2009-10 predictions - Has Dean Done Enough?

Yes, the Only Reason We're Here is clear. The entire Kings organization hasn't been shy about their intentions of returning to the postseason next Spring. Minus some pessimistic Kings fans scorned from years of heart breaking results, most fans agree too. The team is primed for a playoff push. Yet, are those realistic expectations from a team largely comprised of the same group that was here last year?

Let's get a few things straight right from the start. Although only a few months have passed since the curtain came down on last season, this is NOT the same team. Changes can be seen on several fronts, starting with the two most obvious. Dean Lombardi knew he needed to get more this summer - more skill, more grit, more scoring, more experience...more, more, more. At the post season meeting with season ticket holders he said he was targeting a top 6 forward and a defenseman. Of course, right?

So how is this group morphing into something drastically different than last season's team just by adding Ryan Smyth and Rob Scuderi? Well, its not that simple.

For example, Justin Williams was brought in during the second half of last year. He just feels like a new addition to the team, as he was limited to 12 games while rehabbing an injury. So, that gives the Kings a whole new top line of Smyth-Kopitar-Williams. With Brown and the emerging Purcell on the second line - plus, last year's best line of Frolov-Zues-Simmonds - there should be some serious goal scoring in store this year. Something sorely lacking last season!

On D, things look solid. Very solid. Sure, adding a recent Cup winner in Scuderi looks good. But, don't forget about the full time return of Jack Johnson. He's ready to go after missing nearly half the season last year. Plus, Doughty is only getting better.

Then, there's the biggest change of all. The attitude! Dustin Brown made it perfectly clear to anybody listening at opening night of Hockey Fest last month - this is a TEAM now.

You can see it in the way the guys are playing. Not just the fights. It's the confidence. Not to mention the smiles. They seem to really be enjoying what's brewing. Take the more balanced scoring attack and solid D...add in the grit of guys like Smyth and Simmonds, which seems to be contagious right now...then top it off with Quick in goal, who should hold things down and keep the Kings it games most nights. These guys seem poised and ready for October 3rd.

So...my fearless predictions for the upcoming season:

Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Calgary Flames
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. Vancouver Canucks
6. Los Angeles Kings
7. St Louis Blues
8. Dallas Stars

9. Anaheim Ducks
10. Columbus Blue Jackets
11. Nashville Predators
12. Minnesota Wild
13. Phoenix Coyotes
14. Edmonton Oilers
15. Colorado Avalanche

I'll start by addressing the most obvious. No, I'm not just being a Kings homer when I predict Anaheim to fall short of making the playoffs. When I look at the additions and subtractions that took place at the Ponda this off season I see them having a tough time cracking the top eight in the ultra tough West. However, their playoff hopes are probably tied to Dallas. If the loss of Zubov hurts more than expected and/or Morrow needs a prolonged period to return to his former self (see Zues two years ago), then Dallas won't have enough points in the end and will loose out to probably Anaheim, if not Columbus.

Like Dallas and Anaheim being linked this year, there are several other teams than can be somewhat joined at the hip. At the top, San Jose and Chicago are probably interchangeable. Take your pick. Similarly, Calgary should best Vancouver in their division, locking up the three spot. This will be battle of offense (Vanc) vs. defense (Calg), with goal tending being a push. Again, take your pick.

Detroit will be right there as always. Thus, no matter how you flip flop any of those five teams, you're left with six teams - including the Kings - fighting for just three spots.

Put them in whatever slots you want, I see the three other playoff teams as LA, St. Louis and Dallas. Conversely, I see Anaheim, Columbus and Nashville as just barely missing out. But, does it really matter if you flip Columbus and Nashville? No, they still miss the dance.

As for the Kings, not only do I see them making the playoffs, they should finish HIGHER than 7th or 8th. Now I know that "hockey math" doesn't work this way, but just think about something for a second. Humor me...

