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Los Angeles Kings Left Wing Dustin Penner Getting Serious About His Conditioning…Finally

EL SEGUNDO, CA — If you hang out at the the Los Angeles Kings’ practice facility for a long enough time during the summer months, there is a decent chance that you will run into one of the players before or after, working out in the weight room.

Much-maligned veteran left wing Dustin Penner appears
to be turning things around by finally getting serious
about his conditioning this summer.
Photo: David Sheehan

On this day, the local media gathered at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California for the final day of the Kings’ 2011 Development Camp for their young prospects, and during the second practice session of the day, veteran, and much-maligned left wing Dustin Penner emerged from the weight room to watch the prospects on the ice while he took a break from his training regimen.

Penner, 28, was acquired in a trade deadline day deal on February 28, 2011, in a deal that sent defenseman prospect Colten Teubert to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange, along with a first round selection in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and a conditional third round pick in the 2012 draft that would have become a second round selection if the Kings won the 2011 Stanley Cup (see LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi Makes Two Big Moves On Deadline Day). Read more of this post

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2010-11 Los Angeles Kings Year-In-Review: Evaluating The Forwards

2010-11 YEAR IN REVIEW: Part 1 of a series.


Anze Kopitar (right) and Justin Williams (left) led the way among Los Angeles Kings’ forwards this season.
Photo: David Sheehan

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings suffered an earlier than desired exit from the 2010-11 season, when they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks, who won the series 4-2.

To be sure, another first round exit from the post-season party was not what the Kings had in mind this year, as expectations, both their own and just about everyone else’s, was for them to at least advance to the second round.

Although they faced extenuating circumstances that affected their ability to enjoy post-season success, namely, the loss of leading scorer and top defensive forward Anze Kopitar to a devastating ankle injury in late March, the Kings showed that if they had the discipline to adhere to their system and structure, they could have won that series, advancing to the Western Conference Semi Finals. Given that, it doesn’t matter how you slice it. The fact remains that the Kings did not meet expectations for the 2010-11 season. Read more of this post

Loss To Vancouver Canucks Forces LA Kings To Gamble On Brayden Schenn

Los Angeles Kings top center prospect
Brayden Schenn, shown here at the
2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Photo: Los Angeles Kings

EL SEGUNDO, CA — After watching their team lose their poise—the Los Angeles Kings were dominated throughout long stretches of a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver on March 31—the Kings brain trust has come to the realization that their team will not last long in the Stanley Cup Playoffs without help up front.

As a result, on April 1, the Kings recalled top center prospect Brayden Schenn, under emergency conditions, from the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, a team that is expected to go deep into the WHL playoffs and make it to the Memorial Cup finals.

Saskatoon and the Prince Albert Raiders are tied in their first round playoff series, 2-2.

“We’re going to miss Brayden terribly,” said Blades general manager and head coach Lorne Molleken. “He’s a very special player. But at the same time, we’re absolutely thrilled that he’s getting a chance to play the game at the NHL level, and help the LA Kings in their playoff run.” Read more of this post

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