As you probably know, two of the big events at Saturday’s Hockey Fest will be question-and-answer sessions with Kings management and alumni. Dean Lombardi, Ron Hextall, Jeff Solomon and Terry Murray will be doing a Q&A in the morning, and at the “Life of a King” panel, Jay Wells, Marty McSorley and Luc Robitaille (on a panel with Jim Fox) will take questions. For those who can’t attend the event, the Kings are soliciting questions online, some of which will be asked during the event. For more info about asking a question of management, click here. For more on asking questions of alumni, click here. As noted earlier, I’ll be there Saturday to cover the highlights of the event. Looking forward to seeing many of you there…
Also, individual-game tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Click here for more info.
Dean, in and out or 5 Guys?
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Will the Kings sign Kovalchuk?
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Dominick Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
@Keith Korneluk,
In a perfect world, the Kings sign Parise.
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kings fan in temecula Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
@Keith Korneluk, More like a trade to me
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Dean: would you consider the offseason a success, in terms of adding players (both role and prospect players) to the organization, and do you feel that success (or lack thereof) will help in the offseason? And do you feel LA will be a desireable destination for a UFA in 2011?
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How does one work for you Rich? I would work for free really for the year. And what has Bernier been up to over the summer, nobody has talked about him.
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Sorry for being off topic…but the site kicked into Mobile mode. Rich my question is how r we doing with getting the server upgraded and ready for the season????
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With the loss of Brayden Schenn, is a potential deal for a center back on the agenda? Marc Savard perhaps, or Lecavalier?
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luc20rules Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
@Marco, I am pretty sure unless the wheels fall off the wagon, the Kings are set with there current roster. They need to look at prospects at the NHL level to know who is a keeper, and establish more trade value in whats left. I would expect an evauation process to see how the current pieces fit, then DL will grab some bargains from teams that will flop from investing in too much O (Ahm,TB), D, or just bad mix of players. I believe we are deep enough to be over 60% in standing points possible for the first 20+ games then DL will go shopping if any obvious weaknesses are showing. I know 2nd line Left Wing spot is a ?, but the truth is Parse and Richardson have earned a chance to grab it.
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
@luc20rules,
I will be interested to see just how much farther down the road the team is this year.
Perhaps Kopi can squeeze out that extra something and Parse will hit his stride. The D should prove a tad better and there is the Simmonds wild card.
But the rest? Where is a left wing (no, not him) and a #2 center? Will we see 1st quarter trade? Will there be enough Red Bull for Williams and Smyth?
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Here’s my question:
On the LA Kings website, under the team’s roster, why are Johan Fransson and David Kolomatis listed on the active roster under the defensemen, and people like Campbell, Hickey, Martinez, Muzzin and Voynov in the prospects section (and of course, the same question for a guy like Bernier, who seems to be more of an active roster player than the aforementioned Kolomatis…) Seems kinda random and wrong to me… you?
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Does d.l need a six pack or a bottle of scotch after this twilight zone summer. Oh and who is a trade prospect. Just dont sighn o’sully he is a f&*%. Spoild half ass . News flash no one wants you… think twice before you act like simon on american idol. At least people watched him…..
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408 KINGFAN Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
@irish lak,
SULLY WOULD BE A GREAT PICK-UP IF WE WANT TO WIN
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Kevin Y Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
@408 KINGFAN,
You know… except for the fact that we already have enough centers as it is, if O’Sullivan could be brought back for 1 year, no more than $1 million, it might be worth the gamble. At least we’d know what we’re getting by signing him.
Personally, I’d like to make a push for Guerin. A one year deal for a couple million bucks. He’d probably take that… might need a bit more to make him come out west, but on a one-year deal, you wouldn’t put yourself in cap hell.
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Anze just needs to go 45 this season.
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Rich, not a hockeyfest question, but was wondering if there will be telephone conference call again this year with Dean & players before the regular season starts. I think last year Heidi hosted, and Smyth/Scuderi joined the call too…
Thanks
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How many free agents did you submit offers to? Why do you think la seems to fall short on alot of players final agenda? Is there still a trAade in the works before camp?
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oldthunder Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 6:35 am
@Tech, Makes me wonder if the kings have an actress dating curse or something going on like that. I know the dodgers have the curse of Alysa Milano, whoever she dated nearly ended their careers. Russel Martin, Brad Penny, Jason Repko to name a few dodgers who fell off the planet, also including Carl Pavano and Barry Zito. She was the equivalent of the Cambell’s chunky soup ads or Madden cover curses for football.
