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LA Kings’ Dean Lombardi Sent Simon Gagne Back To His Roots In Trade With Philadelphia Flyers

Left wing Simon Gagne, who missed 48 games last
season with the Los Angeles Kings due to a concussion
and who played in just eleven games with the Kings
this season, was traded back to the Philadelphia
Flyers on February 26, 2013.
(click to view larger image)
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Shortly after the media left the Los Angeles Kings dressing room following their off-ice workout/optional skate on February 26, those of us who cover the team had to go into scramble mode, shifting away from the usual after-practice news and feature story angles, to the Kings trading away an established star in the National Hockey League.

Indeed, left wing Simon Gagne, who signed with the Kings as an unrestricted free agent on July 2, 2011, was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he began his career in 1999, in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.

If the Flyers make the playoffs this season, the Kings will get a third round pick in return. But if the Flyers fail to qualify for the post-season, the Kings will get a fourth round pick.

“Simon is an experienced veteran who will help us in a lot of areas,” said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. “We are glad to have him back.”

Holmgren told the media during a conference call that due to some key injuries, he was looking to add some skill and depth up front. He also indicated that under normal circumstances, the Flyers would not be able to acquire Gagne due to salary cap considerations. However, with a couple of players on long-term injured reserve, they were able to make the deal.

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LA Kings Prospect Jean-Francois Berube Is Struggling To Earn #1 Goalie Spot With ECHL’s Ontario Reign

LA Kings goalie prospect Jean-Francois Berube continues to struggle to
secure the number one goaltender spot with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign.
(click to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan

ONTARIO, CA — Even though 22-year-old goaltending prospect Martin Jones was never selected by a National Hockey League team during their annual Entry Draft, Los Angeles Kings scouts saw something special while he played for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.

After signing with the Kings as an unrestricted free agent, Jones’ development has progressed faster than expected, and he has replaced Jeff Zatkoff as the number one goaltender for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League Read more of this post

LA Kings Blue Line Prospect Nicolas Deslauriers Wants To Dominate The AHL in 2012-13

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: Frozen Royalty continues its summer coverage of the Los Angeles Kings and their young prospects with a look at defenseman Nicolas Deslauriers, who completed his rookie season in the American Hockey League in 2011-12, with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate.


LA Kings defenseman prospect Nicolas Deslauriers
Photo: Scott Slingsby/Manchester Monarchs

LOS ANGELES — After three seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and one season with the Gatineau Olympiques, both in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Nicolas Deslauriers was an offensively-gifted defensemen—the QMJHL is not known for being a great defensive league, to be sure. Nevertheless, his play in the defensive zone left something to be desired.

But the 21-year-old native of LaSalle, Quebec is a good skater, and has a heavy shot from the point. Add to that the fact that he is a 6-1, 214-pound blue liner, and it is easy to see why the Los Angeles Kings gambled on him in the third round (84th overall selection) of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

“Nicolas Deslauriers is really coming on,” Manchester Monarchs head coach Mark Morris told Frozen Royalty back in January 2012. “He’s made huge Read more of this post

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