Lombardi has a plan for free agents, not just wingn' it

For those not following along on twitter and/or facebook today, here is where things stand with free agency...

Back when Kings GM Dean Lombardi arrived in Los Angeles in the spring of 2006 he immediately began talking about building the team from the net out.

More recently, he's acknowledged that the team needs to be stronger at center if they want to compete with the upper echelon of the Western Conference - teams like Vancouver, San Jose and Detroit.

So, while a bunch of free agent forwards signed elsewhere today - Andrew Brunette (Chicago), Eric Cole (Montreal), Tomas Fleischmann (Florida), Jeff Halpern (Washington), Jaromir Jagr (Philadelphia), Ville Lenio (Buffalo), Alexei Ponikarovsky (Carolina), Michael Ryder (Dallas), Steve Sullivan (Pittsburgh), Marco Sturm (Vancouver), Scottie Upshall (Florida), Kris Versteeg (Florida via trade) and Joel Ward (Washington) - Lombardi headed to Toronto in pusuit of another center.

There are unconfirmed reports he's asked coach Terry Murray how feasible it is to start 12 centers on offense. Which is great news to prospects like Andrei Loktionov and Jordan Weal, who would be needed for those 11th and 12 spots.

So, for now we wait.

Three teams have yet to make a big splash today - the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers.

Thus, we're actually right back where we started. The same three teams that have been rumored for over a month to be the front runners for uber UFA Brad Richards are still in the hunt.

Oh yeah, one more thing... there's also a very good, often injured, former Flyer winger who hasn't signed with anybody yet. Perhaps he's plan B.

The Mayor
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POLL: Who should the LA Kings re-sign?

The Kings have a plethora of restricted free agents to evaluate - most notably, Drew Doughty and Wayne Simmonds.

However, they also have four unrestricted free agents they need to make decisions on by July 1st - Peter Harrold, John Zeiler, Michal Handzus and Alexei Ponikarovsky.

Let's focus on the latter two.

Earlier today I posted comments from coach Terry Murray regarding why he would want Handzus back - including saying, "He's a real linchpin kind of a guy. He's a leader. He’s a great example. He's a professional in all senses of the word - getting ready, doing the work that needs to be done to be a player." (read the full article here)

As for Ponikarovsky, he said "Big body, a 6-5" guy. I need him to score more, though," before later adding "It wasn’t because of poor play. I mean, he's trying, he cares. He’s going to the net. He's using his size most of the time. I just need more of what you've shown for seven years on your resume, a 20-goal scorer. What happened? He can do some good things."

Both decisions will basically come down to money (of course) and possible replacements (i.e. younger prospects and/or other players available via the free agent market or trade).

Ignoring money - or assuming the contracts were reasonable (as the Kings no longer have to over-pay to get players, they have plenty of prospects now to fill third and fourth-line roles)...

If you were Kings GM Dean Lombardi, what would you do?



Poll closes Saturday at noon PST.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Handzus and Johnson guest on MayorsManor

Ponikarovsky wants to win 'em all

Dean Lombardi evaluates Terry Murray's performance this season

Coach Murray says Wayne Simmonds 'hit a wall' this season

Doughty says the Kings will 'do anything to win'
.

Los Angeles Kings Players are Quick to Praise

While much has been made of the Kings power play success in the first playoff two games with San Jose - and rightfully so, considering the regular season numbers - the play of Jonathan Quick shouldn't (and hasn't) gone unnoticed.

After a variety of reasons were given for his poor play down the stretch last year, including fatigue, Quick has looked nothing short of incredible so far this post season. Outside of the first minute of game one, he's been as sharp as anybody could possibly hope for.

And his teammates have been quick to praise him...

Alexei Ponikarovsky - "He's come up big with huge saves at key times of the game. He's a great goalie. We're trying to block some shots for him, to make his life a little bit easier. But, he's playing great."

Rob Scuderi - "He's not surprising anyone in here (the locker room). He's been a great goaltender for us all season. We don't expect anything less. He's going to have to be our best player in the playoffs if we're going to have a chance to win some games and possibly win a round or two, and hopefully more. He has not disappointed."

