As we all wait for the start of training camp, here are a couple Southern California-based, Kings-related events that might grab your interest…
First, analyst Jim Fox is hosting a “Sunset Wine Reception” on Thurs., Sept. 8 at the Long Beach Yacht Club, with proceeds benefitting The Guidance Center, a Long Beach-based nonprofit organization that seeks to help disadvantaged children and their families as they deal with aspects of mental illness. Fox’s event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. and includes dinner, a wine-tasting reception and a silent auction. Luc Robitaille, Bob Miller and Heidi Androl are also scheduled to participate in the event, with tickets available for $100 (or $175 per couple) by clicking here. For those who don’t know Jim, or don’t follow him on Facebook and/or Twitter, wine isn’t just a hobby. He’s very fervent about all aspects of it and knows his stuff, so it should be a fun evening. [Jim Fox gratefully reported this afternoon that the event is sold out.]
Also, for some on-ice activity, the Kings’ alumni will play a Jr. Kings alumni team tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, with proceeds to benefit the Jr. Kings Youth Hockey Programs. Kings alumni are expected to include Marty McSorley, Daryl Evans, Mark Hardy, Nelson Emerson, Craig Johnson, Ian Turnbull, Jamie Storr, Brandon Convery and others, while the Jr. Kings alumni includes recent NHL draft picks Beau Bennett, Mitch Callahan, Shane McColgan, Brian Salcido, Max Nicastro and others. General-admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $50, with more information available by clicking here.
Not for nothin’, but if it were a “Sunset *Martini* Reception, I’d be there. Just sayin’.
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Mark Hardy?
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Dave's A Mess Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:14 am
@Who Knows?, Don’t go there…
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Hesperia STH Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:17 am
@Who Knows?, According to The Mayor he’s in the running for the Ontario Reign job.
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Stuart Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@Hesperia STH, would that be our very own McCheese? see me working here? Mayor Mccheese…drumroll/hi-hat!
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Donald_S Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Who Knows?,
I am happy to see the Mark is back in the fold. I am hoping this means that the bizarre events of last year are behind him. Welcome back Mark.
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puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:23 am
@Who Knows?, I am just glad that the Mark Hardy situation was handled as quickly and quietly as possibe. Because it was, have you noticed that for the most part, it really has very rarely even been mentioned. I am really glad because I think most fans that I have come across really like Mark including me. None of us will ever really know what happened in that Hotel, nor is it any of our business, but I am so glad that this didnt turn out to be some long ugly court trial that would have embarrassed the Hardy family, The Kings organization, and their fans. Now, because it was handled quickly and quietly, apparrently Mark has an opportunity to coach somewhere, and I think most of us hoped he wouldnt be blackballed.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@puck73, agreed.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@puck73,
Well said!
Mark also played in that charity golf tournament this week I think? I saw a pic of Hardy & Daryl Evans & Fox in one group. Glad Mark is getting back in”the fold” so to speak, & its not any of my business what transpired.
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Belexes Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@Kingsfanone, ^ this.
408kingsfan Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@puck73, We don’t know the story but Hardy has always struck me as sort of creepy. And if those allegations are true the last thing I want is it handled “quickly and quietly” but who knows innocent until proven guilty right.
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justmyopinion Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@408kingsfan, I don’t know what qualifies as creepy to you, but he is a super nice guy. Even if the allegations were true it is none of anyone else’s business. It should not be put into a public arena. I’m glad that you are so perfect that you can throw stones at other people’s problems.
RobSD Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Who Knows?,
Berry berry interesting. Those were some serious charges. Obviously nobody here really knows what happened, and we would like to believe it was all a misunderstanding due to way too much alcohol(I’ve certainly done things on autopilot) but what if he did do it? Everyone is usually so quick to judge or quick to dismiss. I always liked the guy but I’ll never look at him in the same way again. You’ll always wonder, did this guy try to….
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RobSD Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@Who Knows?,
http://lakingsnews.com/2010/10/13/mark-hardy-charges-dismissed/
I didn’t hear anything about it after the initial charge. Apparently charges were dropped. Without the daughter testifying there is no case.