Assume, Jason LaBarbara wasn't here last here (stop clapping, read on) and Jon Quick was given his 16 starts. If you apply Quick's winning percentage, the Kings would have had 9 wins in those games, four more than LaBab's 5). That's 8 more points to add to their 79 from last year, getting them to 87 points - good enough for the #11 spot (ignoring the fact that some of those wins might have come from teams above them - potentially pushing them even higher in the standings...lets not get that complicated).

Now think about how many one goal games the Kings lost last year. Then remember, the offense looks to be the most improved facet of this year's team - very balanced. So, how many of those games will be won this year? Just say 5, that's 10 more points. Now you're at 97 points. Good enough for the six seed last year. And...AND...just one point out of the five seed.

Again, I know its not that simple. And I didn't slot the Kings in the six hole because of this overly simple math.

Fact is, I definitely see them better than 8th. And when I look at the team versus what others around them in the West did, I see them taking a big step forward. I'm just not sure if they can get into the five seed. Do they have enough to leap frog over Vancouver or Calgary, who would probably sitting there above them? Today, probably not. Check back in with me in two months though...

Lets see if the Kings offense is doing its job, while maintaining the defensive numbers of last year. We'll also need to check the status of Frolov. Their entire season could hinge on this one player.

Although I don't see him being moved until January at the earliest, if Dean gets a deal he cant refuse and pulls the trigger early, that will impact (good or bad) the overall performance of the team. The right deal (which could include Frolov signing an extension and putting this mess behind everybody) may be just enough to push the team into the five seed.

So while the official prediction is six, I'm ready to see the DRIVE FOR FIVE. However, one step at a time. Let's put it on the back burner and come back to it in January.

When all is said in done In Dean We Trust (tm).

So there you have it. Fire away and post your comments now. Tell me how wrong I am. Tell me I must be 2/3s water weight from all the kool-aid I've been drinking the last few years.

Or, save this link so you can send me an email in April and tell me how right I was. My ego loves it.

One19

www.twitter.com/Mayor119

Kings player preview - Twitter style

You have to love Twitter. Basically, you have 140 characters or less to explain your point, your thought or your question.

Technology is great.

Let's apply it to a player preview for this year's #LAKings team and see what kind of fun we can have:

2 Matt Greene - once thought 2b a "throw in" in the Lubo deal, u were so huge for the Kings, u earned that A...keep blocking shots, just protect ur face

3 Jack Johnson - players r taught 2block stuff out, so last yr is over, lets move on & c the return of JMFJ...time 2elevate ur game - other kids may be knocking

5 Peter Harrold - always a fan of BC guys, still unsure of your spot, until then keep the versatility, both D & Fwd, just don't become a turnover machine

6 Sean O'Donnell - so glad ur back, last year's mentoring was great, now its time 2push #8 out of the nest...ever so gently

7 Rob Scuderi - solid signing, Kings fans will love u...my only request - be sure 2show ur ring to the team EVERY week, remind them what they're playing for

8 Drew Doughty - no kid your age should be playing in the NHL, let alone be as good as u are...no sophomore jinx here, just rinse & repeat

9 Oscar Moller - sorry kid, u didn't make the team (yet), don't sulk though...things happen, you'll be up at some point...learn to love the corners

11 Anze Kopitar - read carefully, WE NEED U, need u 2play big every night, need u 2become dominant...in my Bruce Buffer voice "IT'S TIME..."

14 Justin Williams - Dean's latest project...no time 4a warm up year (like Zues), need u now...last guy 2 wear #14 in LA was a warrior (& the "C"), make him proud

17 Wayne Simmonds - last yr is over, continue 2 develop...bring the same passion & hustle u had last yr &this season will be another step fwd (the next Lappy?)

