alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Before I head out for the morning skate, here’s the fifth set of questions and answers…
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Ckachi asked: Can you fill us in on how the trade process works for an NHL player? Are they just called in my management and said here’s the decision And you are off thanks!? What are the procedures of a player transitioning in or out of one NHL franchise to the next? Is there a traditional protocal set by the NHL or does every organization have their own way of going about the trade process…
Answer: I’m not totally sure about the specifics of what you’re asking here. First, yes, a player would be informed by his current team that he’s being traded. If you’re asking about how a player would physically change teams, the new team would set up his flight to the new city, and most likely make hotel arrangements unless the player already had arrangements in the new city. That’s pretty much it. You’d come to the new rink and meet your new teammates and start playing.
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AK47 asked: 1) Any news on Trevor Lewis, Thomas Hickey or Andrei Loktionov? I know the kings could use Lewis as a 4th line center and move Moller up to the Handzus and Frolov line. 2) Why do you personally think the Oilers are struggling so much? 3) Sticking with the Oilers, what would it take to get Andrew Cogliano? Purcell and a 2nd? Cogs isn’t really having a good year, so we could use that in our favor and try to rejuvenate his career? 4) Colts or Saints for the Super Bowl?
Answers: 1) Reading all the questions about Hickey, Loktionov, et al, tells me that I must have done a very poor job, at the time of their injuries, of pointing out the severity of them. In each case, the player got hurt in late November and faces a four-month recovery time. It’s barely been one month. As for Lewis, I’m not totally sure what his recovery time is because he got hurt in Manchester, but I don’t think his return is imminent. 2) I didn’t expect them to be that great, but they were doing OK until their goalie got hurt. After that, the offense fell off the table, so a number of guys can take that responsibility. 3) I haven’t seen that the Oilers have any interest in trading Cogliano. 4) I’d like to see the Saints win, but I think it will be the Colts.
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badGoaltending asked: being at these road games, you obivously see the game entirly different. Would you say that the kings should take the risk at getting kovalchuck or even make a trade?? how do you see the situation playing out??
Answer: If you can make a trade that will help your team in the short term without greatly harming it in the long term, you should make the trade. I wouldn’t, at all, be concerned about this “breaking the chemistry” idea, but I have no idea how it will play out.
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John West asked: I have a question for Bruce McNall that I hope you can ask him since he is back with the organization as an ambassador. In the new book ‘Gretzky’s Tears’, McNall admits that Gary Bettman, his hand-picked selection to lead the NHL, obviously turned out to be the wrong choice. As a fan all I can do is watch the NHL lose market share and respectability year after year and blame it on Bettman’s incompetence, but McNall knows more about what went on behind the scenes so what would cause him to come out now and make such a strong indictmemt against Bettman, especially when he is still in charge?
Answer: I have yet to see McNall at Staples Center, but I would love to interview him sometime. I finished that book a couple weeks ago. It’s a really good read.
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tornado12 asked: 1)Frolov is having off year in a contract year. If the Kings resign him, what will it take money wise. Do you think he gets less money from his poor stats? 2) Concerning goaltending, Now that quick is our bonafide #1, and I dont see Bernier as a permanent backup, where does that leave Bernier? Do you bring him up next year as a backup or leave him in the minors until needed (ie-injury) 3) Can you ask Foxy, to ask the jacket when it is going to come out again?
Answers: 1) I have no idea what it would take to re-sign Frolov. Only he and his agent know that. His cap hit is $3 million this season, and that will certainly go up. Salaries are certainly negotiated off numbers, so yes, certainly Frolov won’t get as much as if he was on a 50-goal pace right now. 2) Again, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. I know there’s a lot of eagerness to consider the goalie situation resolved, but Quick is only two-thirds through his first full NHL season and Bernier has played four NHL games. In the short term — next season, for instance — I could definitely see Bernier as Quick’s backup. 3) Jim has said that the jacket, holding powers nobody can really explain, makes it known when it is time to be worn.
