LA Kings: Colin Fraser Solid In Debut; Drew Doughty May Be Catching Up

November 12, 2011 by 2 Comments

Center Colin Fraser was solid in his LA Kings debut on
November 10, 2011, when the Kings hosted the
Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings are struggling unexpectedly following their off-season moves to improve their team, earning a very poor 2-5-2 record over their last nine games.

A big reason for that in their most recent games has been undisciplined, and sometimes lazy play, where they get caught reaching instead of moving their feet, especially in the defensive zone.

Penalties were the big problem for the Kings in their 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on November 10 at Staples Center.

What got the Kings in trouble was a five-minute major penalty for elbowing levied against center Trevor Lewis.

Head coach Terry Murray questioned the call. Read more of this post

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Is LA Kings Left Wing Dustin Penner Finally Turning Things Around?

November 10, 2011 by 11 Comments

A bent over, winded and fatigued Dustin Penner is no longer a frequent sight at Los Angeles Kings practices this season. Is
his solid play in recent games a sign of things to come?
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — Following his team’s 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators at Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 8, Los Angeles Kings left wing Dustin Penner was so happy, he was quoting rhythm and blues artist Janet Jackson while addressing the media following the game.

Although Penner’s post-game grin reminded no one of the Cheshire Cat, he was obviously happy to have finally contributed in a significant way, with two assists against Nashville.

More on that later.

It should not be news to anyone following the Kings that Penner has had a huge target on his back, going almost as far back as when he arrived in Los Angeles after he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Edmonton Oilers last season.

The reason? Poor play, and, quite frankly, that would be putting it mildly. Read more of this post

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Frozen Royalty Audio: LA Kings Head Coach Terry Murray May Seem Out Of Touch After 3-0 Loss To Edmonton, But…

November 4, 2011 by 1 Comment

LOS ANGELES — Something you learn covering the National Hockey League is that head coaches are always using the media to send a message to their players.

Some are more calculating and blatant than others—one that comes immediately to mind is former Kings head coach Marc Crawford, and some do it more than others. It is most noticeable after a team plays a real stinker of a game, as the Los Angeles Kings did on November 3, in an embarrassing 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, disappointing a sell-out crowd at Staples Center. Read more of this post

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New On KingsCast: Episode 115 – Too Legit

June 29, 2011 by 1 Comment

KingsCast is at it again as Keith Korneluk and Chris Kaliszewski look at the Los Angeles Kings’ acquisition of center Mike Richards, the Ryan Smyth trade, as well as a look at what the Kings did in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Read more of this post

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Ryan Smyth Gets His Wish: Los Angeles Kings And Edmonton Oilers Finally Agree On A Deal

June 27, 2011 by 6 Comments

SMYTH FINALLY RETURNS HOME: Veteran left wing Ryan Smyth is finally back home after the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers were finally able to agree on a trade. Story includes details on the trade, along with commentary on the reaction to the deai. Did Smyth handle things the right way, or does he deserve to be criticized, or worse?

Veteran left wing Ryan Smyth (right), shown here parked in his usual spot in front
of the net, was finally traded to the Edmonton Oilers on June 26.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES — After more than 24 hours of going back and forth between having a deal in place, and then not having one, again and again, veteran left wing Ryan Smyth, is, officially and finally, back with the Edmonton Oilers.

On June 26, the Kings sent the 35-year-old native of Banff, Alberta back to where he began his National Hockey League career in 1995-96, playing eleven seasons in an Oilers jersey. Read more of this post

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Ryan Smyth Is Still With The Los Angeles Kings…For Now, Anyway

June 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

LOS ANGELES — Contrary to reports on June 24 that a deal had been completed, veteran left wing Ryan Smyth is still a member of the Los Angeles Kings, and it appears that no deal will happen for the next few days, at least.

Gilbert Brule
Photo: National Hockey League

“Without getting into the details, no, I don’t think we’re closer,” Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi told reporters following Day 2 of the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 25.

The reported deal had Smyth going to the Edmonton Oilers, where he began his NHL career in 1995-96, playing eleven seasons in an Oilers jersey. In exchange, the Kings would receive a fourth or a fifth round draft pick, and forward Gilbert Brule.

Brule, 24, has one year left in a $1.85 million contract, but that’s $1.85 million more than the Kings are willing to carry on their books for him.

In other words, the addition of Brule in the deal is simply to move his salary off the Oilers’ books. Likewise, the Kings would not have retained his services, either, opting to apply that $1.85 million towards the acquisition of a top six left winger. Read more of this post

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