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Theres no whining in hockey! oops, sorry, wrong sport and wrong whine.
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Stuart Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:19 am
@DesertKing, but will there be any whinnying allowed? I think NOT!
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DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@Stuart,
OK, now we are beating a dead horse
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Stuart Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:02 am
@DesertKing, LOL!! keep ‘em coming! I’m just praying I don’t end up on mod before the day is through!
#1KingsfaninVegas Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@DesertKing,
OMG, you two are on a roll. I love this. Keep me entertained until NHL 12 comes out or the season starts. Whatever shall come first.
DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@Stuart
In goal, wearing #100, Mrrrrrr. Eddddddd!!!
StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:21 am
@DesertKing,
Please tell that to the team we played last night.
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jet Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@DesertKing, good thing you are not a nuck fan
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DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@jet,
LOL
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Make sure they have their copays in hand with Craig Johnson taking to the ice, anything can and/or will happen!
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puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@Stuart, Hello, my name is Adam Deadmarsh and uh,uh,uh..where did I park my car?
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Stuart Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@puck73, maybe I parked it at this BurgerKing and if not I’ll sit and eat until it shows up…
boyhowdy is that man no longer at his playing weight, that’s for sure!
helluva brief King career though!!! I think that was the last time my hopes were as high as they are today. That team had promise. Allison could’ve/should’ve been a point-a-gamer. sigh
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@Stuart, yeah i remember those days, and its funny cuz my sister is (or was) a huge deadhead fan annnnnd everytime she see’s his face she cries a little inside lol, but honestly the guy was epic but now its like WOW, does he even realize? :O
Man I wish I lived closer to the Kings. I would love to attend some of these events.
Here’s a random fact. Jamie Storr’s brother – Shannon was my grade 12 math and gym coach.
Go Kings!
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Stuart Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@kevin from toronto, excellent This is Your Life jeopardy question –
Alex: Kevin from toronto’s 12th grade math and gym coach.
Me: Who is Shannon Storr?
Alex: Correct, Stuart you have control of the board.
Me: Let me go with Kevin’s most embarrassing moments for 1200 Alex.
Alex: Alright here’s the clue…
As you can see, super slow day at work… LOL
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kevin from toronto Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:07 am
@Stuart, I don’t even know how to respond to that
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StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@kevin from toronto,
Drumroll hi-hat?
#1KingsfaninVegas Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@kevin from toronto,
Laugh and say thanks for the humor. It keeps us going until Frozen Fury.
Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@kevin from toronto, lol @ KingsfaninVegas thats for sure, cant wait for this year to start, i mean really, i’m getting fidgety
DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@kevin from toronto,
Hope for the Daily Double?
puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@kevin from toronto, Maybe you dont live closer, but something tells me that when you make your 1st public appearance at a Hammond suite event you may not want to return til the end of the season !
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kevin from toronto Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@puck73, haha WOOOO! 3 moths!
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Belexes Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@kevin from toronto,
Shannon is also a very funny guy. Met him and with Jamie some years ago and he was quite the personality. I asked him which position he played and he replied “Defense”. I then noticed his rearranged “Lappy” type nose and said it looks like he does a little more than clear pucks! He got a huge grin and replied with a wink, “Maybe once or twice” .
Good stuff, Shannon and Jamie both good guys.
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wow, that is a good Kings jr. team. Ol’ 99′s magic is still alive.
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Go Darren Rowe!
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OK, here is a topic that would make the day go by somewhat quickly.
What is everyones prediction for the NHL season this year? What team will be the surprise and what team will be the worst? Any prediction of Kovalchuk? Brad Richards? Which player will be a huge surprise? Which rookie from 2011 draft will make a huge impact in the league? Will Brayden Schenn make it on the Flyers team this year? Any other predictions or questions you want to mention, feel free.
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Stuart Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@#1KingsfaninVegas, I’ll be your huckleberry…
Kovupchuck will start much better, but NJs goaltending will not rebound. I think Marty only has a couple of years left and it should be a platoon situation.
