DVR Alert - The Trade That Changed Hockey

Make sure you set your DVR for early Sunday morning, as ESPN Classic will be showing an encore presentation of a film that's a must see for all hockey fans, 'Kings Ransom'.

"(It's) an LA Story. It's about a meandering franchise suddenly becoming one of the hottest tickets in sports thanks to a single athlete."

That's what Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports wrote about the mini-film / documentary when he originally reviewed it last year.

By now you know the high level points - Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski were traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings for $15 million in cash and three of LA's 1st round draft picks (1989, 1991, and 1993).

Here, you'll see detailed information about how the trade happened, why it happened and the moments when it almost fell apart. Former Kings owner Bruce McNall, former Oilers owner Peter Pocklington and Gretzky himself offer up vivid details of the event that will forever be remembered as 'the trade' in hockey, perhaps all of sports.

...And Now You're Caught Up

Now that everybody has had their turkey and a day of shopping it's time to get back to hockey.

In no particular order, here are the ten things you need to know heading into the game tonight:

* Brayden Schenn scored his first two professional goals last night in a 7-2 win for the Manchester Monarchs (AHL). Kings GM Dean Lombardi was recently quoted as saying he expects Schenn to stay there for the full two week conditioning assignment. He's more than half way home now, with his final game expected to be Sunday.

* The Kings put John Zeiler on re-entry waivers (per Bob McKenzie of TSN). That's a somewhat curious move.

* Defenseman Alec Martinez was called up a few days ago. If you missed it, be sure to check out '10 Tidbits on Alec Martinez', you'll be well versed in the young blueliner.

* Dustin Brown visited the gang from Yo Gabba Gabba yesterday during their live performance across the street from Staples Center. Video of him doing the Peanut Butter Stomp is available here.

* In more Brown news, he's moving to left wing tonight to make room for the newest option/solution/choice at right wing, Wayne Simmonds. The second line remains the same. And the Colonel, Kyle Clifford, moves up to the third line.  (nickname story here)

Bernier a perdu une bataille! Mais Bernier n'a pas perdu la guerre!

Just a slight twist on the more famous quote where Charles de Gaulle said France has lost the battle, but she has not lost the war.

Jonathan Bernier has yet to find his groove this season.

Further, for people expecting a goalie controversy in LA, it hasn't materialized.

Yes, he was a first round draft pick. Yes, he was the AHL Goaltender of the Year last season. And yes, he went 3-0 during his brief appearances with the Kings last year - including a shutout in Nashville.

However, Coach Terry Murray went out of his way over the summer to remind everybody Jonathan Quick was the starting netminder entering this season.

Just a few months ago, the thought of having two strong players available to fill the crease on any given night seemed a very real possibility though.  Kelly Hrudey, the Kings' goalie when they faced off against the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 for the Stanley Cup, said "what a great scenario" when asked about the tandem.

10 Tidbits on Alec Martinez

Alec Martinez won't subtly return to the NHL tonight. He'll be joining a Kings team that's lost four of their last five games.

He'll also be facing some small little club you may have heard of, the Montreal Canadiens. Outside of Toronto, it may just be the most hockey crazed market in North America.

Fortunately for him, with just four games of NHL experience, he'll probably go under the radar for most of the local media. Besides, their big story heading into the game is named Jonathan Bernier.

Using our popular 10 Tidbits format, here is some information to help you get to know the newest addition to the Kings blueline this season...

* First off, you'll be glad to know his nickname isn't 'Ally.' According to Corey Elkins, his teammate in Manchester (AHL), they call him 'Marty.' After it was announced Martinez would join the team this week I asked Elkins about his recent play with the Monarchs and he said "Marty has been awesome on the power play for us. He takes smart shots that get through traffic and moves the puck real well. Its fun to watch." Coach Terry Murray is probably hoping he'll be fun to watch for the Kings!

* He's spent the last two years with Manchester, sans his brief time in LA last season. His rookie year in the AHL (2008-09) he posted eight goals and added 15 assists in 72 games. Then, last season, he led all defenseman with 30 points (7g, 23a...while playing in only 55 games!). Prior to his call up yesterday he was a plus-four in 20 games and his 16 points (5g, 11a) were leading ALL players on the team.

POLL: At the Quarter Pole

After last night's game in Ottawa the Kings have reached the magical quarter pole.

Over the summer, Kings GM Dean Lombardi predicted you wouldn't see him make a major roster move until about this time. He first wanted to see how things developed. Now that he's had a chance to survey the cards, some shuffling may take place in the weeks to come.

Until then, how about a survey... The Kings started hot. However, the worm has turned, with them losing four of the last five games.

Before we get to Montreal tomorrow, what's been your favorite moment of the season so far?


Poll closes Friday morning.

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Jonathan Quick  *  Willie Mitchell  *  Ryan Smyth  *  Dustin Brown  *  Home Opener

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LA-OTT Game Preview w/ Ottawa's Chris Neil

The Kings are preparing to take on a fairly unfamiliar opponent later today in the Ottawa Senators. Over five plus seasons since the lockout they've only met four times, with LA winning the last three.

One of the game-within-the-game stories for tonight is Chris Neil, who will be celebrating 600 games in the National Hockey League.

