Cup still on the move

The Stanley Cup continues its worldwide summer tour with the Kings, and there weren’t a lot of pictures from the past couple days — I couldn’t find a single one — because the Cup quietly spent two days in the Denver area with Kings owner Phil Anschutz and his wife, Nancy. It’s been written before, but Mrs. Anschutz is a big Kings fan, and she was part of the post-Game 6 celebration on the ice with her husband. The Cup has now moved on to the St. Louis area, as former assistant coach Jamie Kompon gets to enjoy his day with it.

To catch up with the Cup’s travels, NHL.com’s “Summer with Stanley” blog does a nice job of recapping many of the trips.

On the home front, things are progressing very nicely with the Kings’ official commemorative book. Some of the details are still to be finalized, but it’s going to have a DVD with some never-before-seen video footage, as well as (at least in one version of the book) a cool memento from the clinching game.

297 Comments

  1. neil says:

    What would Doan do with the cup if he was on the kings?

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @neil,

    Well, he wouldn’t need it to collect his tears.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @neil,

    “When”, not “if” :)

    [Reply]

    Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:

    @neil, He wouldn’t shake hands with it, that’s for sure.

    [Reply]

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @neil, Interesting question and certainly worthy of an analogy. What would you like your son to be called?

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @neil,
    … Tell it politely, “Not right now. Are you kidding me? Not right now.”, then suddenly realize days later when the newspapers came round, he would “have to be in better control of (his) emotions.”

    [Reply]

    c4sraser Reply:

    @Duncanz, who is doan?

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    Perfect!

    [Reply]

    Osaka Reply:

    @neil, Doan wouldn’t spend a day with the cup, the cup would spend a day with Doan.

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @0 sake,
    The most irritating man in the world!

    [Reply]

    Osaka Reply:

    @Duncanz, Me or Doan?

    Duncanz Reply:

    @0 sake,
    (Didn’t you see my paean to you yesterday?)
    Maybe I should have said;
    The most irritable man in the world …

    Osaka Reply:

    @Duncanz, I tipped my hat and gave credit where credit was due. You are the master lyricist of the blog.

    Your still not tipping your hand with most irritable…. me or Shane?

    Duncanz Reply:

    @O rion,
    Lol, and I tipped you right back by revealing a little classic ‘Chicago’ from under my hat, didn’t I?

    PAWLOWSKI Reply:

    @neil, simmonds 4 million 6 yrs? just plain wrong, i think mike holmgren has lost it, all that does is set the bar higher when the top players come up.

    [Reply]

  2. Michael J. says:

    Hey Rich, according to reports Shane Doan is making a “trek across North America” as he shops himself around the league. Could you do a “Doan tracker” like you have done with the cup for us?

    [Reply]

    Rich Hammond Reply:

    No, thanks.

    [Reply]

    Mike Onusic Reply:

    @Rich Hammond, Like!

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @Mike Onusic, you think rich is sick of all the Doan talk here?

    Tim from the OC Reply:

    @Rich Hammond, Isn’t that what the King’s Mgmt said… “Mmm.. No thanks”

    [Reply]

    Ian Reply:

    @Tim from the OC, Kings management said “We would love to have you, here is what we can pay you, but don’t expect us to drool over you”.

    luc20rules Reply:

    @Rich Hammond, Hey, Rich how about a Nanny Cam on Mike Smith’s Stick. I would like to know if he is slashing 8 year olds if they get one by him at a youth skills camp?

    [Reply]

    TiredOfIt Reply:

    @Rich Hammond, Thank you Rich…NO THANKS is RIGHT!!!!!

    [Reply]

  3. Maury says:

    Rich,

    Without Fan Fest is there going to be any way the fans can see the cup up close here in L.A.?

    More cows have seen the cup up close and personal than us L.A. fans.

