Yesterday, I posted a link to my feature on new Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell. I figured I would post the full interview that I did with Mitchell, because there’s some interesting stuff in here that, for the sake of brevity, didn’t make its way into the feature. Here’s the full transcript…
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Question: I was taken by the way, during your conference call, your referred to the concussion and your recovery as almost a blessing. You called it a great learning experience. Could you expand on that a little, and maybe talk about how you came to see it so positively?
MITCHELL: “I did a lot of things to get healthy when I was out, and I was actually in a hyperbaric chamber. I watched movies, DVDs. stuff like that. And there was kind of a motivational CD called `Maverick Mindsets’ that talked about the mindset in sports, and controlling the things that you can control. It’s funny how it was sitting on my countertop and I never touched it. Then something like this happens to you, and it’s like, `Well, I’ve got time to kill in this chamber, so I’m going to listen to it.’ It was probably one of the best things I’ve ever picked up in my life, in terms of it being a life lesson but also in being an athlete like I am. A lot of it was talking about controlling the things that you can control and not worrying about all the external factors that ultimately, at the end of the day, you have no bearing over.
“When you have a concussion, obviously you get hit in the head and you have a headache. The toughest thing about it as that you care a lot — which I do, I love hockey — and you want to help your team out. So what do you do? You stress, and therefore what does that give you? A headache, and that’s the one thing you’re trying to overcome. So it’s just about controlling the things you can control. What I could control during that whole process were the things I was doing to get healthy. The rest of those things, I had absolutely no control over. That’s been a blessing, in terms of getting healthy and getting through the injury, and I think it’s going to be a blessing in terms of my performance on the ice. Sometimes you might think, `Oh, what was my defense partner doing there?’ or `What were we doing there?’ At the end of the day, I’ve got no control over that. All I have is control over what I’m doing on the ice. If you worry about other things, I think you expend more of your energy away from what you should be doing. If you worry about the things you’re doing, you become a better hockey player. That’s the big lesson I learned, and not to take stuff for granted.
“We all, at this time of the year, usually everyone is hemming and hawing about, `Oh we’ve got testing and we’ve got all this at the start of the year.’ Heck, I went through a lot of testing a month ago, just to show teams that I’m fine. Usually when I do that testing, I’m like, `Oh, God, I’ve got to do this testing.’ Doing it this time, it was like, `Oh yeah, baby, let’s get it on.’ You take that for granted, right? You take your health for granted. You take everything for granted. In life, sometimes, it’s not until you’re pushed into a corner or dealt a tough situation… You don’t learn things in life when things are going well. You only learn when things aren’t going as planned. That’s when you learn the most in life. I think this experience was one of the best learning experiences of my life. Early on, it wasn’t the best situation, that’s for sure, but it turned out to be one of the best learning experiences.”
Question: My guess is that, when you go through something like a brain injury, a concussion, your thoughts can go one of two ways. You can either start to see hockey as something small, not as important in terms of your quality of life, or you can start to really value every minute you have on the ice. Did you feel either of those emotions, or maybe both at times?
MITCHELL: “You’re absolutely right, you think about both of those things. Obviously it’s a game that we play. We’re paid very well to play it, but it’s still a game, so you think about life after hockey and you want to make sure that you’re not taking chances that are going to affect that. There’s a lot of life to live after. I think it’s widely known how I went about my decision-making this summer. That was a thought of mine. I didn’t do things the conventional way. Some people might not like that, but I think a lot of people respected it. I did that so I knew I would be healthy and ready and so that when it came time to make that decision, and know mentally that I was ready to play hockey again, that I went through all the right hurdles. Now I know what I want to do and what the team that signed me wants me to do. That’s the mindset I was in, and I’m really looking forward to it. To be honest, I put in a lot of time, a lot of work. It’s been a bit of a long road, but I just can’t wait to get back on the ice. I’ve been on the ice, obviously, with other players and peers at this time of the year, but I want to be on the ice when the game is on the line.”
Question: You talked, during the conference call, about the Kings feeling like the right fit for you. Is there anything in particular, from the meetings that you had with coaches and management, that grabbed you, that made you feel like Los Angeles was where you wanted to play?