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“Dean,
1st line LW?
2nd line center?
What are you gonna do about it? And don’t say ‘we’re looking at some options.’ These have been glaring holes for AT LEAST the last 5 years.
WTF are you going to DO about it?
Thanks.”
P.S. Dean, I’m your biggest fan. :p
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Dominick Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@Captain Obvious,
Does this mean you’ve given up on Smyth and Stoll?
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Captain Obvious Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@Dominick,
Stoll was never a true 2nd line center for the Kings (he only plays there because he fills a hole). Smyth would be our 2nd line LW if we had a true 1st line LW.
“Obviously,” we need a 1st line LW and a real 2nd line center.
This has been the situation for years. And there’s nobody in the system who is going to fill the need. Make a trade, Dean. Please.
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Was Dean Lombardi merely bluffing at last season’s Breakfast with the GM when he negatively characterized Ilya Kovalchuk or was Kovalchuk wanted more by Leiweke than Lombardi?
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elizabeth Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
@Andrew, great question but I doubt the Kings will have the cajones to address it! Not only that, Leiweke said the failed signing was not about money but then Lombardi said it was a money issue. Guess it boils down to whom you wish to believe. My answer – not Leiweke.
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I agree anze is fnnn a great player if he does what we all know he can do. Welllllll kovi fnnn who. We will see about 45 but i think 40 . He was on the path last season but a slump isued. But atleast he as a good attd and is a good role model for young fans. Plus he just is a all around nice person. Good for p.r ….
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@ DL, Are there any Prospects that you see as having earned a 9 game NHL(Prospect Game Limit) look at the start of this year?
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I’ll be at HockeyFest but only until about 3PM since I’m going to the USC game. Rich, are you going to have an area/table/etc. to meet fans?
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Why are you asking question on this thread?
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Kings Presale for individual tixs ends today and oh yea I did buy my tixs for Oct 30th. I cannot miss the “KovaSuk BOO-FEST!” Section 115 here I come BOO-F’in City…can’t wait!!!
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As a Kings fan.. I was wondering after the Kovalchuk deal.We were told new rules have been applied concerning long term contract’s. will it make it easier signing someone in a long term contract now.Due to the fact that you and the players now know what the rules are.
THE KINGS
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Will you instruct Mitchell to Kill Boitanochuk on Oct. 30th for waisting all your time this off season? as a Halloween gift to Los Angeles?
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I’d like to know Marty McSorley’s side of the “McStick incident”. It has been long enough and I’m sure I am not the only one who wants an explanation from the source.
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Panel:
What do you feel was the best part of being a King? Worst part?
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408 KINGFAN Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
@HB Kings Fan #99,
HB.. I was born and raised 733 lake st.
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Got my tickets to December 26th game today. Section 214. Can’t wait for the season to start. Go kings.
Rich- enjoyed the forward analysis today. Looking forward to d and tenders. Thanks rich. Welcome back to late nights for us fans thankfulness.
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? 4 DL — Did he consider drafting Galiev prior to sending the pick to the Leafs?
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Rich,
My question is for you. When are you going to get the blog site software you deserve? The content on this site is the best … the presentation, ugh.
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Any chance Fox Sports West televises some pre-season games? Also, when (if it hasn’t happened yet) will they release their season TV schedule?
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KFII Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 7:09 am
@hagi18,
Great question!
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8ball Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
where have you been?
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Mr. Lombardi,
What is the focus at this point in your 5 year plan to make this club competitive enough to compete for the Stanley Cup? Any certain keys? Development of the younger top 6 forwards/top 4 defenseman? Some of the prospects making the jump to the big club and producing?
If you could go back in time, what (if any) regrets do you have and what would you have done differently during the rebuild here in LA?
There was talk that the 5 on 5 scoring required addressing. What are your thoughts on what has transpired this offseason and what do you think training camp will produce?
Any lessons from your days in San Jose; situations/decisions that you have come across with the La Kings, where you were able to use your experience from your time up north to better this club?
Rich, thank you! I look forward to possibly meeting you finally. You have done a wonderful job with this blog and you’re work here (along with the LA Kings organization’s support of course) have truly made the experience of rooting for this team even better than ever (fan for almost 25 years)!
Merci!
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number 6 Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 5:53 am
@kiosku2,
Those are good questions.
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puck73 Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 9:36 am
@number 6, Very solid indeed.
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I would like to know about the reported “intense questioning of Kovalchuk” that was reported by ESPN.