BR will end up getting hurt and sparkle while he plays but spend a good chunk of time on the IR…
I can’t foresee surprises but that’s because of the very nature of the question. Surprises are like accidents, cannot be foreseen.
BS will be given every opportunity to play good minutes with skilled players. I do hope he succeeds.
I also predict our very own Kings will win the pacific, and everyone on our top line will pot 30+ goals AND AK and MR get 90+ points.
How’s that?
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Token Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@#1KingsfaninVegas,
The Ice at Staples will be much better this year.
Parking will be more expensive without NBA games.
More sellout Kings games this year.
Voynov gets to play his first NHL game.
Parse scores 20+ goals.
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McCheese Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@#1KingsfaninVegas, I think that Doughty’s 42 goals will be the seasons biggest shocker.
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puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@McCheese, I will pay your way into a stanley cup playoff game of your choice if Drew nets 42…I Doubty that will happen!
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Michael J. Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@puck73,
I’d be real happy with 42 assists!
McCheese Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@puck73, It’s a deal! I will take a ticket to the Cup-clinching game 7 if you don’t mind. Dough Nut Dought my soothsaying!
jet Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@puck73, yo’all are misunderstanding goals. For example, his first goal is to only eat one donut per day. I think he may make it to 42
kevco Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@McCheese, I’d be happy with 4.2 million for 4.2 year
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VanKingsFan Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@#1KingsfaninVegas, My prediction. Everyone who plays NHL 12 will LOVE to play as Jaromir again!
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KC23 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@#1KingsfaninVegas,
“What team will be the surprise and what team will be the worst?”
Senators will be the worst. Calgary will be the surprise team.
“Any prediction of Kovalchuk?” He’ll have an excellent year and NJ will be back in the plaoffs.
“Brad Richards?” He’ll get hurt early and NY misses the playoffs.
“Which player will be a huge surprise?” Martinez will become our most effective PP point man. King’s 3rd line is often our most effective line with Parse, Stoll and Lewis. Parse will shut up his critics in a big way and Lewis will benefit big time. Matinez/Greene paring will be used a lot with this third line and by the end of the year JJ/Scuderi will be used more as a 3rd def paring.
“Which rookie from 2011 draft will make a huge impact in the league?” None. Very weak draft year.
Will Brayden Schenn make it on the Flyers team this year? Yes, but not on merit. He’ll end up with low 4th line minutes with Simmonds and the trade will eventually end up being the end of Philly’s GM.
Any other predictions or questions you want to mention, feel free. Philly and NY miss the playoffs with only the Senators being worse.
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jet Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@KC23, some good stuff, but I think the Flames will challange the Oilers for the first pick next year. But, the Sens are in the top 3 picks.
I am staying with the hated Bruins to be playing against us next summer.
Every marquee player the Kings have gone after has played subpar after signing with someone else. richards will join that list.
I think Andreoff will make the squad as a L4.
DD signs after the 8th game.
There will be 3 suite nights this season.
Rich will get some new stones and meet his curling soul mate.
Bob Miller will retire in 2025.
There will be a major earthquake in June 2081.
Kings will hoist the cup in June 20………Sorry, got carried away
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KC23 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@jet, Flames had one of the best records after the first of the year. They resigned those that were primary responsible for that improvement. They will be a player in the playoff race.
jet Reply:
August 21st, 2011 at 10:28 pm
@kc23, but age is catching up with them. Any injuries and they will be out by Valentimes day
puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
@KC23, Wow, you are saying that with such confidence…sing it with me..their’s something about an Aqua Velva Man! lol
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jet Reply:
August 21st, 2011 at 10:27 pm
@KC23, but age is
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I don’t (basically can’t) drink. Does Heidi need a designated driver?
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jet Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@Weasel, It’s great to see a weasel step up like that
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Weasel Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:04 am
@jet,
I’d PAY for that privelege — what a smile!
