Now that the major-junior and college hockey seasons are heading to their respective playoffs, it’s a good time to look at how the Kings’ prospects fared this season. In particular, it was a notable season for both Tyler Toffoli and Linden Vey. Toffoli, a second-round Kings draft pick last year, led the Ontario Hockey League with 108 points. Vey, a fourth-round pick in 2009, led the Western Hockey League with 116 points. The OHL and QMJHL playoffs start Thursday, while the WHL and NCAA playoffs start Friday. Here’s a rundown of the Kings’ junior and college prospects, including Toffoli, Vey, Jean-Francois Berube, Robbie Czarnik, Nicolas Deslauriers, Nic Dowd, Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel, Maxim Kitsyn, Garrett Roe, Brayden Schenn, Joshua Turnbull and Jordan Weal.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Tyler Toffoli (F, second round, 2010) led the OHL in scoring, with 108 points in 68 games (57 goals, 51 assists). Toffoli’s Ottawa 67s finished second in the Eastern Conference and will have a first-round series against the No. 7 Sudbury Wolves.
Robbie Czarnik (F, third round, 2008) totaled 33 goals and 44 assists in 61 games. Czarnik’s Plymouth Whalers finished sixth in the Western Conference and will have a first-round series against the No. 3 Kitchener Rangers.
Maxim Kitsyn (F, sixth round, 2010) totaled 9 goals and 17 assists in 32 games. Kitsyn’s Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors finished first in the Eastern Conference and will have a first-round series against the No. 8 Belleville Bulls. The Majors will also host the Memorial Cup.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Linden Vey (F, fourth round, 2009) led the WHL in scoring, with 116 points in 69 games (46 goals, 70 assists). Vey’s Medicine Hat Tigers finished third in the Eastern Conference and will have a first-round series against the No. 6 Brandon Wheat Kings.
Brayden Schenn (F, first round, 2009) totaled 22 goals and 35 assists in 29 games. Schenn’s Saskatoon Blades finished first in the Eastern Conference (and first in the WHL) and will have a first-round series against the No. 8 Prince Albert Raiders.
Jordan Weal (F, third round, 2010) tied for fifth in the WHL in scoring, with 96 points in 72 games (43 goals, 53 assists). Weal’s Regina Pats did not make the WHL playoffs.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Nicolas Deslauriers (D, third round, 2009) totaled 13 goals and 30 assists and had a plus-22 rating in 48 games. Deslauriers’ Gatineau Olympiques finished fifth in the QMJHL and will have a first-round series against No. 12 Rimouski Oceanic.
Jean-Francois Berube (G, fourth round, 2009) had a 32-7-3-5 record, a 2.60 goals-against average (fourth in the league), a .902 save percentage and three shutouts in 50 games. Berube’s Montreal Juniors finished second in the QMJHL and will have a first-round series against The No. 15 Halifax Mooseheads.
NCAA
Derek Forbort (D, first round, 2010) totaled 0 goals and 15 assists and had a plus-21 rating in 35 games. Forbort’s University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux received the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play Rensselaer in the first round.
Nic Dowd (F, seventh round, 2009) totaled 5 goals and 13 assists in 36 games. Dowd’s St. Cloud State Huskies were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
Kevin Gravel (D, fifth round, 2010) totaled 1 goal and 5 assists and had a minus-7 rating in 36 games. Gravel’s St. Cloud State Huskies were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
Garret Roe (F, seventh round, 2008) totaled 10 goals and 26 assists in 38 games. Roe’s St. Cloud State Huskies were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
Joshua Turnbull (F, fifth round, 2007) totaled 13 goals and 7 assists in 38 games. Turnbull’s University of Wisconsin Badgers were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
Really nice to see some offensive depth in our prospect pool. Hopefullw we can get some of these guys cranking points at the NHL level over the next year or two.
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Harty Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:40 am
@Kostamojen, WE HAVE ALOT OF TALENT COMING FOLKS, HANG ONTO YOUR SEATS AT THE STAPLES CENTER, THEY WILL BE HARD TO GET WITH BACK TO BACK CUPS WITHIN TWO OR THREE YEARS.
Out of question this year with many slow players through the lineup and some with personal interests not team concept……….
-Smyth leds the pack
-Handzus is not far behind
…….good hockey players however not the type of player you win stanley cups with anymore.
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Nice Crop of Junior and College players. Vey was surprising. Toffoli I heard was a bit like Luc and would always find ways to score.
Great Job DL. I hope we get a chance to look at them before dealing any of them, but the business is the way it is.
