The celebration has continued for the Kings, who, after Thursday’s victory parade and rally, took the Stanley Cup to Las Vegas. Spotted in Las Vegas, in various pictures at the Venetian (photo above, from the TAO club) and Palms hotels, have been Jonathan Bernier, Jeff Carter, Kyle Clifford, Drew Doughty, Davis Drewiske, Simon Gagne, Matt Greene, Trevor Lewis, Alec Martinez, Willie Mitchell, Jordan Nolan, Jonathan Quick, Mike Richards, Brad Richardson, Rob Scuderi, Jarret Stoll and Kevin Westgarth. Dustin Brown is still in Southern California and Colin Fraser is driving — yes, driving — to Alberta to be with his family. The rest of them? Well, they’re having fun somewhere.
This, of course, will be the shortest offseason in Kings history. The NHL Draft will take place next Friday and Saturday in Pittsburgh, and the free-agency period starts on July 1. Due to become unrestricted free agents are Fraser, Stoll, Dustin Penner and Scott Parse, along with minor-leaguers Trent Hunter, Ethan Moreau, Patrick Mullen and Jeff Zatkoff. After that, the Kings will have their development camp in July, then it’s all up in the air. The NHL collective-bargaining agreement is set to expire on Sept. 15, meaning that the threat of a labor stoppage looms.
Things won’t slow down much here. There will be player evaluations from the season, coverage of the draft and free agency and, of course, the tracking of the Stanley Cup. I’ve had a lot — a lot — of questions and emails about appearances of the Cup. Nothing has been set yet. Remember that every player and coach, and many staff members, get to spend a day with the Cup. So that’s probably 50 days that the Cup will be spoken for, and most of those celebrations will be private. I’m certain that, when the Kings have public viewings of the Cup, they will be well-promoted, and I’m sure the Cup will be present at events such as the September “Hockey Fest,’’ assuming there is labor peace.
Drew looks hammered.
[Reply]
Harman Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
@CB14, you beat me for the first comment congrats!
[Reply]
LF13 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@CB14, the right thing to do when you win the Cup!
[Reply]
Kopi Bryant Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@CB14, Haha the f
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@CB08,,
Totally the very first impression I got from that photo, as well!!
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@Duncanzwell, Willie Mitch looks years younger than with the beard….
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@Real 7,
Teddy’s boy was the one guy that didn’t change a bit!
mcdangles Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
@CB14, wonder if Drew had some tasty SLEEMANS CREAM ALE’ flown in from Guelph? The boys are just lov’in it right now, eh?
[Reply]
mask0425x Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@CB14,
Looks like he found an all you can DRINK buffet after he blitzkrieged the all you can eat ones.
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@CB14, he made the mistake of trying to keep up with Richie and Carts.
[Reply]
tory17 Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@CB14,
looks like stoll wet himself,LOL just kidding
[Reply]
Kings Rule! Please let me know when the boys will come to Vancouver BC.
[Reply]
Keep Stolly and Fraser and go for the repeat!
[Reply]
I was privelaged enough to be at the private party at North End in Hermosa the night we won it and let me tell you, I can understand why they all still look hammered! Good news, I held the Cup (yes got pics) and Conn Smyth along with Quickie. Epic night that I’ll remember forever! GO KINGS GO!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
@Weis Guy,
)
Are you able to post links?
(Please
[Reply]
Weis Guy Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
@Duncanz, I have a few pics in my instagram account, @realweisguy
[Reply]
*Smythe
[Reply]
Rich, what are you going to do with the cup?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@DB6,
Set it atop a Munters and snap a photo for the blog.
Me have few doubts!
[Reply]
The Monarchs have announced the cup in coming to Manchester at some point! This makes me a happy Kings fan!!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@Simarosa,
Good for you & it’s been great reading your updates and impressions this season from over there on the farm.
Keep ‘em comin’!
