Overtime - has quickly been turned back the other way.

"Well, they were set up by two plays by a great player," said Johnson after practice on Monday. "I just tried to get lost back there and move around. (On a power play) you out number them.  So, someone is bound to be open.  I just tried to get lost and Mike Richards made two great plays to me."

Johnson was also trying to connecting with Richards on a more personal level while the team was on the road the last few weeks.

Kings' Ray Kaunisto calls Anaheim Ducks fan 'a lost cause'

Kaunisto during Rookie Camp (photo: CIKIRI)

It's time for the return of the Yooper.

Ray Kaunisto, a 6-foot-4 left wing, played 57 games for Manchester last season, the Kings' AHL affiliate. He had 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) and finished with a minus-6 rating. Not exactly numbers that will shoot him past Brandon Kozun or Tyler Toffoli on the depth chart.

"To be realistic, I'm not a top-two liner," Kaunisto says.

He knows his role and he's sticking to it - "I like to be a defensive forward and I think I'm getting better at that as a pro - after being good at it in college."

With four years at Northern Michigan under his belt, he signed with the Kings as a free agent in March 2010.

Even though the odds may be stacked against him flying to Europe with the Kings to start the season, he's had a straight forward approach to training camp this week.

"How I look at it is, I come to camp and I do what I can," said the 24-year old, who hails from the Upper Peninsula area of Michigan. "I'm going to go out there and play rough, I'm going to hit and try not to turn the puck over. I want to be good in my own zone. I'll try to put in a couple of goals and be there for my teammates. If it doesn't work out here - I hope to make the team here, that's what everyone hopes here - but, I know that may not be the most realistic thing right now. The step after that is, go to the AHL and be a top player there."

Right before camp opened though, he had to ship something back home - his wife. Married over the summer, the Mrs. was in town for a few days.

Tweeting the night away with LA Kings Campers

Forbort, Dowd, Kaunisto via @RayK71

Tweet, tweet!

I know, I know - you prefer facebook.

For everybody else out there who likes to follow the action and conversations that take place in no more than 140-character sound bites, good news...

Of the 35 guys scheduled to attend this year's Development Camp, many of them are on twitter. And several of them have already started commenting about the experience.

Here's a partial list of campers on twitter, with I'm sure more to come in the next few days:

@JimmyDowder26
Nic Dowd — F, seventh round 2009, St. Cloud State (NCAA)

@Durepos23
Pierre Durepos — D, free agent, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

@derekforbort4
Derek Forbort — D, first round 2010, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Is Matt Greene Coming to Twitter Soon?

After 'When is Brayden Schenn going to play for the Kings again?' and "Who's starting in goal tomorrow night?' - perhaps the question I get asked most often is 'When is Matt Greene going to join twitter?'

So, I took the question to the man himself...

MM: Dustin Brown is on twitter, Dustin Penner says he's thinking about, Oscar Moller was just called up and he's on twitter - when are we going see you tweeting?

MG: I doubt that will ever happen. I don't even know how you would go about doing that or why I would go about doing that.

MM: People want to hear what you have to say, you're a pretty funny guy...

MG: I get told to shut up at numerous points during the day. I don't think there should be any kind of a platform where I need to talk any more than I actually do.

MM: Well, here's something that would have made for a great tweet for you - over in the NCAA playoffs it looks like the brackets have been set up for a possible North Dakota - Boston College final. Are you working on any bets with Rob Scuderi yet?

MG: They have to win a couple games before that happens. But, I'm sure we'll figure something out if it does get down to that.

[note: last season Davis Drewiske lost a bet with Scuderi on the NCAA Championship Game, something he talked about here]

I'll be checking back in with Greene on that one for sure. 

UND opens the college hockey playoffs this weekend and Kings prospect Derek Forbort (a freshman for the Fighting Sioux) will be on MayorsManor to preview things before their game on Saturday.



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

Clifford and Westgarth Preparing to Get (Biz) Nasty?