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mcdangles Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:09 pm
@luc20rules, Toffoli has that knack for the net and has a friggin cannon of a shot. Wait till you see the release he has especially his wrist shot
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Blue Coconuts Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 9:44 pm
@mcdangles, You know where there are some good highlights? I’ve been pretty exited over him for a while now, and the more I hear the better it seems. There’s not much out there really, except that Kopitar and Smyth are his favorite players haha.
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mcdangles Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@Blue Coconuts, OHL home page, Ottawa 67′s page and the king of videos, youtube.
mcdangles Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:10 pm
@Blue Coconuts, http://www.ottawa67s.com
Bossy22 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 6:15 am
@mcdangles,
But the kid skates like a slower version of Lucky Luc, needs alot of work !!!!!!!
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mcdangles Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@Bossy22, Luc picked up in other areas due to the lack of foot speed pon the ice, called having a knack to the net and where to be at the right time to put the puck in the net. You will see the same coming out of Toffoli and would you not think that the Kings knew of this, skating-Toffoli, when they drafted him? There is a reason why they have scouts and go off what they see all season long of drafted players, they all see something that WE don’t. Toffoli is gifted and the Kings will benefit from his gift on the ice.
RYC Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@mcdangles, I’ve seen Toffoli play 15 times over the last couple years and he has a lot of talent for sure but needs to work on the defence side of things. He does play on their PK but seems to dog it a bit sometimes. Doesn’t go into the corners much either but the potential for him to become great at a higher level is there.
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Fred Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@luc20rules, I watched Vey last summer at the rookie camp and I was very impressed. He was a standout.
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Toffoli representing all the good ol’ boys from Toronto, Ontario!!!!!!
the NCAA prospects are a joke only Forbort has a shot at making the team
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mcdangles Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Paul G, Scarborough, Ont to be exact. I told him at the Kings rookie camp that it is going to be nice to see a another Scarbarian in a Kings uniform. Him and Futa both gave me a thumbs up!
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39scars Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:38 pm
@Paul G, gravel is the man
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Dominick Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:41 pm
@Paul G,
Are you basing that comment off of what you’ve seen from personally reading all the information available, or are you just going off of the incomplete stats listed above? I don’t think Rich meant for them to be a compete scouting report. Just a heads up.
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Paul G Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 4:51 am
@Dominick, no I’m looking at the current NHL contracts + other prospects and determining that they won’t win a roster a spot
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Choralone Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:17 am
@Paul G, “Joke” is a bit harsh, don’t you think? Or are we all “jokes” because we won’t make it to the NHL.
quisp Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 9:13 pm
@Paul G,
Hmm. I see. Well, Gravel is a potential Matt Greene replacement 4-6 years down the road. Garrett Roe is part of the tiny tots contingent that includes Jordan Weal, Brandon Kozun and Justin Azevedo. My limited exposure to Roe has been positive in comparison to the other small fries.
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FOR THOSE WHO TOHINK ONLY THE KINGS GET BAD CALLS: Tonight Daniel Sedin scored a goal vs. Wings that looked suspiciously like goalie interference. Someone (don’t know who) crashed into Howard, he lost his stick and that was that. He was none to happy about it either! Final score: 2-1. Sounds familiar. Makes one wonder if Vancouver’s PP strategy is to have someone bump the goaltender figuring, well at worst it evens things up, and at best they get a goal like vs. The Kings and also tonight.
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jonsey Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 7:58 pm
@number 6, I would hate to think that good teams would have to cheat.
“The next time he gets his stick on you like that you grab your eye, like it’s cut”
“But wouldn’t that be cheating?”
“It’s not about that Charlie, it’s about winning.”
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number 6 Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:20 pm
@jonsey,
I like that. You’re not related to Keith Jones on Versus are you. They call him Jonsey.
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Blake Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 pm
@jonsey, yes yes yes!!!!
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kennynakamoto Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@jonsey, lmao!!!
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luc20rules Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:33 pm
@number 6, I don’t think that, but what has been alarming this year. I just don’t remember too many bad calls going our way if any. I know atleast 3 calls that cost us games or a standings point out right like in Ottawa .4 seconds left. I just don’t remember getting a game winner or goal being disallowed that was a bad call that won us a game this year.
If the Kings don’t make the playoffs, it will likely fall well within the margin of NHL official’s errors(+/-) in officiating Kings games.
