Talking LA Kings trade rumors with goalie Jonathan Bernier

Bernier at practice today (photo: D. Sheehan)

As we wrote about earlier today, trading goalie Jonathan Bernier is a risky proposition for the LA Kings when you consider that starter Jonathan Quick can be a walk-away free agent in less than 18 months.

However, he remains one of the key assets likely to move in any big deal that GM Dean Lombardi may swing for a top line sniper. So, after practice today, we spoke about what it's like to continually hear your name in trade speculation at this time of year...

"I just can't control anything," Bernier began. "So, I've been going day by day and that's what I've been doing all year. It's in management's control and if Dean finds that he wants to trade me, then he'll trade me."

When Bernier checked in with MayorsManor over the summer he talked about wanting to play in LA, but realizing that he might have to leave to reach his ultimate goal of being a starter in the NHL. And that's the same dilemma he's facing at the moment.

"I'm a competitive guy and I want to play as much as possible. Right now, I don't have the playing time that I'd wish (for)," Bernier said. "But, Quickie's been outstanding this year and that's the way it goes, I guess. But, I would like to play more. If it's here, then it's here. If it's somewhere else, it's somewhere else."

VIDEO: Face Paint with LA Kings goalie Jonathan Quick

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).

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

Bernier's mask rated tops in NHL, but he's changing soon?

Former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes, now an analyst on just about every station that covers hockey, selected his top five goalie masks of the season yesterday.

Low and behold, coming in at number one was the Kings' Jonathan Bernier.

The mask was painted by DaveArt and there are multiple shots of the mask, similar to the one at the left, posted here.

Weekes associated the lion on top of the mask with royalty (which is true), yet Bernier also has a lion tattoo on his left arm - and it was always on his mask in Manchester as well.

Earlier today, I asked Bernier why he wears his old mask during practice and only breaks out the new black, silver and white one for games.

"I've been doing that because I wear plastic protection on my practice mask," said Bernier. "I just don't really like to wear that in games though. So, that's why I have two helmets. People notice it because (my practice mask) is purple from last year. But, instead of making another one just for practice, I figured I'd wear that one."

Sneak Peek - a look at goalie JF Berube's new mask design

If you're a loyal reader of MayorsManor, you know all about the man known as 'Hollywood.'

JF Berube was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Since then, he's gone on to become one of the top goalies in the QMJHL.

Here are some details on his new mask.

As shown in the pictures below, the left side features LAX airport, the top of the mask has the Manchester Monarchs logo (with a slight modification, as the artist used the Kings crown on top of it) and the right side displays a lion above the Hollywood sign.

The mask is done in black, silver and white as those will be the Kings primary colors this season. He went with an overall jungle theme to honor Manchester's 'Welcome to the jungle' slogan.

We'll have some more pics later. For now, here's a teaser...

To read the most recent article on Berube, featuring comments from Kings goaltending coach Bill Ranford, where we jokingly discuss the possibility of him needing a new nickname this season - click here.

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

Bernier update and new poll

A few weeks ago Jonathan Bernier tried out a new mask. However, no matter what he tried he wasn't satisfied with the comfort level. He just didn't like it, so he switched back to his original model.

In fact, he's done with the new one altogether. "It's just sitting there and I'm not going to use it anymore," Bernier told MayorsManor. "I've tried different things, like changing the foam inside and it still doesn't fit well. So, I'm keeping my old one." Later he added, "I may be switching to another brand. I'm just waiting for that helmet to be ready." So, stay tuned.

In the meantime, how about some reader response to a poll surrounding this topic. Which goalie mask is the best in Los Angeles Kings history?

If needed, images are avialable at the following links: Rogie Vachon  -  Kelly Hrudey  -  Robb Stauber  -  Jamie Storr  -  Stephane Fiset  -  Felix Potvin  -  Jason LaBarbera  -  Jonathan Quick.



Poll closes Friday at 1pm PST.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Creating a Monarch

Last summer, the Vancouver Canucks asked their fans to help design the mask for backup netminder Curtis Sanford. A few months ago, the folks in Minnesota topped that by asking Wild fans to create the mask of starting goaltender Niklas Bakstrom. Now the Manchester Monarchs are getting in on the fun. Yesterday, they announced their own 'design a mask' contest for Jeff Zatkoff.

They've also raised the ante by adding a second component - raffling off the mask at the end of the season. Details of the entire contest are available here.

Zatkoff is the heir apparent in Manchester after backing up AHL Goaltender of the Year, Jonathan Bernier, last season. As the Monarchs second netminder, he compiled a 10-9-3 record in 22 games, after playing for the ECHL's Ontario Reign the year prior.  He also is among the large group of college players in the Kings system, having been drafted out of Miami (OH) University in 2006.

Info on Bernier's mask design after the jump...