MITCHELL: “I went on visits to talk to different teams, mostly because of my health. That’s why I wanted to go around, to show teams that I would go and work out, so that they’re just not hearing, over the phone, me saying, `Hey, I’m healthy.’ I wanted to show them. I went in and did all that stuff. So everyone is recruiting you, so to speak, and trying to put a good spin on their organization. But sometimes you just get that feeling, that they’re genuine and that they really think you can help their hockey club out a lot, and that they like the things that you can do as a player. I really got that feeling from Dean and the coaching staff. I felt that they respected my game. My game is much different than a lot of people see, in the sense that a lot of what I do hopefully goes unnoticed. Sometimes it goes unnoticed, but what I do is play against the best players in the world and keep them off the scoresheet. That’s what I do. I’ve done that my whole career. I take a lot of pride in that. I love that challenge. If I can keep, say, Joe Thornton off the score sheet — and that’s tough to do, obviously, when you’re in power-play situations — but if I can keep him off the score sheet at even strength, in 23 minutes, 24 minutes, I like our team’s chances. If I can keep a 40-goal scorer off the score sheet, I consider that to be like scoring 40 goals.
“In my meeting down there, I felt like they really respected what I do, the little things that I do. Sometimes those aren’t things that show up on the score sheet, but I like to think that the things I do are things that my peers, my teammates, respect. I felt that the coaching staff and Dean really respected that. Like I said, you just get that feeling where you really think that you can be a big piece of their team, and that’s where you want to be as a player. As a player, you want to be in a situation where they think you can help make a difference on their hockey club, to get better. You want to be in that situation. I like the pressure. I want to be a player who comes in and can help make a difference. That’s what it’s all about. The ultimate, for me, is winning the Stanley Cup and being one of the guys who is a difference-maker. That’s the feeling that I got. The opportunity to play with a couple of the young defensemen, who are great up-and-coming players, is exciting. I think that’s a great fit. I think there are some things that I can do on the ice to help evolve their games, and I think the things that they can do on the ice will actually help evolve my game. I just turned 33, but whoever you are — player, coach, GM — you never stop learning. There are a lot of good fits. That, to me, was really intriguing. I met Tim Leiweke and heard about their commitment to the organization and what they want to do, and win. That, to me, is really exciting.”
Question: Do you know who the oldest defenseman on the Kings’ roster is?
MITCHELL: “(laughs) Let’s see. OD is gone. There are the two young guys, Scuderi from Pittsburgh… It’s probably me, at 33, right?”
Question: Yeah, it’s you.
MITCHELL: “Yeah, the old boy. OD is gone, Sean O’Donnell is gone, but I’m a lot younger than OD. That’s funny. I just turned 33, this is going to be my 33-year-old season, and it’s like I’m the old guy. What’s going on here? (laughs) The game has changed with the CBA, a little bit. You have younger teams, but I think there’s something to guys who can bring experience. I’ve been fortunate to be around some great, great minds in the game. I was coached by Jacques Lemaire, by Larry Robinson, and I thank God that I was lucky enough to listen to those guys. They’re great, great minds. I played with Scotty Stevens and (Scott) Niedermayer, and I think I learned a lot of things from those great players and great minds. I hope to maybe help out in that capacity a little bit with some of the young players on this team.”
Question: You were an alternate captain in Vancouver. How would you describe your leadership style? Defensemen who play your type of game tend to get stereotyped as the quiet, lead-by-example guys. Can you talk about how you view leadership, both on and off the ice?
MITCHELL: “I don’t know. That’s a tough one. I don’t think you strive to go be a leader. I think that comes to you. If people look at your in that magnitude, that’s flattering and that’s great, and obviously there’s some responsibility that comes with that. I think that respect, like I said, is earned, not given. I think when you come into a new team, I just want to go down there and do the things that I have done so far in my career that have made me successful. If that gets me the respect of the organization and my teammates, then great. I like to think that I play the game hard, I compete, I love the game. More than anything, I love it. I like to have a good time. When you see me, I smile all the time. I love what I do. It’s therapeutic for me on the ice. I go out there, and that’s my special place. I don’t think, I just play. I enjoy the game, I love the game. Some people, I remember Jacques Lemaire originally thought I was having too much fun, but he ended up figuring me out and thinking, `This guy just loves the game.’ I like to think I know when it’s time to get serious and turn the switch. For me, the national anthems, that’s when I turn my switch, and it’s on.