Jarret Stoll - "He's just so steady and so calm. With his positional play he's just been in the right spot. You don't see him over committing. He doesn't have to work too hard in there it seems like. Obviously, he is working hard, but you don't notice him trying to do too much. He's just there. He's covering rebounds. He's battling for pucks that he can't see. He's making those big saves too when he has to."

Brad Richardson - "He was obviously great last game, with the shutout. But, in the first game he made some huge saves to keep that game close. He's our number one goalie for a reason. He's just played awesome. In my opinion, he's one of the top three goaltenders in the league. So, he's great to have back there. We have a lot of confidence in him."

Quick will be back in net again tonight for game three at Staples Center.



The Mayor
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photo courtesy of www.sharkspage.com

Alexei Ponikarovsky - Mr. Game Three?

Poni on Ryan Smyth mullet night

When Alexei Ponikarovsky signed with the Kings in July 2010 the hope was that he'd be able to replace the goals lost with the departure of Alexander Frolov.

It seemed reasonable enough, Ponikarovsky had averaged 20 goals for five straight seasons. If he couldn't replace them all, he should at least come close.

Or so everybody thought.  Yet, when the 82-game regular season wrapped up a little over a week ago, Ponikarovsky had five goals to show for it - and none since March 9th in Detroit.

However, his defensive play has shined, especially in the second half of the season.

Then, in game one of the playoffs, another dimension of his game took shape, as he was second on the team with six hits.  It was a number he reached only twice all season and not in quite some time.  In fact, since scoring that goal vs. the Red Wings, he averaged just two hits per game over the final month of play.

MM:  In the first game you had six hits and then none in the second game. Were you more amped up for the first game, was it a result of the lines being shuffled in the second game due to Jarret Stoll's suspension or something else entirely?

Kings down Sharks 4-0, Game 2 notes and video

It was a night of 'Oh yeah, that's happened before.'

* On December 27, 2010 the Kings beat the Sharks in San Jose by a score of 4-0.  Ditto last night.

* Last year vs. the Canucks, the Kings lost game one of their opening round series with Vancouver and then won the second game to even the series 1-1. Same thing here.

* Also during last year's playoffs, Drew Doughty had a four point night. He did it again vs. the Sharks on Saturday with two goals and two assists.

* Jonathan Quick shutout the Sharks. Five other Kings goalies had turned that trick in the playoffs, most recently - Felix Potvin in 2002 vs. Colorado (in a series the Kings should have won, but more on that some other day).

* Last year in game two vs. Vancouver, Wayne Simmonds scored a goal in only his second NHL playoff game. Saturday vs. the Sharks, Kyle Clifford matched the accomplishment when he found the back of the net early in the third period.

And a few other post-game notes...

Kings Take The Field For Opening Day at Dodger Stadium

Dustin Brown - captain or catcher?

Over the last few seasons, the Kings and Dodgers have developed a more-than-friendly relationship.

In fact, when cross promoting each other, the home team had a perfect 6-0 record until just a few months ago.

Later this afternoon the boys in blue will take the field at Dodger Stadium against the hated San Francisco Giants to begin their new season.

After writing many times over the last few years about the parallels of these two teams - i.e. GMs from division rivals, tons of young talent, just one key player away from a possible run at a championship, etc. - I thought I'd go a different route in honor of Opening Day.

Which Kings players would step in for the Dodgers if they took over the starting line-up? Here's a quick look...

First Baseman, James Loney is... Dustin Brown - the all around, solid ball player that is under appreciated and underrated, even in his own town.

Second Baseman, Juan Uribe is... Justin Williams - somebody who put up good numbers with a different club, but you never truly appreciate how good he is until he's on your team.

Shortstop, Rafael Furcal is... Drew Doughty - either of these players could easily be called the best players on their team and be recognized as league MVPs in any year.

POLL: Who Will Seize The Opportunity?

With Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar out of the line-up for the final seven games of the regular season (and longer), nearly every Kings player is talking about guys needing to step up.

And although that seemed to be the theme of the day at practice yesterday, coach Terry Murray was stressing opportunity...