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Edward Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 10:07 am
@Weasel, Awful thing to say about the Queen of Kings! I love watching Kings games knowing that Heidi will be smiling her million dollar smile! Last season she was on assignment for one game and I turned off the set!
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Weasel Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:07 am
@Edward,
No disrespect intended – that woman is the most stunning sports reporter I have ever seen. Truly incandescent. (oops mispelled ‘pivileged’ in my previous post)
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Rich, tell Jim he’s forgetting about the Santa Ynez Valley sponsor.
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Los Reyes Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@Los Reyes,
SB covers it I guess
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OFF TOPIC- Chris Drury retires. so much for the idea floating we could use him as an extra RW this year. Im mildy surprised, thought he would land somewhere and could still offer something. perhaps some insight from someone closer to that market? Good luck Mr Drury in your post hockey endeavors
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Weasel Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@tornado12,
At his age I could see him working out on his own and making a midseason comback especially when injuries hit…..
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tornado12 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@Weasel, He is a natural center, but I think he can play wing right? his experience could come in handy, as long as he is healthy…
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Weasel Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@tornado12,
Actually, I just read that his injuries might have kept him out for the whole year. If that is true I can see why he would announce a retirement — but if the hockey bug gets him he might very well try a comeback next year.
Darrell Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
@tornado12, Dodgers could always use pitching..
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Weasel Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:08 am
@Darrell,
Maybe he could buy the team from McCourt…..Then I could start going to games again
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Hmmm, I live in Belmont Shore and love wine…
I have a Biz called Rcc Group (Restaurant Concepts & Consultant Group). Love to talk wine with Fox and Luc. For my Company does wine tasting for restaurants too. So it will be cool to see how this fundraiser works. Best of all its helping kids, its a great way spend our money and hopefully taste some good wines.
Here my website if anyone cares check it out! or be a fan on our facebook page. http://www.rccginc.com.
Looking forward to Sunset Wine Reception, and donating some cash to kids. If anyone is going, love to meet some of you guys and talk hockey too?!! Yes my name is Sam
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Craig Johnson? Where did they dig him up from?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@luuc,
He was hiding behind Deadmarsh & Allison.
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jet Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@luuc, hey, he still has a third of his mouthpiece left
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puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
@luuc, Where is Roman Vopat, and Patrice Tardiff when you need them ?
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c4sraser Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:39 am
@puck73, they were hangin with jimmy carson
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Been months since i posted…. honestly all I care to see at this point is “Doughty Signs!”
Until then all of these other off season sub plots seem so irrelevant
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tornado12 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@VanKingsFan, i thought they gotcha in the riots! I was worried
Or maybe just out enjoying that LONG beautiful rain free summer you guys have had.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@tornado12, haha I just remember heading down to the water after game 7 to smoke a joint with my buds and forget about what we just saw… then it was like “whats that black smoke? Lets go check it out!”
Yadda yadda yadda, I am proud to say i didnt participate in any smashing, looting or mayham… but I did run around the streets watching the entire spectacle.. never seen anything before like that in my life!
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Thanks for the info, but it’s already sold out… Dang!
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tony Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@goodguy, Hey everyone-The game is not sold out. You can no longer buy tickets on line but tickets will be available at the Toyota Sports Center. I’m really looking forward to seeing the Jr. Kings Alumns. It will be interesting to see how they measure up.
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Time for an “Im Bored” depth chart projection.
Penner – Kopitar – Brown
Gagne – Richards – Williams
Parse – Loktionov – Stoll (he takes the face offs though)
Clifford – Lewis – Richardson
Bam!
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tornado12 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@VanKingsFan, I did this yesterday on the rookie camp thread and had almost the exact same lineups
however I dont know if TM will go for that 3rd line. RW#3 might be Kozun? I want Lokti, but dont know where he fits because obviously he is our best prospect and should play ceneter, but we are already stacked there. Man, great minds think alike
I really hope you make it down someday to either LA or San Jose. Maybe if im up visiting my inlaws we can get a CHEAP game in Van!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@tornado12,
I agree the third line is sketchy. Parse needs to prove he can actually play still. And Lokti needs to stay healthy. I think our third line as it is above would be dynamic offensively, but a liability defensively and might get pushed around a lot physically.
