LOS ANGELES — December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor in Hawai’i was attacked, bringing the United States into World War II, was called “a date which will live infamy,” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his December 8, 1941 speech before the United States Congress, asking that they declare war against the Empire of... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Legend Dave Taylor Reminisces About The Miracle on Manchester
LOS ANGELES — As some Los Angeles Kings fans will recall, the Triple Crown Line, featuring superstar center Marcel Dionne, left wing Charlie Simmer, and right wing Dave Taylor was one of the best forward lines in National Hockey League history. Sadly, and not just for the Kings, they remained together for a relatively short... Continue Reading →
2021 LA Kings Draft Preview: A Look At Potential First Round Picks with LA Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti
LOS ANGELES — In the first story of this early Los Angeles Kings 2021 National Hockey League Draft Preview series, we looked at the formidable obstacles and challenges that faced amateur scouting staffs for all NHL teams in evaluating prospects around the world while we are all still fighting to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. In... Continue Reading →
2021 LA Kings Draft Preview: LA Kings Mark Yannetti on Bigger Obstacles to Amateur Scouting for 2020-21 NHL Draft
LOS ANGELES — Last year, the National Hockey League regular season was abruptly halted, like virtually everything else, by the COVID-19 pandemic, following games played on March 11, 2020, when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. As reported in this space on July 3, 2020, prior... Continue Reading →
Former LA Kings Star RW Dave Taylor’s Biggest Challenge Had Little to do with Hockey
LOS ANGELES — The vast majority of people count on their ability to speak for granted. It’s a natural ability that develops as we grow up, from infancy through childhood, and into becoming an adult. It’s rarely given a second thought, and probably not even a first one. But for those with a speech impediment,... Continue Reading →
Former LA Kings Star RW Dave Taylor: Sky-High Character On and Off the Ice
LOS ANGELES — When we last left this off-and-on series focusing on former Los Angeles Kings star right wing and former general manager Dave Taylor, we looked at his time with the Kings during the 1980s, especially the time he spent playing on one of the greatest forward lines in National Hockey League history, the... Continue Reading →
Doughty Throws Down Gauntlet to LA Kings Management. But Was He Right?
LOS ANGELES — On May 14, the day after the Los Angeles Kings played their final game of the COVID-19-abbreviated 2020-21 regular season, another dismal, blowout loss to the Colorado Avalanche, their veteran core spoke with the local media about their season, as well as the future of the team. “Just being in the mix... Continue Reading →
LA Kings F Prospect Drake Rymsha Gets A Surprise Chance to Make His NHL Debut
LOS ANGELES — After being selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2017 National Hockey League Draft, center prospect Drake Rymsha was mostly on the outside looking in, spending more time with the Manchester Monarchs and the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL than he did with the... Continue Reading →
Anze Kopitar Reaching 1,000-Point Plateau Is No Surprise. He Was Going to be a Star from Day One
LOS ANGELES — He waited until the end of the game to do it, but it didn’t come on a heroic, last-second, game-winning scoring play. Instead, the Los Angeles Kings were holding on to a one-goal lead when they scored an empty-net goal to insure victory. Indeed, Kings center Anze Kopitar reached the 1,000-point plateau—only... Continue Reading →
LA Kings C Prospect Quinton Byfield Is Set to Make His NHL Debut. Is He Ready?
LOS ANGELES — On April 26, Los Angeles Kings center prospect Quinton Byfield was added to the taxi squad from the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, giving fans some hope that he will get a shot at making his National Hockey League debut soon. 18-year-old Byfield, who was selected by the Kings in... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Re-sign LW Alex Iafallo to 4-year, $4 Million per Year Extension. Is He Worth It?
LOS ANGELES — On April 12, the Los Angeles Kings signed left wing Alex Iafallo to a four-year contract extension valued at $4 million/year (average annual value). A bit surprisingly, there has been some criticism of this deal, with the belief that Iafallo should not have been signed for that much money, that he is... Continue Reading →
LA Kings: Gabe Vilardi’s “Demotion” is Short-Lived
LOS ANGELES — Apparently, young center Gabe Vilardi has played his way back into the good graces of the Los Angeles Kings coaching staff. Head coach Todd McLellan indicated that Vilardi will return to the number two center position tonight (March 29), when the Kings skate against the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. “That... Continue Reading →