Earlier today I spoke with Chris about his special achievement, tough guys in the league and preparing for the Kings...

MM: Looking back, your first NHL game was against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Any thoughts about how you're feeling today versus how you might have been feeling that afternoon?

CN:  Playing my first game against Toronto - you don't even remember touching the ice, you're so wound up and excited with your adrenaline going.  After the first period you sort of settle in and you get your groove.  I think to be coming up on 600 games after not even really realizing you're in your first NHL game it's pretty exciting.

In an unusual twist you'll be sharing the milestone with your linemate Jarkko Ruutu (also celebrating 600 games). Have you ever heard of a situation where linemates share a milestone like this?

Super Series - WHL Report with Linden Vey

When you're hot, you're hot.

And Kings prospect Linden Vey is more than warm right now. His November already includes back-to-back Player of the Week honors from his junior team, the Medicine Hat Tigers. Plus, he was named the WHL Player of the Game in the just completed Subway Super Series.

His scored a goal in the second game of the WHL vs. Russia portion of series (Russia had previously played a pair of games against both the QMJHL and OHL). That meant four of the five Kings prospects had goals in the tournament. Of course, that excludes their sixth prospect (goalie JF Berube) for obvious reasons - as in, he was busy guarding his own net, not trying to score in the other one.

Vey, a 6-foot right wing taken in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, came into the series following a four point night for Medicine Hat (1g, 3a) - which topped his three point effort the game before (1g, 2a).

As hot as he was though, it was the cold that almost kept him from playing against Russia this week. In the interview below he tells us all about what happened and provides some thoughts on a few other Kings prospects, his play so far this year and the upcoming World Junior Championships...

MM:  This was your second time playing in the tournament. Overall, how would you compare last year's experience to this year - better, worse or just different?

Buffalo's Lindy Ruff the original Rob Blake?

Relax, this isn't an article designed to bash Rob Blake.

Nor is it a story about the Kings 4-2 loss in Buffalo last night.

It is about the Sabres though. More specifically, their coach and his parallel to Blake.

Let's begin with a preamble...

Rob Blake was a great player for the Kings for more than a decade during his first stint in Los Angeles. He was part of the NHL All-Rookie Team, won the Norris Trophy and put up numbers that make him one of the best defenseman in the history of the franchise. He went on to win a Stanley Cup and is without a doubt a first ballot hall of famer.

Now, that said, there was one move that will forever cause some controversy in LA. Prior to the Kings first pre-season game in September 2000, mired in a contract dispute, Blake resigned the captaincy after receiving what he believed to be a take it or leave it offer from the organization.

After giving up the 'C' Blake told the LA Times "I take a lot of pride and responsibility in being the captain, and when you are told you might not be around for the whole season, it's extremely difficult to do the job. Rather than it being a distraction later on in the season, it's best that someone take it on now."

That's not exactly how I'd put it. And that's not what I expect from a captain. But, maybe that's just me. Different conversation for a different day.

With that quick back story in place, here's the connection...

Future Fridays - Interview with Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto grew up in Long Beach, CA as a huge LA Kings fan.

So, it was a little ironic for him when his teammate (Derek Forbort) was selected by the Kings in the first round of the draft this past June.

Perhaps it's something he'll get to experience himself though in the not too distant future, as just a few days ago he was one of only three college forwards to be given an 'A' rating by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau for the 2011 NHL Draft.

NHL.com followed up that information by releasing their initial mock draft results.  For what it's worth, they had the Kings taking him in the first round next summer.

Already a two-time gold medal winner at the U-18 World Championships, Nieto could also possibly be selected by Team USA for the upcoming World Junior Championships - which would raise his profile even further.

As part of our Future Friday series we spoke with the Boston University freshman about everything he has going on right now and where hockey may be taking him...

MM:  You started out by playing roller hockey at the YMCA, is that right?

Super Series Report - Interview w/ Maxim Kitsyn

When it comes to prospects, people like to talk about the 'buzz' factor. Some guys have it, others just can't seem to catch it.

Right now, the name Maxim Kitsyn is being spoken by nearly everybody who follows Canadian junior hockey.

Drafted by the LA Kings this past June, he's usually referred to as power forward - words that aren't said very often when describing Russian born players. Known more their skill, scouts say he's a good skater with speed, acceleration and balance. Oh yeah, and toughness.

Although some teams were leery of taking him because of his contract situation back home, the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (OHL) scooped him up in the Import Draft this summer. He's yet to play for the team though. But, more on that later.

His four goals led all players at last year's Super Series - the annual six-game tournament pitting a team of Russian junior level all-stars in two games each against the QMJHL, OHL and CHL. He followed that up with three assists and many head turning plays at the World Junior Championships last winter.

More recently, just a week before heading back over to North America, he scored his first hat trick as a professional (for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the KHL).  His hot streak continued when he came out in game one of the Super Series and scored two goals, plus picked up an assist. Since then, he's added another goal, an assist and scored in the shootout.

With the help of Team Russia's translator we spoke with Kitsyn this afternoon as he gets ready for tonight's final game of the 2010 Super Series...

MM: You're obviously having a strong tournament. Did you come into things with a little extra confidence after your performance in the series last year?