When the NHL schedule came out yesterday it revealed the Kings will host both the Washington Captials and Pittsburgh Penguins. Sid and Ovi coming to town? Usually that's enough to talk about on a boring Thursday in June.
Yet, leave it to Dean Lombardi to throw that one out the window.
First, he made a huge trade with the Flyers, acquiring their captain Mike Richards in exchange for a package that included hockey's number one prospect, Brayden Schenn.
Then, hours later, he dropped another bomb on the conference call - yes, Ryan Smyth DID ask for a trade.
As discussed here on MayorsManor earlier in the week, Smyth's team of preference was the Oilers. And our poll showed fans were split on what the Kings should expect in return (results here).
Lombardi, known for his honesty when answering these type of questions, was his usual blunt self...
"This has kind of evolved over the last two months, actually. When Ryan asked to be moved, at first I was really troubled. Ryan, in our first 40 games last year I thought he was one of our better players. He kind of tailed off a little and then, in the playoffs, was one of our best players. And certainly, left wing, it’s not one of our strongest positions. So first off, my reaction was, `No way,’ and I couldn’t figure out why, because I think Ryan had adapted well."
Friday, June 24, 2011
Exclusive: Jim Fox on LA Kings Trade for Mike Richards
He may be on the other side of the globe, yet Jim Fox still made time to check in with MayorsManor regarding the big news from yesterday.
Fresh off another successful charity event last week (they raised over $200k at the 23rd annual Jim Fox/Dave Taylor golf tournament), Fox headed over to Prague this week for some R&R. Although he still couldn't shake the hockey world, as he worked out in the same gym yesterday with Roman Hamrlik and Patrick Elias. You think Kovalchuk's name came up?
Meanwhile, the Kings were retooling their roster yesterday in a big way - acquiring Mike Richards from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a second round draft pick.
In Richards, the Kings received the Flyers’ 26-year old captain, who is under a long term contract. He's averaged 28 goals, 42 assists and 70 points over the last four seasons. Equally important, he's played in 57 playoff games - including the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010.
Earlier this morning Fox shared a few comments on the trade -
"When I think of Mike Richards I think 'playoff player.' A guy who because of his competitive nature and style personifies 'leaving it all on the ice.' His versatility drives his value way up. He plays and excels in all facets of the game - all situations and he gets better when the game is on the line!"
More on the trade later today, including exclusive comments from one of Richards' former teammates.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
High/Low with Jim Fox - Kings vs San Jose, 2011 Playoffs
Interview with Brayden Schenn - interview with hockey's #1 prospect
Cruising the mall with Simmonds and Doughty
Interview with Marcel Dionne
Fresh off another successful charity event last week (they raised over $200k at the 23rd annual Jim Fox/Dave Taylor golf tournament), Fox headed over to Prague this week for some R&R. Although he still couldn't shake the hockey world, as he worked out in the same gym yesterday with Roman Hamrlik and Patrick Elias. You think Kovalchuk's name came up?
Meanwhile, the Kings were retooling their roster yesterday in a big way - acquiring Mike Richards from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a second round draft pick.
In Richards, the Kings received the Flyers’ 26-year old captain, who is under a long term contract. He's averaged 28 goals, 42 assists and 70 points over the last four seasons. Equally important, he's played in 57 playoff games - including the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010.
Earlier this morning Fox shared a few comments on the trade -
"When I think of Mike Richards I think 'playoff player.' A guy who because of his competitive nature and style personifies 'leaving it all on the ice.' His versatility drives his value way up. He plays and excels in all facets of the game - all situations and he gets better when the game is on the line!"
More on the trade later today, including exclusive comments from one of Richards' former teammates.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
High/Low with Jim Fox - Kings vs San Jose, 2011 Playoffs
Interview with Brayden Schenn - interview with hockey's #1 prospect
Cruising the mall with Simmonds and Doughty
Interview with Marcel Dionne
Monday, June 20, 2011
POLL: Ryan Smyth - what's he worth to the LA Kings?
You always have to preface these type of things, so here goes - Ryan Smyth is a class act and was the perfect player at the perfect time when the Kings acquired him a few summers ago.
That said, according to a TSN report earlier today, Smyth has notified the Kings he would like to play for the Edmonton Oilers next season if possible.
It appears to be more than just a rumor. So, let's look at things...