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Blue Coconuts Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 9:52 pm
@number 6, Worse that than, the Ducks scored a goal to tie the game with like 5 seconds left against Dallas, and made it a 3 point game. How they scored? Dallas tried to clear the puck behind the net, and the ref didn’t get out of the way, and kicked it back towards a ducks player right in front of the net and they scored. That’s the 3rd time I’ve seen the ducks get a break like that from the refs… Hopefully we get some good plays like that come playoff time or something, because it seems we’re always on the short end.
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kennynakamoto Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:57 am
@Blue Coconuts, MAN I SAW THAT CRAP!!! pissed me off!!! i hate the ducks!!!! i was so excited that dallas was going to beat them!! boy was i wrong!
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kevin Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:12 pm
@number 6, I saw that game horrible officating Van gets away with alot i thought detroit got away with alot till watching the Van games this year since crosby went down
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LAPD line Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@number 6, I saw that play too. Looked to me like the defender knocked the Canuck into Howard. Maybe why there was no call. I can’t imagine the wings getting screwed in Detroit.
I was amazed at how many Vancouver fans were at the game… Guess they don’t just go to LA. Hope they all got mugged walking back to their hotels…… I hate Vancouver fans even more than Detroit fans…. Didn’t think that was possible….
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Stuart Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:02 am
@number 6, When Van played us I recall the sister saying (when referring to the non-call push of DD into JQ that soon resulted in a goal) that you take those chances, if they call it fine, if they don’t you come out on top.
It wasn’t too long ago that VAN got very little respect from the officials much like our Kings do… what a difference a few runs into the post-season make.
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number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:13 am
@Stuart,
Good point
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I have been saying the whole season, wait till the Kings get Toffoli and Schenn and Vey in the lineup, you will be seeing a lot more exciting Kings games and goal scoring that they have been needing.
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jonsey Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:03 pm
@mcdangles, It’ll be weird to not see Brown or Anze in like 10 years. Maybe less. We can’t have all the talent we have now and add even more talent down the road. Suppose Loktionov and Schenn explode and Vey and Toffoli are ready in 5 years to be 1st liners? Where does that leave Simmonds, Brown and co? I am probably over estimating our talent, but it’s a good problem to have.
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mcdangles Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:12 pm
@jonsey, Like you said, It is a GOOD problem to have. I have seen Toffoli play alot of games with the 67′s and he can score.
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quisp Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 9:19 pm
@mcdangles, @jonesy
Just as not every prospect pans out, not every NHL player continues to be worth their paycheck into their 30s. Scorers peak at 27. Players desire big contracts and price themselves out of their own markets. There’s very little reason to believe that Dustin Brown or Anze Kopitar will have a Dave Taylor-esque run with the Kings. But all of those worries are a few years off, at least.
Bob Bobson Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@quisp, Right there with you. Quantity of prospects is important as well. Dean-o has been quoted many times as stating that if you get 1 draft pick per year into the NHL then you are doing a good job.
Ducks score with six seconds left against the Stars to tie. Of course they do.
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KingMe20 Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:03 pm
@Eric K,
ARRRRGGGHHHH
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SDKing Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Eric K,
I hate the ducks.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:05 pm
@Eric K, they fail on not making it a none OT game ducks suck
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:07 pm
@Eric K, and of course the Ducks win it god dam them
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garry Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:20 pm
@Eric K, AND they win in overtime.
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:22 pm
@Eric K, Nice pass by the Referee to Koivu setting up Selanne tying goal… No help in any of these games for the Kings, we have to keep playing tough!
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:22 pm
@Eric K, Nice pass by the Referee to Koivu setting up Selanne tying goal… No help in any of these games for the Kings, we have to keep playing tough!
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DesertKing Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@Eric K,
The Ducks are using up all of their luck right now and won’t have any left when the playoffs start.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:59 pm
@DesertKing, Luck?…..really?
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Bailey Fan Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 9:09 pm
@Eric K, It’s unbelievable to me how game after game, season after season, the lucky Ducks get all the good breaks, all the lucky bounces, and all the steals in trades when other GM’s decide to help them out. I’m not that impressed with the Ducks right now. Any team would easily knock them out of the playoffs. They still aren’t playing any defense, and with Hiller not 100%, they’ll be in trouble if they face a Vancouver or Detroit in round 1. Of course, I bet Ducks fans think they’re gonna win the Cup or something now that they’ve won 4 in a row.
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@jonsey, if u mean that by the Ducks went in OT and won am with u
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Lubo has 15 goals? He has to figure in the Norris voting for sure. Corey Perry is very sad. Only 40 goals. What’s Wrong with that guy? Why can he never score 55?