As in, "an opportunity for players to show what they can do on that side of the game now.”

Also noting that several guys will be placed "in a higher situation, more important situation and they’ll grow immensely through this opportunity.”

Specifically, he's "looking for a couple young guys to step up here and take advantage of this opportunity.”

Regardless of age, the Kings need to somehow, someway replace the goals lost by Kopitar and Williams. So, what do you think - who will have the most goals over the final seven games?

Before you vote, here's a quick look at the how the new Kings lines may impact a player's performance:

Kings Earn More 'Biggest Points of The Season'

Coaches and players love to tell you these are the biggest points of the season - even though two points in March count the same as two points in October.

Regardless, as Matt Greene said before the Kings current four-game road trip started, "We need points. There's no real formula for what we're doing right now. I think every team needs them. We just have to go out and get wins."

And that they're doing. Sunday's 3-2 win in Dallas was the team's third in a row on this trip and they're now 10-1-3 in their last 14 games away from Staples Center.

Five points to the game:

Two Players Away From Perfect Line Combiinations

Stress level among Kings fans is nearing an all-time high today.

Will they, won't they, who goes, who stays...

How about a slightly humorous look at something to lighten the mood for just a second.

Much has been made of coach Terry Murray's Rubik's Cube like changes to the line combinations.

Yet, the Kings may just be two players away from the perfect solution.

If they could somehow acquire players with current or former ties to the Flyers and Oilers, they would be able to suit up the following:

[Kings line] Brown-Kopitar-Simmonds
[Oilers line] Smyth-Stoll-TBA
[Flyers line] TBA-Handzus-Williams
[Manch line] Moller-Lewis-Westgarth

Of course, the only problem in the above scenario is Kyle Clifford is missing on the Kings line. So, change that one to Clifford-Kopitar-Brown.

Obviously, Dustin Penner and Ales Hemsky of the Oilers have been mentioned as possible targets for LA - making the Oilers line a realistic possibility.  However, every good GM needs a back-up plan.  If either deal isn't viable, they could instead change things and go with an Avalanche line of Smyth-TBA-Richardson.

Paul Stastney would fit the bill.

Sorry Alexei Ponikarovsky. You just don't have the credentials necessary under any configuration.

Now, what player with a Flyers connection could GM Dean Lombardi target to make this dream come true?

[note: for a more serious look at the Kings trade scenarios today, CLICK HERE - see who may be leaving and what they're looking to acquire]



The Mayor
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Ponikarovsky's Points and Westgarth's Fists

One of my favorite quotes from a Kings player as they wrapped up practice last week in El Segundo (before heading out on this six game road trip through the Easter Conference) was Alexei Ponikarovsky saying "I think all the teams we're going to play on this trip are pretty good teams. So, it's going to be a tough one. We just have to bring a good game as a group and win them all."

While he hasn't been 100% right, he's been pretty damn close - as the Kings have gone 3-0-2.

But, what about today's game with the Islanders? After all, New York has been hovering around the bottom of their conference all season. Plus, the Kings have already played powerhouse teams like Pittsburgh and Washington on this stretch.

Could this be one of the oft-talked about trap games?

Ponikarovsky had a few things to say about that notion...

"That game is not a tough one because mentally you know (it's) the last game of the road trip. If you won the previous five, you just keep the streak going. If you didn't get enough wins, you're going to battle harder to get that one. The mindset has to be it doesn't matter who you play against, just get points."

And that they've done - so far.

LA Kings Players on Second Chance with Flyers

Earlier today, in an article here, Kings resident tough guy Kevin Westgarth spoke about playing the Flyers for the second time this season.

Below, a few others weigh in on if they think it's an advantage...

Jack Johnson - Yes and no. It's still a hockey game. Everyone knows every player around the league pretty well, just because we've watched each other play enough. I wouldn't say it's an advantage just because we played them earlier this year. It will be a fun game, but it will be a tough game.

Kyle Clifford - Well, definitely, especially for young guys, you really don't know teams too well. Some teams you only get to play once. So, now I know what they're all about. We had our chances in that (first) game too. So, we're going to come prepared.