[Reply]
Rich,
This will no doubt be the shortest “off-season” for you as well. I cannot thank you enough for the amazing job you do!
Now, go get yourself to a Cubs game, will ya?
[Reply]
Marty's Knuckles Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@Marty’s Knuckles, While you can…
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@Marty’s Knuckles, “SLAP!”
[Reply]
Love these photos, seeing that the guys are whooping it up. They worked so damned hard, they deserve the good times and basking in the glory.
[Reply]
Goodspeedlem Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@Robert R,
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
@Goodspeedlem, Uh oh, I got the silent treatment
[Reply]
This picture is like Metrosexual meets Viking, Alberta, Canada! LOL! Never seen so much plaid, (some in strange colors) , Hair gel & designer jeans….If Brokeback Mountain had a hockey team….
Only kidding guys. You’re CHAMPIONS! Who cares. Love seeing the Boys enjoy themselves. They more than earned it!
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@Cynic, Paisley cuffs Willie? Really? ;p
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@Cynic,
T. Versace!
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Duncanz, Mitch is the coolest!
[Reply]
They need to hammer the CBA out ASAP, otherwise, they are going to risk losing fanbase more then they did with the last one. Bettman needs to get his ass in gear and start it NOW!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@PucktheBecks,
Good, we might lose a few bandwagoners and lower the ticket prices … or at least slow down the thrust..
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@Duncanzdance, we can never go back….that would be like stopping democracy….
we need progress….PROGRESS….until the NHL owns THE WORLD !!!
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@Real 7, LOL. Democracy until a hockey dictatorship. Sounds about right.
KC23 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@PucktheDucks, Betteman has been ready for quite some time. He is waiting on the player’s association.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@KC23, Exactly. Why does everyone always seem to assume the NHL sets the agenda? Same with stuff like when people blame the NHL for only fining players $2,500 bucks. Read an article or two.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
the biggest issue will be revenue sharing….
the players currently get 57% of the total pie…with the nba and nfl at just above 50%, the owners will do everything possible to lower the percentage to where those leagues are currently at…
the other issue will be player salary held in escrow…
from wiki….:
“Notwithstanding the cap and the nominal value of the players’ contracts, the CBA stipulates that a fixed percentage of total league revenues (currently 57%) is to be paid to the players each season. To ensure compliance with this provision a percentage of each player’s salary is withheld in escrow until the season is over, at which time the funds are divided between the players and owners so as to balance the aggregate league payrolls to the agreed percentage. In the first season of the current CBA, revenues exceeded expectations to such a margin that players received the entire escrow back plus additional funds from the owners, however in subsequent seasons this has not been the case. For instance, in the first quarter of the 2010-2011 season, the escrow rate was 17%.”
ej hradek quoted bettman saying the other day that it is “certain” that there will be a lockout…of course, that could be posturing…
but the players will have to make concessions…it’s going to have to happen if we want the season to start on time…remember, when it comes to these cba’s, the owners always have the advantage…
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@V
The good news is, if the NHL runs it’s negotiations anything like it does the league, that advantage should dwindle quickly.
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
if you had to ask me right now, i think we are gonna be headed for some type of work stoppage…but it won’t be nearly as long as the last one…
players tend to realize late in these negotiations that most of the leverage belongs to the owners…if you have enough owners dug in into lowering the revenue sharing percentage….oh…let’s say to 51% or 52%…the players won’t be happy at all…
unfortunately, it’s going to happen…the quicker the players accept this, the better off the league will be….
Re-sign Moreau!
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beer?, yeah he’s just coming into his own….not.
[Reply]
tothehaters Reply:
June 18th, 2012 at 6:00 am
@Real 7, Why
[Reply]
Go Kings Go!
Thanks Rich for letting us know what is going on and have a great summer
Already watching NHL network replays
of old games thanks for them but not for
Cox cable screwing up my box so I could not
tape the parade
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@Gailweb,
“Cox cable screwing up my box so I could not tape the parade”
Can you say that on a PG website?