    [Reply]

    Sebastian Reply:

    @Maury, There have already been 2 great chances for fans to see the Cup (very briefly) and get a picture with it. Sport Chalet and Redondo Beach Cafe. All events are highly advertised, here, twitter, etc.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Sebastian,

    Both events with the Cup were time constrained. Just a few hours. Jim Fox was very gracious about sharing it with the fans during his Cup day. It was also a charity event

    A full Day with the Cup at Staples (preferable on a Sunday) would be great. I know, easier said than done. But the vast majority of fans have not had a real opportunity to see it up close and personal.

    [Reply]

    Maury Reply:

    @Gustavo, My point as above as well.

    Bones Reply:

    I@Gustavo, I would also love to see the Kings have the cup at Staples for
    a few hours, money could go to Kings Care. On another note, I am also
    sick of hearing about Doan. If he wants to play on this team, he knows where we are and who to call.

    EasyBob Reply:

    @Gustavo, Yes!!! Let’s do a cup day.

    EasyBob Reply:

    @Gustavo, I want my picture with the cup.

    Sancho Reply:

    @Gustavo, I’ve got two pictures with the cup. One at the All Star Game in ’02 and one at the Luxor in Las Vegas after the Kings won it. Two cherished moments, you’ve gotta wait in line if you want a picture with it. There’s no getting around it if you’re just a regular fan like me. Wait in line after you hear where it’s going to be. Simple.

    ten for instigating Reply:

    @Maury, When the draft was in LA the cup was there for people to see/take a picture with it. I cant imagine it wouldnt be availabe for fans sometime during the season. Safe money is it will be there around the first game of the year. Just be prepared to wait. Line during the draft was a long as the line for Space Mountain on Grad Night.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @ten for instigating,

    My rep just wrote back saying they plan something in September for season ticket holders. No fixed date yet.

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Gustavo,
    Lucky 1 %ers ….
    2 %ers if you count @Stu!
    8)

    Stuart Reply:

    @1%er, but did he write on gold letterhead? LOL

    TiredOfIt Reply:

    @CornFieldMonitor…If I get my moment with the cup for being a STH……I’m getting an 8X10 of the big silver thing and sending it to Pahrump, autographed by yurs truly

    Duncanz Reply:

    @OhGreatExhaustedOne,
    I will lovingly treasure it like I do my grandmother’s false teeth that have pride of place in a jar on the side table by my bed, you can be sure.

    Tim James Reply:

    @ten for instigating, my Grad Night occurred three weeks after Space Mountain opened (1977). Lines wrapped around the attraction the entire night. Personally, if I wish to wait that long for anything, it had better be the Cup!

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @ten for instigating,

    If I remember right didn’t that Monsanto ride have the longest line on grad night ;)

    [Reply]

    Maury Reply:

    @Michael J., Journey into Innersapce. What a great ride.

  4. FKA PakiFro says:

    In at least version? Does that mean they’re doing several so we’ll need to buy a few different books of them to get all the cool stuff?

    [Reply]

    EJ Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, just like in music . . . bleed the diehard fans as much as possible. Can anybody say Uber Deluxe Achtung Baby for $400?

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @EJ, Love is blindness..

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @EJ, But we of to hear all the “baby” versions of the album! Love the ‘Baby’ Zoo Stations

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @Shakes, “of to hear”= got to hear

  5. Crash Davis says:

    Rich, it’s been said that a winning team gets about 100 days in the summer into September with the Cup. Much of that time is the per day events that players, coaches & some staff get in their hometowns.

    With trips to Russia, Slovenia, Canada, USA etc…who pays for the expenses & travel of both the Cup itself & the “Keepers of the Cup?” The winning team, the NHL or a combination of both? How does airfare, hotels, per diems etc get covered? Does each player have to pay for the Cup expenses for their day, i.e. costs to bring the Cup to their location?

    [Reply]

    EJ Reply:

    @Crash Davis, a question most excellent!

    [Reply]

    nykingfan Reply:

    @Crash Davis,
    damn, that is a really good question!
    my wife had asked me that about the cup keeper…who pays for his airfare/lodging,etc..I assumed it was the NHL.

