LA Kings Are Targeting Goalies In 2016 NHL Draft…But That Probably Doesn’t Mean What You Think

June 24, 2016 by Leave a comment

2016 NHL DRAFT: The biggest need in the Los Angeles Kings player pipeline is in goal, with only one drafted goaltender prospect in their development system who is a long way away from the professional ranks. This story will look at the current situation and how it impacts their’ approach to the 2016 NHL Draft.

LOS ANGELES — When you look up and down at the Los Angeles Kings system, Jonathan Quick is firmly entrenched as their number one goaltender. But with Jhonas Enroth heading to unrestricted free agency, the job of backup goaltender is expected to fall to Peter Budaj, who lit up the American Hockey League this season as the best goaltender in the league with the Ontario Reign.

But behind Budaj, the only prospect the Kings have in goal is 20-year-old Alec Dillon, who they selected in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2014 National Hockey League Draft.

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LA Kings: Ben Scrivens Took Competition In Stride, And Willie Mitchell: “It’s Business As Usual For Me”

October 1, 2013 by 1 Comment

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Ben Scrivens
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — With the pre-season finally over, the Los Angeles Kings put in their first post-training camp practice session on Monday, at their practice facility in El Segundo, California.

Veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell noted that the team still isn’t quite where they want to be before opening the new season in Minnesota on October 3.

“There’s lots of work to do, yet,” said Mitchell. “We’re working on a few things. A few teams get started before us, so we’re just looking forward to it, jumping right in. It’s a back-to-back.”

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Prospects Of Scuderi, Penner Re-Signing With LA Kings; Contract Extension For Brown?

June 26, 2013 by 1 Comment

Will veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi re-sign with the Los Angeles Kings, or will he try the unrestricted
free agency market again?
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — Now that the dust has settled after the Los Angeles Kings’ trade on June 23 that sent goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in exchange for right wing Matt Frattin, goaltender Ben Scrivens, and a 2014 or 2015 second round draft pick (Toronto’s choice), it’s time to clean up the loose ends in the notebook…

After signing defenseman Slava Voynov, and now the Bernier trade, the Kings have $6.64 million in salary cap space available, but they also have nine players remaining on their National Hockey League roster with expiring contracts, including six restricted free agents, and three unrestricted free agents.

For Frozen Royalty’s analysis of what the Kings’ might do with their off-season personnel moves, see Unless Dean Lombardi’s Middle Name Is “Houdini,” 2013-14 LA Kings Will Look At Least A Bit Different.

As stated in that June 18 story, it appears even more likely that unless veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi is willing to accept a salary lower than the $3.4 million he earned this past season, he will not return to the Kings. That said, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi is working on it.

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New LA Kings Matt Frattin, Ben Scrivens Make A Quick Stop In Southern California

June 25, 2013 by 1 Comment

Matt Frattin (left) and Ben Scrivens (right)
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES — On June 24, one day after being acquired by the Los Angeles Kings in the trade that sent goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Toronto Maple Leafs, right wing Matt Frattin and goaltender Ben Scrivens made a quick stop in the Los Angeles area to tour the team’s practice facility, meet the staff, and undergo medical examinations.

Talk about a whirlwind 24 hours.

“I was out at the lake this past weekend, and I got a call from Dave Nonis, who is the GM (general manager) with Toronto, and he relayed the message to me that I got traded to L.A,” said Frattin. “A little later after that, [Kings assistant general manager] Ron Hextall gave me a call, too, and kind of just tried to set up some stuff for me to come down after that.”

“Personally, I did not know there were too many trade talks,” added Frattin. “I mean, you hear rumors within the media, but you don’t try to think too much of it, because Toronto—the media is pretty crazy up there. But other than that, most of it was probably behind closed doors, and I don’t think too many people knew about the trade rumors.”

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LA Kings Trade Jonathan Bernier To Toronto: Good Deal For Both Teams

June 24, 2013 by 6 Comments

Now Former Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Bernier
has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — On June 23, Los Angeles Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi finally gave his backup goaltender the chance he wanted to become a number one netminder in the National Hockey League when he sent Jonathan Bernier to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in exchange for right wing Matt Frattin, goaltender Ben Scrivens, and a 2014 or 2015 second round selection (Maple Leafs get to choose which year) in the NHL Draft.

Bernier was the Kings’ first round pick (11th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, and was widely expected to be their future in goal. But Jonathan Quick exploded onto the scene in 2008-09, and quickly established himself as the Kings’ top netminder, launching himself into elite status when he led the Kings to the first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history in 2011-12.

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