With the Phoenix Coyotes in town tonight to take on the Kings it's worth re-setting a story from the last time these two teams got together.

If you're not on twitter, you many not even know that one of the most popular hockey players in North America has scored only one goal in 37 games this season.

He's played in less than 100 NHL games and averages fewer than five minutes a night for the Coyotes, yet he had more All Star Game votes this year than Shane Doan, Justin Williams and Dustin Brown.

Paul Bissonnette, better known as BizNasty2point0, is all the rage right now. He talks plenty of puck, but also tweets non-hockey takes like "4Loco is Charlie Sheen in a can. Of course its back."

He even pokes fun at himself with tweets like "In case you folks are wondering I have a no movement clause, but its from the middle of the bench."

Prior to the Kings-Coyotes home-and-home series in late January BizNasty and I did the first ever MayorsManor twinterview.

His key comments had to do with Kevin Westgarth and Kyle Clifford, who then provided their responses as well. Take a look...

MM: The Kings have three scrappers right now (Westgarth, Clifford and Wayne Simmonds). You've faced off with Westgarth twice, including once in the AHL, and Clifford during the pre-season. What are your thoughts on those guys?

Top Ten NHL All Star Game Tweets

That's it. The 2011 NHL All Star Game is over.

Team Lidstrom came back from being down 4-0 in the first period to defeat Team Staal 11-10. Patrick Sharp was voted the game's MVP and the Kings' Anze Kopitar had two goals.

Kudos to all the changes the NHL put in place this year, especially the draft on Friday night. Overall, it was a great weekend.

As for the game itself, well - leave it to the fine people on twitter to bring some unexpected humor to things. Here are my ten eleven favorite tweets that appeared during the game on Sunday afternoon...

@DaveLozo - So clearly someone needs to drop the gloves for Team Lidstrom. (note: this was after they went up 3-0)

@Real_ESPNLeBrun - Fleury thinks it's the second round of the playoffs vs. Montreal

@LAKingsGM - #NHLAllStarGame made me realize that every #NHL team should have 1 Sedin. #cloning

LA vs Phoenix Preview - TwInterview with Biz Nasty

In hockey circles you have your black aces, plumbers, pipefitters, fillers, bridges and so on.

There's also a whole different type of role player. This guy has played in less than 100 NHL career games, has scored three goals total over three seasons and averages only five minutes of ice time a night for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Yet, he had more All Star Game votes this year than Matt Duchene (Colorado), John Tavares (NY Islanders) and Dustin Brown.

If Howard Stern is the King of All Media, then Paul Bissonnette is certainly the Champ of Twitter (sorry Ashton Kutcher, you lose).

Tweeps know all about @BizNasty2point0. However, if you're not connected to the twitterverse yet, you're missing his takes on PT Cruisers, homeless people, hot girls, scrabble games with teammates, attempted translations of Ilya Bryzgalov quotes and shopping tips like this one - "Just bought the beats by Dr. Dre Pro. These things make William Hung sound like Pavarotti." Followed by "These headphones are like the shake weight on crack."

As the master of 140 word or less quotes, it was only right that the first ever MayorsManor twinterview was with Biz Nasty himself.

Here are a few thoughts he shared with me prior to tonight's game...

MM: You've introduced the masses to many words on twitter - i.e. twigs (hockey sticks), apples (assists) and twooping (you don't want to know!). What word have you used that confused people most?

PB: None, cause I'll usually explain them via twitter.

MM: You recently noted you have a new roommate on the road (Chris Summers). Why the change and what do you think about it so far?

PB: Because (David) Schlemko is out with a conci (concussion) and not on the road. So I have the call up.

MM: How are things going with the new clothing line and what are some future plans?

PB: Sauce Hockey is expanding. We have some (more) stuff coming out soon.