“The off-ice stuff, that’s tough to comment on, as a player. Like I said, I like to think that I’ve been coached by some very, very good people who have been in the game for a long, long time and are Hall of Famers on a playing level and a coaching level. I think I’ve learned some great information from those guys. I’m just going to go down there and fit in. They’ve got a good leadership group down there, and I’m just going to come in and do the things that I’ve done for the last four years in Vancouver and the same thing I did when I was in Minnesota for five years. I’ll just do that and try to fit in, and if that becomes a part of the equation, so be it. As a player, I’ve been in some situations, and it’s a younger team in L.A. Sometimes it’s nice to have a guy come in, who has been in those situations before, to be a little bit of a calming presence. In those situations, I like to think that when the pressure is on, I’m a calm and composed player. Hopefully I can continue to do that in L.A. and help my teammates that way.”
Question: How many years were you an alternate captain in Vancouver?
MITCHELL: “Three years or two years. I’m not even sure. The first year I came in, the leadership group was obviously Markus Naslund, Trevor Linden and Brendan Morrison. I think it was two years. But really, to be honest with you, in terms of leadership, I played with so many guys who didn’t wear letters, but they were the best leaders around. I don’t think you need a letter on your jersey to be a leader. In Vancouver we had a guy, Ryan Johnson, who I think was one of the best leaders I played with. He was a character guy, but he never had a letter. So I don’t think you need a letter in order to be a leader. I think a leader just becomes one, because your peers look toward you. That, for me, is what it’s about.”
Welcome to Los Angeles!
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Wow… this makes DL’s interviews look like a haiku.
Anyway, Mitchell sounds like a great guy, from all the interviews he’s done since signing that deal. I’m really looking forward to see how he meshes with the other young guys we have. He’s the perfect player for us.
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Love that attitude! Welcome aboard!
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Two things:
First, I can’t tell you how stoked I am to have this guy here. This is exactly the kind of guy we need.
My other thought is, after listening to the way the Kings (DL and TL) have treated him and made him feel like he belongs here, Kovi must have never really wanted to be here at all. Assuming what Willie is saying is true (and I have no reason to think it isn’t) I can’t see DL or TL doing everything they could to get Kovi here. Maybe DL and AEG really aren’t the devil a lot of people on here make them out to be.
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puck73 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:07 pm
@AZ King, Totally agree, I never liked Kovalpud or his agent and I am glad things didnt work out here. I would have much rather they overpayed Selanne on a 2 year deal, at least with Teemu, you know exactly what you are getting, things like character,team first,and a guy that would have scored 35 to 40 goals playing with Kopitar. Would Selanne be a permanent solution ? NO, of course not, but he would have been a good bridge player for some of our up and coming players. As far as Mitchell goes, we now have 2 of the best shutdown stay at home defensemen in the NHL in Scuderi and Mitchell and both of these guys are at the top of the list when it comes to “Team First” and “Character” !
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I love it when the Kings get a guy that I hated playing against (before he’s 40). IF he stays healthy, from their goalies to their D, they look VERY strong
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I love his attitude and his commitment to the game. When you have guys like this around, they tend to mesh in pretty quick because they arent afraid to reach their hand out to say hello. I like this guy and with One young D man coming in to fill a spot, Quick & Bernier in net, we are going to be tough to sc ore against. One thing that the Kings really need to do is keep up the energy level during games. When they lacked that, they werent the same type of team. When they pressured teams, they created turnovers and opportunities. Goo Luck Willie!!!! Glad to have you here.
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Real 9 Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:43 am
@I love his attitude and his commitment to the game., don’t forget JZ –
most have Bernier and Quick penciled in as 1-2 or 2-1, but from looking at Jeff Zatkoff I think he may be the surprise factor in the G mix….if you’ve taken a look at his videos and his stats, he is absolutely ready for a starting role in the NHL….he has been outstanding at every level where he has competed….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBwXi0ssF7E
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Welcome WM, boy are we glad to have you here. Kick some ass this year. Go Kings
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I was sort of shocked when Dean threw out the use of the word “perfect” when describing the fit with the team.
I now understand why. Willie Mitchell has yet to play a second in a Kings uniform and I already love the guy.
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Great Stuff Rich.
After reading this interview, WM is a character guy, and that is what made DL go after him.