    [Reply]

    Crash Davis Reply:

    @nykingfan, you might be right. It may come out of the operating & promotional expenses of showing off the Cup. All those events near and far away are great for NHL promotion. On the other hand, there might be a league office gentlemen’s agreement deal whereby WHICH EVER TEAM WINS THE CUP THAT SEASON pays the freight of carting the Cup (& the Keepers) around to sites near & far.

    I have no idea. Just thought it might be an interesting question.

    [Reply]

    Belexes Reply:

    @Crash Davis,

    I assume Shane Doan covers the cost for these excursions.

    [Reply]

    Kevco Reply:

    @Crash Davis, The cup is owned by the hockey hall of fame, not the NHL. The two guys that travel with the cup are employees of the hockey hall of fame, not the NHL. I assume these cuts are paid thru the hockey hall of fame, maybe the winning team is ask (required) to make a donation to the HHOF?

    [Reply]

    Crash Davis Reply:

    @Kevco, excellent observation! HHOF wouldn’t have the finances the NHL would. Got to believe that the winning team has to contribute something to the travel costs & expenses of their 100 days with Stanley. Also, every time the Cup appears in a commercial (“USA Prime Credit. I am Peggy.”) an “appearance” fee probably gets charged, which goes to HHOF too.

    [Reply]

  6. Here’s your favorite coach interviewed with the cup today… http://kingsnewsdaily.com/watch-jamie-kompon-interviewed-with-the-cup/

    [Reply]

    Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:

    Note the tats on Jamie…both arms! Didn’t realize he was such a bad ass. ;)

    [Reply]

    Shotongoal Reply:

    @Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Good post Paul and good for Kompon helping an animal charity.

    [Reply]

    puckbobb Reply:

    @Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), my Gramma has a tattoo

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @puckbobb, you got one badass gramm!

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
    This ought to cause a bit of a stir in @Dessertville ….

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    May be a great person but still sucks as a offense and PP coach. Maybe he should take Bob Barker’s old job.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Didn’t that job come with great benefits?

    DesertKing Reply:

    @MichaelJ

    And several lawsuits ;)

    puck73 Reply:

    @Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Cant believe I am gonna say this again but, Jamie seems like a real good guy. I wish him the best in Chicago except against the Kings.

    That being said, as far as TM goes..Boo Boo Boo boo Boo !!!

    [Reply]

    nykingfan Reply:

    @puck73,

    one day you’ll learn to appreciate all he did! :)

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @nykingfan,

    You are right. I completely appreciate what @puck73 was trying to do and eventually accomplished.

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),

    Gotta love it when Stanley Cup champions donate part of their day with Cup to help charities of causes they believe in.

    Kudos to Jamie Kompon, Dustin Brown, Jim Fox and all the others Life Champions out there.

    [Reply]

  7. Duncanz says:

    So for the Cup to have visited everywhere it should have, all that’s needed is for Willy Mitchell to parade it down the main street of VAN, and I guess @Shotongoal, @LA_1968, @Jeff_R & @Kissmyblarneystones and I will volunteer to go pilgrimaging and do laps around the Jobing.com plaza with it!

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Duncanz, I would love to go with you, and take the Cup and Parade it around those Bandwaggoning losers in Phoenix. Also, would love to take a couple of victory laps around HP Pavillion with @Subby and scream obscenities at Shark Fan !

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @purge73,
    Oh yeah, I forgot @Flubby!
    But I think he prefers Disneyland where he can easily meet unassuming fans from all round the league and bomb them with unlimited middle fingers and ” = P ” faces!

    [Reply]

    KingsFan602 Reply:

    @Duncanz, i live in phx . I wanna join that run too. Haha

    [Reply]

  8. FKA PakiFro says:

    http://framework.latimes.com/2012/08/06/stanley-cup-coach-darryl-sutter/#/3

    For those that missed it. Good pictures and good article

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro,
    The photo I don’t get is the one where the two boys are attending the trophy while a blurred Rockwellian figure in the background appears to be beating his head on a door frame ….
    Is this one of the brothers demonstrating what you did each time you lost the game of barn hockey, or is it a frustrated reporter that arrived without his “Darryl Sutter For Dummies” translation guide?