Just thought is ask…….
………Carry on………
[Reply]
Gotta resign Penner IMO.
[Reply]
PalmSpringsKingsFan Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@Mike, I agree I knew he had it in him.I never wanted to get rid of him(sometimes it was hard to watch) putting him on the 2nd line was one of the keys to the cup. I think when Sutter told him he would be playing softball, he woke up.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
@PalmSpringsKingsFan,
That was DL, wasn’t it?
Also, he finally played himself into favor and onto the 2nd line in my recollection, ie he was playing well enough to warrant the elevation, rather than DS putting him there and that’s what inspired him.
The fact that he took so long to come to fruition could have hurt him come July 1.
[Reply]
bmova Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 8:52 am
@Mike, If you resign Penner, what do you with with Gagne? He’s signed for one more year.
[Reply]
So some of these guys are going to stay in Vegas thru Weds for the awards show I assume. Maybe play some golf to pass the days… That’s a lot of nights though. Hopefully none of them get taken to the cleaners.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@LA_1999,
It’s okay, at this rate they’ll be “86ed”off the floor before they have a chance to get themselves “99ed” !
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Duncanz, you like numbers? I give you a number….21…
[Reply]
illegalstick33 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
@Duncanz, Thats ok as long as the number 69 comes up!
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@LA_1968, It ain’t called a Royal Flush for nuthin! Go play some poker boys.
[Reply]
Diego Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@LA_1968,
If Mrs. Great One in Vegas she could help them.
[Reply]
Enjoy the moment guys – We do expect another Cup. You set the bar this high.
Remember the chat “We want the Cup”. Shook the rafters at Staples Center.
[Reply]
City News Service Posted this story last night: “President Barack Obama called Los Angeles Kings
captain Dustin Brown today to congratulate the team for winning the Stanley
Cup.
Obama commended Brown and the entire Kings organization for their first
Stanley Cup win and said that he looks forward to congratulating the entire
team in person at the White House soon, according to the White House.
Brown is the second U.S.-born captain of a Stanley Cup-winning team.
Derian Hatcher of the 1999 Dallas Stars is the other. Brown is a native of
Ithaca, N.Y.”
and here is what Brown tweeted: “Drop off kids at school talk to the president pick up kids up from school go to Madagascar 3. Pretty normal day.”
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
@paige,
@a-certain-beloved-moderator hammered my 1st reply into Bostonian oblivion …
Wonder how long this one is going to survive!
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@paige,
obama…ever the strategist….trying to win over california voters early…
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@paige, Sounds like a pretty normal day, except for that annoying phone call from that political telemarketer….
[Reply]
bmova Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 8:53 am
@paige, I can’t imagine any of the players pulling off a Tim Thomas!
[Reply]
Imagine your unbridled joy in October (or better, February) had @Rich sent you back this photo from the future!
I guess Vegas would be the first place I’d have headed back then and today Anschutz, Leiweke & The LA Kings would be hanging with me at my freshly purchased expansive mansion, playing on the adjoining course and in my casino (first $10G of chips free, natch) and skating in the state-of-the-art underground rink anytime it darn well pleased them !!!
We can dream, of course, but they don’t come much better than the one we actually find ourselves occupying right now really, do they?!!
Thanks so much, *** LA KINGS ***
Thanks so much ………….
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@DuncanzWins!, YES! my 43 year dream come true….but you can have my chips….I’ll take a Kings tattoo, though….
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Real Loose 7s,
Cant wait to see a fellow and his son waltzing around with matching purple ‘n gold crowns on their foreheads next time I visit the ’101′ beaches!
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@Duncanz,
it’s this summers hottest swimsuit gear…:)
Kingsfanone Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Duncanz,
Would you be inviting any of us to your expansive mansion and adjoining golf course?
……holds hand up hoping to get picked…….
Fore!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
@Kingsfanone,
LOL, read again.