Many here have lowered the boom on DL for not getting the Free Agents. And certainly he has struck out more often than not. But is seems particularly obvious that DL is offering an opportunity to come into an organization that has a philosophy of being good and doing good things the correct way. That may not be appealing to a lot of players, but in the case of WM, it is important.
I have spent a lifetime watching the negative behavorial changes in sports. One of the main reasons that I am primarily a hockey fan these days is that it is almost the last refuge for watching players collectively perform in the proper manner.
I couldn’t be more pleased with what I am seeing and hearing with this organization. WM is a great addition, and I support what DL is doing and how he is going about it.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
@scvking,
I agree with your assessment. I have been fortunate enough to be around these professional and I have to tell you, they are some of the best people you will ever meet. I decided to be an agent after meeting Matias Norstrom. I met all the Kings players that year down in the Chairman’s club after a game. A friend of mine was friends with George Parros. Anyways, George was driving Matty home that night so Matty and I sat down and had a few beers. I can tell you it was one of the best nights of my life. That’s when I realized they are not just good hockey players but they are all very good people. And I wanted to be around them more. Mitchell is that type of guy and I am glad the Kings signed him.
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@EASportsMgt, Did you ever get the chance to meet Rob Blake? Is he the piece of crap not worth living that most of the guys here feel, or is he a normal human being that signed with better teams that offered better contracts at the time?
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EASportsMgt Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED,
I didn’t get the pleasure to meet him, Norstrom was the Captain here during my meeting with him. I can tell you that he told me that Blake was his is best friend. That they speak at least once a day and that he was thrilled to be able to play with him. He said he was a stand up guy, so my guess is that people have their feelings hurt because he left and the truth is, the Kings never even called him to offer him a better contract, they didn’t even call him to gauge his temperature on what he wanted money wise, so Blake was just as hurt as the fans were. That’s the truth.
funky Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 8:48 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED,
I met Blake in Calgary a few years ago, just after th Conroy trade I think. It was – 20 degrees C with a wind. I was frozen waiting outside the hotel for an autograph, and being so cold I didn’t think any player would stop. Anyways…….Blake and Norstrom came out of the hotel and not only did they stop, Matty chased down a picture tha the wind grabbed from me and blew down the block. He was awesome to talk to and I realized how thick bodied he was. Blake even one upped that as he spoke for a few minutes out in the cold after signing the autograph. I was suprised that he stayed out and talked to a nobody in that weather hen he really suprised me as he walked back of the bus and spoke to me for a few more minutes about the team and about their you prospect named Jack Johnson.
The greatest thing was when Avery (puke) walked towards us and sneered then pulled out his cell and pretended to talk as he walked past us. Blake looked at him like he wanted to smack him and shook his head.
I hate that Blake left us for Colorado, but who knows how much ball our owner and GM was playing with him. I like him and I like Gretzky, even if he left us too.
DougS Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:35 pm
@funky,
Thanks for sharing that story! Interesting and revealing in a variety of ways.
I always got the impression that Matty is just an exceptionally grounded, down-to-earth kind of person. I read somewhere (maybe here) that he’s back in Sweden now, working as a carpenter and doesn’t miss the limelight at all.
I’m glad you shared that about Blake, too. A lot of people (included people whose opinion I respect) still can’t stand him, but I prefer to think kindly of him. It sounds like he at least understood the importance of treating the fans with courtesy.
As for Avery, well…. I a weird way, it’s reassuring to know that he really is a puke, and that it’s not some act to get attention, like a pro wrestling villain.
Kingsfan85' Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:15 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, I Can tell you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Rob and know him and his family very well. He is one of the best people I have ever met. He loved LA and still loves it. That why he still lives here. He never really wanted to leave LA but at the same point wanted to win. I think everyone forgets that when he was traded to Colorado in ’01 the Kings were going nowhere fast. They got hot at the right time and went 13-5-5 down the stretch to make playoffs and stayed hot. If anyone could’ve predicted they would have made the playoffs at the time of the Blake trade then they need to tell us the upcoming lottery numbers too! ha ha. Rob wanted top dollar that offseason and it was well deserved.
Who could blame Rob for signing with SJ after 07-08. He knew his career was almost over and he wanted one more shot. LA was still years away from contending for the cup. Does anyone think that guys like Joe Sakic or Steve Yzerman would have stayed with their teams in the twilight of their careers had they not been winning?
