It seems as though yesterday was a much better day for the Kings’ prospects than for the Kings themselves. Brayden Schenn (pictured, right) totaled four goals and one assist for Canada as it earned a 10-1 pool-play victory over Norway in a pool-play game in the World Junior Championships. Schenn now has six goals and six assists in three pool-play games. Then, in Ottawa, Tyler Toffoli — the Kings’ second-round draft pick this year — scored five goals in just more than two periods of action as his Ottawa 67s beat the Kingston Frontenacs 9-0 in an Ontario Hockey League junior game. Toffoli now has an OHL-high 34 goals in 36 games this season. To read more about Schenn and Toffoli, check out these stories
Schenn becomes household name (Sportsnet)
Norwegians no match for Canada (Montreal Gazette)
I heard the term “SUPERSTAR” thrown around last night in the canadian media! When was the last time the Kings had one of those (Gretz)? I think its a bit premature, but sure makes me excited!
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Cristobal Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 11:45 am
@tornado12,
Doughty and Kopitar are superstars.
Not to throw water on the fire here, but both games were obviously mismatches.
Even Warren Rychel could probably score 4 or 5 in a game like that.
No doubt Schenn is a top prospect, but the Canadian media gets out of it’s mind for some of these guys – Hickey for example.
In the WJC’s it seems obvious to me that the NHL style officiating is effecting these games.
Sure, Norway should be easy for Canada, but in games against teams like Russia, Sweden, and Finland I feel the extra-curricular intimidation needs to be stamped out.
There’s nothing wrong with hard-checking and physicality between whistles, but the amount of “afters” is out of hand.
Not to mention, Kassians head-shot during the Slovakia game must have been completely intimidating to the Euro’s. They came to play hockey, not get paralyzed by a blind-side shot to the head that could destroy a life.
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USHA#17 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 11:52 am
@Cristobal,
Good (and valid) observations. There is simply a lot of money at stake and high expectations put upon these prospects…or should I say junior players.
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tornado12 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
@Cristobal, I saw that headshot and was disappointed by it. Intimidation is part of the game, but going out of your way to hurt someone is over the line and shouldnt be in the game! I would of liked Kassian to be suspended from the tourney for that one! Send a real message! Its also funny how after that, Kassian seemed to be looked at in an admirable light by the canadian media…again disappointing!
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Cristobal Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
@tornado12,
I agree that he should be out of the tourny.
I also felt Mckenzie’s denial of head-contact during the commenating qas shameless, disgraceful, and totally biased.
Apparently, Kassian was suspended last season for about 20 games for an even more egregious hit to the head.
No place in the game, IMO.
Arron Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
@tornado12,
I feel the need to respond to some of the comments.
“Even Warren Rychel could probably score 4 or 5 in a game like that.”
Actually only Simone Gagne and Mario Lemiuex have only scored 4 goals in a game “like that” for Canada. That is some pretty heady company for Schenn to be in and the accolades are well deserved.
“No doubt Schenn is a top prospect, but the Canadian media gets out of it’s mind for some of these guys – Hickey for example.”
Have you tried listening to a broadcast and not just what you want to hear. These guys get out of their mind for all players from all countries. Yes the broadcasts are catered to a Canadian content but then they are broadcast in Canada.
“I saw that headshot and was disappointed by it. Intimidation is part of the game, but going out of your way to hurt someone is over the line and shouldnt be in the game! I would of liked Kassian to be suspended from the tourney for that one”
Go back and watch it again. He hardly went out of his way to hit the guy. You are making it sound like he skated all the way across the ice just to take the guys head off. That is so not true. He was finishing his check and his shoulder got a little to high. There was clearly no intention to injure therefore he should not be suspended for the whole tournament.
“I also felt Mckenzie’s denial of head-contact during the commenating qas shameless, disgraceful, and totally biased.”
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/bob_mckenzie/?id=347189
I suggest you do some research before you attack a credible journalist with pure malice.
Dominick Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
@Cristobal,
Agree with you on everything you stated except for the Warren Rychel comment. There were 20 some odd players on that team that didn’t score 4 or 5 goals. I’m just sayin.
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OttoLong Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@Cristobal, Uhh, intimidation, perhaps. Headshot, not so clear…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7v20LkN7z4
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Dominick Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
@OttoLong, Good job! I don’t see it as late, since the player still had the puck. Blindside maybe, but Kassian hit from the front and can’t control where the player is looking. Didn’t see it as the head being the main target.
The hit where Kassian was suspended was pretty blaitant though.