This would have occurred had @RH thought to serve me as such.
Then I would have been on the first bullet train to Sin City (oh wait … come on Jerry, get that thing done), put my lifesavings down on The Kings at enormous odds and made enough so that I could have bought up all that fallowed land out there from Steve Wynn & co, and then YOU, @KF1, would have been invited first of all and I would have made you my personal Herb Villachez for all eternity.
In case this sort of thing actually comes to pass next season, I would like you to immediately begin practicing shouting,
“THEE PLANE, BOSS, THEE PLANE!!”
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 1:38 am
@Duncanz,
It’s…..”de plane! Boss. De plane!”
(do I gotta wear the full white suit & shoes?)
Duncanz Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 2:00 am
@Kingsfannone,
Kings road jersey will suffice.
(& no laughing like a little girl – we leave that to the professionals!)
rich,can someone on the kings bring.the cup to pebble beach..we saw it last year when the bruins owner brought it to the ist tee golf tournament.as 43 year king fans who moved to the monterey peninsula this would be fantastic…again thank you for all you do for all king fans with la insider. sincerely judith and michael
[Reply]
Ah the spoils of victory. Interesting shirt there Willie. Go sleep it off DD.
[Reply]
what and where will Sutter have the cup??? Possible on a Tractor on the farm back home? Maybe having some feed in it and one of his COWS eating out of it? I know for sure it won’t be at the local rink there, there’s NO ICE outdoors this time of year
[Reply]
John K. Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@mcdangles, And the tractor will be equipped with Bridgestone tires donated by DD…
[Reply]
I forgot how intense the Vancouver games were…
It seems like a year ago…
Lots of dirty stuff…I think our hardest competition..
And we smoked them…
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@SLIM,
Looking back, it’s my favorite series. They tried so hard to bully us off the ice failing to realize just what they were up against.
They were probably all stunned after game four thinking of things they could have done differently but realizing nothing would have worked. Nice try suckers. Better luck next year but I doubt it.
Vancouver fans will now have to contend with Champion Fans next time they come strutting into Staples like they own the place. I will be there and I will enjoy every second of reminding each one of them what a real team looks like.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
… Game 5?
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@SLIM,
turning point of the the playoffs for the kings for me was the hit on sedin….
it was from that point on that the kings showed that they wouldn’t be intimidated….
strolly’s ot winner to clinch was also a huge statement that the team made….
those moments in that series really ignited the team and the never looked back….
i agree…it was the most important series of our run….
[Reply]
PalmSpringsKingsFan Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@variable, I think the LA KINGS broke Roberto Luongo’s career with VC would not surprise me if he ends up on another team.
[Reply]
gr81scores Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
@variable, Brownie’s smack on Sedin with Rickie’s hit on Burrows was how they set the tone instead of reacting.
[Reply]
All this drinking, rumor is team is getting traded to Vegas!
I’ve now been sober for 2 days since Monday! What a great week!
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Sammuchlessdrinking, DD appears to be on a 4 day bender….BARTENDER!
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@Sammuch,
hey SAM….
for reasons i can’t explain, i didn’t get any of the pictures we took with westy, browny, jw, luc, etc….
i’m hoping you have them…i can’t remember which phone cameras we used…but i don’t have any from our late night excursion at staples when they all started coming out…
let me know if you have any good ones…
the1variable@gmail.com
thanks….:)
[Reply]
Sammuch Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@variable,
Wow! I havent even look at them all! I shall do friend!! Nice hair cut by the way!