    [Reply]

    luc20rules Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, Nice the picture looks like Sutter is tuning the world’s smallest violin to play for SJ, Phx, & Vanc.

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @luc20rules,
    Fiddling while Doan burns …

    [Reply]

  9. KC23 says:

    I loved the idea someone had on this blog for a “Darryl Sutter night” … say against Calgary, where all the fans coming through the gates with flanel shirts would get a Sutter bobble head ro something.

    [Reply]

    luc20rules Reply:

    @KC23, We need to take a vote of the design of the bobble head.
    A) Darryl on driving a Tractor with the Stanley Cup in the shotgun seat.
    B) Darryl raising the Cup.
    C) Darryl in Flannel. Maybe hooking some hay with the Cup on stack of bailed hay.
    D) Darryl in a Kings warmup suit coaching practice.
    E) A series featuring all four.

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @luc20rules, they sounds like different Barbie types, i’m gonna go with answer choice (F)Malibu Darryl

    [Reply]

  10. HockeyNerd says:

    “Good Morning you have reached Dean Lombardi, General
    Manager of the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. Please listen carefully as our menu options may have changed. If this is Jamie Kompon please be sure it is returned by midnight tonight. If this is Dustin Penner stop calling and get back to the gym. If this is Shane Doan 4 million is my final — no I made an error 5, no I made yet another mistake, 5 and a half. The preceding was the price to let you touch it, I understand you are still going to offer us even more to give you the privililege of playing here. If this is Tanner Pearson, no you are not being traded for Doan, my apologies on behalf of several overly enthusiastic bloggers. If this is Brad Richardson, Jordan Nolan, Kyle Clifford or Kevin Westgarth press 2 now to enter the ‘stay on the team lottery’. The drawing will be held October 5th and tickets are 5 dollars for one, 3 for 10 and 7 for 20. If this is a member of the television media I apologize for not including Brad Doty’s statistics in the package, please hold while I locate those records. If this is the young lady I met in the bar last night, sorry but we do not give out information like where Drew Doughty will be and how much money he will have with him. For all other inquiries press 3 and a member of our staff will speak to you as soon as negotiations with the players are complete. Your estimated waiting time is 1 full season.”

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @HockeyNerd,

    Very nice ;)

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, is Doan the new pp coach?

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @neil, Fire Doan.

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @CB14,

    :)

    zeropointcomic Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, That seems to be what I imagine the
    proper length of a Dean Lombardi voicemail to be.

    [Reply]

  11. Belexes says:

    This is a real good idea, but would have to make room amongst the Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, and Shane Doan bobble head nights…

    [Reply]

    Belexes Reply:

    @Belexes,

    This was a reply to @kc23 of course.

    [Reply]

  12. Gail Web says:

    Go Kings Go!

    Doan Doan Doan Doan stay away thanks!

    [Reply]

  13. Osaka says:

    Does anyone have (or have seen) a picture or Mr. and Mrs. Anschutz on the ice celebrating after game 6? I would love to see that, pretty cool! Do you know of any Rich?

    [Reply]

  14. jess says:

    My friend and fellow blogger posted this reply to me a couple of days ago:

    @jess,

    “Our Locker room”???…ROFLMAO!!!
    “When was the last time YOU were anywhere near the LAK locker room?
    Leave that to the GM, Coaches and players to determine who is or isn’t a good influence in the team’s locker room.”

    -I just found out today, that in a very short period of time I’ll be about a foot away from that cup with a beer, in my buddy’s back yard in El Segundo (who you might guess, is in some way connected to the Kings. I can’t give out names and dates because it is private, but they were very kind to invite me. I’ve never asked them for a ticket, a hat, a sticker or anything. I’ll figure a way to post pics when the time comes.

    Yes OUR team, Yes OUR locker room, Yes OUR Los Angeles Kings!!

