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Is LA Kings RW Prospect Matt Luff Ready To Make The Jump To Pro Hockey?

September 26, 2017 by Leave a comment

Los Angeles Kings right wing prospect Matt Luff
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
(click above to view larger image)

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Although he could wind up back in the Ontario Hockey League this season, it seems likely that Los Angeles Kings right wing prospect Matt Luff will make the jump to professional hockey this season.

The 20-year-old, 6-2, 192-pound native of Oakville, Ontario has been turning the right heads among the Kings coaching and hockey operations staff. Although no decisions have been made yet, Luff has an excellent chance of starting the new season with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League.

“He’s been really good,” said Reign head coach Mike Stothers. “He finds the soft spots in the offensive zone. He’s got a good, heavy, hard shot. He’s also pretty intelligent. We’ve been going through things off the ice, presenting some things from systems—you can ask him after practice, ‘what did we talk about before we went on the ice,’ and he can rattle everything off. Some kids are like, ‘I don’t know.’ That means he’s a student of the game. That’s only going to help him.”

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Will Speed, Skating Continue to Block Michael Mersch’s Rise To The NHL?

September 21, 2017 by 6 Comments

Los Angeles Kings left wing prospect Michael Mersch (foreground)
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
(click above to view larger image)

EL SEGUNDO, CA — At 24 years of age and having played three full seasons in the Los Angeles Kings organization, left wing Michael Mersch could be at a crossroads, in terms of his future with the Kings.

Indeed, the 6-2, 213-pound native of Park Ridge, Illinois, who was selected by the Kings in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft, is in a bit of a tenuous position due to the fact that if the Kings want to assign him to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, he must clear waivers. If another NHL team claims him, the Kings would lose him for nothing.

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Are LA Kings Sending A Message To Kevin Gravel By Leaving Him Off China Trip?

September 19, 2017 by Leave a comment

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kevin Gravel
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
(click above to view larger image)

EL SEGUNDO, CA — While the vast majority of his teammates from the 2016-17 Los Angeles Kings were heading to Los Angeles International Airport for their flight to China for pre-season games in Shanghai and Beijing against the Vancouver Canucks on September 21 and 23, respectively, young defenseman Kevin Gravel was skating with a squad comprised mostly of young prospects, many of whom are destined to return to their junior hockey teams in Canada, or for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League.

The fact that Gravel was left behind may or may not be significant. Nevertheless, the Kings are looking for more from the 25-year-old, 6-4, 212-pound native of Kingsford, Michigan, who was selected by the Kings in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

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LA Kings’ Dustin Brown Hopes Attitude Change Continues To Work For Him

September 16, 2017 by 1 Comment

Los Angeles Kings winger Dustin Brown
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
(click above to view larger image)

EL SEGUNDO, CA — In the 2011-12 season, the year the Los Angeles Kings won the first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history, forward Dustin Brown scored 22 goals and added 32 assists for 54 points in 82 games. To top it off, he tied center Anze Kopitar for the league lead in playoff goals and points with eight goals and twelve assists for 20 points—he also tied defenseman Drew Doughty and Kopitar for the league lead in playoff assists—helping lead the team to that first Stanley Cup win.

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LA Kings Center Nic Dowd Seeks More Responsibility, Bigger Role

September 15, 2017 by 2 Comments

Los Angeles Kings center Nic Dowd (right), skating in on goaltender
Johathan Quick during a training camp drill.
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net
(click above to view larger image)

EL SEGUNDO, CA — With the Los Angeles Kings being set with Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter occupying their first and second line center positions, Nic Dowd is expected to remain in the third line center spot. But entering his second full season in the National Hockey League, he is looking for greater responsibility, a bigger role.

Both Dowd and his coaches are looking for improvement in key areas that will allow him to take on the added responsibility that he seeks.

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