[Reply]
variable Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@Sammuch,
hehe…thanks…:)
let them enjoy themselves hammered or not its a great time right now kings of L.A gotta love it serious chances of repeating do doubt about it. WE GOT THE CUP WE GOT THE CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
continuing from PUCKTHEDUCKS POST and PAUL’S comments above…:
here’s a recent breakdown/opinion piece about the upcoming negotiations…:
http://spectorshockey.net/blog/this-week-in-nhl-cba-news-june-10-2012/
and here’s another synopsis from the globe and mail…:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/eric-duhatschek/bettman-and-fehr-both-cautious-toward-upcoming-labour-talks/article2447869/
[Reply]
little brother with Stanley Cup! 6-16-12
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=385917454797711&set=a.351653728224084.80388.100001383805743&type=1&theater
[Reply]
I have all the clinching games on my DVR. Wish I knew how to transfer them. Dan you Blue ray recorders for never catching on. Thanks DRM.
[Reply]
Rich, do you plan to ever take a day off?
[Reply]
Just a small side note, and I told Paul Armbruster first, just in case anyone asks, but my friend texted that he ran into Dustin Brown in the Staples Team LA store this morning.
My friend had to do a double take, and Rich is correct that Brownie is not only in SoCal, but really close! Not that ANYONE should EVER consider doubting Rich! That would be very unwise!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Ha ha, I doubted he would cornfield my Tim Thomasy reply to @paige’s earlier post … but he DID!
He sure showed ME!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
@Kingsfannone,
Ha ha, I doubted he would cornfield my Tim Thomasy reply to @paige’s earlier post … but he DID!
He sure showed ME!
[Reply]
Look at how its only the Single guys that are at the club…loll…freakin classic!!!
GKG!!
[Reply]
Are there any plans to do a celebration parade at Disneyland? Doesn’t seem like it, but I was just wondering if there was any news on it. Thanks.
[Reply]
Good for the boys. Glad they are having fun and blowing off some steam, they deserve it. Wonder if there are any paternity lawsuits next March?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
@5th pleads,
Especially from other player’s wives!
: /
[Reply]
I was one of the people who emailed Rich about the Cup appearances. I think the Kings should set up days with the Cup all over the Southern California area. And they should have various players, coaches, or alumni come along. Of course it’s great to see players celebrate with the Cup and they should have their own days with their friends and family. But we as fans should have a time when we get to see the Cup. And not every fan can go to Downtown or Manhattan Beach. Of course it should be after the Cup gets engraved so that we could see all their names on it.
[Reply]
aj51 Reply:
June 18th, 2012 at 9:45 am
@Marc, I agree. Speaking personally, they definitely need to show all the Kings fans in the Valley some love! I hope they bring it to their rink in Panorama City.
[Reply]
Must mean Phil Pritchard got to take in a night at Tao in Vegas, since he goes wherever the Cup goes..
Man that guy just lives vicariously through that Cup!
What a rough life he has.
[Reply]
m.r.morris Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
@Scot, Travel, more travel, and even more travel… This guy for the most part gets to go to Europe on the CUP… He also gets to play phone tag with Peggy…
Hey,
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CUP…
And it’s one hell of a Kings Chalice.
[Reply]
These guys don’t look like they’ve just finished playing 101 games of hockey!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
@TellmeYnot, … of beer pong, perhaps!
[Reply]
Hope the management is set for the upcoming draft, I had issues concentrating on work during the Final/Playoffs. Can’t imagine what it was like for them.
[Reply]
First pic here is better.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/la-kings-seem-enjoying-themselves-las-vegas-stanley-171859999–nhl.html
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 12:03 am
@QueenInVan,
Decadence inCupnate..
[Reply]
When will the engravings be done? Would be great to see the Cup after the Kings are added.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 12:06 am
@CoffeyIsForClosers,
Can’t be for several weeks, what with the presumed petitioning of players (and former coaches, yayyyyy) still in process.
[Reply]
Though I didn’t see him in the picture, I was relieved to read that Kevin Westgarth was there. The boys were in good hands. Let me rephrase that, the Stanley Cup Champions were in good hands.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 12:08 am
@Mikey J.,
Yup!
Paul Blart, he sure aint!
[Reply]
This looks like a blast of the largest degree…………enjoy guys, Have fun with it…….
