As noted here in recent days, former Kings captain Mattias Norstrom will be honored in a pregame ceremony Saturday, one that will include a video tribute and appearances by several of Norstrom’s former Kings teammates. Norstrom will also speak, but here’s your chance to ask Norstrom a question. I’ll be sitting down with him tomorrow for an interview, and I’d like the questions to be reader-submitted, to represent what fans would like to know about Norstrom, past, present and future. Go ahead and post your questions here, and I’ll do my best to take a representative sample.
For now, you can check out a couple videos of Norstrom, first of him talking about Saturday’s festivities and then of him talking about some of his favorite NHL memories
I saw him coaching during the Olympics. Would he consider returning as a coach in the NHL?
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Bill M. Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@AZ King, That was my first thought too. Follow up. Is there some other job in hockey that he would prefer? GM? or maybe go to the business side like Luc did?
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Please interview Lappy when you get the chance again. I hope he’ll get a night like this. All things considered, he’s my favorite player all time (I value heart over talent) and I hope the organization keeps him close.
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AZ King Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Couldn’t agree more. Talk about a guy who gave everything for his team.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Absolutely.
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When he got traded my brother and I went to a ducks vs stars game and ran into some great seats our buddy had. We wore our kings jerseys and rooted Matty on. The ducks lost so it was a great night.
Was bummed when he got traded, good to see him honored.
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Mr. Norstrom – I am not sure how to word this (help me here Rich) but what were the differences (if any) in playing with Rob Blake, in his shadow some might say, and playing without him. Once he left Matty was thrust into the spotlight, given the C, etc. So I would love to hear his feelings on the two situations and the pros and cons of each.
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I’d like to know if Matty was surprised by how passionate Kings fans are when he got to LA? Also, was there a Kings player that he wishes he had more opportunity to play with? If so who?
Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions Rich, and thanks to Matty for answering them.
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I was really touched by the video of him discussing his years here and how we the fans supported the team during the tough years. His emotion really comes through – I for one was moved.
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Matty, do you believe Gustavsson regreted the decision to not include Samuelsson in the Olympic troop?
Also, did AIK ever inquire about your services after leaving NHL? And lastly, are you swinging the hammer to keep you afloat?
Thanks
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Thank you Matti!!! You were a symbol of consistency during perhaps the most inconsistent years of the organization.
Q: Do you still follow the NHL now that you are retired? How did you feel when you were informed that you were not a part of the Kings’ future plans? Was there any negative feelings? Did you feel like you could have added value to the rebuilding process by staying?
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Who was the funniest teammate you had as a King and why?
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Hi – No questions for him, but please pass along our gratitude for the way he played the game. He was the one bright spot in a very dark period of our team history.
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Who taught you the most in the NHL?
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Wow! That is some of the best stuff I have seen a while. It brings back a flood of memories and emotions.
My question would be: When you come across young players in Sweden who aspire to be in the NHL, what advice do you give them about the league, and what advice do you give them about making the transition to North American living?
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Being a shutdown d-man… which of your goals do you remember most?
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Off topic.
Kolvupchuck plus/minus -4
Devils:
Worst record in the league
Lost 3 million dollars to fines
Lost 1st round pick
Lost 3rd round pick
Currently struggling with cap space and virtually no way to improve the team.
But Devil fans … no worries, only 14 more seasons to go.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
@KC23, But don’t worry, they got that elite LW sniper that fixes all of their problems right?
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fsd1 Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
@VanKingsFan, lol
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Hey Matty, I’ll be at the game Saturday–can’t wait. Could you please tell us where you keep Peter Forsberg’s spleen? Is it in a trophy case above your fireplace, or kept in a jar in the refrigerator, or served tar-tar with some schnapps, or where? Seriously though, Kings fans love you for your heart and toughness. Thank you.
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PRMan Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
@hsavard, It was Visnovsky. I can show you the hit.
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#1 Does it bother you that you never got the Gold Medal in the 2002 Olympics? You were on the team but were injured and could not play in the finals.