[note: If you're thinking those are pretty bland answers and were hoping for something good, hang on...he's about to bring the heat...]
MM: The Kings have three scrappers right now (Kevin Westgarth, Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds). You've faced off with Westgarth twice, including once in the AHL, and Clifford during the pre-season.  What are your thoughts on those guys?

PB: Clifford jumped me in pre season, then I asked him to fight last game like a man, (he) wouldn't. Standard. Heard he jumped guys in junior a lot. As for Westgarth, tough customer. Clifford is tough too, he will get stronger too, and he can play.

There was supposed to be a fifth question about his playing time in juniors (Owen Sound0 with the Kings' Brad Richardson and Ducks' Bobby Ryan. I haven't heard back on that one. Technical difficulties I guess. So, we'll save that for a different day.

Tonight the Kings and Coyotes will meet for the third time this season. Perhaps Bissonnette will get that rematch with Clifford he's been looking for.

If we're lucky, he'll even tweet about it after the game.

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



RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Eric Belanger - Game Preview prior to the last LA-PHX game

Interview with Cam Janssen of STL Blues - he comments on Kings and Biz Nasty

Interview with Bobby Ryan - talks about his friendship with Kings' players

Clifford and Westgarth respond to Biz Nasty Twinterview

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...And Now You're Caught Up (12/20/2010)

Hockey has a certain rhythm to it. Every shift, every game and every season is inevitably packed with ebbs and flows. Teams are never as bad as they appear during their lowest points. Never as good as they seem during their highest ones. The very best clubs then must be not just talented, but resilient. Not just hungry, but focused.

That's form the new HBO documentary '24/7' - where they're providing a raw, behind the scenes look at the Penguins and Capitals leading up to the Winter Classic. The first episode was unlike any hockey show you've ever seen and should be mandatory viewing for all fans. You can check out the PG-rated version online for free here.

Rumor has it the Kings are working on a similar all-access type show to be produced by their Kings Vision team for online viewing.  It should debut in early 2011.

Now, if shopping, back-to-back Kings games, holiday parties, etc. has been keeping you from the HBO special and other key hockey stories over the last few days, don't worry - we're here to help. Below are the twelve puck related news items you need to know coming out of the weekend...

*  Donald Fehr was approved as the new head of the NHL Players Association, effective immediately.  Exactly what this means when it comes to the impending negotiations with the league office and rumors of a possible work stoppage is pure speculation at this point. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the story (for now) is that the NHLPA constitution is publicly available on their website.  That may be a first in sports.

*  One of the greatest American born players of all-time, Chris Chelios, was honored before the Red Wings - Blackhawks game on Friday night.  Video of the ceremonies can be seen here.

[After the jump - notes on Bernier/Quick, San Jose Sharks, Mike Cammalleri, Matt Greene, Brayden Schenn, Manchester, injury updates, trade rumors and much more.]

Cam Janssen's Five Minute Major Preview: LA v StL

Cam Janssen is in his sixth NHL season, the last four with the St. Louis Blues. He's posted only two goals while racking up 589 penalty minutes in 219 games. It's what you call 'knowing your role.'

In the interview below he helps us preview tonight's Kings - Blues game. We talk about LA's tough guys, playing for his hometown team, scouting NHL enforcers, BizNasty's tweets, Keith Tkachuk's retirement, adding Jaroslav Halak...and he even gives a prediction for the game.

MM: Although the Blues didn't make the playoffs last year and the Kings did, you guys took the season series from LA 3-1. Tonight will be the first match-up this season. What will be the keys to the game?

CJ: They're a good young, skilled team. They're playing good solid hockey right now and they're one of the best teams in the Western Conference. We have a lot of injuries right now. So, we have to come out and immediately get our feet going on our forecheck.  Also, the first five strikes back are so key for us. Catching up with an odd man rush or what could be an odd man rush is important, knowing that we don't have the skill or power we're used to because of our injuries. So, we need to be effective with our details - that's skating hard, being in the right position and back checking with a purpose. The Kings offense is good. So, if we don't do that, they're going to take advantage of us.