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krushelnyski asked: When watching the games on tv this year, I’ve noticed FSW is consistently ‘late’ to catch stuff happening behind the play, be it pushing and shoving or full blown fights. It feels like the lead camera will continue following the puck after the whistle is blown for a good couple seconds before finally cutting to the fight, effectively missing the most exciting part of the action. I’m wondering if you had any insight into this, be it a conscious decision made by the NHL or FSW to limit the amount of fighting they show in games, or possibly the result of a change in personnel for the broadcasts?
Answer: Seeing as how I’m at the games, and don’t watch them on TV, it’s hard for me to comment, and it’s paricularly hard for me to comment on FSN matters that fall way outside my scope. I would suggest contacting someone at the network. I can tell you that, from watching replays, etc., in the press box in other cities, that would be far from a singular problem. I have still yet to see a replay of the Simmonds/Boll/Johnson hit, because they simply didn’t show one (that I saw) on the FS Ohio broadcast.
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HawKings asked: Here is my question (re-posted from after the Columbus game), unless someone already asked: It relates to plus/minus and Kopi’s first goal in the Columbus game. On the goal, it started with a long outlet pass by Simmer to Smyth. By the time Kopi scored, Simmer had gone to the bench for a change, was off the ice and Brown was on the ice. Simmer got the assist but does Brown get the + since he was on the ice when the puck actually went into the net?
Answer: Simmonds got both the assist and the “plus” on the goal. On the stat sheet, he was officially listed as having been on the ice.
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Sebastian asked: Rich, Any idea why Ryan Smyth is the only player on the team (and probably the league) that still uses a wood stick blade? Just curious, since it always catches my eye but I’ve never heard anyone talk about it.
Answer: There are a few others around the league with wood sticks, but not many. Smyth is very old-school in terms of a lot of that stuff. It looks as though he has used the same shoulder pads for years and years, and he’s also the only King who skates without a helmet in warmups. Pro athletes get into a routine with certain things, and they just stick with it.
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Phil asked: Rich, just curious what Bob and Jim do during games on a road trip when the Kings aren’t on tv (Toronto and New Jersey, for example). Do they do other work related things, or do they get to just relax and enjoy the game?
Answer: During the games themselves? For the most part, they can sit in the booth and watch the game. In Toronto though, for example, they did work before the game, doing some radio/TV spots, and Bob filmed a segment at the Hockey Hall of Fame that was used in the next broadcast. They will also, of course, maintain their notes and stats that they use for every broadcast.
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Dave in Inyokern asked: How did you enjoy the road trip back east aside from attending the games? What did you do with your free time? How tiring was the trip? Was it all you hoped it would be? Is there an inside the organization story behind the acquisition of Brad Richardson? Who was responsible for recommending/deciding he was worth a second round pick? Brad had a rocky start right after he joined the team. Appeared to be a waste of a pick. Did the Kings doubt themselves after acquiring him? Whomever was responsible looks like a genius now.
Answer: 1) The road trip, aside from the weather, was very nice. There’s really not as much down time as you might think, between my writing/blogging, the games, practices, flights, bus rides and the ever-elusive quest for sleep. We got a chance to watch the conference championship games in Toronto, and I always try to get out and do a little sightseeing (not in Detroit). 2) I don’t necessarily know who would take the credit for that. I would guess that Richardson was identified and then looked at by the Kings’ pro scouts. Ultimately, it’s Lombardi’s decision.
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Jason asked: Do you feel he should be traded? Do you feel he has lived up to his expectations?
Answer: My question back to you would be, “Whose expectations?” That’s a very loaded word. Has Frolov matched, offensively, what he has shown himself to be capable of? No. Has he also been, for the most part, a strong defender and penalty-killer, and filled the role asked of him? Yes. Lombardi has already said that he won’t trade Frolov for draft picks, and there’s not a very strong chance that a team will give up a quality player for a player (Frolov) with an expiring contract.
Anyone know if Jokinen and Prust will he playing tonight?