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @jess,

    (Eyeroll)
    Enjoy, Jess. You do deserve your moment with the Cup

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    Yes and thank you.

    -That is why before the Kings come on the ice at Staples you hear:

    “Ladies and Gentlemen, YOUR Los Angeles Kings!!!”

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @jesst,
    Are you sure this is not just a Gust av orificial wind …. ?

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @Duncanz, Could be, I didn’t name names ;)

    [Reply]

  15. FiG17 says:

    Will the book also come with a time machine so we can relive those two months?

    Please?

    [Reply]

    FKA PakiFro Reply:

    @FiG17,

    I’ve figured it out..the secret gift will be a Flux Capacitor.

    [Reply]

  16. Minnesota Kings Fan says:

    Rich,

    I’m champing at the bit for the commemorative book and the DVD with Bob and Jim’s call of game 6 of the finals. When any little bits of info that come up about these, please don’t hesitate to post them. I can’t get enough of Kings Stanley Cup media!

    Thanks!

    [Reply]

  17. LVKINGS88 says:

    I was driving home today and I realized that the LA Kings won the Stanley Cup,I watched the DVD yesterday and I couldn’t believe what I saw,is it really true? wow! the LA Kings are the Stanley Cup Champions!!!!!

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @LVKINGS88,

    The bext part is we still have 10 more months of bekng the champs and then we get to do it again. GKG-AGAIN!!

    [Reply]

    Bones Reply:

    @DesertKing, as someone said on this site….KINGPEAT!

    [Reply]

    KingsFanFTW Reply:

    @LVKINGS88, the best part of all this is Kings are the STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!

    [Reply]

  18. I feel sorry for Kompon….no longer a member of the Kings, I.d be tellin’ ‘em not to take the damn thing to his house.

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @Danny ingamells,

    No worries. At least he’s got an NHL job as opposed to TM.

    -But my friend who is a Hawks fan is scratching his head LOL.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @jess,

    I predict Terry Murray with his AHL head coaching job will have a bigger impact on the Flyers NHL roster in the next few years than Jamie Kompon will as an assistant for the Blackhawks.

    Just give it a couple of years and see how those kids learn to play defense before they get to the big club.

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Gustavo,
    The question might just be, who will be the first of the two to turn his whole club into an inexorable defensive boggernought …?

    jess Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    Well of course he’s going to have a bigger impact. He’s the HC.

    I just can’t wait to show up at a kings game with my customized adirondack phantoms jersey! :)

  19. Belexes says:

    Just a quick question. Has anybody seen Mikus and Doan at the same time? Now I’m not trying to say, um, you don’t. Suppose….

    [Reply]

  20. hoagy says:

    Did Quick celebrate with the cup yet? If not, any word on when? This CT resident, long-suffering Kings fan would like to see the cup in person.

    [Reply]

  21. Howe9 says:

    Anybody who thinks Doan is considering the Kings is fooling themselves. We are not even on his top five list. (NYR, Pit, Van, SJ, & Nash).

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @Howe9, so you’re saying there’s a chance…

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Shakes, but all contendors #6-30 all start with LAK!!!

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Howe9,

    It’s mere speculation what is going on inside Doan’s melon. All we can do is debate our preferences and fantasies until he makes an announcement.

    1. Do I lower my price and go to LA for the best chance to win the Cup and swallow my pride? (I honestly like a lot of the LA players, even after the way things ended in the WCF)
    or
    2. Do I join the second best possible team in the west with a chance to dethrone the LA Kings? (I really hate those aholes after the way things ended in the WCF)
    or
    3. I’m never gonna win a Cup and make 7.5 mill if I stay in the west. (Buffalo, NY, Pittsburgh or Flyers? (Ennie, Minnie, Manny or Moe?….Boy I really really really hate those LA aholes)

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Gustavo,
    I’ll tell you all you need to know:
    Bad seeds and pulp fiction, that’s what!