Over the summer there were a few significant changes to the Blues' line-up. What were your first thoughts when you heard goaltender Jaroslav Halak was coming to St. Louis?

Season Preview with Kelly Hrudey of HNIC

Continuing with our season previews this week, we visit with another returning guest from last year - former NHL goaltender and long time LA Kings fan favorite, Kelly Hrudey.

Fans here probably remember him best as the blue bandana wearing goalie from the '93 Stanley Cup Finals. Yet, north of the border he's been a member of the legendary Hockey Night in Canada crew for over a decade now, both on television and satellite radio. Thus, the man loves to talk about hockey!

In fact, Hrudey's plans for his post-NHL career were so well known towards the the end of his playing days, Dean Lombardi (then with the Sharks) once asked him "Why do I want to sign a 35-year old goalie who wants to be a broadcaster?"

In the interview below, we lean on his experience between he pipes to get some perspective on several goaltending related issues going on around the league, as well as some predictions for the Western and Eastern Conference standings.

MM: Roberto Luongo recently relinquished the captaincy in Vancouver.  What do you think about goaltenders wearing the 'C'?

Live Updates from HockeyFest

The Mayor will have live updates throughout the day from HockeyFest. If you can't attend or want the inside scoop on what's going down at the Kings training facility, follow along at www.twitter.com/Mayor119 (note: you don't have to have a twitter account, simply read the updates on the page...it's that easy).

The basic schedule of events today will be as follows:

Monday Mash-up

Attention everybody. Can I have your attention please? Will you pick up your belongings and politely take two steps to the left. Bunch together now. We need everybody to pack it in a little tighter. More people are jumping on the bandwagon and we need you to help make room for them.

Like you, I'm still riding the high of the fantastic road trip. A three-two win on Sunday, a five-and-o road trip, six wins in a row, six games until the break, fifth place in the West...it's enough to get you whipped up into a frenzy.

Here are a few things to chew on this afternoon:

* Tweet #1 - about five minutes before game time yesterday I posted the following on my Twitter account:

STAT CHECK - Devils record when leading after 1st: 17-0-0, after 2nd: 24-0-0...tough task ahead (stating the obvious)...good luck

Reverse the curse rules must have been in effect.

* Tweet #2 - shortly after noon on Sunday I posted the following on my Twitter account, regarding a comment from a fellow Kings blogger:

Sunday sermon from @Connie_Kim: Doughty is the greatest man who ever lived. Him or Jesus, not sure. But 2bfair Jesus didn't have a great slap shot

Prophetic! Less than 30 seconds left in the game, he shoots...he scores...Kings win!

* Tweet #3 - on Saturday I offered up this:

1st person 2 DM me gets free Dean shirt to wear at RT @lakingshockey #LAKings 5k Run/Walk for the American Heart Assoc http://fb.me/4RQ6FQ2

Since everybody isn't on Twitter - and why not, what are you waiting for? - we'll give one away here too...if you want to wear one of our In Dean We Trust shirts in the 5K, post a comment below - we might have a free one for you.

* Manchester Monday - With Lombardi and staff in the house on Friday, Bernier pitches a shutout...just another day at the office, as he earns AHL player of the week honors.

* Prospect Profile - NHL.com takes a look at Corey Elkins, who currently leads Manchester with 16 goals and 35 points. The Kings messed up his marriage proposal.

* Home Cooking - With a 1-2 weekend the Ontario Reign are now 3-3 after hosting the All Star Game two weeks ago. They're going to need put more wins together to make the playoffs. Fortunately, they play nine of their eleven February games at home.

* More Boston hockey - specifically, more college hockey...this time it's the Beanpot. The annual Boston tourney gets underway today and Yahoo's Puck Daddy takes a look at things in an article here. Plenty of 2010 NHL draftees will be playing. Watch it on NESN (DirecTV channel 628).

See you tomorrow!

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119