Just t’eed off as he was drafted immediately after Boyle and Tambellini. What were you and your scouts thinking and doing that year DT!!!?
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Bailey Fan Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:48 pm
@number 6, We could have had Perry and Parise, but obviously, DT thought it was better to draft future studs like Boyle and Tambellini, both traded for next to nothing. If only we had DL that year, we would have been set for years.
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Harry Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 11:00 pm
@Bailey Fan, Well, when the Ducks had Burke, he offered Bobby Ryan to the Kings for a 3rd round pick…
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Darrell Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:20 pm
@number 6, In one of the first Breakfast with the GM meetings, Kevin Gilmore, the Assistant GM, explained the Draft philosophy for the three picks that year. He had a Power Point presentation (!) that showed pie charts of all the current NHL players who were first rounders and what developmental league they were taken from. They decided that they would take ONE player they thought highly of from EACH of the leagues – one from the OHL (Brown), one from the USHL (Boyle), and one from the CCHA (Tambellini). I guess they figured with those late picks it would be better to take a kind of a shotgun approach and hope one of them panned out. Of course, it was one of the deepest drafts in history. BTW, Brown, Boyle, and Tambellini were all ranked higher than Perry. Brown was #2 for NA skaters, behind only Eric Staal.
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PRMan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 5:20 am
@Darrell, They weren’t that wrong. Boyle and Tambellini ARE both playing regular shifts in the NHL. The only person I remember saying we should pick Perry instead was Matthew Barry.
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Darrell Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:34 am
@PRMan, A lot of people at the time saw Boyle as a HUGE project (literally and figuratively), and a bit of a gamble by the Kings. The Kings made things even more difficult by having him switch positions twice..
Luck definitely plays a part in it. Look at Fowler – he’s personally responsible for at least two extra points for the Ducks, and he just fell into their laps. That’s the one I’d love to ask Lombardi about off the record (I doubt he’d say anything about a current player in public), what was it that had so many teams that needed defensemen stay away from that kid? He was the consensus no. 3 and had just come off a World Championship. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he’s billeting with Niedermayer either, so the must’ve thought he needed watching/mentoring, but there has to be a deeper story there.
number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 6:25 am
@Darrell,
Hey Darrell. I just read your reply here. Fascinating. I hope you get to read my reply back.
I studied the Hockey News before that draft. Two things remain with me above all. As for Zach Parise they quoted a scout who said something to the effect that for that scout, everything Parise did was ‘magical’. Pretty high praise indeed. As for Brown, they said that he definitely comes to play every night, but there were concerns as to his offensive upside as he had evidently had a good period and then went thru a period where the o had rather dried up. Sound familiar? Don’t get me wrong, I like Brownie, but as was then, is how it’s been in his pro career.
There are clearly players who had similar leadership qualities who have been far more consistent offensively as pros (Getzlaf, Perry, Richards, Parise and probably another one or two that escape my mind at the moment),
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number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 6:28 am
@number 6,
Also, that whole pie theory I find very believable and a reason why they weren’t strong in drafting (though they Did draft Quick and Kopitar to give credit where credit is due). But I mean you Look at the players rather than cross your fingers and hope that one of the quadrants will give something.
I don’t think David Conte (NJ Devils) has drafted according to a pie theory, nor Detroit for that matter.
Bob Bobson Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:52 am
@number 6, The draft is just a crap shoot at times. I wonder if there are metrics to determine how accurate draft rankings are.
Let’s not forget about the Rangers and Hugh Jessiman. At the time, Jessiman (or Speciman as he was nicknamed by overzealous scouts) was considered a prize prospect. He only played his first game in the NHL earlier this month or last month. Also, I believe that Martinez was a DT pick as well.
I hate the Ducks as much as anyone, but you have to give them some credit. They have been playing some amazing hockey lately, without their No. 1 goaltender. My fingers are trembling as I type this, but I am very impressed. They have a couple of tough games coming up on this road trip, so let’s see what happens. Dallas got a point, but they have to be shellshocked right now. The best that might come out of this is a collapse by the Stars, which would all but guarantee us a playoff spot.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@rick, yea true but would be better if they won it in reg then OT grr them but ur right they are doing good
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@KingsFanFTW, just dead by saying that heart attack
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:39 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Died*
SDKing Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 11:53 pm
@rick,
I still hate the ducks.
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kennynakamoto Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:13 am
@rick, i dont want a collapse by the stars i want the stars to make it, i want a collapse from the ducks!!! i hate them with a passion and it hurts to see them win!!!