Alexei Ponikarovsky - Maybe. But, it doesn't change anything for us. We know what to expect. They're on top of the Eastern Conference right now, so we know what to do. They're a pretty tough team to play against and we have to bring our 'A' game.

So, that's one yes, one maybe and a yes/no combo.

About the only thing clear at the moment is that the Kings need another two points today.

For the Nine Things You Need To Know about today's game, check out the Pre-Game Notes article here.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES

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Kings at Pens By the Numbers, plus Video Highlights

Although Kings coach Terry Murray declined to share his point goal for the road trip prior to the team leaving for Pittsburgh, I'll stand by my previous mark of 15 points in the 10 games played before they return to Staples Center on February 24.

They picked up a point tonight, losing to the Penguins with less than 20-seconds remaining in overtime. Put simply, they left an extra point on the ice.

So, they're off to Washington with six points in the books after four games.

Here's a breakdown of the game's other key numbers, followed by some video highlights...

0 goals from Anze Kopitar now in the last 10 games

1 goal could have been scored by Alexei Ponikarovsky, if only he got the puck up

2 shots by the Kings in the entire second period

3 more penalty kills by Pittsburgh, the league's best PK unit

5 penalty minutes each for Wayne Simmonds and Kevin Westgarth

7 straight games with points for the Kings (5-0-2)

9 points needed in the remaining six road games to reach the 15 point goal

Ponikarovsky Wants To Win 'Em All

While tonight's return to Pittsburgh may be bittersweet for Rob Scuderi, it probably won't be anything close to similar for teammate Alexei Ponikarovsky. After spending seven-plus seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was acquired by the Penguins in a deadline deal last March.

It was a move that didn't pay off for either the team or player, as he scored just two goals in his 16 regular season games there and added a single goal in 11 more playoff games - numbers that probably cost him dearly on the free agent market last summer.

Still, he tried to downplay the situation before the Kings headed out east...

MM: For you personally, is there special meaning in the Pittsburgh game or are you perhaps looking forward to a different game on the trip?

AP:  Nah, I wouldn't say so. I played in Pittsburgh for a couple of months last year at the end of the season. It would be nice to beat them for sure, especially in their own building - the new one. Other than that, it's the same as other road trips.

MM:  Dustin Brown alluded to some guys possibly taking the Penguins too lightly with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin being out of the line-up. Is that a concern for you?

HIGH / LOW with LA Kings Forwards

Earlier this week the Kings reached the midpoint of their 82-game regular season. In a separate article today we shared comments from the Kings' defensemen, providing their thoughts on the first half of the season.

Now, let's see what eight of the forwards have to say...

Wayne Simmonds - Obviously, I don't think up to this point our season has gone the way we wanted it to. But, we just have to put that behind us and we have to get going here. It's half way through the season now and every point counts. I think we're going to have to be a desperate hockey team in the second half.

Ryan Smyth - I thought we started out really well, played very decent at home. Then, we lost seven out of eight - we didn't need that. But, I thought at times throughout that we played pretty well - we just didn't get the end result we wanted. Right around Christmas we were going good. We were strong and had a few good games - against San Jose, Anaheim and Edmonton in there too. We had some confidence and felt really good as a group. For whatever reason as of late, from then on it hasn't been the greatest. It's been spotty. I don't think we've played up to our potential by any means. But, the best thing is we have the second half that we can move forward with and hopefully gain some points.

For Those Scoring Along at Home...

The Kings will go with several new line combinations tonight.

Plus, a possible Elvis sighting at Staples Center?

* Alexei Ponikarovsky returns to the line-up and will move all the way up to the top unit with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. With his old team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming to town on Monday night, was it important to get back into a game before then? Poni said "Some things just fell into place with me coming back from the injury. It just happens to be right before Toronto comes in. But, definitely, you want to play against the team you spent a lot of time with in the past. It's always exciting."

* The Kings best player right now, Ryan Smyth, will stay on the second line with Michal Handzus and Justin Williams.

New Year's Resolutions with Kevin Westgarth

Besides size and strength, one of the many things Kevin Westgarth brings to the Kings this season is a great sense of humor. Perhaps it's the Princeton education that helps him come up with such great quotes. Or perhaps it's because he has plenty of time to sit on the bench and think of his witty comebacks.