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Do you think you can ask Jim or Bob who they think are the best broadcasting crews besides them are? I know alot of us despise some of the crews, such as the biased Anaheim crew, the Boston crew is awful, the Devils announcers (although Doc usually does those games) the other day were brutal, the Detroit crew is bad etc. I know they would never tell us who they think stinks, but who do they think are really good? Thanks.
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Holy crap what is going on in Calgary?
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Rich thanks for your answer. Im sure only the veterans such as him can get away with no helmet during warm up, but he has the hair for it. Also, every single game Ive been to, Smyth is the last one off the ice during warm ups and he always throws 3 pucks over the glass to the fans (number might vary).
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Doughty’s energy on the ice is extremely palpable, especially after he scores or throws a heavy check. I see him as our future captain, but does he see himself that way? Basically, does he use that same energy he has on the ice in the locker room to pump up the team during games and is he a vocal leader? I know you are not there during the games but thought you might have some insight.
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Rich,
Do the Kings have a system in place to scout NHL players for potential trade?
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Rich
R.E.M. Murray asked: Do you know if there is anything more to Atlanta GM Waddell attending the LA-NJ game last night?
Rich Hammond responded: Anything more to it? As in? Don sat in his seat on press row, next to Dave Taylor, coincidentally enough. Dean Lombardi sat in his booth with other Kings management folks. I’m not sure what else there is to say, frankly. Waddell being at that game, very likely, did little if anything to further any Kovalchuk talk. GMs can talk on cell phones any day of the week, and scouting staffs are so strong that it’s doubtful there was any wisdom gained.
R.E.M. Murray responds: I thought perhaps Dean Lombardi may have given Mr. Waddell a courtesy flight back to Atlanta via Anschutz private jet or something like this after the game.
R.E.M. Murray asks: Rich, do you know if Jokinen and Prust have arrived in L.A. and joined the Rangers yet? Any word on if they will suit up tonight after playing last night in Calgary?
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Rich,
I’m fascinated by the evolution of hockey hair. When did the legendary hockey mullet start to lose popularity among players? Are there any taboos about growing a beard during regular season? What do players on a playoff team that’s growing beards do if they can’t really grow a beard? I wish there were more crazy mustaches, but I’m glad to see fewer goatees.
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I can answer this one guys!
-not trying to be Rich though
Jokinen and Prust have both packed their bags and flew
to LA right after the trade. They will likely play at today’s
game since New York does need Jokinen.
Also, side note – Jokinen was frustrated and pissed
that they traded him. I’ll try to find and post the link
to that article.
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Love the Hockey hair, watching Smyth in pregane with no dome piece and flying all around. I think wesgarth rocks the hair
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Hey Rich…What’s with the snarky response? “Reading all the questions about Hickey, Loktionov, et al, tells me that I must have done a very poor job, at the time of their injuries, of pointing out the severity of them. In each case, the player got hurt in late November and faces a four-month recovery time. It’s barely been one month.”
Fans can’t check in to see if there is any progress? I think many fans would like to know if they’re rehabing yet, still in cast/sling, doing any kind of drills, etc
Some guys do get healthy faster then initial projections.
PS…It’s been all of Dec and all of Jan which makes it 2 months…1/2 way to their projected recovery…which would seem like the perfect time for an update if there were one
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hendrydoso?
are you serious? beer leagues have systems in place! The kings are a professional hockey team with an annual budget of many many millions of dollars… Is this a serious question or did you just fall off that truck selling turnips?
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Ckachi
Do you have a source, or do you have the credentials of a Rich Hammond?
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hey rich,
with tyler myers having the rookie season he is, and with him winning rookie of the month for jan., it got me thinking: what did the kings get from buffalo in the swap of the 12th (myers) & 13th (tuebert) picks? if memory serves correctly, it was a 3rd (maybe 2nd) round pick, if so, who was the pick?
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all that above, is in regards to the 2008 draft (but you already knew that), sorry.
