LOS ANGELES — As reported in this space on July 13, after playing seven seasons and winning two Stanley Cup Championships with the Los Angeles Kings, center Jarret Stoll became, in large part, a victim of the National Hockey League salary cap—given other priorities, the Kings could no longer fit him under it. “It was... Continue Reading →
Facing Wayne Gretzky Takes An In-Depth Look At Hockey’s Greatest Player Like No Other Book Has Done Before
MONTEREY PARK, CA — Every summer, hockey fans suffer from withdrawal symptoms while their game goes on a long, painful hiatus. Indeed, once the Stanley Cup Final has been completed and a champion crowned, all that’s left is the annual National Hockey League Draft, usually one week later, followed by the NHL Awards one week... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Justin Williams: “Just Win” and “Puck Luck Is For Cop-Outs”
EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings had a long night after their 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 4 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final in New York on June 11.Indeed, the Kings headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport right after the game, boarding their charter for the nearly... Continue Reading →
LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi’s Focus On Character and Leadership Is Paying Dividends
LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — With the Los Angeles Kings on the verge of winning their second Stanley Cup Championship in the last three seasons, perhaps as soon as tonight, much has been said about their character and leadership qualities that have been on display throughout the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Indeed, leading... Continue Reading →
Fans Watch LA Kings Take 3-0 Lead In 2014 Stanley Cup Final At Downtown LA Gathering – In Photos
LOS ANGELES — While the Los Angeles Kings were taking care of business, shutting out the New York Rangers, 3-0, in Game 3 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden in New York, approximately 2,500 of their fans, primarily season ticket holders and their guests, celebrated the win at a private... Continue Reading →
LA Kings: Dean Lombardi’s Gamble On Justin Williams Is Paying Off Many Times Over
LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — Back in early March 2009, when the Los Angeles Kings acquired veteran right wing Justin Williams, many people, including yours truly, expressed concern about the deal, given Williams’ lengthy injury history. Indeed, before joining the Kings, Williams had played a full, 82-game season just twice. From 2000-01 to... Continue Reading →
Wayne Gretzky: “I Think Anze Kopitar, Right Now, Is The Third-Best Player In The NHL”
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Prior to Game 1 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final on June 4, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, told CBC’s Ron MacLean that Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar “...is the third-best player in the National Hockey League.” “I think Anze Kopitar, right now, is... Continue Reading →
LA Kings And NY Rangers: 2014 Stanley Cup Final Preview/Prediction
LOS ANGELES — After eight months, the National Hockey League has finally reached the peak of its crescendo, with the New York Rangers here on the left coast to face-off against the Los Angeles Kings in 2014’s quest for hockey’s version of the Holy Grail, the Stanley Cup. Players, head coaches and general managers of... Continue Reading →
2014 Stanley Cup Final Media Day – In Photos
LOS ANGELES — June 3 was media day for the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, pitting the Los Angeles Kings against the New York Rangers, with Game 1 scheduled for June 4, starting at 5:00 PM PDT, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Both teams practiced at Staples Center, and after their respective sessions, head coaches... Continue Reading →
LA Kings Pushing For Improvement Heading Into 4-Game, Southeastern Road Swing
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings are 2-2-0 as they begin a four-game road trip this evening against the Carolina Hurricanes (4:00 PM PDT, televised on Fox Sports West). But as their .500 record indicates, it has been quite the struggle so far, and that includes their last game, a 4-3 overtime win over... Continue Reading →
Los Angeles Kings: Too Early To Panic Despite Slow Start
ALSO: Will Alec Martinez return to the lineup tonight against Ottawa? Willie Mitchell talks about complacency, and video interviews with Colin Fraser, Trevor Lewis, and head coach Darryl Sutter. EL SEGUNDO AND LOS ANGELES, CA — After a 1-2-0 start to the still very young 2013-14 National Hockey League season, a quick spin through the... Continue Reading →
Former LA Kings Grinder Ian Laperriere Still Dealing With Health Issues Three Years Later
LOS ANGELES — Over the 45-year history of the Los Angeles Kings, there have been a number of fan favorites, but only a very select few come to mind before one thinks of former Kings forward Ian Laperriere. No, Laperriere was not the big goal scorer or the gifted playmaker. Rather, he was the grinder,... Continue Reading →