I personally hope that Rob’s #4 gets retired by the Kings. He deserves it. Anyone else notice that since he started his career he has been the only King to wear #4? Even when he was playing elsewhere
he sounds like a great guy, sounds like he takes hockey seriously, we need someone who can stop those powerful forwards, hope he will do great here.
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Read Rich’s article, then think up a reason to retire #4 from the Kings. Who would you rather associated with that sweater? Me, if I had a choice? On attitude alone, I’m picking Willie.
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John Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:43 pm
@IceGuy,
Well, one reason would be that Willie Mitchell respects Rob Blake too much to wear #4.
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What a great interview. This guy really has his head on straight. He should be a perfect addition to the Kings D. Now they just need to score some more goals.
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I sure am glad i’m not the only one who is kind of gay on WM, really looking forward to seeing him on the ice with the boys…
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Chad Smith Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 6:23 pm
@broncokings,
Yeah…. you may be the only one
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Wow! Intelligent, articulate…(never said “For sure..” even once), a man who knows his job and takes pride in doing it right…. this is exactly what the Kings need to take things to the next level. A few more like Willie Mitchell and we will be contending for the cup.
Bring the season on. I can’t wait!
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What about Mitchells comments about Ryan Johnson? Man, wouldn’t it be great if we signed him too? I think he still is avaliable, am I right?
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Cynic Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
@MacSwede,
I was going to write this exact thing until I noticed you mentioned it. How interesting WM mentions Ryan Johnson as a leader when he’s available and we have the cap room for him.
Problem is, we need scoring. RJ is not in that category. We could ship Stoll and replace him with RJ and save 2.4mil a year (RJ’s slalry was 1.1mil), but would that be a benefit? Grit leadership for faceoff ability and speed?
As much as I would like him, if we get him, Schenn stays in the minors. I’d rather have Schenn on the 4th line getting NHL minutes.
I think a trade would have to happen or we’d have to know that none of the kids are ready to step up and we could sign him to a 1 year deal.
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AZ King Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@Cynic,
I’m weary of anyone with the initials RJ for at least a couple of years.
For that matter #12 needs to retired just so no one ever wears it again. The last 2 guys I can remember wearing it (RJ and POS) both ended hurting us more than helping us.
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John Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:47 pm
@Cynic,
Parse-Schenn-Moller could be NICE 4th line out of camp!
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scvking Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 6:45 am
@Cynic,
Not to be argumentative (who really doesn’t want more scoring ?) but with a better defense and probably better goaltending, don’t you think that the need for scoring is less crucial than last year?
Less goals against always helps the offense. And I have felt that each year we get better even without acquisitions, as the tykes get older.
I like our team a lot right now. I still believe another forward is coming (either a youngster or a trade) but this team is already distinctly better than last year. And, a year older.
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Kevin Y Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:23 am
@scvking,
I think that’s fair. I think that’s a part of why everybody here, over the process of free agency, started to become opposed to singing Kovalchuk. He was no longer the player we needed.
Going back to what DL controversily said (about Brown, Kopitar, et al) in the offseason: the young players just have to step up.
Yes, getting a superstar forward like Kovalchuk would’ve helped the offense as a whole produce, but I don’t think it would’ve directly elevated Kopitar’s play, or Brown’s play, or Simmonds’ play. They have to do that on their own, and if they do, nothing else matters.
Our defense is very good, and very young. Our goaltending is very good, and very young. Our offense is very good, and is also rather young. If we can keep these guys together, we’re gonna be a threat for many years to come.
Do we need to make more moves? Maybe. Willie Mitchell was a HUGE addition. Ponikarovsky, while maybe that was a bit of a lateral move, Frolov was unmotivated in a contract year, so how motivated do you think he’d be this year if we re-signed him?
You could always get better, but the Kings aren’t in any hurry to do that for THIS year. The Kings have a chance to win this year, but they know they’ll have a better chance NEXT year, and the year after that.
We got 100+ points last year, and Quick was overplayed down the stretch. Bernier’s an improvement over Ersberg, and that means the backup will get more wins over last year’s, and Quick won’t be overplayed because there’s no hesitation to go to Bernier (or the other way around, depending on how camp plays out).
Simmonds was great, Handzus was great, and the Smyth-Kopitar-Williams line was almost unstoppable until the injuries. Doughty was great, Johnson played better towards the end. Stoll’s solid, as always… Mitchell, Poni, and possibly Schenn are gonna really help this team.