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well i hope the Kings win tomorrow Please let us win and please let our players soul and mind be in their bodies then having empty bodies skating around a circle
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A couple of questions.
Did a Jonsey comment go the way of the dinosaurs? LOL
Does Nicolas Deslauriers have a brother that’s a goalie?
Nic Dowd, any chance his father is Jim?
If we make the playoffs, can Jordan Weal, and some of the college players come to the games to see their parent team compete in the playoffs?
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KDinUT Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:52 pm
@Dominick, RE: Jonesy – You just had to know that comment wasn’t gonna be around long . . .
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Flames loss tonight would mean they’re done as far as I’m concerned. Two points out with three fewer games a big hurdle.
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Dominick Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:51 pm
@KingTrojan,
The only tough game they have left on their schedule is the Ducks. Versus overtime did a nice breakdown of their final 6 games and the Ducks are probably their biggest game. All the other games are winable. They do have to win them, but at least as far as their concerned, it’s still possible.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:52 pm
@Dominick, I can’t believe the ducks pulled that off in dallas.
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Interesting, Roe, Dowd, and Gravel are all a year apart in the draft, and yet all 3 go to St.Cloud State. Is that the Kings doing or is it just coincidence? Maybe even all 3 picks from the same scout?
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I know I have said this before, but I am just so impressed with Niclas Deslauriers, I think his hockey sense for a defensemen is very high. I have seen him at the rookie camps the last 2 years, and I think he is a cant miss !
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Well I just got back from watching some ECHL hockey here in Salt Lake. Good game went to a shoot out with Las Vegas winning me a Buffet lunch in Vegas later this spring. Hockey is flat out the best sport going these days. These young players go after it. You can tell they skate for the love of the game and not the big bucks. I’m sure all of our young players would love to skate in the NHL, but the facts are the facts. Most guys play for the love, not the money. On to the Flames losing tonight. The Flames are done, bad road trip from them. It’s good we are getting some space from these teams. It’s still a dog fight and we can’t let up. Ducks are playing the best hockey of the season and now the Blackhawks are finding their game. We have got to start winning games at home. Sharks are primed for a let down game tomorrow, but as always they will be ready. Having Mollar on the top line bothers me. I feel the Brown should be the guy and let Mollar earn his spot. Brown is still one of our best players and deserves better. I know that a lot of you peeps have been down on Brownie, but dude gives his heart for this game and his experience is needed during Williams layoff. This is it for this club only a hand full of games left and things are going to get real hairy this last few weeks. Never has it been this tense in the last few weeks of a season. We can’t afford to lose any games. If there was ever a time for a streak it is now. With Willy going down it’s going to test this team to it’s limits. These boys need all the fan support that we can give them. Do what ever you can to give this team your energy. It’s going to take all of us to join in this push. Only the best will survive and the weak will get chewed up. So get some sleep Kings fan. If you are up and it’s early morning and your reading this post. I know that it’s hard to sleep and this playoff push is on your mind. Just stop and force your self to give the club your full energy. Time is running out. The post season is right on our finger tips. Kings 4 Life and get some sleep.
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Niko Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:42 am
@kinginsaltlake, Well said, they do need every bit of our support. I will be 6 rows behind the Kings bench tonight, my first game of 2011, and rest assured I will be giving them plenty of encouragement!! Go Kings GO!
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Once Brayden Schenn’s WHL season is over, could he be recalled? I know that as soon as he plays his 10th game one year of his entry level contract is burned, but what if he were just called up for the playoffs (NHL), would that still apply? Just wondering if another forward got injured at this juncture of the season, who would the Kings call up? Someone from Manchester or Schenn who is propbaly the best player in the system not playing in the NHL.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:13 am
@Jimbo1007, Yes, it would apply, and unless 1/2 of the team goes down hurt, he’ll play in Manchester if/when his Junior season is over. Not in the NHL.
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I dont know if anyone has posted this link earlier today- found this on the main screen on yahoo.com. nice to see Quick earn front page with his Jedi skills. I’ll repost this in the next update by Rich so those who are counting sheep will get a view tomorrow as well.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Jonathan-Quick-may-in-fact-control-puck?urn=nhl-wp888
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kevin Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:35 am
@Mikey, I saw that it was crazy it just changed direction out of the blue.
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josh Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:27 am
@Mikey, do you guys remember the old Mike Richter goalie commercial from back in the day? When he was blockiing shots..then he skated out of the net and 1 more shot came through and was stopped by the clear plastic that had been set up in fron of the goal…and mike richter then came and cleaned it off with his glove? I think Quickie must’ve seen that one too cuz i think he borrowed that piece of plexiglass for his net!