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JT: haha Turnips. Good call though, the sign of someone very young or very naive.
Steve:
I understand Rich’s feelings considering the inundation of injury update requests he gets when almost anyone can look up the injury report and count the days/weeks left. Trust me, if they were close to returning there would be about 6 updates from Rich a day about it.
But I also see where you are coming from, purely base don my own frustrations during the Allison and Deadmarsh injuries… no updates… no word on what was happening… until they retired (basically for Allison).
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Oh one more Rich
Do you know if Lundqvist is starting tonight after Chad Ochocinco started the last two?
I am not finding these things anywhere on Zipay’s blog!
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jayhay:
Its ridiculously complicated!
They received a 2009 3rd round pick from Buffallo (#74 overall).
The Kings traded this pick (#74) in 2009 to the Flames from their 3rd round pick (#84) and their 4th round pick (#107) in 2009.
THEN the Kings traded the #107 pick and their 5th round pick in 2009 (#138)to the Panthers for their 3rd round pick in 2010…
What it all means:
The Kings received the #84 pick in 2009 (Nicolas Deslauriers) and the Panthers 3rd round pick this season; while also giving up a 5th rounder in 2009
… i think i broke it all down correctly
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VanKingsFan – sure fans can check the injury update and see “week-to-week” or “month-to-month” but Rich can provide more detailed info if there is any…Its obvious all injuries are severe but any update would be solid.
That’s all the fans want.
The question doesn’t deserve “I must not be doing my job well if fans have to keep asking…”
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i knew it got crazy, it was crazy trying to explain the cammalleri/anaheim/calgary situation to my ducks fan co-worker that day. bottom line, just like i’ve always kept a eye on karl alzner, the WASH pick made after thomas hickey in 07 (alzner was highly rated, hickey was where he was); since the 08 draft, i’ve kept an eye on myers/tuebert to see how that shakes out.
seems to me that the kings had already made there mind up about tuebert before they made their pick, buffalo not wanting to chance the defensemen-picking kings in front of them and wanting myers bad, traded up. kings felt comfortable the sabres werent gonna go the tuebert route, figured to pick up a draft pick.
all that said, despite our loving the picks/moves of DL and staff, i guess you cant win them all.
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thanks van, btw
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Thanks Rich for all the insight and hard work you have done this year.
Since the Blueshirts are our next victim tonight, it brings up the question, do you feel this is Glen Sather’s final season in the dual role as President/GM of the Ranger’s? And if so, do you see Messier becoming the GM?
I noticed Messier was with Gretzky at the KHL all-star game this past week.
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Rich would it be possible for you to get a picture of Quick’s olympic mask and post it?
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REM, you can find the story about Jokinen and Prust through Rich’s NY Daily News link.
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thanks rich
GO KINGS GO
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From Darren Dreger’s ongoing chat:
http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/feature/?id=16597
Atlanta Thrashers are still working hard to re-sign their captain to a long term, mega-million dollar deal. As of yesterday, sources close to the negotiation stated there’s as good a chance of Kovalchuk staying in Atlanta as there is of Thrashers GM Don Waddell trading him. Atlanta remains in a battle for a playoff spot and Kovalchuk is key to this franchise making the playoffs. There has been much written about LA’s expected play for Kovalchuk, however I believe the Kings have targeted Ray Whitney. Boston has also been rumoured to have interest, and the Bruins do, but not if it means mortgaging the future to make the deal. Multiple teams will continue to keep Waddell’s number on speed dial, however the asking price is said to include 4 or 5 key assets. We’re talking a young roster player(s), prospects and draft picks. Few teams will line up to pay that.
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As much as a rental scares me… I am warming up to the idea of Ray Whitney. Again, it depends on the price. If its a second rounder and A mid level prospect like Alec Martinez or Scott Parse, then I say do it.
