Prospect File: The Buzz on Muzz'

We're about ready to start ramping up our draft coverage heading into the big event next weekend. However, before we move forward with the 2010 class, let's take a look back at one of the more recent missed opportunities via the NHL Draft.

Jake Muzzin, a 6'2" defenseman playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, found himself back in the draft last June...after not being signed by the Penguins, who had originally drafted him in 2007.  When all 30 teams were given a second crack at him - seven rounds came and went, his name was never called.

Then, Nashville invited him to training camp last September. Ultimately, they passed on him as well.

Kings President and GM Dean Lombardi is hoping the third time (or team) is a charm - he swooped in and signed him as a free agent back in January. A few months later Muzzin was named the OHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman. He then went on to play 13 games with the Manchester Monarchs during their recent playoff run.

Now, the Muzz' is getting plenty of buzz - with some reports saying he has a chance to make the Kings roster next season.

So, I spoke with a couple of people that should know what the kid is all about...take a look at what they had to say about Jake Muzzin...

A former Greyhounds executive who was part of the team that selected Muzzin in the first round of the '05 OHL draft: Jake is a horse - he is a big strong young man who competes every shift. He has always had a heavy and accurate shot. He logged an extraordinary amount of ice time...playing in a shut down role versus Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall 12 times a season. In addition, Jake was counted on for a lot of offense in the Soo. Of course, there will be an adjustment for him to the size and speed of the game at the pro level but I think he has a bright future with the Kings organization.

His defensive partner this season, Brandon Archibald: Muzz is a big, strong guy and expect some big hits to come out of him. He has a great shot and will produce some offense. He also is very reliable in his own end.

Another teammate this season, defenseman Brock Beukeboom: Jake is a great leader. He leads by example and couldn't have done a better job for us this season. Every team needs a Jake Muzzin.

Greyhounds GM Dave Torrie:  The Kings made a real astute signing in getting Jake as a free agent. Jake is ready for the pro game on the ice and his attitude and maturity will allow him to be a great teammate. Like many young players Jake's game needs to continue to mature and adjust to each level that he reaches but I do feel that Jake will play at the NHL level, whether this coming season or down the road. He has good offensive skills and he has the ability to punish opposing forwards with some real physical hits without taking needless penalties.

Looks like another solid addition to the Kings already strong prospect pool.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
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RELATED ARTICLES

Interview with Brandon Archibald - Soo Greyhounds defenseman, member of Team USA junior team and drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets

Interview with Brock Beukeboom - Soo Greyhounds defenseman, member of Team Canada junior team and drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning

Ron Hextall interviewed on NHL Live

The guys at NHL Live had Kings Assistant GM Ron Hextall on earlier this morning for a quick interview.  Among the highlights - they talked playoffs, the draft and if the Kings are looking to trade a goalie.  Here's a recap...

As somebody who has ties to Philly were the Stanley Cup Finals tough on you?  I was pulling for them.  Moving to LA, away from the Flyers, was the hardest decision of my life.  To take the next step in my career I knew I needed to leave though.  I've gone through some things here that I hadn't gone through there - like rebuilding the infrastructure here.  So, it's been a good experience.

Making the playoffs for the first time in many years, what do you think the organization got out of it?  The players realized the emotion and intensity that goes along with it.  You have to play well every night.  You need depth on your team.  It's hard to plug guys in when you have injuries.

The draft is next week in LA, are you a "best available player" guy or are you trying to fill a need?  We're "best available" this year.  If you're drafting real high in the first, you can think differently.  However, it's so hard to project three or four years from now what our needs will be.

This is now a different situation in LA than it's been the last few years.  Is it a different approach becuase of where the team is at in their development?  The focus has changed.  A few years ago we were looking for draft picks, now we're looking for live bodies.  The main focus is on improving the team for next year.

Going into this offseason, what does the team need? 

Kings First Round Pick: WHL, OHL or KHL?

Nobody knows exactly what's going to happen when the 2010 NHL Draft lands at Staples Center next Friday night. 

For the first time in many years the Kings won't be picking near the top.  And although Dean Lombardi and his staff have spent more than a year going over the crop of talent, there are thousands of scenarios surrounding what might happen before it's their turn at the podium.

That hasn't stopped a myriad of NHL experts from weighing in with their mock drafts.  We've been following the various versions on NHL.com throughout the season.  Their trio of prognosticators are back with their THIRD (and perhaps final) mock drafts.  Here's who they have the Kings picking at #19...

Adam Kimelman's mock draft
KINGS SELECT: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Novosibirsk (KHL)
COMMENTS:
(AK) Excelled in KHL despite being one of that league's youngest players
(MM) Possesses quick hands, lethal shot and likes to play physical
(BH) The chance to play with Evgeni Malkin and possibly Sergei Gonchar will be enough to draw Tarasenko over to the Pens

Mike Morreale's mock draft
KINGS SELECT: Jeff Skinner, RW, Kitchener (OHL)
COMMENTS:

Drew Doughty vs. Dustin Brown?

Say it ain't so!

Well it is...sorta.

Although they've played as teammates in Los Angeles for the last two seasons...and opposed each other at the Olympics while representing their respective countries...it looks like their pasts have finally caught up with them.

Prior to being drafted by the Kings in the first round at the 2003 NHL Draft, Dustin Brown played his junior hockey for the Guelph Storm of the OHL.  Two years after Brownie had made the leap to the big show his former junior team added a young defenseman who grew up in London, Ontario while idolizing Wayne Gretzky.  That teenage blueliner was none other than Drew Doughty.

Like the Olympics earlier this year, the two teammates will be on opposite sides of the ice today as the Guelph Storm welcomes back a bunch of its former players for an Alumni game.