23 Dustin Brown - this is your team, this is your life, like U2, just keep the hits coming...watch Ryhno and the other vets and keep growing and maturing...take charge

24 Alexander Frolov - contract yr, need I say more...play like it...bring ur A game every night, then sign the extension...c u in the playoffs, in a KINGS uniform

26 Michal Handzus - 3rd line doesn't mean 3rd rate...25 goals from u & keep ur linemates involved...yr 2 was better than yr 1, third years the charm

28 Jarret Stoll - head up, heart in the game...write me a blog about the 5 reasons you love hockey...then re-read it before every game this year

31 Erik Ersberg - be on standby if Quick stumbles

32 Jonathan Quick - counting on you to take the reigns and become the #1 guy...last year gives fans reason 2b excited heading into this season

33 Kevin Westgarth - love the energy...hope to see you in LA most of the year...its up to u, can u earn the spot...yes u can scrap, but do u deserve minutes? TBD

41 Ratis Ivanans - big guy, big hands...heavy hands...yet, if people wont fight you, what role do u play...hmmm...just don't want to c u on ice with <8 left

44 Davis Drewiske - the less we talk about you this year probably = the better the season ur having

54 Teddy Purcell - can you play at this level (especially on 2nd line), jury is still out...see my blog a few days ago w/ comments from the Captain

94 Ryan Smyth - should enjoy coming through home team tunnel more...play w/ same intensity u always brought to Staples & we'll be fine (27 goals this yr)

I had nothing of importance for:

15 Brad Richardson -

53 Alec Martinez -

61 Trevor Lewis -

Leave a comment with your thoughts on one of those three...or disagree with my notes above.

One19

www.twitter.com/mayor119

Warming Up the Leftovers from Vegas

We're a little over 24 hours away from the love affair beginning all over again. The pucks, the sticks, the jerseys, the wins, the losses...82 games of pure enjoyment. Well, that's not true, is it? Some nights you want to scream and then hide your head in shame. You still love it though. At least enough to come back for one more game. And when that game goes better than the last, you're hooked all over again. It's hockey. We love it.

Before turning the page and starting with a fresh, empty sheet tomorrow, I'm cleaning out my notebook from this year's Frozen Fury. Another great weekend in Vegas, punctuated with a solid win over a rebuilding Avalanche team.

Here are some highlights and comments from the pre-skate EARLY Saturday morning (note: I twittered some of these live that morning...if you're not following me, you should be).

Kevin Westgarth

• The biggest difference coming into camp this year is the confidence from being here last year. Things are going well, but I'm still battling for a position, so that's tough.
• All the guys in the room are super excited about this season and are (eager) to get things going.
• The two acquisitions are proven winners. Smittie and Scuds are a perfect fit for LA.
• HIGH from camp - playing my brother in Kansas City
• LOW from camp - getting up so early...but that's really not a big deal, I try to stay positive

Sean O'Donnell

• Camp is going better this year because it's basically the same group as last year. That makes things a lot easier.
• The biggest change for the team this year is the goaltending. Last year it was a big question mark. This year, there is no question. Quick is the #1 guy. I think he has what it takes to be an elite goalie in this league.
• HIGH - the system...there hasn't been any drop off from where we were last year...we just need to focus on the offensive side now...increase our shots per game
• LOW - personally or team wise? (he laughs) The suspension for sure.

Dustin Brown

• Keeping the camaraderie and communication going is the challenge. We all need to talk more. That's a big focus. Smyth and Scuderi were BIG additions for us. Its a huge help to our confidence. With most of the team being together for a season already, that's going to make a difference. We played so many close games last year. This all just helps us our confidence.
• On Schenn - I'm not sure how much longer he'll be here. But, for an 18 year old kid he is very impressive.
• On Purcell - He dominated at times in Manchester. He is physically and mentally prepared for the role he's being given. It's up to him to get it done every single night now.
• The lockout was a blessing in disguise for me. I enjoyed my time in Manchester. It's where I learned how to be a pro.
• HIGH - tonight will be my high! The Vegas game is fun every year. We look forward to it. And the line-up we have is close to our real line-up, so it will be a lot of fun.
• LOW - testing day, for sure.

That's a wrap. Let's get on with the regular season!