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puck73 Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 9:34 am
@quisp, Wow, hadn’t heard that, please expand on that when you can @quisp.
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Quisp Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 10:02 am
@puck73,
Hradek on ESPN Insider (behind the pay-wall) ran down the Kovalchuk timeline, and said this:
“During his trip, Kovalchuk meets some of his potential Kings teammates as well as L.A. Galaxy soccer icon David Beckham. The Kings present Kovalchuk with a 15-year offer worth approximately $80 million. One source would later tell me that Kovalchuk was turned off by intense questioning from Kings GM Dean Lombardi.”
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goldielocks Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 10:21 am
@Quisp,
My guess.
DL – “Can you play defense? In order to fit our system and western conference style hockey you must do it.”
IK – “………..”
And I think that is a very good question.
puck73 Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 10:27 am
@Quisp, Thanx Quisp, I am just glad that “Intense” questioning didnt turn Mitchell and Poni off. Tell you what though, I believe Kovalchuk’s ultimate goal was 100 million and he wasnt going to budge, and neither was Grossman..imho.
What are your three biggest mistakes since joining the Kings?
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poe Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 7:57 am
@johnjuan, Do you mean besides or in addition to Cloutier, Crawford,andJones?
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I would like to know coming from Dean Lombardi, are you going to improve the top two scoring lines through a trade to help out improve the offense before reg. season starts? Because Stoll has not proven himself to be that solid second line centreman, that it has been Handzus sharing the spot on and off with him.
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Hey Marty
Don’t you feel like a complete bonehead for knowingly using an illegal stick in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1992. That selfish play may very well have cost the Kings the championship. How do you defend your decision of using an illegal stick?
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puck73 Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 10:06 am
@CUP4LA, Had the plaeasure to meet Marty Mcsorely on several occasions and he is a very open and honest guy. In fact, one night back in 06, he stayed outside Mcormack amd Schmicks in Manhattan Beach and talked hockey with me and my girlfriend for 45 minutes ! As for him costing us the cup…I am sure that he still feels badly about that to this day. As far as I am concerned, the 3 guys that are responsible for that are known as the “Escort Service” Starring Charlie ” Cruddy” Huddy, Tim “Muddy” Watters, and Daryl “The Tin Man” Sydor. And as far as your assessment that Marty is a “Bonehead”…I know I wouldnt say that to him within “Fists” Reach !
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For Terry Murray:
If 5 on 5 scoring continues to be a weakness for us this season, what can a coach do to fix this?
For Luc Robitaille, Marty McSorley, and Jay Wells:
I know (especially back in the day) there was a perception outside of LA that Kings fans were not knowledgeable about hockey. What kind of perception about LA fans did you have before you joined the team? If it was that Kings fans were not good hockey fans, did anything change that?
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Question why have you not got to the finals with any team and of course not won the cup
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As the Kings improve and the roster features more and more young talented players, will the Kings adjust their style of play to best utilize these players? By this I mean more speed and attacking and a little less cycling and grinding.
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My question for Marty McBonehead didn’t get posted. Was it too negative for your “let’s feel good about the Kings” Q&A?
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Rich Hammond Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 9:39 am
1) When you leave your first comment on this blog, it needs to be manually approved. Now it is. 2) If you read the post, this is not where you’re supposed to leave questions. If you click where it says “click here,” you can ask the question in the appropriate forum.
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My question is…When guys like @Gene, and @anthony rip you a new one on Hammonds Blog, does it frustrate you and make you want to quit, or does it fire you up and make you wanna keep striving for excellence ?
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who cares same answers every year. Its just a way for us to feel important. Kings reply to questions, so we fans stay a seseaon ticket holder!
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BACKCHECKER Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@sammuch,
EXACTLY WELL SAID ITS ALL PROPOGANDA BS !!!
The only person i trust in the whole organization is Rich and i still doubt him also as yet
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For TM-
Can 5v5 scoring be addressed with the current roster and a strategy change? Or does he feel they have the right game plan, but there is the need to add depth at the forward positions?
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Thanks, Rich! If possible, I would like to know why, if there is still a quandry with the LW position, the Kings didn’t make an offer to Fredrik Modin. It seems like he was healthy, playing well and for what Atlanta signed him for, the Kings could have done close to the same if not better.
Also, was there/is there any interest in testing the RFA market and looking at Bobby Ryan of the Ducks?
Thanks again…
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Is Drewiske getting 3rd line D? I think he earned it.
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