Regardless, he's one of my go to guys this season and he never fails to deliver.

With his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, he offered the following resolutions for some of his teammates...but only after first sharing one of his own...

Kevin Westgarth - Let's start with me. My New Year's Resolution is to beat Kyle Clifford to the first Gordie Howe hat trick for the LA Kings this season. [note: that's a goal, assist and fight in the same game]. That's a pretty major one.

Michal Handzus - I think I heard his New Year's Resolution is to talk less. He's just a chatter box in the dressing room. So, that's something to look forward to.

Ryan Smyth - I think he's looking to take some more one-timers with that awesome stick of his. He's definitely looking to score some goals this upcoming year from maybe a little higher out than three feet in front of the net - although we love all those ones too.

He's Back... Five Questions with Willie Mitchell

As Willie Mitchell prepares for his return to the Kings line-up tonight, we caught up with him for an exclusive interview.

Among the topics he talks about is trying to find a positive in being out injured, tonight's milestone game and he weighs in on young defenseman, Alec Martinez.

MM: Any observations while watching the team from the sidelines over the last few weeks?

WM: Our game is starting to come around. We're starting to shoot the puck a little more. It's good. This game has peaks and valleys over the course of a season. Every team has them and we had a little bit of a valley there obviously. It's a younger team, so sometimes the trough becomes a little bit bigger because sometimes when you're a little younger you get a little emotional.  When things are going really well you get a little too cocky and when things aren't going as planned you start to shrug the shoulders and your stick gets a little heavier. It's up to (the veterans) in this room to help with that. Guys seem to be playing a little better right now though and we're trying to get back to what we were doing at the start of the year.

MM: You were acquired in late August, camp was a few weeks later, then then season started - it all happened so quickly.  So, was being out of the line-up a positive at all, in the sense that you could sit back and observe the team a little...

Ponikarovsky - Reporting From The Sidelines

Alexei Ponikarovsky was brought in this summer to essentially replace Alexander Frolov on the third line.

He seemed to be fitting in just nicely until he broke his finger on November 6th vs. Nashville - ironically, the same night fellow newcomer, Willie Mitchell, was injured too.

In the article below, Ponikarovsky talks Florida Panthers hockey, updates us on his finger, the Kings' overall mental health and comments on Kyle Clifford's play...

MM: Help us preview the Panthers a bit. Their captain is Brian McCabe, your former teammate in Toronto (2003-08). What's the scouting report?

AP:  Florida is a good team, hard working team. The guys (the Kings) are going to have to outwork them. They have pretty good goaltending. Brian is playing a big role for them on defense and their power play as well.

You'll probably be sitting this one out, but when you're in the line-up and you go up against a former teammate, does it motivate you all?

Post Practice Comments - Michal Handzus

Had a chance to catch up with several of the players today after practice - including Jarret Stoll, Willie Mitchell, Kyle Clifford, Jake Muzzin, Kevin Westgarth, etc.

First up, Michal Handzus...

MM:  It's been four games now with your new linemate Alexi Ponikarovsky.  What's your assessment on how things are going so far?

MH:  I don't think we've played up to our potential yet.  So, our line is not as happy as we'd like to be.  In those four games we didn't play as well as we could have.  We're still trying to get our chemistry clicking.  That's what we've been working on in practice the last few days.  Hopefully we can get it going and help the team a little bit more.

Wayne Simmonds has been fairly quiet so far this season.  What would you attribute that to?

High / Low - Game One with Jim Fox

Dos Equis brings you inspiring stories from the World's Most Interesting Man...we bring you the insightful information from the Man With the Perfect Hair.

Jim Fox was a frequent visitor to MayorsManor last year and was kind enough to provide his thoughts after the Kings big win in Vancouver last night.

Foxy appeared to be extremely frustrated with the Kings loss in last year's season opener to the Coyotes. How did he see things last night?

Here are his Highs and Lows from the game...

HIGHS

FOX:  Brayden Schenn's involvement in many areas