Returning for the festivities will be nine former Storm captains and eighteen current or former NHL players.

Doughty is playing for Team Blue - which also includes Jeff O'Neill, Craig Anderson and Todd Bertuzzi.  They'll take on a Team White squad featuring Brown, former Kings Kevin Dallman and Brian Willsie...plus, possible future Kings forward Manny Malhotra (UFA 7/1).

No word on why former Storm and Kings goalie Dan Cloutier won't be attending.

You can view the full rosters by clicking here.

Looking ahead... about 10 days from now the Captain and the Phenom will travel to Las Vegas.  Brown will play in a celebrity poker tournament and Doughty hopes to collect his first Norris Trophy.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
click the LIKE button on www.facebook.com/MayorsManor to get Kings related updates



Related articles:
10 Tidbits on Dustin Brown
10 Tidbits on Drew Doughty

The Kids Are Alright, per Team Canada

Nearly every top player you can think of to come through the Kings system in the last decade has played in the World Junior Championships - Brown, Frolov, Doughty, Kopitar, Simmonds, etc...and you can add top prospects currently in the system to the list too - guys like Bernier and Hickey.

The annual tournament features the world's best future NHLers and upcoming draft picks.  This past January, Canada won the silver medal with a team that included Kings prospects Martin Jones, Colten Teubert, Brandon Kozun.

Hockey is serious business in Canada...and they don't wait around.  Although the tournament doesn't kick off again until late December in Buffalo, their summer evaluation camp roster is already available...and several recent Kings draft picks are on the list:

When One Door Closes, Another Opens

It's generally assumed that Raitis Ivanans has played his last game as a member of the LA Kings.
Additionally, it's expected that Princeton graduate - yes, that Princeton - Kevin Westgarth will take his place.

If that happens, there will be plenty of stories on the irony of a once-ivy-league-student now making his living as an enforcer in the NHL.  Reporters in a hurry can probably just search 'Princeton Kings George Parros' to get most of their story...as Georgie-boy also played four years with the Tigers before spending three years with the Kings minor league affiliate in Manchester of the AHL...just like Westgarth.

Kings fans didn't know much about Ivanans.  He played limited minutes on the ice and was rather absent from public eye off the ice.  Westie, as he's known to his teammates, is quite the opposite.

He's a colorful character both on and off the ice.  Kings faithful that were in attendance at Frozen Fury two years ago took an immediate liking to him when he fought several Avs players and then openly taunted their bench after a successful exchange with Scott Parker.

Sound like a guy you'd like to get to know? 

NHL DRAFT - ticket contest

We have a pair of tickets to give away this week to the upcoming NHL draft in LA.

Entry is as simple as 1-2-3.

ONE - Click the "LIKE" button on www.Facebook.com/MayorsManor
TWO - On Monday we posted an article with links to some of the most popular #LAKings related interviews on MM this ...season. Pick any interview you like.
THREE - Post a LINK to that interview on your facebook wall telling your friends why you like it.

DONE, you're entered. Winner will be randomly selected from all entries received by noon on Friday 6/11/2010.

If you're an official rules type of person, click here.

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

Bob Miller on NHL Live (video)

LA Kings legend, Bob Miller, spent some time with the guys over at NHL Live earlier this morning.  Some of the highlights include Eddie Olczyk and Barry Melrose getting started in broadcasting, his three favorite goal calls (yes, it involves Gretzky), the time the Pittsburgh Penguins offered him a job (gulp!) and a few other stories about his early days right out of college.

To listen to audio only click here...or to watch the full video, click here.

Bob was kind enough to stop by Mayors Manor in the days leading up to the playoffs this season for a pretty long conversation. He gave some predictions on the first round, made some funny comments on the USA/Canada hockey rivalry and as expected - told some fabulous Kings stories. Click here to read his interview with the Mayor if you missed it the first time.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119

Afternoon Reading

The Stanley Cup will be decided later this week.

Then it's time for the NHL schedule to be released, the NHL Awards, the Draft...and then free agency.

If you have some time to kill until then, here are links to some of the most popular interviews we did this season:

Luc Robitaille - The Kings all-time goals leader checked in just a few days before his Hall of Fame induction. It's a conversations that covers Luc's full career and the key players and moments that shaped it. Topics include Barry Melrose, Wayne Gretzky, Bruce McNall, the Stanley Cup, having a trophy named after him, why he signed with the Red Wings, Gary Bettman, hockey memorabilia, etc. To read 20 Questions with #20 click here.

Kelly Hrudey - The man that will forever be linked with the Kings trip to the '93 Stanley Cup finals stopped by to talk about the playoffs, his relationship with Dean Lombardi, teams that gave the Kings fits back then, being drafted by the Islanders, his first training camp in New York, underrated players and Robb Stauber stealing his job - click here to read the full interview.

After the jump you'll find links for Rob Blake, Andy Murray, Mike Modano, Ethan Moreau, Bob Miller, Colten Teubert and more.

Soon you can have your pizza and eat it too...

Would you eat a Kings pizza?

For years sports teams have been slapping their logos on some strange products, usually in an effort to cash in on the the loyalty some crazed fans have for their teams.  However, this story is one of the more bizarre...

According to an article here - The National Basketball Association is now giving fans a chance to consume something else: team logos.  Starting next season, basketball fans ordering a pizza with their favorite toppings can also get it topped with an edible logo of their beloved team for an extra five bucks. Made of sugar, starch and food coloring, each logo is designed to melt into the cheese after the pizza has been baked and sliced. Some 1,200 pizza parlors across America will be supplied with the logos.

Really?  Is this what it's come to?

I'm holding out for a Kings themed ice cream from Ben & Jerry's.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
and now on Facebook -->  www.facebook.com/MayorsManor