LOS ANGELES — On April 12, the Los Angeles Kings signed left wing Alex Iafallo to a four-year contract extension valued at $4 million/year (average annual value). A bit surprisingly, there has been some criticism of this deal, with the belief that Iafallo should not have been signed for that much money, that he is... Continue Reading →
Expectations for LA Kings’ Alex Iafallo Are On the Rise
LOS ANGELES — After a breakout 2019-20 season, Los Angeles Kings Alex Iafallo and head coach Todd McLellan have higher expectations for the left wing in the fast approaching COVID-19-abbreviated 2020-21 National Hockey League season. Indeed, after setting career highs in goals (17), assists (26) and points (43) last season, Iafallo has bigger skate boots... Continue Reading →
What’s Behind The LA Kings’ Improved Play?
EL SEGUNDO, CA — One of the traditional benchmarks for a National Hockey League team is where they are in the standings at Christmas and for the Los Angeles Kings, who are at the bottom of the league standings, what more needs to be said? They’re ranked 31st in the 31-team NHL, still way, way... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Must Follow Dustin Brown To The Front of the Net
EL SEGUNDO, CA — With the Los Angeles Kings having lost superstar goaltender Jonathan Quick indefinitely after he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, backup goaltender Jack Campbell and number three goaltender Peter Budaj are now under the proverbial microscope. That said, the Kings must score more goals without Quick to... Continue Reading →
Confidence Is The Word For LA Kings LW Alex Iafallo
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Last season, rookie left wing Alex Iafallo made quite the impression, earning the Los Angeles Kings top left wing spot on a line with Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Iafallo spent the vast majority of the season on that line. But the Kings were hoping for more production from Iafallo, who... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Are “Not Looking For Speed For Speed’s Sake” When They Scout and Draft Players
LOS ANGELES — In April 2006, when Dean Lombardi took over as general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, he insisted that they invest significant resources in scouting and development, which had never been done before in the history of the franchise. That move paid off, big time, as the Kings were finally able to... Continue Reading →
Watching Instead of Playing Has Worked Wonders For LA Kings Alex Iafallo
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Los Angeles Kings rookie left wing Alex Iafallo didn’t score a lot of goals to start the 2017-18 National Hockey League season. But his speed and uncanny ability to force turnovers and come up with loose pucks made him a valuable asset on a line with Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar... Continue Reading →
For LA Kings Rookie Alex Iafallo, “It’s Wall Play”
EL SEGUNDO, CA — After the Los Angeles Kings’ overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on December 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, a reporter noted that rookie forward Alex Iafallo was not on the ice very much, and asked head coach John Stevens if Iafallo was hurt. “He was not hurt,” said... Continue Reading →
Speed and Smarts Are Keeping Alex Iafallo On LA Kings Top Line
EL SEGUNDO, CA — As his rookie season progresses through its third month, left wing Alex Iafallo continues to make a very solid impression with the Los Angeles Kings, and has, for the most part, remained a fixture on their top line with Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. “It’s been awesome, so far,” said Iafallo.... Continue Reading →
Torrid Pace Has Helped Anze Kopitar Put LA Kings On His Back
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Through the Los Angeles Kings’ first 29 games of the 2017-18 season, to say that center Anze Kopitar is on a torrid pace would be understating things by a long shot. Indeed, Kopitar is so hot that he’s on pace to set new career highs in goals, assists and points. In... Continue Reading →
What’s Fueling The Flying Start By LA Kings Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown?
EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings are only three games into the 2017-18 National Hockey League season, but with Anze Kopitar scoring three goals and adding three assists for six points, with a +6 plus/minus rating in those games, he is already way ahead of the curve. Indeed, last season, although the entire... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Alex Iafallo: Not Your Typical NHL Debut Story
EL SEGUNDO AND LOS ANGELES, CA — For any hockey writer covering a young player making his National Hockey League debut, chances are astronomical that he or she is secretly hoping that the player in question will, at least, record an assist, if not score a goal, that his team will win, and that his... Continue Reading →