He's 35 years old and has played in 1,069 NHL regular season games - including 82 this past season (the first time he's played a full season since 2003-04).
His 47 points were fourth best on the Kings, while his 23 goals were third most on the team.
Perhaps most important, he plays left wing - a position the Kings are extremely thin at throughout the entire organization.
Even so, a trade to Edmonton is always possible. Anything's possible in the NHL!
If you were GM Dean Lombardi, what would you be looking for in return?
Poll closes Thursday night.
Smyth started his career in Edmonton, playing over 750 games there before being traded to the Islanders in a deadline deal in 2007. His first career game with the Oilers was actually vs. the Kings at the old Forum - something he spoke about in a MayorsManor interview here.
I'm off to Las Vegas in the morning for NHL Awards week. Be sure to follow all the action via twitter and facebook updates at the links below.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
That said, according to a TSN report earlier today, Smyth has notified the Kings he would like to play for the Edmonton Oilers next season if possible.
It appears to be more than just a rumor. So, let's look at things...
He's 35 years old and has played in 1,069 NHL regular season games - including 82 this past season (the first time he's played a full season since 2003-04).
His 47 points were fourth best on the Kings, while his 23 goals were third most on the team.
Perhaps most important, he plays left wing - a position the Kings are extremely thin at throughout the entire organization.
Even so, a trade to Edmonton is always possible. Anything's possible in the NHL!
If you were GM Dean Lombardi, what would you be looking for in return?
Poll closes Thursday night.
Smyth started his career in Edmonton, playing over 750 games there before being traded to the Islanders in a deadline deal in 2007. His first career game with the Oilers was actually vs. the Kings at the old Forum - something he spoke about in a MayorsManor interview here.
I'm off to Las Vegas in the morning for NHL Awards week. Be sure to follow all the action via twitter and facebook updates at the links below.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tyler Toffoli - Team Canada's only Kings prospect?
For the last few years, the Kings have had more prospects invited to Team Canada's World Junior evaluation camps than just about any other NHL club. Last year alone, they had Brayden Schenn, Linden Vey, JF Berube, Kyle Clifford and several others on the list.
The Kings have also had several players put in leadership roles for Canada at the tournament itself - as Schenn, Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert all wore letters on their chest in recent years.
However, as of right now, Tyler Toffoli is the only Kings prospect set to attend this summer's evaluation camp for the 2012 World Junior Championship.
That could change after next weekend's NHL Draft though, as 20 of the 46 players invited are draft eligible - and are expected to be selected. Who knows, maybe the Kings will nab a few of those.
So, the final prospect count is really still TBD.
As reported last week, Derek Forbort and Kevin Gravel (both selected by the Kings at the 2010 NHL Draft) were invited to attend the upcoming Team USA evaluation camp.
Toffoli, who led the OHL in scoring this past season, was a guest on MayorsManor right before the playoffs began - click here if you missed it.
To read Clifford's exclusive Team Canada report from last summer's camp - including his thoughts on the other Kings prospects - click here.
Meanwhile, Toffoli has been working out in Ottawa with the gang at Greco Lean and Fit. He's expected to be in Los Angeles for the Kings annual Development Camp in a few weeks. More on that later.
The Mayor
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Matt Greene tattoos his Los Angeles Kings teammates
NOTE: This is the archived version of MayorsManor.
This article is available by clicking here.
For now though, how about a Kings related story to get your weekend off to a great start...
A few months back Matt Greene was the judge of a tattoo contest on LAKings.com. Basically, fans were encouraged to send in photos of their ink and Greene would determine who had the best stuff.
Why Greene you ask? Well, the man knows tats - as evidenced by his left leg. Rather than a half-sleeve, I'd guess you'd call it a full-quad? I don't know.
Anyway, throughout the season during various conversations I asked Greener for his opinion on different teammates. As he looked around the locker room he would offer up his suggestion on their first trip to a tattoo parlor.
With some never before published comments, here's what each of these guys should get, according to Matt Greene...
Drew Doughty - "He wants to get his family crest, but I doubt he'll actually pull through on it. He's a little gun shy about the whole 'it's there for life thing.'"
Jack Johnson - "Bald eagle, right across the chest."
Willie Mitchell - "Maybe a stock portfolio, somewhere on his arm."
Kyle Clifford - "Something really tough, maybe brass knuckles. But, when we talked to Cliffy about it he wants to get a big wolf."
