Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings are going to Europe

A few weeks ago I joked that it must be contract week, as several Kings prospects and players were busy getting deals inked.

Well, today is 'address the cynics' day here at MayorsManor.

This morning I posted comments from Luc Robitaille, Kings President of Business Operations, explaining the how and why behind the team's jersey changes for next season.

In a summer filled with more positive vibes than any other in recent memory - from the trade for Mike Richards on down - we'd be remiss to at least not address one of the few news item that's caused a little bit of confusion.

Why are the Kings opening the season in Europe? Some point to the fact AEG owns the arenas. OK, fine. Are there any other reasons and even so, how does management feel about it?

Here's one man's opinion...

"We were asked by the league. We talked with them and they're (only) picking so many teams," Robitaille started out with. "To me, it wasn't a big deal. I kind of like the experience for the players. Yeah, for sure, you think you want to play your games at home. But, 15 years from now those players can say, 'Wow, I got to play a game in Berlin.' I think that's very special. Those are great memories for the players that they'll cherish later - like, someday when they retire."

Fine, that's years down the road. However, at least one thing on his mind that tied back to the upcoming campaign - "There was certainly something inside of me that (kept coming back to) the last three Stanley Cup winners started in Europe. So, once I heard we had a chance to go to Europe, I said I want to go!"

The Kings will open the NHL regular season with a game vs. the New York Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden on Friday, October 7.  They'll also play the following night in Berlin, Germany - taking on the Buffalo Sabres.

Once they return to the US, the Kings will play at New Jersey and Philadelphia.  Then, St. Louis will visit Staples Center for the Kings home opener on Tuesday, October 18.

Back to Richards for a quick moment... to see what the Kings new center - and former Flyers captain - had to say about that first game vs. the Rangers, be sure to click the link below.

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RELATED ARTICLES:

Mike Richards looking forward to first game with Kings - talks 'hatred' for Rangers, fights with Dubinsky

Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings changed jerseys

Kings 'most likely' opening next season in Europe

Kings prospect Tyler Toffoli gets Hockey Canada do-over

Tyler Toffoli (Hockey Canada)

WHL scoring champion Linden Vey had 116 points for the Medicine Hat Tigers last season, more than any other player in major-junior hockey.

Tyler Toffoli netted 57 goals for the OHL's Ottawa 67's last season, more than any other player in major-junior hockey.

Both players participated in Team Canada's World Junior evaluation camp last summer. Yet, neither player made the final cut when rosters were released, just prior to the tournament getting underway in December.

Would Canada, a country who doesn't measure its success on the ice in silver or bronze, have won gold at the 2011 World Junior tournament with either player?

We'll never know.  Russia beat Canada in the finals and now Vey has aged-out, as the tournament is for the best under-20 players.

Toffoli is back though and when Team Canada opens its evaluation camp later this morning he'll be looking to right a wrong.

Given all that's happened in the last year, you'd have to think it would be an absolute shock if Toffoli didn't make the team. However, he says he's not thinking that far ahead. He just wants to come into camp and show off his skills, play his game.

The attendees will be split off into two groups, Canada's familiar team white and team red. Toffoli's team white squad will also include the first player selected at the 2011 NHL Draft, Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They'll also have defenseman Dougie Hamilton (Boston Bruins) and Devante Smith-Pelly (Anaheim Ducks).

10 Key Dates for LA Kings, including 2011 training camp

Soon after the Stanley Cup parade takes place in some North American city, it happens.

Millions of fans everywhere began to experience hockey withdrawals, or 'summer' as it's more commonly referred to.

Fortunately, the early part of the off-season has a hat-trick of activities that can partially keep the fire stoked via the NHL Awards, NHL Draft and start of free agency.

Then, today comes. People flip the calender to August - well, those that still literally do things like that - and realize there's not one thing scheduled even partially resembling the sport they love.

Bare with us though. You can do it. Make it another 30 days and look what's on the other side...