FM3 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@OttoLong, I watched that hit several times and it certainly didnt look like a headshot to me. Kassian’s arm was at his side, he didnt lift up at all…just braced for a hit. Maybe a bit late, but not an intentional headshot from what I could see, even in slow motion. It looked more like in the chest area as well. I’m USA all the way but was watching Schenn play. I can understand that he may have a reputation after the shot I saw from his suspension, but JMFJ also had a rep coming to the Kings after his demolishing of several players during his college career.
I can hear the screams from up north…”How on earth did the KINGS get BOTH of these guys???”
Love ‘em or hate ‘em… Dean Lombardi is how.
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puck73 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@wavesinair, Hopefully when it is all said, and done, Dean Lombardi’s face will be minted into coin!
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I wonder what kind of offers DL is getting for Schenner now and to come?
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puck73 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@Jay GoLAKings, You know Burkie wants both Schenn, and Clifford…REAL BAD!
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Can anyone recommend a place to eat down by staples that is good to take my 9 year old thats not connected with la live. maybe off the beaten path a little. thanks GO KINGS!
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RabidZiggy Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
@chuckrocks, It’s a little past the Staples area of town, but hit up Phillipe’s over on Alameda in Chinatown, can’t go wrong there!
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40 year fan Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
@chuckrocks, If your 9 year old likes Mexican food, El Cholo is one block east of Staples and between Olympic and 11th Street. VERY GOOD.
Also, on Figueroa, between seventh and eigth street is a California Pizza Kitchen. Inexpensive valet parking on Figueroa, and not tht bad a walk to Staples.
Hope this helps.
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Capt Jam Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
@40 year fan,
El Cholo – very good??? Good gawd, man, that dreck is a dressier Taco Bell; Mexican food for pochos and people who aren’t Mexican. Avoid at all costs.
There’s a cool little Mediterranean place on 9th and Hope, across from Ralphs. Not expensive either.
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Choralone Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@Capt Jam, It’s good for what it is – I don’t think anyone has portrayed it as “authentic” regional Mexican cuisine.
chuckrocks Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
@40 year fan, thanks, my son loves CPK. but Ill check out the other ones also. GO KINGS
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Howe 9 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
@chuckrocks,
Go down the block to the historic Pantry. They have everything & are not as expensive as the L.A. Live places.
DougS Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
@Howe 9,
Yeah, I’d say the Pantry is perfectly fine, too. The portions are generous, so an adult and a 9 year-old could split something.
The only thing is timing. If there’s a line, getting in and out quickly may be a problem.
Choralone Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
@40 year fan, Ciudad is pretty good – pan-Latin American food via celebrity chef owners – it’s up Figueroa.
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Wow! Toffoli scoring 5 goals was nice, but doing it against a team coached by Sweet Dougie Gilmour makes it an extra special night.
“Things didn’t get any better in the second period for the Frontenacs, and head coach Doug Gilmour exited the ice doing some finger-pointing at 67′s counterpart Chris Byrne over the top line playing the power play with the home team up by five goals.”
Ha
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RYC Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@Jay GoLAKings, I really wish I had gone to the 67′s game last night. Love seeing them beat up on Gilmour and the Frontenacs.
Really too bad Toffoli didn’t get the chance to play for Canada at the World Juniors.
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Rich,
Thanks for finding some kind of positive news out of an otherwise shite day for Kings fans.
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Meanwhile….., Derek Forbort still sucks
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puck73 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@Bob, Why do you say that?
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Good to see Schenn, like other prospects, keep that positive attitude and go out and dominate at the lower levels.
Toffoli looks like another feather in our cap as well. It’s nice to have prospects and even better to have an abundance of prospects.
When you have an abundance prospects with legitmate talent it now becomes a matter or who to keep and develop long-term and who do you trade for some vet players to help right now so you don’t have a logjam of depth later.
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puck73 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@Barrie G, I love Jordan Weal as well !
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Schenn, who grew up in Saskatoon, Sask., offered an interesting response when I asked him how Canada would fare in a rematch with the Norwegians in a skiing competition.
“Oh my,” Schenn said. “I’m sure they got a lot more practice than us. Especially me, a Saskatchewan boy. We make our mountains out of garbage. They would definitely beat me.”
Laughed so hard when I read that. I am from Saskatoon Saskatchewan and he’s not trying to be funny, the nearist ski hill is in fact snow covered garbage!
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It’s nice that Canadian hockey fans now recognize names like Doughty, Johnson, Schenn.
I hope they recognize Quick pretty quickly too.
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puck73 Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@King John, Concur
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Dominick Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@King John, Before the allstar games would be nice.
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I attended the game where Toffoli had the big night against Kingston.
He sat out most of the end of the third period – since it was such a blowout. The kid looks really good. As for Schenn, despite the opponents he has faced, he has really good playmaking skills. He’s a lot more skilled then I thought. He really stood out.
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