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Eddie Joyal Award Winner announcement

Preseason does a lot of things - providing clarity isn't one of them. It does allow owners to make a little extra cash, as they charge regular season prices for glorified scrimmages. The NHL gets an opportunity to expand their fan base by staging exhibition games in new cities - like Kansas City and Seattle. Fans of former NHL cities, like Winnipeg and Quebec, even get a chance to reminisce for a few hours when the preseason caravan stops by their town.

However, even with sometimes exciting games filled with lots of toughness (read: fighting), some crazy officiating (blatantly missed offsides and penalty shots called) and kids throughout the league battling for spots on their respective teams with each 30 second shift...the one thing that isn't there when its all over is clarity.

Are the Red Wings going to finally slip this year? Will Tampa Bay really bad THAT bad AGAIN? And here in LA, we're wondering if Anze Kopitar's strong preseason was a precursor to an 80 point season or was it just another example of things that happen in preseason...well, they stay in preseason?

If they would have taken my bet in Vegas this past weekend, I'd have bet on the former, not the latter. One thing is clear though - after eight preseason games, Anze Kopitar is the winner of the inaugural Eddie Joyal Award, given to the Kings player that leads the team in scoring during the preseason.

As written about a few weeks ago (click here for the article), Joyal was a points machine during the Kings first two seasons back in the late sixties. he led the team in points during '67-68 and followed that up by leading the team in goals and points in '68-69. His knack for showing up on the score sheet was evident right from the start - during the very first Kings game ever, a preseason game on September 18, 1967, he notched two assists.

Forty something years later Kopitar led this year's squad during preseason with 8 points, coming on 5 goals and 3 assists. Perhaps even more impressive was that he did it while playing in just 5 games. The Slovenia native just edged out American Jack Johnson and Canadian Wayne Simmonds for the award. JJ, who totalled 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) in six games should see plenty of power time come regular season.

The other Wayne in the news this week had a very impressive preseason himself, tying Kopitar for the team lead in goals (5) after playing in 6 games. Not bad for a guy that netted just 9 goals during his rookie season, coming back and nearly averaging a goal a game during preseason. Will he keep up that pace during the real 82? Probably not. Correction, absolutely not. Yet, 20-25 isn't out of the question.

Finishing up on Anze...he looks ready to go. He's playing on the top line. More importantly, he is playing with two skilled guys that should also find the net often. The Kings haven't had a top line with this kind of potential in several seasons. Since...surprise...the last time they made the playoffs.

One thing is clear as we put the remnants of this preseason in a box and place it on the top shelf of some closet inside TSC, this isn't the same team as last year. The pieces seem to be in place. Offense, Defense, Goaltending - seems more than "good enough" to me. Is it enough though to finally make a return to playoff hockey?

Two points are available Saturday night. Two points that sure would be nice to already have come March and April of next year when the importance of clarity rears its ugly head again.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/mayor119
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor


photo by Michael Zampelli of LetsGoKings.com

What's on the line in Vegas this weekend?

As the Kings head to the desert of Nevada for Saturday's 12th annual Frozen Fury, they have little left to worry about. The major changes to the team took place earlier this summer. However, with opening night just a little over a week away, there's still plenty on the line as management continues to tinker, massage and carefully piece together the overall make-up of what is becoming the 2009-10 Los Angeles Kings.

Is this one game going to make a huge difference? Probably not. The top lines have pretty much been established. Jon Quick is the starting goaltender come opening night. Add in five solid defenseman and things are fairly set.

So, overall, the game itself won't really mean much. Save for one key area - the special meaning it has for thousands of Kings fans that make their annual pilgrimage to Sin City and the awkwardly shaped Grand Garden Arena. It's a weekend of drinking, debauchery and plenty of gambling loses (come on, nobody really wins in Vegas except the casinos). Somehow it's all just a prelude to what every hockey junkie is primed and ready for, preseason to end and the real games to get underway.

With that said, there actually are a few tidbits worth paying attention to.

In no particular order:

* On the Avs side, 3 things stand out - Sacco, Hannan & Foote.