I don’t think Kozun will be ready to take over for Richardson, Clifford, Lokti, or even lewis, but I hope he surprises me!
Cheap hockey game?? I don’t know what that is? Tickets up here are bananas! I would love to make it to LA soon, who knows what the cards have in store for me this season.
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Bill M. Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@tornado12, I think Kozun is the one that gets the shot, in simmonds spot. Kozun has wheels and a good shot, playing on a line with Clifford and Stoll will help compensate for his size and defensive limitations, and if Kozun is ready for an NHL pace, Clifford-Stoll-Kozun would be one of the more dangerous third lines in the league.
Loktionov gets a year in Manch to show he can lead at that level, and that he can keep his shoulders in one piece. He’ll make it tough choice next year whether to resign stoll or not, along with Lewis. We’ve got 2 great centers and 3 serviceable centers, one well established and two young with upside. what a horrible decision DL has to make! lol.
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bageldangle Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@Bill M., I agree, Clifford and Stoll aren’t set up guys but they read the play well and can put pucks in the net. Having some skill like Kozun playing with them could be very beneficial. However if he can’t keep up with the pace Richardson should be moved up, he was possibly our best offensive player in the playoffs. He showed huge intensity and was constantly pushing the pace of the game. Playing the wing he would have less defensive responsibilities and his size would be less of a factor.
Nice point about Stoll, I’m going to be watching him closely this year. I heard Loktionov was getting some time in Manchester on the RW, that’s the only place I feel he can make it now. Even though he showed a lot at center, his chances are super slim now that Richards is here. Stoll, unless he somehow has a terrible year, is pretty much the mold for what I think is a 3rd center, Kopitar and Richards aren’t going anywhere anytime soon and Lewis is our best PK man.. DL has some tough decisions to make, but the players in the minors have to show a lot to crack this line up.
tornado12 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@Bill M., Kozun had a solid year last season in MAN. He is a bit young at 21, but if he has had a good training offseason and has gained strength to go along with his speed, he may be able to keep up. At his size though he may run into the same problem we had with moller.
IDK if parse can thrive as a 4th liner per se (pun intended). he might need more time and to be with more creative players to be effective.
Its all so exciting to see how it will unfold. Either way we will have to have some of these guys step up if we are going to have a good year and go far into the playoffs!
“beer and hockey” is a different question entirely. When the beer duty guy gets to the locker room early, the post-game refreshment often becomes pre-game carb loading.
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Woo! it’s official. 10-game weekend pack! I’ll be in section 216, row 11.
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DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Bill M.,
Good section to be in. We are 214 row 7.__
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Bill M. Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@DesertKing, that’s the exact opposite corner, on the shoot once side, right?
I’m very excited. This will be the most games I’ve made it to in a single season.
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jet Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@Bill M., 216 is shoot twice. it is also pretty wild for a 2 section.
DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
@Bill M.,
We are in the end where the Kings shoot twice, just above the gate where the Zamboni’s enter and exit the rink. There are a lot of great and passionate Kings fans in that area and you will really enjoy those seats. Congrats!!
latest rumor: Hammond was selected as the new Cubs GM. In his media intro, he said “we need to compete, play heavy, and play base to base.”
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DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
@jet
I heard he also said something about putting the ball in the net and the biscuit in the basket.
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Belexes Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
@jet,
Hammond said he would also be looking for some big bodies to fill the lineup and go to “Dangerous areas”, whatever that means. He also stated that the half wall would be very important to the Cubs success.
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Hey Rich don’t know if this has ever been proposed before but what would be a Killer fundraiser is for us fans to get on the ice with the Kings and skate/shoot around and maybe even a little pickup! Maybe like 1/2 hour on the olympic sheet at Toyota. $100/per person and the money goes to charity.
Of course there would need to be a limit of how many people but man that would be killer to be on the ice and just mess around with Kopi, Doughty and the rest of the boys.