[Reply]
Can’t wait for the Cup to be in our neighbourhood, bring it to Ayr, Cliffie.
Many signs, photos and congratulations messaging all around the village. The residents of Ayr will not let this go without a large, very large party.
Awesome, awesome, awesome……………..
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 8:27 am
@Harty,
I’ve enjoyed your posts and your insights very much over the year! So much knowledge of the game Congrats to Kyle, you, and your entire community. I hope you have a proud celebration and I look forward to hearing about it!
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
June 17th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@40YearKingsFan, thanks I’ll provide an update of the day for sure……….
[Reply]
After PARTYING it up in Vegas, Rick and Carts should take the cup to Philly and stick it to Holmgren!
[Reply]
The dictionary definition of happy is that picture.
The fruits of victory.
[Reply]
My thoughts on the upcoming summer player movement:
With the fact that a new CBA will likely be in place and the players will need to make some concessions on revenue sharing, the salary cap will likely be moved down. Maybe not in 2012-2013 season (currently supposed to be $70M), but the next season, it could go down to $60M, so the Kings need to recognise that and plan accordingly. Of the Kings’ UFAs, only Fraser should be signed. I love what Stoll and Penner did for us in the playoffs, but we have guys that can fill their spot at much less money. Quick should be signed long term with a big raise, and Bernier will likely be traded for a top forward prospect and more.
This is what I am thinking:
King — Kopi — Williams
Clifford — Richards — Lewis
Gagne — Carter — Brown
Nolan — Fraser — Richardson
Westy and Cliche (extra forwards)
D is set with Doughty/Scuds, Mitchell/Voynov, Greene/Martinez (Drewiske is the extra)
Quick in goal and then we sign a vet goalie to back him up for one year, then Martin Jones will back up after next season.
With King and Fraser getting slight raises, the forward 14 will be at $34.5M
With the d set, we are at $19M.
With Quick getting a raise to $7M and the vet back up getting $1.5M, we are at $62M.
I love the forward lines above because we can roll 4 lines against anyone and opposing teams will not be able to match up against us at all. The 3 main lines will get 17 minutes a game and the 4th line will get 9. This will give us the best chance to keep players fresh and limit the Stanley Cup hangover. All 3 d pairings can play 18 to 22 minutes each with no issues. You might think that the Richards line is a little weak offensively but I think Cliffy and Lewis do a great job of recovering pucks and using their speed and bodies to sustain a forecheck and create chances for Richards.
Power Play would be:
Kopi, Williams, Brown with Doughty and Richards on the point
Carter, Gagne, King with Marty and VV on the point
PK is our strongest and no changes needed. Losing Stoll will hurt here a little and in faceoffs, but Lewis, Richardson, Richards, Carter, Brown, Kopi can handle the workload on the PK. For faceoffs, we just need Kopi, Richards, Carter and Fraser to hold their own and we will be fine.
Of course any of us would love to add a Parise type to this team but with the looming CBA situation, it is not smart to put us in jeopardy in the future, especially since this team above should be as good as the one we have now that won it all. I say this because yes losing Penner and Stoll will hurt some, but Cliffy is ready to step it up, and I think Nolan and King will improve some, as will Lewis. These guys improving a little each, should mitigate the loses of Pens and Stoll.
Plus the young top forward prospect we get for Bernier should be able to add some offensive spark as the season progresses and be a regular (and contributor offensively) in 2013-2014 season. This player would likely replace Gagne at much less money in 13-14, and Richardson will be gone too and depending on the CBA, we should be able to get a Parise type if needed. Scuds will likely be replaced by a Muzzin type as well.
We could be a contender for many years to come, and it is nice to finally say that as a Kings fan for more than 30 years.
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The cup was at Toyota Sports Center, the Kings training facility in El Segundo, yesterday. I didn’t see any promotion and by the time I heard about it and got there the line had already been cut off. A couple of my friends were able to get in and get a photo with it.
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