Make no mistake about it, the Avs are not a good hockey team. They're in phase one of what will probably be a long rebuilding project. Thus, they have nothing to lose and that usually leads to people taking chances and liberties. They also have a new head coach, former Duck Joe Sacco. And you know what they say, once a Duck always a Duck. BTW - that isn't a compliment!

Scott Hannan is the the missing ingredient that would have put the Smyth deal over the top. On one hand, I'm glad Dean didn't part with a young D-man to include him in the deal. On the other hand, I'm still bummed Hannan signed that deal in Colorado in the first place. I just KNEW Dean was going to sign him up on July 1st of last year. Of course, it didn't happen as Scott's free agency came a year too early for the Kings. Just imagine if he was on the open market this summer instead. Things probably would have turned out differently. Anyway, for whatever reason, Hannan didn't have the best season in Colorado last year so look for him to rebound with a more typical solid performance.

Adam Foote - really? That's your captain? Don't like him.

* The Sports Books - Vegas says the Kings wont even make the playoffs this year. I say they're wrong. Find a way to put a little cash on the Kings now. These are going to be the best odds you'll see all season. As the months go by more and more people will be wising up to what's on the horizon in LA.

* Fine, you've been waiting for me to get to it... Westgarth.

If there is one lasting memory from last year's Frozen Fury it was the (somewhat) coming out party of Kevin Westgarth. He was pure energy and excitement. His two fights were just part of the story. Skating by the Avs bench and cupping his ear was pretty priceless for a preseason game. Heck, that's money in the bank for any game. One of his dance partners from last year, Scott Parker, has left the Avs. However, Chris Stewart is still around. Is there a sequel in the making?

Finally, let me just wish everybody safe travels that's heading to Vegas this weekend. Hope to see many familiar faces. Be safe and don't do anything stupid. Most of all, make other Kings fans proud. The franchise is turning a major corner this season, lets all celebrate together!

I'll be posting reports all weekend on my twitter account. Then, I'll be back next week with my official predictions for the Western Conference standings.

One19

www.twitter.com/mayor119


photo by Michael Zampelli of LetsGoKings.com

Kansas City - Loving Hockey since 1928

So you think you've had it rough as a long suffering Kings fans? I know, misery since 1967, with few bright spots along the way. Well, how about the fine folks of Kansas City - they were awarded their first pro team back in 1928. In January of that year the Pla-Mors of the American Hockey Association opened up their inaugural season. Nothing good has really happened in KC since, at least hockey wise. Teams have folded, been sold, skipped town, changed leagues and pretty much come and gone more like trade shows arriving for a weekend at the local Convention Center, rather than teams setting up shop for the long haul.


The NHL got into the action in 1974 with the debut of the KC Scouts. However, KC's link to the Kings began a few years earlier when the Kings and St Louis Blues were part of the NHL's "Expansion Six" in 1967. To help support the big club, the Blues put a CHL team in KC named...the Kansas City Blues.

Several players from the Kings inaugural run in '67-68 eventually ended up skating with the KC Blues. Guys like Bob Wall, Brent Hughes, Larry Johnston (all of 4 games) and Terry Gray all played in Los Angeles during that first season only to later end up in KC.

Later Kings teams featured players that had previously done time in KC - Doug Barrie (LA '71-72), Frank St. Marseille (LA '72-77), Sheldon Kannegiesser (LA '73-77), Darryl Edestrand (LA '77-79) and another "just four games" member - Bart Crashley ('75)

Then there was Rick Lapointe, having skated in KC earlier in his career, he ended up playing nearly 100 games with the Kings between '84-86 before calling it a career.

While the expansion teams in KC and Washington were certainly news back in 1974, the biggest change came with the league restructuring into four divisions. The Kings would now play in the Smythe Division. Nearly 20 years later, the Kings would win their lone division title, before newly appointed commissioner Bettman and the NHL changed things again - this time going with the (supposed) more fan friendly Pacific division.

