Dwight King and Jordan Nolan. Jordan Nolan and Dwight King. Other than the facial differences, there’s not much between the two rookies. They’re both 22-year-old wingers with similar builds. They both have a hockey pedigree — King’s brother and Nolan’s father — and they came up to the Kings this season on the same February day. They were housemates in Manchester, playing in the AHL, and now they’re roommates in Los Angeles. Chances are, if you see one, you see the other. They were spotted playing chess in the hotel lobby the other day, although King quickly admitted that neither guy knows the rules all that well. They’re both affable guys who seem to be enjoying the ride, with a refreshing amount of joy and humility. Nolan had a big goal in the St. Louis series, and King had a big moment last night in Game 1 with a two-goal effort. Today, King talked about his friendship with Nolan and being able to share this experience.
KING: “We are actually roommates, both here and back in L.A. So, if you see us apart, that’s probably rare. We’ve been spending a lot of time together the last three months and it has gone well. Obviously we lived together down in Manchester too, so we know each other well and our relationship is good.’’
Question: Does it help, being two young guys in the same situation together?
KING: “Definitely. You have someone to talk to, someone to relate to. We’re both going through it for the first time and it’s obviously exciting. To be there with someone you know really well, it’s great.’’
Question: Do you guys talk hockey a lot?
KING: “Occasionally. Not a lot. We’re both avid movie-goes, so we discuss movies and stuff like that.’’
This Dwight King is a completely different player than the one we had up here last year. It’s amazing the impact that both King and Nolan have on this team.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@AZ King, He had a look like he really felt he was out of place the first time here.
Now he has the mile wide smile!
So much better times, these for the Kings!
GKG!!!!
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AZ King Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Duncanz,
Absolutely, he just looked lost the first time around. Another year of experience under his belt has made a huge difference.
I wonder if King, or Nolan for that matter, would be having this kind of impact under the previous coaching regime?
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KingsFan79 Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@AZ King, if ever they decide to do a feature film on the kings, I have 5-to-1 that Duane ‘The Rock’ Johnson will play the part of Dwight King. Am i wrong?
SpreignedAnkle Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@KingsFan79, That’s a match made in heaven.
PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@AZ King, You bring up a good question…No! I think that the single most under-rated quality Sutter brings to the table is his ability to motivate individuals, to trust them and allow them to contribute in their respective roles. That is the biggest difference I see in this team, and it’s freakin’ awesome!
USHA#17 Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@AZ King,
Under the old regime neither Nolan or King would have stuck past their first mistake.
Additionally, Martinez would have been riding the bench in favor of the ever dependable Drewiske while Voyonov would have been sent to rot in Manchester and Jack Johnson would still be taking an endless number of blocked shots from the point.
adanac Reply:
May 15th, 2012 at 10:29 am
@AZ King, No way! Sutter has been magic for this team.
Kenny44 Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@AZ King, Plus, he’s being encouraged to play, not being discouraged from screwing up.
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Bill M. Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Kenny44, yeah. Before our young guys looked like they were afraid to do anything to be noticed, for fear that they would be noticed for something negative. Now it looks like they are being encouraged to have an impact, even if that impact is simply an impact with an opposing player.
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MM Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@AZ King, I’ve noticed a few times this season that Nolan and King have had a few “anything you can do I can do” exchanges.
Feb. 12 – vs. Dallas – King scores his first goal of the season in the 1st period. 2 periods later Nolan scores his first goal and first ever game winner.
Feb. 28 – vs. Minnesota – King scores his second goal in the 1st period. 2 periods later Nolan scores his second goal.
May 3 – vs. St. Louis – King scores his first career playoff goal; May 6 – vs. St. Louis – Nolan scores his first playoff goal.
May 13 – vs. Phoenix – King has his first multi-goal playoff game; May 15 – vs. Phoenix – Will Nolan answer? I sure hope so =).
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CPMC29 Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@MM, I hope so also.
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Steve Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
@MM, I noticed that too.
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For a long time, I couldn’t even tell which one was which…
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mask0425x Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@the dash,
….uhhm, am I missing sarcasm here? They are build somewhat similarly (King appears thicker and not as lanky), they are both part/full Native Americans (Canadians?), same age. That’s where the similarities end for me. They play different game, King looks, acts and plays more mature. Seems to have a higher potential as well. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish Nolie challenged him there
Tell me what you see that I don’t…
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kingsfanInsano Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@mask0425x, I gotta disagree. I think Nolan is far more raw and unpolished. I see way more upside there then in King.
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Steve Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@kingsfanInsano, Agree. Nolan has better hands and speed and vision. King looks a little more mature though.
the dash Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
@mask0425x,
Hahaha no seriously, I just couldn’t remember whose face was whom’s…I thought Nolan was King and vice versa for like 3 weeks during the regular season. Apparently so did Bob Miller!
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MM Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@the dash, For a while, neither could Bob =). I remember Bob saying Jordan’s name when he should have been saying Dwight and vise versa. It’s tough having two players with similar bodies both wearing a number that starts with a 7.
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mask0425x Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@MM,
Talking about Carter and Nolan?