Not to jinx anything, but 110 points is a real possibility with this team, if they can overcome the early hiccup of playing October without Greene.
KINGS WIN! KINGS WIN!
http://www.defendingbigd.com/2010/8/29/1656631/dbd-list-o-matic-the-5-best
Voted the #2 best alternate jersey. I’ve personally always thought it was quite simple and chic.
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On a more serious note, just now read the interview. I couldn’t be any more impressed. I’m not big on acquiring players with significant injuries, but well before he was signed I had a completely different feeling about this guy and was excited to see that he chose the Kings.
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I believe the Kings made a huge stride towards being a Cup contender. With Scuderi, and Mitchell, you add Johnson and Doughty, and then Greene and a kid from our stable of D, this is the defense that most NHL teams only dream of.
This is a very similar roadmap to that of Detroits. They don’t need the best goalie in the league to win, their Defense, with a defensive minded team, make their goalies look like the best goalies in the league. I think Quick and Bernier are going to set the league on fire with this defense.
Now who will the 6th man be? While Greene is out I think we will Drewiske and Martinez, depending on how Martinez does, he either gets sent back or stays here and Harrold moves back up to forward. But Hickey needs one more full season before sticking, Muzzin could use more time in the AHL, and Fransson needs time to learn the North American game. I will bet anyone right now that Martinez makes the team at camp.
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jet Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 8:02 pm
@EASportsMgt, I think you and I are the only two who see the potential in Martinez. I truly like his game in so many ways, but the competition will be incredible this camp. I would say he has a 40% chance of sticking. Therefore, I will take your straight up bet. How about a pretzel dog?
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Dominick Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:37 pm
@EASportsMgt, I think Martinez is a fine young prospect that got a few call ups last season. Many have over looked him this summer which might make him a big surprise during camp to a lot of fans. At this point, everyone has a chance. I haven’t counted him out.
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Hey Willie, welcome to LA… I’ll be in line to get your jersey…
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willie mitchell is one of those guys i hated the kings play against when he was on the wild and especially the canucks. i’m sooooo excited to have him on the kings. can’t wait to see what number he gets and i can’t wait to see him on the ice
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You all need to understand is that WM can get hurt again. Whatever he is saying is because he is health. Like he said somethings are in our control. Health is one of them. When history is their about head injuries they always heppen again. With WM thats his game hitting and playing defence. I wish him the best of luck and the kings fan. I hope this doesnt come in the way of rebuilding the team. I love the kings what I only like the 100% perfact moves where there is no risk.
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King’s are going to be difficult to beat this year.
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puck73 Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 9:19 pm
@KC23, With 3 stay at home guys like Mitchell,Scuderi,and Greene, and with 2 puck movers like Doughty,Johnson, and whatever young puck mover that stands above the fray, you are right..the Kings should be a very difficult team to play against.
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I really hope Willie stays healthy. I root for guys with character. I also believe this is a great signing for the Kings we are better than last years team. Thanks DL
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Absolutely great interview! Thanks Rich.
Perhaps we will see him drop a Sedin twin, or two, in about 39 days. Unfortunately, time can only move so fast.
Go Kings!
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Kevin Y Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 7:48 pm
@Gislaw,
Just one? C’mon, I’m pretty sure Willie’s capable of KO’ing them both…
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WM sounds like a “perfect” fit. Welcome to the Kings!
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To Rich and All,
Here’s an article I posted on Helium.com as to my thoughts on the Kings for the upcoming season. Any comments are welcome from all of the die-hard fans on the blog.
The future looks bright for the Los Angeles Kings. Coming off one of their best point totals, 101 points, since 1991-1992 when they had 102 points, the Kings are poised to take the next step. The question for the 2010-2011 season will be; how far will the kings go and what exactly is the next step?
After years of rebuilding under the helm of Dave Taylor and now 4 year G.M. Dean Lombardi, the Kings made the playoffs last year for the first time in eight years. It was no surprise; many preseason pundits in North America and Canada picked the Kings to make the post-season. Finishing 5th in the very tight Western Conference amidst surprising teams like Colorado and Phoenix the Kings headed into the playoffs with a quiet optimism. After losing to the very talented and physical Vancouver Canucks in 6 hard fought games, the young Kings gained playoff experience and more importantly many in the Kings’ organization felt they could have won the series. That being said 2010-2011 expectations will be much higher.