Random Ramble - I'm usually not in the same camp as people clamoring for the "old days" of sports. I'm not a hard core traditionalist. I will say though, one thing I sure wish they would bring back are the traditional names of the divisions. I highly doubt one more fan follows hockey today because of the divisional name changes. Hockey - and most sports in general - have such a strong sense of history, I liked it better when the Kings played in the Smythe. Thankfully, they never changed the name of the Stanley Cup.

Keeping with the fine hockey tradition of KC, those Scouts didn't last long back in the mid-seventies. They played just two seasons in KC before packing up and heading to Colorado. Long before the baseball Rockies were hitting home runs in Denver, there were the Rockies on ice. Some of the KC "magic" must have come with them, as by 1982 the moving vans were in town again. The franchise was on its way to New Jersey and well, the rest is history...with three Stanley Cups to show for their troubles.

While success for the former KC team was being achieved in Jersey, KC hockey was back on the map again in 2004. The KC Outlaws of the UHL debuted with head coach Darryl Williams. Although the ties to the Kings weren't strong, they were there - with the coach having played a whopping TWO games in Los Angeles (coincidentally during the infamous 92-93 season). During 2004-05, their only season of operation, KC finished last in the Western Conference. Sound familiar?

In a footnote that Ron Hextall could appreciate, Michel Plasse of the KC Blues was the first professional goalie to record a goal on Feb 21, 1971. However, Plasse apparently doesn't share the gift of gab with Hextall. News reports after the game quoted Plasee as saying "I wasn't trying to score, I was just clearing the puck out of our zone." Come on guy, have some flare. At least say you were aiming for the net and got lucky it went in or something.

Kansas City's link to LA continued last year when the Kings arrived in town for an exhibition game in the area's new AEG arena. It was a memorable night for a few of the young Kings - Davis Drewiske scored the first goal in the new building, wunderkind Drew Doughty made his NHL debut and Jon Quick stopped all 19 shots he faced. And the Kings won.

What type of new links will be formed tonight?

The Mayor
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photo courtesy of kcnhl.blogspot.com

Three round holes, Seven square pegs

At the mid-way point of pre-season a few things have become clear...while others are getting muddier with each shot on goal, body check in the corner and late game face off. In my Training Camp Opens blog I wrote about the top three lines being pretty much set and the real competition would be for the prized forth line. At that time - yes, just a little over a week ago - it looked like the race was between Harrold - Westgarth - Ivanans - Moller - Zeiler - Richardson - Lewis.

You can remove two guys from the discussion. It looks like Coach Murray was out in front of his own story when he told us back at Hockey Fest that Oscar Moller probably wouldn't make the team this year (he was sent to Manchester yesterday). And, it looks like Zeiler failed his essay assignment (see previous blog).

The somewhat unexpected thing is two eighteen year olds - thought to not have even a chance of making the team this year - are pressing the hockey ops group with some tough decisions. Kyle Clifford, the consensus MVP of the recent prospects camp, continues to wow team officials. Equally, and perhaps even more, impressive has been the play of the Kings top draft pick this past June, Brayden Schenn.

As noted in previous blogs, kids this young are usually better served NOT playing in the NHL. They should continue to develop their game elsewhere, while their bodies (and minds) also mature. That's taking nothing away from what they've been doing in camp. Wayne Simmonds and Oscar Moller came in last year and forced their way onto the team. Schenn and Clifford are pushing hard for a repeat.

In addition to the age and development discussion though, ice time in LA is closely connected. For these two to develop their offensive game, they need ice time. This just isn't going to happen in LA on the fourth line. With Stoll possibly missing some time at the beginning of the season, perhaps one of the kids could sneak in that spot for a few games. Or it could be Lewis getting the nod. Either way, that probably isn't a permanent roster spot.

Which brings us back to the fourth line. If Ivanans isn't traded, you probably have him as part of a five guy group that rotates in and out of the line-up. Meaning on any given night you'll see three of Ivanans, Westgarth, Harrold (who can also play D), Richardson and Clune manning the fourth line. Oh yea, did I mention Richard Clune?

Four games and less than two weeks to go. Then it's all for real!

