10 Tidbits on Jeff Carter - Welcome to the LA Kings

Jeff Carter, LA debut (photo: M. Zampelli)

The trade winds aren't the only weather related activity surrounding the LA Kings these days, as there was a flood of information on Jeff Carter to dig up and get to the bottom of this weekend. Here are 10 Tidbits on LA's new forward, using a hodgepodge of notes and quotes...

- He was drafted in the first round of the OHL and NHL drafts. His dad was also taken in the OHL draft - between Mike Gartner and Dino Ciccarelli in 1976 (both are in the Hall of Fame). At just 5-foot-8, Jim Carter played one season for the Oshawa Generals and gave up hockey. By the way, Jeff's listed at 6-foot-4.

- Carter on why he chose jersey #77: "I wore seven all the way up until I got to Philly. Seven is obviously retired there (Bill Barber). So, I was given 17. I've worn 77 a few times here and there. So, I thought I'd switch it up for a bit...I asked for it. Darren (Granger), the equipment guy, said he had to ask a few people. Then, he came back and said it was alright. I told him I'd wear 17 if it as going to be a problem though."

- Represented Canada twice at the World Junior Championships. In 2004 he had Richards as a teammate (when the U.S. beat Canada for the goal medal) and Colin Fraser was with him in 2005. Carter was named a first team all-star at both tournaments.

Sean O'Donnell on his former teammate Jeff Carter

Thanks to everybody who listened in to MayorsManor LIVE tonight. Sorry we ran out of time before we could get to all of the live calls.

Below is the full clip from veteran NHL defenseman Sean O'Donnell, where he answers questions about his former teammates, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.

Of course, O'Donnell has played over 1,100 games in the NHL, after starting his career with the LA Kings. He's gone on to play for several other organizations, including the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks. O'Donnell also won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and is the former captain of he Minnesota Wild. Needless to say, he has the resume to back up what he says here...



If you missed tonight's full episode, including a 'surprise' call from Kings prospect Ray Kaunisto (of the Manchester Monarchs), comments from Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers and others - click here to listen to the replay. It's about as much NHL trade talk as you can handle.

For some bonus coverage, here's a conversation with Jim Fox from earlier today where he addresses the Dustin Brown trade rumors. Is he likely to be dealt? See what Fox has to say.

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Jim Fox talks Dustin Brown rumors - is he being traded?

Thanks to everybody who listened in to MayorsManor LIVE tonight. Sorry we ran out of time before we could get to all of the live calls.

Here's Jim Fox, who we pre-taped a segment with just before going on the air. He answers questions about Jeff Carter, addresses the Dustin Brown trade rumors and more. Take a listen...



We'll have the full Sean O'Donnell quotes on Carter and Mike Richards posted shortly.

If you missed tonight's full episode, where we heard from Ray Kaunisto of the Manchester Monarchs, Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers and others - click here to listen to the replay.  It's about as much NHL trade talk as you can handle.

Also, if you missed our exclusive one-on-one interview with Brown - where he opens up about the trade rumors - click here to read that piece now.

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MayorManor LIVE call-in show tonight - trade rumors and special guests

Just a quick reminder that we're looking to hear from you hockey fans! Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period will join me tonight to co-host 90-minutes of wall-to-wall NHL trade rumors. We'll be giving you everything you need to know about tomorrow's trade deadline - who's being shopped, who's not leaving, what teams want in return for certain players and more.

Expect a full look from around the NHL and we'll be taking LIVE calls from you, the listeners. Have a rumor that you want to talk about? Dial us up and we'll give you our take on it.

As if that's not enough though, we'll also be talking with Jim Fox on the rumors surrounding the Kings, as well as their recent acquisition of Jeff Carter.

Plus, two of Carter's former teammates - Ian Laperriere and Sean O'Donnell - also check in with their take on the Kings' new forward. What do they make of all the drama that went down in Philadelphia? And, Lappy will share his opinion of whether the Flyers will be dealing James van Riemsdyk.

You don't want to miss tonight's show!

UPDATE: If you missed it, check the show page here: Mayor's Manor radio - Hockey Chirps Live or listen to the full replay in the audio player below...

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NOTE: Because we ran long this week, the Jim Fox interview can be found here...and the full comments from Sean O'Donnell can be heard here.