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Unbelievable, no posts have even mentioned the event the article is about. We will be attending and I hope that the participation is better than the responses here. Glad to help support a good cause.
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Belexes Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@justmyopinion,
Imagine that! People going off topic and discussing Hockey on a Hockey blog! Who would of thunk it?
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puck73 Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
@justmyopinion, I was thinking about going, but highly unlikely right now.
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DesertKing Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@justmyopinion,
Your right -
Great charity
Hate wine
Won’t be there
Alumni game sounds fun
I am busy this weekend
Won’t be there
For some reason, that wasn’t as much fun as talking about whining and when DD will sign. Oh well
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Is this the first Alumni Vs JR Kings game? Sounds like loads of fun and for a good cause. The notice was too short for me to make it unfortunately
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Ii@VanKingsFan, I always play as myself, I live my fantasy playing as a LA King.
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All this Doughty talk… let’s not forget about #3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLgAM08Oa1A&feature=related
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kevin from toronto Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@kevin from toronto, Or this guy #JackJohnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNg2aS3GKDo&feature=related
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puck73 Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:07 am
@kevin from toronto, Jack “The heart attack” Johnson needs to clean up his play and improve his hockey IQ in his own zone. I could excuse the 1st 2 years he was here, but the last 2 years the Kings have been one of the better teams defensively and he has been I believe a combined minus 36, totally unacceptable. And for those who say he plays top 4 minutes, guess what? So does Doughty, Mitchell,and Scuderi so you will lose that arguement. I hope this is the year that he lets the game come to him instead of him trying to do everything like when he was at Michigan. Hopefully Jack is starting to figure out that in the NHL you will be playing against men who have similar talent, and that at this level if you make a mistake in your end, you will get burnt like toast.
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tornado12 Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 10:26 am
@puck73, good call puck. Although, your statements are backed by the +/- stats at the NHL level, not so much at lesser levels. In fact, (according to NHL.com) at the NHL level he is a combined -78 in 282 games. However at the worlds, which he has been a part of the last 3 years he has fared better, this last year notwithstanding. This year he was -4 in 7 games, but last year +4 in 6 games, and +1 in 9 games in 2009. This argues in favor of your point when the level of the compition is high, he needs to play smarter. He could learn a thing or 2 from watching reels of Nick Lidstrom’s (+429 in NHL career) positioning.
Dave Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@puck73, you are well-known JJ hater and i get that. i’d like to see what JJ can do with a consistent defensive partner. no more moving him around. if Doughty is so good let him move around and see if his +/- suffers.
i agree that Johnson still has some improvement to make on the defensive side of things but let’s not get carried away. +/- is a severely overrated stat.
KC23 Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@kevin from toronto, IMHO, if we don’t see a significant improve in JJ plus/minus this year, it will likely never get much better. I’m expecting Martinez to take JJ 2nd defensive spot sometime this year. Evidence suggest Martinez is significantly better than JJ. Martinez was 32 better than JJ in the plus/minus despite not even playing the whole year. The scoring difference wasn’t that great either considering how much less Martinez played last year.
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puck73 Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@KC23, I have to say that although I am a fan of Alec Martinez, I would be shocked if blew right by JJ this year. Thats not to say that he wont eventually, but this season ? I also think both Muzzin and Voynov have a heck of a shot to make this team this season as well, with Deslauriers and Hickey making stronger showings in camp.
McCheese Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 6:10 am
@kevin from toronto, this has been the longest summer ever.
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tweet from dennis bernstein of the fourth period magazine
Per @mayorNHL report, speculation spurred Ethan Moreau has signed with @LAKings
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fsd1 Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@KH, I hope not, that might be a bigger mistake than the cloutier signing, not sure why people think there is anything other than drew to sign, the lineup is pretty much set.
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Dave Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@KH, if he came cheap (and i’m sure he did) i like this as a depth signing. he can play a 8-10 minutes in the bottom six and give you some gritty work. he fits that role better than Parse.
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