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Bob Bobson Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:54 am
@josh, Haha…I remember that commercial. I thought Roy was innovative!
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If anyone is interested in a laugh, check out this espn video. It interviews the guys around the locker room asking them predominately about the possibility of having the the Ducks and Kings in the playoffs during the same season. However, if you go to the 1:10 mark, you will see a hilariously random mistake in the caption. No Idea how this gets by the folks at espn!….. Here ya go: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/news/story?id=6252096
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 4:21 am
@DBking, i didnt know Dustin Brown Change his name when did he do that?
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Niko Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@DBking, who the hell is Randy Lerner??
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Empty Netter Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:09 am
@Niko,
That’s his name when he is a masked wrestler in the WWE
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Scot Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:02 am
@DBking,
haha! That’s great. I have no idea who Randy Lerner is, either.
Someone at ESPN needs to Lern how to get the right names, though.
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josh Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@DBking, Randy Lerner:
http://www.ask.com/wiki/Randy_Lerner
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good morning fellow Kings fans.
I wake up to more snow on the ground here and find out Dallas/Anaheim went to OT
Will I ever wake up to find out that our competitors lost in regulation?
Tonight’s game is another in a loooooong line of must wins for the Kings. It’s just incredible that we have to win every single game just to maintain our place in the standings. God forbid we lose in OT and only get a point…that’s when other teams pass us somehow without even playing.
Sure makes for some exciting times!
Ok that’s my morning rant. Wake me up when spring actually gets here or they’re ready to drop the puck tonight!!!
Go Kings!
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number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 6:39 am
@nykingfan,
Good morning man. Whaddaya sayiing? It’s gorgeous out…… NOT!! I had a hard time getting out of bed today. Not the optimum time to be staying up late following the team is it? I did it vs. Flames but I think tonight I’ve gotta get some sleep. If I get up to go to the loo in the middle of the night I’ll check the results.
Yikes. Gotta find some energy here. Have a good day.
P.S. Did you happen to see the GW goal last night on Versus? Seemed like a dead cert goalie interference. Detroit should’ve come out of it with a PP, but instead they get scored on. Same issue as what happened to Quick. Vancouver seems to have a strategy on the powerplay. Seems like they figure if they get caught messin about with the goaltender they’ll just even things up at the very worst.
I don’t care for that team (and not just cause they beat the Kings last year). There are other very good teams that I like a lot. I even have time for Detroit only given that they seem a pretty class org and to me don’t seem to dive and play along the edges of what is fairplay.
That being said, Vanc is obviously a very good team, but I can do w/o the borderline stuff.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 6:54 am
@number 6,
Good morning man
I saw the goal..or I should say the goalie interference. They seem to get lucky with those calls. it happened against us.
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number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 7:10 am
@nykingfan,
Yeah, that’s exactly why I called it to everyone’s attention in a post I made earlier.
I watched the highlights (before getting on w my work) again just to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. I wasn’t. Brad Stuart Barely touched the guy and he goes tackling Howard (of course not with his arms…. I mean that would’ve been too obvious). The refs in this league just have to do a better job. That simple. I thought there was a good reason they went to two refs, but as someone pointed out in a post after the Kings Vanc game, why is it when those things happen (last night being just another example) that Neither ref sees what even the Versus commentators clearly saw?
It’s a pity cause hockey is such an amazing sport otherwise.
KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 7:51 am
@nykingfan, Goalie interference needs to be reviewable. This has happened way too many times.
Rich,
Can you star the prospects that have signed a contract vs those that have not. Just a small detail that would be appreciated.
Thx
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I brought up the two Ref’s roles after the Calgary game. One Ref is deep in the offensive zone, usually in a corner. As I understand it, his job is to watch the action around the puck. It would seem logical that he would see Goalie interference. However, if his view is blocked, what exactly is the other Ref supposed to be watching from higher in the zone? Shouldn’t he be able to see and call such a violation? Otherwise, what is HE supposed to be watching?
Second point I made was what is wrong with NHL on ice officials actually discussing a close call? Football officials often gather on the field and discuss a close call, and THEY seem to have no problem with “picking up the flag” – no infraction. To their credit, the NFL seems to be more about getting the calls right rather than the NHL’s “he made the call and we’re sticking to it no matter what”. That approach is basically about ego. Nothing and no one should be bigger than The Game.