10 KEY DATES for the LOS ANGELES KINGS

9/10 Rookie Camp opens at TSC in El Segundo, CA (runs through 9/13)

9/11 HockeyFest 2011 at Staples Center

9/13 Kings Charity Golf Tournament - Industry Hills, CA

* 9/14 Rookie game vs. Phoenix Coyotes 6pm - at TSC in El Segundo, CA

* 9/15 Rookie game vs. Phoenix Coyotes 2pm - at TSC in El Segundo, CA

9/16 Main Training Camp opens at TSC in El Segundo, CA (off-ice)

* 9/17 On-ice workouts begin for main camp roster

9/21 Pre-season game: Phoenix Coyotes at LA Kings (Staples Center)

9/25 Pre-season game: Anaheim Ducks at LA Kings (Staples Center)

9/30 Pre-season game: LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center)

10/1 Frozen Fury XIV: Colorado Avalanche vs LA Kings (Las Vegas, NV)

10/7 Opening Night: NY Rangers vs LA Kings (Stockholm, Sweden)

10/8 NHL Premiere, Game Two: Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings (Berlin, Germany)

* denotes update, as of 8/18/2011

Hockey season is almost here.

Hang in there. You can do it.

In the meantime, be sure to keep up to date this summer with all the news and inside information right here on MayorsManor. Just this weekend, we had an exclusive interview with Colin Fraser about his injuries, the Dodgers James Loney talked about his desire to play hockey at Staples Center and Rich Clune shared his thoughts on Bud Holloway leaving the Monarchs for Europe.

And there's lots more to come...

The Mayor
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SJ Sharks vs LA Kings - Playoff Tidbits and Schedule

In the coming days MayorsManor will have a plethora of playoff coverage leading up to the first game - notes, interviews, analysis, etc.

To kick things off, here are five tidbits to keep in mind...

* Anze Kopitar - it's the name that will probably come up more often than any other until this series is over...and he's not even going to have one minute of ice time. Interesting point though, Kopitar didn't have a single goal versus the Sharks in five games played against them this season.

* Justin Williams - he wasn't expected back this early, but it looks like he'll be playing vs. the Sharks - which, of course, could be a huge boost for the Kings

* Goaltending - the Kings enter the playoffs this season with a completely different set up in net than what they had last year. Jonathan Quick is the number one goalie. But, but, but...if he struggles at all or if the team needs a different look, Jonathan Bernier is there to jump in. The players and coaching staff has plenty of confidence in him too, especially after he went 4-0-1 in March.

Ontario Reign announce 2010-11 schedule...Teubert?

The Ontario Reign, billed as the "proud affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings", have announced their schedule for next season.  Before you ask, the NHL schedule usually comes out the day after the MLB All Star Game held in mid-July. (udpate: the NHL has decided to release the schedule three weeks early this year, it's coming out 6/22)

Former LA Kings first round draft pick Colten Teubert has finished up each of the last two seasons with the Reign, following his junior team's completion of their CHL season.  To date, he's already played 24 games in the ECHL, including 6 playoff games.  He could possibly begin next season in Ontario...along with Kings goaltending prospect Martin Jones of the WHL's Calgary Hitmen.

We did an interview with Teubert back in March while he was with the Reign - covering things like possibly being traded at the deadline in a package for Ilya Kovalchuk or Ray Whitney, his thoughts on Thomas Hickey, Canada-USA memories at the World Juniors, guys taken below him in the draft already playing in the NHL and much more. You can read the interview by clicking here.

There should be plenty of news about Teubert, Jones and other Kings prospects throughout the summer.  For now, here are the Reign's home games in October/November:

Saturday, October 23, 2010 vs. Stockton
Thursday, November 4, 2010 vs. Alaska
Saturday, November 6, 2010 vs. Alaska
Friday, November 19, 2010 vs. Victoria
Saturday, November 20, 2010 vs. Victoria
Friday, November 26, 2010 vs. Las Vegas
Saturday, November 27, 2010 vs. Las Vegas
Sunday, November 28, 2010 vs. Utah

For a complete schedule...and ticket information...visit http://www.ontarioreign.com/.

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