Ryan Smyth - "I don't Smitty's going to get a tattoo. But, if he did, it would be Canada. It would be a maple leaf, like 70% of the other Canadians that you play with."
Alec Martinez - "A Louisville Slugger. His girlfriend's from Louisville and she used to work at the Louisville Slugger plant."
Rob Scuderi - "The Jets. New York Jets, right on his heart."
Dustin Brown - "His kids portraits, right across his back."
Jarret Stoll - "Stolly? That's tough. It's always changing with his style. That would be a temporary one, for sure."
Jonathan Bernier - "He already has enough. I might take a couple of his off. He has some bad ones. He knows which one too."
Jonathan Quick - "He got one last summer, so he's pretty fresh. I can't give him anymore right now. He's joining in though. He's going to get some more."
With dozens of tattoo shops in Vegas, who knows - maybe he can get some fresh color during the NHL Awards next week. If I see him there, expect a a follow-up to this article.
Follow @mayorNHL
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Which Team Won't Be Back?
The NHL's 2010-11 season is now over, with the Boston Bruins crowned as Stanley Cup Champions.
For those ready to turn the page and look ahead, let's talk about the Western Conference standings.
Every year there is a certain amount of turnover within the eight teams qualifying for the post-season. For example, last season, four 'new' teams made it in the West compared to the 2008-09 campaign.
However, this season, only one team didn't return - Colorado was replaced in the pack by Anaheim.
So, of the eight Western teams that took a shot at the Cup this year, which do you think is most likely to have a drop off...and not return to the playoffs next season?
Results will be posted Monday.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Interview with Nashville captain Shea Weber
Interview with San Jose captain Joe Thornton
Kings players on Columbus captain Rick Nash
Interview with Coyotes center Eric Belanger
Interview with Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks
For those ready to turn the page and look ahead, let's talk about the Western Conference standings.
Every year there is a certain amount of turnover within the eight teams qualifying for the post-season. For example, last season, four 'new' teams made it in the West compared to the 2008-09 campaign.
However, this season, only one team didn't return - Colorado was replaced in the pack by Anaheim.
So, of the eight Western teams that took a shot at the Cup this year, which do you think is most likely to have a drop off...and not return to the playoffs next season?
Results will be posted Monday.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Interview with Nashville captain Shea Weber
Interview with San Jose captain Joe Thornton
Kings players on Columbus captain Rick Nash
Interview with Coyotes center Eric Belanger
Interview with Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
LA Kings Roundtable - Stanley Cup Conteners in 2012?
On the eve of the NHL's post-season coming to end, there are still two open questions - who will win the Stanley Cup this year, Boston or Vancouver?
And what about the Kings?
For more on that second one, the guys over at KingsCast pulled together a panel, consisting of people like Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner and Dave Joseph of ESPN to help explore the issue.
Over the last few weeks several videos have been posted on various topics surrounding the Kings past, present and future. Below is the final installment - where we talk in-depth about the players, attitude and philosophy needed for the LA Kings to become Stanley Cup contenders next season.
Some of the conversation centers around Willie Mitchell vs. Chris Pronger, who will win the Pacific Division, can the Kings challenge for one of the top spots in the Western Conference and much more.
If you haven't been keeping up with the whole series, here's a recap with links:
Part one - discussion on Drew Doughty
Part two - discussion on the power play and prospects
Part three - lots of talk on free agents, trade rumors, Kopitar, Bernier, Penner, etc.
Part four - focus on coaching and Johnson vs. Doughty
Part five - debating player contracts and roster changes
Be sure to check back next week for plenty of coverage live from NHL Awards week in Las Vegas - the parties, the players and all the scoop.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Coach Terry Murray sizes up his defense
Willie Mitchell on Vancouver's tendency to 'come unglued'
Mitchell still not sure what went wrong
Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team
Prospect Report - notes on Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel and Team USA
And what about the Kings?
For more on that second one, the guys over at KingsCast pulled together a panel, consisting of people like Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner and Dave Joseph of ESPN to help explore the issue.
Over the last few weeks several videos have been posted on various topics surrounding the Kings past, present and future. Below is the final installment - where we talk in-depth about the players, attitude and philosophy needed for the LA Kings to become Stanley Cup contenders next season.
Some of the conversation centers around Willie Mitchell vs. Chris Pronger, who will win the Pacific Division, can the Kings challenge for one of the top spots in the Western Conference and much more.