Perhaps Rich could ask Colin Campbell about this in a legit interview because I’m sure ALL fans of NHL hockey would like a clarification from the Man in Charge. (And since Rich is actually a Journalist, he might avoid the $50,000 fee for asking such questions!)
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number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:22 am
@IceGuy,
It was your thread that I was referring to before in my earlier comments. Such a good point you bring up too, the nfl – nhl comparisons. Why the heck can’t two refs discuss something amongst themselves? I find that totally bizarre.
Incidentally, did you happen to see the goal of which we were speaking on Versus last night and if so what was your opinion?
P.S.I like the joke about Rich being fined.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@IceGuy,
I’ll play Devil’s advocate here for a second.
I understand the want and need to get all of the calls correctly.
My problem with the NFL is that the game has become secondary to the replay calls. It just seems every play there’s a challenge, or possible need to challenge. The officials gather for 5 minutes to decide what they saw or didn’t see. Then they give the explanation to the coaches..go under the hood and take a look. In the meantime we’re bombarded with commercials and announcers questioning how the refs could miss something so obvious..It was obvious after using a slo mo replay only. the process takes a good 5-10 min
They kill whatever flow there was to the game with all of the silliness of getting the calls correctly. How many times have we seen where they’re trying to decide whether the hair on the players knuckle actually touched the ground?
In theory the replay rule should work in the NFL, but the reality of the situation is it kills the flow.
I don’t want to see that happen in hockey.
As frustrating as it can be sometimes, I’ll live with the human elelment to a certain degree. If replay is needed to see if the puck crosses the goal line, that’s ok. If we’re going to use slow mo replay to decide whether the player was pushed into the goalie and then try and determine whether the player embellishes the shove, we’re going to become like the NFL (No Flow League). I’d rather let the refs make the call and then bitch and complain afterwards. Usually these calls even out over a season (except for the Kings) It beats the hairy knuckle problem!
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number 6 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:11 am
@nykingfan,
nykf, I agree absolutely with you in principle. For sure about the nfl. But here’s the thing. I also ask myself the question why is it that we Never see two refs consulting. I mean if we see things that are very questionable, you’d think they could exhibit even the slightest doubt. ‘Hey, I’m not certain about that. My angle wasn’t ideal but it looked like their forward interfered with the goalie and I’m not convinced he was pushed. Did you get a look at it’? Now THAT takes 20 seconds (if that). If the other ref says ‘no sorry I didn’t see it’, ok… out to center ice we go. But if he says, yeah, absolutely. No way was he pushed by the D, ok, no goal. They don’t need a replay for that.
Also, much like soccer in Europe, where penalty calls are a big thing in deciding the outcome of a game, clearly last night or the other one vs. the Kings (Sedin’s goal) could have a big impact on a one goal game.
That’s my two cents worth.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:35 am
@number 6,
I wouldn’t have a problem with them just conversing after the goal qiuckly..but it never turns out that way.
look at the NFL..the officials gather together and the time it takes for them to get a consensus, 5 min or so has passed. I find it comical when they all gather around chatting and no play is going on. The stadium music is playing the jeopardy theme..
I can see that just as easily happening in the NHL. Somehow the emphasis on the game becomes the officials instead of the players playing the game.
You’re right..you can and do get screwed by these calls in a 1 goal game and it could decide a playoff spot, but I still believe in the human element having a big part in the game. I’ll be the 1st one complaining about the refs call, but to me that’s part of the game…right or wrong. Again, I belive these thigs do even out over the course of a season.
Off topic: About tonight’s game. All indications point to us losing tonight. We lost Williams. SJ is on a roll and has been on one for some time. We have been struggling at home.
One thing I’ve noticed about the Kings is when all things point to one thing happening, the opposite happens. I’m calling a Kings victory tonight.
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Rich,
Any word yet on Jordan Weal finishing off the season in Manchester? The Regina Leader-Post indicated he would be doing so, but no official word on it yet.
Thanks!
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Token Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@rob2716, He’s already there. Saw a tweet from the kings account earlier.
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Of all those…Taffoli, Vey, Forbert, Delasaurius are the only ones with real legit shots. Beyond that, it’s a crap shoot.
Welcome to the world of the NHL prospect pool.
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Naturallawyer Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:24 am
@mrbrett7, Skeptical of Schenn’s chances?
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KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:39 am
@Naturallawyer, I hope Schenn’s team gets bounced in the first round to make him available.