Dean Lombardi is the current architect of this young and exciting team. Building through the draft and picking up veteran role players is finally starting to pay off. Lombardi, when he assumed the position as G.M., was adamant about building through the draft and not trading away prospects or signing high-end players at the expense of locking in future core players. As a sign Lombardi felt the Kings were ready to take the net step Lombardi went after the much coveted winger IIlya Kovalchuk. The Kings offered Kovalchuk a lengthy deal at a $7.5 million salary cap hit that would not hamstring Lombardi when it came to signing other core players. Kovalchuk declined the Kings’ offer and signed with the Devils; Kovalchuk’s contract with the New Jersey Devils has since been nullified by the NHL. With a wealth of talent currently on the roster and in the system don’t expect the Kings to play this game anymore. Lesson learned? Absolutely.
Because of dismal outings the last eight years the Kings have compiled several first round and second round draft picks. Besides the incomparable Drew Doughty, picked #2 overall in 2008, the Kings have yet to feature one of their recent first round draft picks. This could be the year when the highly touted and solid puck moving defencemen Thomas Hickey, picked 4th overall in 2007, makes the team. He’ll certainly have competition with Jake Muzzin, who had an outstanding playoffs with the Monarchs, and Voynov, a crafty Russian, veying for a spot at training camp. Brayden Schenn, picked #5 overall in 2009, will certainly be expected to make the team this year and be an impact player. Other players of note who could make the squad this year are Brandon Kozun, a small but feisty winger, Marc Andre Cliché, a center, acquired from the Rangers, and Loktionov who had some playing time last year before succumbing to a shoulder injury, could get serious consideration.
Centering the first line is budding superstar Anze Kopitar who looks to best his career high in points (81) from 2009-2010. The first line of Ryan Smyth and Justin Williams started off the year on fire. The Kings are hoping that both Williams and Smyth can stay healthy enough to rekindle the potency of that line. Anze Kopitar was leading the league in points in late October but his production waned after both Smyth and Williams traded injuries. The second line lost left winger Alexander Frolov to free agency. The Kings recently signed Alexie Ponikarovsky to fill the left wing position. With Dustin Brown on the right wing and either Jarret Stoll or Micheal Handzus centering the second line the Kings will have a solid 2 lines. The third line will showcase Wayne Simmonds a hard working and defensively responsible right wing. Simmonds had a team best plus/minus last year. Lastly the Kings have a wealth of offensive prospects, perhaps the deepest in the league, in the system that will certainly get consideration in camp this pre-season. At the forward positions the Kings are hoping that the multitalented Brayden Schenn will help fill a third or 4th line center role to compliment current King Scott Parse, a deep contingent of wing prospects led by Kyle Clifford, Bud Holloway, and Brandon Kozun, Center Oscar Moller had as strong outing last year playing 34 games for the Kings and some key minutes. They are hoping he can find his game again.
On the blue line the Kings are in a much better position than they have been in years. With current King coach Terry Murray focused on keeping the goals against down and responsible play in the defensive zone, the Kings have turned to a structure that requires skilled puck moving defencemen. Drew Doughty, a hockey sevant, and Norris Trophy candidate looks to build on his 56 point total. The guy can play the game and will be either paired with the ever steady Rob Scuderi or the newly acquired Willie Mitchell. Both Scuderi and Mitchell are shut down defencemen but they both can move the puck. Mitchell is probably the more skilled defensemen of the two and will be relied on to play on the power play and penalty kill. A pairing of Mitchell and 3rd year star defensmen Jack Johnson would be intriguing as well. Both are good puck movers but Mitchell would compliment the more offensively minded Johnson. This will give the Kings another option on the blue line on the power play for a second unit. Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty, who smoked the Canucks on the power play during the playoffs, will certainly be paired on unit one but Mitchell has got a good shot from the point and some underrated offensive ability. With the loss of Sean O’Donnell and the injury to Matt Green, the Kings will have to hope that one of the youngsters can fill a 5th or 6th defensive role and be relied on to protect one goal leads. Leading the core of young defensive prospects is the aforementioned Thomas Hickey. If he can stay injury free and adjust to the speed of the game the Kings will be that much better off. With the loss of the much maligned Randy Jones, the Kings lost a veteran 5th defensive player. Both Davis Drewiski and Peter Harrold considered 5th and 6th defensemen, are also works in progress who saw serious minutes last year with the Kings. They will have to step up and fill that role if the kids can’t pan out. Both are question marks this year and Murray and the brass are hoping that one of the other kids can play some minutes.
