About these ads

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.

Read more of this post

About these ads

LA Kings’ Darryl Sutter Issues More Challenges To Defense, Goaltenders

LA Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — While many have pointed to a lack of goal scoring as an area of major concern for the Los Angeles Kings, head coach Darryl Sutter knows better.

In fact, Sutter isn’t even talking about his team’s offensive attack. Instead, he is primarily focused on defense and goaltending, given the fact that veteran blue liners Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell are out of the lineup, and now, Alec Martinez will be out for at least one week.

“It was just an innocent play [on] his second shift,” Sutter said, describing the play in which Martinez was injured. “[It was] nothing, just a real, easy play. He just got banged.”

Read more of this post

LA Kings Darryl Sutter Talks Helicopters, Prophecies After Wednesday Practice

LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty has been on the ice for more than his share of goals against this season, a fact that has not gone unnoticed.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Despite returning from their five-game Grammy road trip with a losing 2-3-0 record, the mood was rather upbeat in the Los Angeles Kings’ dressing room following practice at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California, on February 13.

The reason? Even though they were just 1-1 in the final two games of that road trip, the Kings played their best hockey of the season, which could give them the badly-needed push needed to propel them into the Western Conference playoff race.

“I thought, in the Detroit game [on February 10, a 3-2 loss], we actually played better [than at St. Louis on February 11, a 4-1 win],” said veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi. “We deserved those two points. Sometimes, that doesn’t happen, but it was a huge step in the right direction for our group of guys, trying to play the right way, given our game, playing with some desperation, and some passion.”

Read more of this post

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 72 other followers