If you haven't been keeping up with the whole series, here's a recap with links:
Part one - discussion on Drew Doughty
Part two - discussion on the power play and prospects
Part three - lots of talk on free agents, trade rumors, Kopitar, Bernier, Penner, etc.
Part four - focus on coaching and Johnson vs. Doughty
Part five - debating player contracts and roster changes
Be sure to check back next week for plenty of coverage live from NHL Awards week in Las Vegas - the parties, the players and all the scoop.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Coach Terry Murray sizes up his defense
Willie Mitchell on Vancouver's tendency to 'come unglued'
Mitchell still not sure what went wrong
Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team
Prospect Report - notes on Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel and Team USA
Friday, June 10, 2011
LA Kings Roundtable on player contracts, roster changes
Just in time for the weekend - part five of the recent roundtable discussion on the Los Angeles Kings is now available!
Joining me on the panel were Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner, Dave Joseph of ESPN and several others.
The group was pulled together by the guys over at KingsCast and in this segment we talk in-depth about which players will be back next year, a certain player that has privately said he's willing to come back at a discounted rate and roster changes that need to take place for the team to become Stanley Cup contenders. Plus, some lively debate on Jarret Stoll, Ryan Smyth, Michal Handzus, Willie Mitchell, Brad Richardson, Trevor Lewis and more!
If you haven't been keeping up with the whole series, here's a recap:
Part one of the roundtable featured discussion on Drew Doughty - click here to watch now.
Part two featured discussion on the power play and prospects - click here to watch now.
Part three had lots of talk on free agent signings, trade rumors, Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Bernier, Dustin Penner and much more - click here to watch now.
Part four went up earlier this week and was mainly about coaching and Johnson vs. Doughty - click here to watch now.
More videos will be released by KingsCast in the weeks to come.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team
Prospect Report - notes on Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel and Team USA
Clearing the Crease... with Jonathan Bernier
Joining me on the panel were Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner, Dave Joseph of ESPN and several others.
The group was pulled together by the guys over at KingsCast and in this segment we talk in-depth about which players will be back next year, a certain player that has privately said he's willing to come back at a discounted rate and roster changes that need to take place for the team to become Stanley Cup contenders. Plus, some lively debate on Jarret Stoll, Ryan Smyth, Michal Handzus, Willie Mitchell, Brad Richardson, Trevor Lewis and more!
If you haven't been keeping up with the whole series, here's a recap:
Part one of the roundtable featured discussion on Drew Doughty - click here to watch now.
Part two featured discussion on the power play and prospects - click here to watch now.
Part three had lots of talk on free agent signings, trade rumors, Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Bernier, Dustin Penner and much more - click here to watch now.
Part four went up earlier this week and was mainly about coaching and Johnson vs. Doughty - click here to watch now.
More videos will be released by KingsCast in the weeks to come.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team
Prospect Report - notes on Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel and Team USA
Clearing the Crease... with Jonathan Bernier
Thursday, June 9, 2011
LA Kings Prospect Report - notes on Forbort, Gravel
The Kings top pick from last summer's draft, defenseman Derek Forbort, has been invited to this summer's Team USA evaluation camp.
The sessions, held each August by Canada, the U.S. and other countries are the first step to assembling rosters for next winter's World Junior Championship - which will be played in Western Canada, starting the day after Christmas.
At the 2011 WJC, Brayden Schenn and Canada were denied gold by Team Russia (which featured Kings prospect Maxim Kitsyn). Meanwhile, Forbort and Team USA picked up a bronze medal.
Set to attend this year's camp with Forbort are several names that may also be familiar to MayorsManor readers, including - Kevin Gravel (also a Kings prospect), 2010 NHL first rounders Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Charlie Coyle (San Jose) and Emerson Etem (Anaheim), plus Matt Nieto (Long Beach native, currently at Boston University and 2011 NHL Draft eligible).
Gravel was a freshman this year at St. Cloud state. He played in 36 games, scoring six points (one goal, five assists). Forbort, also a freshman, reached the NCAA Frozen Four with North Dakota. However, they lost in the semi-finals to Michigan (yes, Jack Johnson was happy...Matt Greene was not). During the regular season Forbort played in 38 games, picking up 15 assists (no goals).
The camp will be held in Lake Placid, N.Y. and overseen by coach Dean Blais, who returns to Team USA after guiding the 2010 squad to WJC gold. Former King, turned Stanley Cup winning coach, Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins will also serve as part of the camp's coaching staff.