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VIDEO: Guest spot on Inside Sports - talking LA Kings trades

After the Kings 4-0 win over the Blackhawks last night, I was a guest on Inside Sports. Live from the press box at Staples Center, we talked about Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter, Jack Johnson, will the Kings make another trade before the deadline, what's going on in Manchester and much more. I'm the guest for the first half of the show, followed by Brian Kennedy (author of My Country is Hockey).

I was even able to work in two Dodgers references...

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LA Kings Dustin Brown talks redemption, Carter and Stoll

Imagine if your dream was to play in the NHL. So, at the age of 15 you move away from home - and across the border to Canada - so you can further your skills. A few years later, you're drafted in the first round by a team 2,700 miles away and on the other side of North America. After spending a year in the minors during the NHL lockout, you become a full-time player.

So far, it's a story that's probably similar to many players around the league. Now, add in that in 2007 you commit to your organization by signing a six-year contract, wanting to be part of what they're building. And the following year, you earn the team's captaincy.

Yet, four years later, you hear your name come up in trade rumors. Yes, it's a business. But, as Dustin Brown told us in an exclusive one-on-one interview on Friday, he was hurt by some of the things being talked about.

Growing up, kids are taught that actions speak louder than words. For Brown, he added an exclamation point to the statement by responding to everything he heard with one of his best games as a King - scoring three beautiful goals, including the final one short-handed, giving him a natural hat trick.

Back in the locker room, we chatted again...

VIDEO: Dustin Brown's natural hat trick in 4-0 win last night

If you like the horn at Staples Center, you're going to love the video below.

These highlights from last night's Kings game vs. the Blackhawks feature clips of Jeff Carter, Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar, Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner and several others. Yet, the night belonged to Dustin Brown.

After the game, I asked him which of the three goals were his favorite - "The first one. Stolly probably made the play happen. He skated all the way up the ice, drove the 'D' back. That gave me a little bit of room to cut to the middle and I just found a way to score."

On Friday, Brown sat down for a one-on-one interview with us where he opened up about how he was dealing with recent trade rumors. If you missed it, be sure to give it a read here.

On Saturday, he made the ultimate 'actions speak louder than words' statement.

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Comments from Blackhawks locker room after 4-0 loss in LA

Blackhawks fans will likely dismiss their 4-0 loss in LA as not that big of a deal, especially considering they were without captain Jonathan Toews.  On the other side of the ice, Kings captain Dustin Brown figured prominently in the outcome - scoring the game's first three goals and assisting on his team's other marker.

Chicago entered the night holding a 10-1-1 record in the last 12 match-ups versus LA, with their only loss in regulation being a 2-0 game at the United Center on December 28th.  So, the Kings now hold back-to-back shutouts over the team with third best offense in the Western Conference. Even with the win though, the Kings are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, while the 'Hawks sit sixth in the standings.

After the game, here's what they were saying back in the locker room...

Patrick Sharp on the overall game - "There’s room for more offensive chances; there are ways to get stronger and get more pucks to the net. There’s nothing really more to say, we’ve got to find a way to put one in the back of the net. We need to get some guys on it, and do the things that we’re doing and find a way to get it in the back of the net and it’ll be a huge positive for us."

VIDEO: Jeff Carter - Fox Sports West pre-game interview

Just prior to taking on the Blackhawks in his first game as a member of the LA Kings, newly acquired forward Jeff Carter did a brief interview with Patrick O’Neal...

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10 Tidbits from LA Kings morning skate - no Carter yet

The Kings had an earlier than usual skate this morning, due to tonight's game vs. the Blackhawks being at 5pm local time. Of course, the big topics around the locker room continues to be Jeff Carter and the upcoming trade deadline. Here's 10 tidbits that we picked up...

- Willie Mitchell on why he signed in LA now vs. testing free agency: "It's about having a shot at the Stanley Cup...it's all about winning. I want a Cup. I don't have that. A couple of guys around here do. I hear the stories, I hear everything...that's what drives me and that's what motivates me."

- Jeff Carter will wear #77 and play on a line with Mike Richards and rookie Dwight King to start the game, per coach Darryl Sutter. Carter will also get time on the power play.

- King on if he's following the trade rumors: "If you watch any sports program, you see a little bit of the action going on. But, I try not to pay too much attention."