The Kings find themselves in a very good position at goal. Current starter Jonathan Quick won 39 games for the Kings last year and the Kings hope that the presence of Jonathan Bernier will only spur Quick on. Much was made about the 72 games Quick played last year and Murray commented on the fatigue factor that set in and reflected on some of the soft goals Quick gave up in the Vancouver series. With Bernier as a backup and challenging for the starting spot, Quick will not have to play 72 games. This can only bode well for the Kings. Bernier won all 3 of his games that he started and he shut out the Nashville Predators in a key game. Bernier also tore up the American Hockey League with a .936 save percentage and a paltry 2.03 goals against average. One hockey writer wrote that Bernier has done everything he can in the AHL after leading the Monarchs to the Eastern Conference finals. Perhaps the hockey writer is right on.
There is much optimism in tinsel town as far as hockey is concerned. All you have to do is go on to Rich Hammond’s blog and read the words of the King’s faithful. There is no talk of Stanley yet but there is certainly hope that within the next year or so the Kings will contend for the cup. Following the path that the Red Wings have taken is a prudent move by Lombardi as he builds through the draft. Creating a sustainable and competitive team for years to come poses less of a challenge now with what Lombardi has to work with than he did 4 years ago when he took over the helm. With a few more pieces to an already promising puzzle the Kings could be contenders this year. I can only wait to read the blogs.
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Real 9 Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
@Bonvivnat1,
not only that article, but nearly everyone here is overlooking two players I expect are ready for the big show, either here with the Kings or somewhere else in the NHL….watch them closely..
goalie Jeff Zatkoff
defenseman Johan Fransson
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Bonvivant1 Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Real 9,
Zatkoff and Fransson are certainly ready and your comment is not without merit. My Only concern was that they were a bit lower on the depth chart as far as prospects go. It just goes to show you how much talent this organization has stock piled during the lean years.
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tornado12@hotmail.com Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 1:17 pm
@Bonvivnat1, Very nice read! Sure makes me excited for the season to start. I still feel we need one more veteran forward to add to the mix, but has to be the right fit. In DL I trust!
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Wow! he’s only done a few interviews and everyones got wood. Wait until he actually starts to practice with the team, everyones going to pee their pants.
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kings fan in temecula Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 6:39 am
@Dominick, hahaha yup
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“what I do is play against the best players in the world and keep them off the scoresheet.”
sounds a little cock and there’s a lot of similar overly confident attitude in the interview. and i think it’s great. getting that sort of i’m-better-than-you-and-i-know-it attitude running throughout the team will be a big part of this teams next step forward.
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Bossy22 Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 9:21 am
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III,
Time to show off our Cocky Willie to the rest of the league.
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MK Ultra Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 11:44 am
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III, “cocky”
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
@MK Ultra,
Thiis is definetely one of those times that Confidence gets perceived as Cockiness. I dont’ think he is cocky. Cockiness is sticking your tongue out at a guy skating towards you and saying “I dare you to beat me”. Confidence is staying in a position and nailing the guy to the boards to effectively take him out of the play. He is definetely the latter.
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I see us needing a right wing sniper. A good one. Defense is set, goalie set. Sooner or later some right winger UFA is gonna see the King’s and think … humm I go there and I may get some new jewlery and a day with the Cup.
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Correction above … meant need left winger.
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Off topic
Sneak peak at the new scoreboard: http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f309/emokid91501/photo-1.jpg
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Sebastian Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:41 am
@KC23, That looks awesome. thanks for posting that.
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For some reason I am getting a Deadmarsh feeling from this guy. In attitude of course, I dont think we will be able to toss willie on the wing.
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My only wish for Willie Mitchell is for him to be blessed with exceptional health over the next couple years.
The rest will take care of itself.
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Ditto – sounds great on paper. But is he healthy and is he gonna remain that way. The desire is there – is the capacity? GKG!
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An AWESOME guy who played with conviction in Vancouver will be hugely missed. We lost our last BC boy, but I’m glad to hear he’s still got some ‘unfinished business’. LA, I think you’re gonna like Captain Swagger!
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