Which NHL team will have the most prospects? That's the Chicago Blackhawks, with three. The Kings are tied with three other teams, each having two prospects at the camp.
To read more about last summer's camp, click here - see what Bjugstad and Coyle shared on MayorsManor (including their thoughts on Forbort's performance).
Meanwhile, Forbort and Gravel, both Kings prospects - and two huge defensmen - squared off several times this season...something we chronicled here.
Kyle Clifford and JF Berube filed reports from Team Canada's camp last summer too - those interviews can be found here (KC) and here (JFB). See what they had to say about fellow Kings prospects like Schenn, Tyler Toffoli, Nic Deslauriers and many more.
Finally, if you missed the previous interview with Nieto, who just may get selected in the first round later this month, check it out here.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
The sessions, held each August by Canada, the U.S. and other countries are the first step to assembling rosters for next winter's World Junior Championship - which will be played in Western Canada, starting the day after Christmas.
At the 2011 WJC, Brayden Schenn and Canada were denied gold by Team Russia (which featured Kings prospect Maxim Kitsyn). Meanwhile, Forbort and Team USA picked up a bronze medal.
Set to attend this year's camp with Forbort are several names that may also be familiar to MayorsManor readers, including - Kevin Gravel (also a Kings prospect), 2010 NHL first rounders Nick Bjugstad (Florida), Charlie Coyle (San Jose) and Emerson Etem (Anaheim), plus Matt Nieto (Long Beach native, currently at Boston University and 2011 NHL Draft eligible).
Gravel was a freshman this year at St. Cloud state. He played in 36 games, scoring six points (one goal, five assists). Forbort, also a freshman, reached the NCAA Frozen Four with North Dakota. However, they lost in the semi-finals to Michigan (yes, Jack Johnson was happy...Matt Greene was not). During the regular season Forbort played in 38 games, picking up 15 assists (no goals).
The camp will be held in Lake Placid, N.Y. and overseen by coach Dean Blais, who returns to Team USA after guiding the 2010 squad to WJC gold. Former King, turned Stanley Cup winning coach, Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins will also serve as part of the camp's coaching staff.
Which NHL team will have the most prospects? That's the Chicago Blackhawks, with three. The Kings are tied with three other teams, each having two prospects at the camp.
To read more about last summer's camp, click here - see what Bjugstad and Coyle shared on MayorsManor (including their thoughts on Forbort's performance).
Meanwhile, Forbort and Gravel, both Kings prospects - and two huge defensmen - squared off several times this season...something we chronicled here.
Kyle Clifford and JF Berube filed reports from Team Canada's camp last summer too - those interviews can be found here (KC) and here (JFB). See what they had to say about fellow Kings prospects like Schenn, Tyler Toffoli, Nic Deslauriers and many more.
Finally, if you missed the previous interview with Nieto, who just may get selected in the first round later this month, check it out here.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
Monday, June 6, 2011
LA Kings Roundtable on Coaching, Johnson vs. Doughty
Part four of the recent roundtable discussion on the Los Angeles Kings is now available.
The conversation continues with Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner, Dave Joseph of ESPN and several others.
The group was pulled together by the guys over at KingsCast and in this segment we talk in-depth about coaching, prospects and Drew Doughty vs. Jack Johnson.
Part one of the roundtable featured discussion on Drew Doughty - click here to watch now.
Part two of the roundtable featured discussion on the power play and prospects - click here to watch now.
Part three featured talk on free agent signings, trade rumors, Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Bernier, Dustin Penner and much more - click here to watch now.
More videos will be released by KingsCast in the weeks to come.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team
The conversation continues with Dennis Bernstein of The 4th Period, Jon Moncrief of the Examiner, Dave Joseph of ESPN and several others.
The group was pulled together by the guys over at KingsCast and in this segment we talk in-depth about coaching, prospects and Drew Doughty vs. Jack Johnson.
Part one of the roundtable featured discussion on Drew Doughty - click here to watch now.
Part two of the roundtable featured discussion on the power play and prospects - click here to watch now.
Part three featured talk on free agent signings, trade rumors, Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Bernier, Dustin Penner and much more - click here to watch now.
More videos will be released by KingsCast in the weeks to come.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
RELATED ARTICLES:
Prospect Report - Kings had #1 player, now ranked #1 team
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