Four Kings play Word Association with Coyotes leaders

Three games into the Kings' six-game season series with the Coyotes it's been exactly what you'd expect from two division rivals - tight, close battles. They split a pair of games in October, with the Kings shutting out the Coyotes 2-0 in the first contest and losing 3-2 in a shootout a little over a week later.

Both those games were in Phoenix. Then, the day after Christmas, Staples Center hosted game three and the Kings won 4-3 - getting two goals from their defensemen (Rob Scuderi and Willie Mitchell), a rare site this year.

With a look ahead to tonight's game, we asked a few of the Kings to play word association using the names of four Coyotes players they know well - long-time captain Shane Doan (a Kings killer throughout his career), Ray Whitney (leading the 'Yotes with 35 points...and 15 career goals vs. LA, his most against any Western Conference team), Keith Yandle (leads all Phoenix defensemen with 24 points) and Derek Morris (has played 63 career games vs LA).

Here were the answers...

from Dustin Brown

Doan - Physical
Whitney - Magical
Yandle - White stick
Morris - Big

Word Association w/ LA Kings legends Robitaille, Blake, Granato, Hrudey, etc.

Our word association segments have historically been one of the most popular features here on MayorsManor.

Given that our readership has more than quadrupled in size since some of the interviews below have taken place, we thought we'd re-publish for all of our new followers to read...and/or for our long-time supports to enjoy a second time.

In no particular order, here are links to seven of the most popular word association segments, featuring some of the most recognizable names to ever play for the Los Angeles Kings:

* Luc Robitaille - he talks Marcel Dionne, Steve Duchesne, Kelly Hrudey, Marty McSorley, Dustin Brown and more

* Rob Blake - perhaps the most controversial player in Kings' franchise history, he reacts to a list of names including Tony Granato, Alex Zhitnik, Darryl Sydor, Jimmy Carson, Wayne Gretzky and more

* Ian Laperriere - perhaps the most candid of all interviewees on this site, especially when talking about Sean Avery

*  Jonathan Bernier - LA's high-end goaltending prospects breaks it all down while discussing many of the Kings top prospects currently in Manchester

*  Andy Murray - the former Kings coach talks about players he coached and guys who were part of the opposition as well

* Kelly Hrudey - with a slight twist on things, he plays word association with the 15 teams from the NHL's Western Conference

* Tony Granato - a key piece of the Kings 1993 run to the Stanley Cup Finals, he talks about former teammates, including guys on the Kings and Sharks

The Mayor
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Word Association with Theo Fleury

When you think Flames vs. Kings it's hard not to conjure up an image of Theo Fleury.

He brought more passion to a single game of hockey than some players bring in an entire season. Over multiple teams in a career that lasted more than 1,000 games in the NHL, he epitomized the line 'You hate him, unless he's on your team - then you love him.'

There's no denying his success on the ice. He finished his career with 455 goals, hoisted the Stanley Cup and won an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada.

Just hours before the Kings play another critical game in Calgary tonight, I had the honor of speaking with Theo about a variety of topics, including several of his projects away from the game of hockey.

Of course, we often found our way back to the NHL though.

Regarding some of those legendary contests back in the late '80s, early '90s, Theo was quick to point out "I loved playing at the Great Western Forum, especially after they acquired Gretzky. The atmosphere was always electric, even though many people there didn't like me."

Flipping the tables a bit, I asked which NHL players he likes in today's game. Fresh off the NHL All-Star Draft last weekend, what would Team Theo look like?

"Marc-Andre Fleury, my brother from another mother, would be in goal. Shea Weber and Duncan Keith on defense. Up front, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, paired with Jarome Iginla."

Still loyal to the Flames after all these years.

Although it provided a perfect transition for us to talk about the persistent rumors that Iginla might be traded soon. It's a business - something Fleury knows having been traded himself (he says he never wanted to leave Calgary, but there were money issues) - so, while he knows it's a possibility, he just doesn't envision a scenario where Iginla gets moved. Even more so, he's insistent that Iginla deserves to retire someday having spent his entire career with the Flames.

Finally, we played word association...

Lanny McDonald - class
Gary Bettman -interesting
Tomas Sandstrom - hard to play against
Luc Robitlaille - great hands
Kelly Buchberger - little talent, hell of a career
Sandy McCarthy - best friend
Sean Avery - different
Eric Lindros - strong
Mark Messier - leadership
Ryan Smyth - pain in the ass

I hope to have Theo back on for an extended conversation before the Flames come to Los Angeles next month.

Until then, check out his book Playing With Fire. He lays it all out there and takes readers inside the mind one of the most intriguing players to ever grace a sheet of ice.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with Kerry Fraser - tells a very raw and emotional story about Fleury as a NY Ranger

LA Kings Players on Calgary Captain Jarome Iginla

Revisiting a Rivalry - Kings vs. Flames

Interview with Kelly Buchberger

Interview with Shea Weber

Word Association with Jonathan Bernier

Things are slowly coming together for Jonathan Bernier. He's officially part of the LA Kings...finally! And although it wasn't pretty at times, he picked up his first win of the season on Wednesday night vs. Carolina.

For the last two years he was with the Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester, where he was 'learning how to be a professional' as hockey executives like to say. His old club, the Monarchs, are back in the news today as Erik Ersberg is set to exit the organization (leaving for the KHL) and Bernier's back-up from a year ago, Jeff Zatkoff, will become the full-time starter there.

In the interview below, Bernier gives us his perspective on Zatkoff, talks about some advice he received from Ron Hextall, explains how Dustin Brown has matured...and of course, plays word association using some of his current and former teammates.

MM: Zatkoff came to the Monarchs last year after a good season with the Ontario Reign (ECHL) in 2008-09. How would you describe the guy patrolling your former crease in Manchester this year?