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MM Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
@mask0425x, Bob would get King and Carter mixed up, too. All 3 of those guys with #’s in the 70s would get Bob all kinds of confused.
DC Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
@the dash, According to NBC, Jordan is the one that looks like Sidney Crosby. lol
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Those two guys have gone through such a change in the last month. In round 1 they looked nervous (and rightfully so). In round 2, that nervousness was gone and they were in their game. Looking like seasoned playoff performers. If the trend keeps up (and last night gives indication that it will) this round is going to be phenomenal!
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nothing like being brought up together mid term and now in the WCF’s….
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If anyone ever wondered what the phrase “Living the dream” meant, this is it.
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Teddy has two sons in PHX, AZ, right now.
Hello Kings fan and proud brother of Jordy, Brandon Nolan !
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Duckbasher Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@Duncanz,
My son was at game one (first row behind the King’s bench in the “Irish Green” King’s shirt). He told me he met Brandon Nolan at the game. Brandon had his 3 week old baby with him too. Nothing like getting them King’s fans on board early eh?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@Duckbasher, Saw your son by the tunnel immediately after the game and GKGed him, IIRC.
I was the guy with the Kings scarf.
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Wish them tons of success and bright future with LA Kings…
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I love movies too, great to hear the younger people still like the movies too
Go Kings Go!
Glad you guys are on our side!
Thanks
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Duncanz Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@Gail Web, Wish we had …… ‘Three Kings’ !!!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
@Duncanz, ‘The King and I’,'The man who would be King’.
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I’m really stoked that I got to see those two guys play in the ECHL on the Ontario Reign–I really wish I would have ponied up the dough for one of those jersey auctions now
. Oh well.
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according to the NBC Sports Network, Jordan Nolan is actually Sidney Crosby.
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Bill M. Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@absoludicrous, Maybe we should politely request a few more goals, then?
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I wonder if DS took away their slot cars and gave ‘em the chess set.
“Nobody thinks ‘boot stragety at that age. I know my kids ain’t.”
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These two guys have made a huge impact on the team since they got here. It’s great to see. Regardless what happens in the playoffs this year, training camp is going to be interesting in the fall.
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~ RULES ARE THE RULES ~
DWIGHT: “Checkmate, Jordy!”
“
JORDAN: “Hey Dwight, you can’t checkmate with a KING!”
DWIGHT: “Sure you can. Just ask the Phoenix Coyotes last night!
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Osaka Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@Duncanz, Are you still in Phoenix?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
@0 sake, Back home for the day.
Back to Glendale for Gm 2 tomorrow!
Games there infinitely more affordable than LA, incl travel.
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The recall of King and Nolan to me is a prime example of DS recognizing what the team lacked, and what they needed. He spent that weekend in Manchester and watched games during the AS break. He didn’t care they were both young rookies, with little to no NHL experience. What he saw was two big wingers that can score the occaisional goal. Playing Loki, Lewis, Stoll at wing was not getting it done, and DS saw that quickly.
Go Kings!
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Duckbasher Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,
Absolutely. Those two were the key additions at the exact right time. Well… and of course… hiring Sutter and pulling off the JJ for JC didn’t hurt either… did it?
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Osaka Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@Cup B4 I Die, With the loss of Simmer, Zues, and Smyth the Kings really lost their ability to cycle down low and go to the high traffic areas in front of the net, these guys addressed the needs exactly.
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Jess, found something for ya http://youtu.be/UPGtxTL-0X4
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jess Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@Osaka,
Hahaha!!!
NICE. I swear this guy is entertainment. And I think NJ has a good chance in this series. If they start winning a couple and the rangers are put on heels, we will see Torta-Melt Down 2012!
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KingsFan1971 Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
@Osaka, Oh my that was awesome. I sure hope the kings get to dethrone Hendrick. GKG!!!!!!!!!!!
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Bromance
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DY Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
@Gfo12ce, OK with me, as long as their love child is the Stanley Cup!
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2 Kids with their whole live ahead of them living the dream, playing in NHL and seeing playoff success! Nice!
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Obviously they have picked up the locker room lingo.
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Other than the Carter trade, this could be possibly the best move of the year (Bringing both guys up)
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anonandonanon Reply:
May 15th, 2012 at 8:32 am
@California Royalty, Built-in support system. No deer in the headlights.
Gm2 19:59 per 1.
GKG!
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anonandonanon Reply:
May 15th, 2012 at 8:39 am
@anonandonanon, and I bet Voynov could show them how to play chess. (Check out the folks that are from Slavas home town on Wiki for a hoot. An impressive list).
Gm2 19:59 per 1.
GKG!
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D King in this second line is going to score a ton of goals in this series. Coyotes are focusing on Richards and Carter like madmen. This leaves King all alone to roam and hunt for loose pucks, like the one that led to his first goal.
I predict King will chase D Brown for the playoffs scoring title.
GO KINGS GO!!!
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Having these two guys on the team are a huge part of why we are where we are today!
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I haven’t taken this Jordan Nolan jersey off during a Kings game since the win after the loss against Vancouver. It’s on the plane to Phoenix with me today. If you’re there and you see a NOLAN 71… in the crowd, say hi
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