#2 My 10-year-old son plays defense and hardly ever scores. I think you had the same amount of goals in your career as your number with the Kings. What would you say to encourage a child who is a stay-at-home defenseman and never scores to improve and be a good teammate?
#3 Will there be an opportunity this weekend or soon that we fans could meet you in person and thank you for your dedication and commitment to the team and our city?
Thanks.
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Tyler Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@kinglouie, That’s a good question.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
@kinglouie, My guess is Rich doesnt ask #1 … Matt might punch him in the throat and walk out lol
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Matty Norstrom = Matt Greene
Greener still has a ways to go until he is exactly equal…. but he reminds me of Matty in almost every single way! Except for the Swedish thing…
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Hi Matty,
Where do you live now? What do you do now and what would you like to do in the future?
Thanks Matty for all the great years, you were always one of my favorite players!
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Mr. Norstrom: Would you have any interest at rejoining the Kings organization in some capacity in the future? We would love to have you back, and the current team has been built around the intangibles you so greatly embodied: toughness, 100% effort, desire, and being an ideal teammate. I think your presence would be a major contribution to the organization at any level. Thanks for all you did for us through the tough times- your character makes you my all-time most respected King. Enjoy your well-deserved big night!!!
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Kopi Fan Reply:
October 28th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
@KingsFan, I echo everything you just wrote – to a tee.
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Q: What was it like when you first arrived to Los Angeles? Were you able to easily adjust your lifestyle?
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very happy that the kings are doing this…
congrats, matty…:)
i hope to be there with the rest of all y’all…
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Matty Norstrom is my all time favorite player. After being traded to Dallas I purchased a Dallas Stars Norstrom jersey and the first game back in LA he took the time to sign my jersey after the game. He is what every athlete should strive to be. Thank you for all the memories. I would like is there a player in the NHL that he likes to watch? and why? Thank You!
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1. Top Three Favorite Personal Moments in the NHL.
2. Hardest Player he has ever defended.
3.
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Question for Mattias Norstrom:
Drafted by the NY Rangers out of the Swedish Elite League in 1992, you were playing on a team that included a then 40 year old Borje Salming. How much of an influence was Salming in your decision to come to North America, and did you feel that you would have to spend time in the American League (which he did for two seasons in Binghampton) before you were ready for regular NHL duty?
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kinglouie Reply:
October 29th, 2010 at 8:37 am
@Marc Nathan, excellent question. I would imagine Salming was a serious role model for Matty.
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What are you doing to stay busy, now that you are retired? Are you doing anything hockey-wise (i.e. clinics, appearances) in Sweden?
Tack sä mycket! Adjö!
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To Mattias E.J. “Notan” Norström:
To a player, does it matter if an owner is hands-on and committed (as the Rangers’ group was when you played there) vs. absentee and seemingly unaware (as Anschutz was/is when you played here)?
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Matty – our warrior – what are some of your favorite memories with the Kings? (looking for something besides the typical “big games”, “first goal” kind of answer) Thanks for all the yeas of hard work and grit you gave us.
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Matty thanks for all the years of solid play for the Kings. I was wondering was it the signing of Sean Avery that caused you to retire from the Stars or was it that they said he would be your road roommate again? Hope your retirement and family are well. I know your family has always stayed home while you played in the NHL and that must have been hard for both you and them, so thanks again for you time and dedication to the Kings.
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Matty, thanks for all your hard work and dedication over the years! True professional and a class act.
With your skating ability and good offensive skills, were you surprised that you career progressed into the role of a defensive, shutdown player?
What advice would you give DD and other young dmen today so that they can have as long and successful a career as you have?
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Matty, you sir were the heart & soul of this team, & this current model is designed on the game you brought every game.
No question I need to ask, just a hearty thank you because you embody exactly what we want from our hockey club. You ARE a true warrior, & Kings fans are truly appreciative to you & will always treasure what you put out every game.
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Matty, thanks for all you did for the team durning some tough years for the Kings. Question, if you do follow the NHL and specifically the Kings, what are your thoughts on the play of Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson?
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