Remember - You still have until midnight tonight to win FREE tickets to the game on 10/6 vs. San Jose at Staples Center (go here for more info).

One19

www.twitter.com/mayor119

Last chance for FREE Kings tickets

With pre-season in full swing (finally!), the race for the Eddie Joyal Award is heating up. Who's going to win this inaugural honor? Guess right and you could be going to see the Kings take on the Sharks in a few weeks for FREE!

More of the kids were sent down over the weekend so the big boys will start to see increased ice time in the games this week, beginning tomorrow night in KC. This should put pressure on current leaders Williams & Johnson.

If you want FREE tickets to the game on 10/6 vs. San Jose at Staples Center, its pretty easy to win. Simply guess the Kings player that will lead the team in scoring this pre-season by posting your guess in the original thread (click here for details).

Today is the last day to enter. Good luck.

One19

www.twitter.com/mayor119

Where's the Beef?

Will Dean Lombardi finally get his wish tonight?

For much of the last month or so whenever I asked Dean about Westgarth's role and Ivanans' long term future with the Kings he would get this semi-evil gleam in his eye as he (what seemed like) sarcastically talked about keeping both of them in LA. It wasn't uncommon for him to remark that he was tired of the Kings getting pushed around the last few years - especially against the Ducks.

Well, the usually serious Dean Lomabardi will probably have a somewhat sinister smile on his face tonight as he strolls the halls of Staples Center before the puck drops at 7:30.

According to the coaching staff, both Westgarth and Ivanans will be in the line-up tonight...and on the same line...as those pesky Ducks head up the 5 freeway to meet the Kings.

When those two aren't out on the ice looking for trouble, a few of the Kings kids who will do their best to keep the Ducks at bay. The prospect camp MVP, Kyle Clifford (see previous blog), is also expected to get plenty of ice time tonight. This kid has shown an "appreciation" for dropping the gloves and will probably get more than one opportunity tonight when the Kings meet their cross town rivals.

Still want more? Don't forget about pesky Richard Clune. My favorite quote on this kid came from a scout I was talking to last week about Clune's chances in the NHL. The scout remarked "Think Avery, without the stupid."

Should be the usual Kings-Ducks war. This time with a little more beef behind the crown.

One19

note: Don't forget - win some FREE Kings tickets here.

Free Kings tickets & new poll

Would you like to win a pair of tickets to the Kings game on Tuesday 10/6 vs. the Sharks? To kick off our first ever contest we're going to keep things pretty simple, yet still have some fun. We just posted a new poll on the right side of the homepage (MayorsManor.com) asking who will win the inaugural Eddie Joyal award. To win the tickets vote in the poll and reply to this post. Your comment below (which is your official entry) must be posted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday 9/21/09. Please note you must name a specific LA Kings player. If you select "Another Player" in the poll, please list your specific player in your comment. The winner of the tickets will be randomly selected from all correct answers posted as a comment below. Good luck!

One19

www.twitter.com/Mayor119

If you aren't familiar with the Eddie Joyal Award, click here to read the story.


Official Rules: No purchase necessary to enter. Prize is two tickets to Kings-Sharks game at Staples Center on 10/6/09. Does not include travel, spending money, parking or anything else - just two tickets. All rights reserved. All entries must be posted by 11:59 pm on 9/21/09. All U.S. residents are eligible, travel is the sole responsible of the winner. Must be 18 years old to win. These tickets belong to MayorsManor.com and have nothing to do with the Los Angeles Kings, the NHL or any affiliated party. Winner agrees to comply with liability and all rules listed on the tickets and at the venue. MayorsManor.com is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Once winner receives tickets, winner is solely responsible for all liability from that point forward. By participating each entrant agrees to release MayorsManor.com and its affiliates from any and all liability that may occur, directly or indirectly, from trying to win tickets or attending the event. Further, winner agrees to smile and have fun at the game. Cannot wear Sharks t-shirt or hat. Must cheer loudly each time the LA Kings score. For a copy of the official rules, please cut/paste this information into a Word doc and select print.