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Canadian King Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:56 am
@KC23,
I hear ya, but the Blades are the best team in the WHL and I think 2nd in all the CHL. They will make the memorial cup. It will be good for Schenn to finally win something anyways, he has 2 silver medals at the World juniors the last 2 years and last year his Brandon got beat out by Windsor for the Memorial Cup (one game away from winning that too). I am curious to see what Weal does in Manchester, I heard he just got called up.
Naturallawyer Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@KC23, yeah, I’ll echo Canadian King’s sentiments from all the way down here in LA. An early exit would be a monumental failure for his junior team, which basically traded its entire future (several 1st/2nd round juniors draft picks, two prospects that were 1st/2nd round picks) for the next couple years to get Schenn. (I got that info from THN’s Future Watch, the one with Schenn on the cover.) I hope that he can help his home town team finally win the championship they so desperately want, even though I also really, really want him on the Kings asap.
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@Naturallawyer, Oops!
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Looks like Calgary and Dallas are done. Dallas plays the next 5 games on the road against Nashville and all the Pacific teams. I just don’t see it little dallas.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:39 am
@54FIGHTING,
This is the western conference.
Never put anything past these teams. the only team that I think is done is Minn. The Toronto loss at home was a killer.
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KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:46 am
@nykingfan, Calgary is done imho.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@KC23,
You would think so, except those games we have in hand, we still need to win or get points. To me, they’re a long shot, but because the points total is so close, I can’t just dismiss them..yet!
KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 9:48 am
@54FIGHTING, Looks that way, but anything could still happen. Dallas and Calgary’s hill looks far too step to climb, but any of the teams ahead of them could still choke it away with a losing streak.
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Naturallawyer Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:30 am
@KC23, Dallas looked terrible against the ducks last night, but their last four games of the season are a cake-walk. One of the easiest remaining schedules of all the teams in the race. They will have every opportunity to turn it around, although Dallas plays the ducks again and we all know how Dallas is going to do in that one…
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Jay Go LA Kings Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:42 am
@Naturallawyer,
The Quackers got a lucky bounce off the boards to make that play to tie the game with 5 seconds remaining in the 3rd Period.
Ohh well here we go! race right to the end…
KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Naturallawyer, It was a terrible choke, but an overtime loss isn’t all that terrible.
KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:55 am
@Naturallawyer, Dunno, they’ve gone 2-3-3 in their big home stand. That isn’t going to get it done.
Naturallawyer Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Naturallawyer, I definitely think Dallas is the weakest of the top 9, and I’m not picking them to make it. Just noting that they have an easier schedule than the other Pacific teams.
Also, the Stars have choked badly a few times: at home against the Kings and twice to the ducks. I think this last one might bury them emotionally.
ok on the front page is quicks jedi save, have you all watched it? has to be in top 10 of the year, it does look like magic for sure
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Deslauriers, Schenn, Toffoli, and Kitsyn could all make it to the cup. I wonder if any NHL team has every had four prospects from 4 teams playing for the cup? If they do all make it, who to root for? These are good problems to have.
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Considering that we have ~ $48M on the books for 16 players next year, and that’s without Simmer, Doughty, Martinez, Lewis, Ritchie, most if whom should get a raise, it will be interesting to see who makes the big club out of the minors.
Next season may be the year of youth.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@Token, Richardson won’t be resigned.
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Enormous game tonight! The Kings can’t afford any more shoot-out wins.
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KingTrojan Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:38 am
@kevin from toronto, You’re right, but with San Jose, I’ll take any win possible as we’re probably not going to catch them regardless. Cheers to a W tonight!
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King John Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@kevin from toronto, WRONG! Shootout wins are better than losses!
It’s of course better to get TWO points with a shootout win then just ONE point. We’d have several/many points less without as many shootout wins. However, of course it’s better to win in regulation. Still thankfully we only have two shootout losses or else we’d really be in trouble.
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KC23 Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:50 am
@kevin from toronto, I’ll take a shoot out win every game for the rest of the season. I think we can afford that.
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Off topic. New undisputed (DD) is up on the main King’s site: http://video.kings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=1152&id=104530&cmpid=LAK%7CKV%7Cundisputed%7CFB
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Scot Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@KC23,
Thanks.
Looks like Rich is sleeping in today
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The Ducks did to Dallas what we did to Calgary. I was predicting Anaheim and Nashville to make a push; they did and it pushed down Dallas and Calgary. However, we better stay hot or else our fortunes could turn as well. Go Kings go!
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King John Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@King John,
Maybe the Kings AND Ducks in the playoffs for the first time??????!
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Scot Reply:
March 24th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@King John,
I think so.
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