Whitney – Kopitar – Simmonds (JWilliams)
Smyth – Stoll – Brown
Fro – Handzus – Moller
Richie – Cliche(Elkins) – Segal(Ivanans)
*I have always loved Cliche since he was in junior
*Don’t care about having Ivanans on his off wing because… well does it really matter
*I am assuming Parse is packaged in the deal
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VanKingsFan
Do you think Whitney Loktionov / Martinez would work?
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Dont know… but i was just reading Darren Dregers live blog about trades and he says “I know at least one team is prepared to give up a first rounder and a prospect for Whitney.”
I hope that is not us, a first rounder alone is too much IMO
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I just saw that from Yorkton
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Steve -
Regarding Lewis, Hickey and Loktionov -
For what it’s worth, I have been told by someone that would be aware of what’s going on, that all 3 are at one stage or another doing PT. Lewis s/b the first one back, maybe sometime next month.
Not really much info. that would surprise anyone, but it’s a little something for you!
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krushelnyski,
re: your question about the camera’s missing things.
It is generally not the cameraman’s fault, but rather the director and assistant director calling the broadcast in the booth. They have many cameras to monitor, and it is up to the director to call out which camera to cut to on the broadcast at what point, and then it is the job of the AD (sometimes called technical director, or switcher) to swiftly punch that camera onto the line monitor. Its impossible to tell from TV whose the guilty party, but most likely its the director. If the AD was bad at quickly punching up new angles, he would probably be fired quicker than the director would be for being slow to call out the shots.
It is not the main cameraman’s job to follow the interesting things on the ice. That is for the roamers and CU cameramen. Sure, they go in an out and switch, and the director will communicate with the camerman to follow or pick up certain shots, but the standard camera view you are referring to in your question, that lags on the puck when a fight or something is taking place off screen, is doing his job, which is to follow the puck. It is up to the director to recognize when something more interesting is happening, and either tell the AD to punch it up, or tell one of his cameramen to get a better angle on it. It could be the cameramans fault if there is no shot of something that is happening, the director instructs him to follow it, and the cameraman is slow to get his frame and focus. The kiss of death for a TV broadcast is cutting live to roaming camera that is whipping quickly to find a frame or blurry while finding its focus.
Hope that helps.
It is a pandemic problem though, that bothers me incessantly and I believe is simply because the television crew is a tv crew first and hockey people second. Hockey has a very specific and difficult flow to follow, and it takes the right combination of a crack broadcast team, and a director with ample general hockey knowledge, to keep up with and pull off a real quality broadcast. In fact, the only benefit of that recent game against the Leafs not being on FSN, was getting to watch the Leafs’ telecast, which I must say was incredible. They clearly understood the flow of the game and utilized all their angles quickly and precisely.
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Wow Jacob, great post. Quite informative.
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I don’t know if the open forum questions are over but I have a couple of questions about Frolov. First, is he considered expendable? At the start of the season I would’ve said no but now I think he is. Not only are his numbers down but I don’t know if he’s had much positive impact in games. And since he’s mostly played on a checking line this season, is it fair to be critical of him that his numbers are down? Or with his skills should he still be putting up decent numbers while also doing well in a checking role?
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When he’s at the game, Bruce McNall can be found in the third row next to the tunnel between 105 and 106
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I know the kings keep winning but Why is TM still playing Jones and not Drewiske? Did anyone besides me see how easily Jones is getting beat one on one last game at the New Jersey?
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Rich, great job on keeping us Kings faithful informed on everything. I am really enjoying the open forum questions and answers. I have heard all the rumors regarding the NHL trades and the players names, what I want to know is when do you think all these trades will occur and when do you think the Kings will make a move, before the Feb. 12th trade freeze, or on March 2nd after the Olympic Break?
Thanks
Go Kings!
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Rich, thanks for the hard work as always! A few questions on things elusive.
1. Has anyone offered any explanation of the Kings struggles 5-on-3 (and 6-on-3 for that matter)?
2. Who/what do you believe to have more special powers – Jurai Mikus or Jim’s Jacket?
3. Would it produce synergy or a cataclysm if Jurai wore The Jacket to the Staples Center?
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