    [Reply]

  22. Shakes says:

    Top 10 possible things that the “cool memento” could be:
    1) a free hug from Bob Miller
    2) a dab of the hair product that Jim Fox used while attending the game
    3) a cherry lemonhead which i believe won the Staples scoreboard Lemonhead shootout that night by going top-shelf
    4) an inflateably Shane Doan punching bag
    5) My eardrums, which the guy sitting next to me shattered while screaming… during the non-scoring 2nd period powerplay
    6) Pucks that were stolen from the Devils pre-game warm-ups to make-up for the formerly-missing game puck
    7) The Devils’ penalty kill, because it went missing in Game 6
    8 ) I don’t have anything funny for this one except for the fact that I finally remembered to put a space between the “8″ and the closed parenthetical “)” to avoid making the smiley face emoticon “8)” by accident. That’s been a killer for me while writing lists on this blog for years
    9) used Devil’s playing cards that were placed in the men’s urinals
    10) Zach Parise’s final game-worn Devils jersey cut up into little pieces and raffled off to try and pay for Ilya’s contract

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @Shakes, A copy of all the posts on this blog before the Kings started their run to the Cup!!!!

    [Reply]

    ReignMafia Reply:

    @neil, Maybe someone got ahold of the final puck from Game 6 and has sliced it into say….10000 pieces. We all will get a piece of history!!!!

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @ReignMafia,

    Only 10,000 pieces?
    What about the other 8677 fans who attended Game 6?

    Duncanz Reply:

    Maybe JC could do it…. you know, that other JC …

    Shakes Reply:

    @ReignMafia, or Juraj. Juraj can find a way to give 10,000 pieces to 18,677 people

  23. KingsFan602 says:

    I was lucky enough to get a pic with the cup when the all star game was in LA

    [Reply]

  24. King Charles of Salt Lake says:

    When will the Cup make it here… You know here Salt Lake City. Word on the street is that Lewis will have his day with the Cup here…You know here in Salt Lake City. Remember that we are an Olympic City!!!!

    [Reply]

    Belexes Reply:

    @King Charles of Salt Lake,

    SLC is a great city. I’m sure the cup will enjoy the visit. :)

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @King Sal of Lake Charles,
    Will you have to purchase a membership card to have a beer out of it?

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @King Charles of Salt Lake, http://kingsnewsdaily.com/lewis-to-bring-cup-to-salt-lake-on-august-30th/

    [Reply]

  25. KC23 says:

    From game 61 (Carter trade) on last year. If projected for a full season Vs last years league stats:

    Kings would of been 4th in goals scored.
    Kings would of been 1st in goals allowed … of all time in an 82 game season.
    Kings would of been 1st in goal differencial by over 30 goals.

    Scarey stuff.

    http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=639127&navid=DL|LAK|home

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @KC23, correction goal differencial by 53 goals. YIKES!!!

    [Reply]

    FKA PakiFro Reply:

    @KC23,

    Let’s hope they can keep it up for the full year. The puck possession by the Dmen was the biggest difference I saw. Instead of just dumping it out, they held on or played catch behind the net until a forward was available for a solid break out, ultimately leading to more offensive chances. Like Bob Miller said, they looked the Red Wings during their dominant days.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, Biggest difference I saw was the agreesive layered forecheck with the weakside defensemen pinching and the F3 covering for the pinching defensemen. At least that is what I thought I was seeing. Before DS the Kings seemed like they would immediately go to neutral zone coverage protecting passing lanes instead of really going after the puck carrier.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @KC23,

    Agreed, I totally see the forecheck as the most significant factor to the Kings’ improvement.

    Stuart Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, to add about the Dmen, they also stopped circling ALL THE WAY back behind the net on every play. It seemed that under the former coach, they thought plays could only start from behind their own net, rather then as you said, making the pass up and out, quickly. And the accuracy of that pass increased tremendously under DS.
    And as has been pointed out, the forecheck became more aggressive and seemed to forecheck with a purpose, not just to apply pressure to the puck carrier, but to funnel them towards more pressure.

    but IMO, the biggest difference was way better puck management by the forwards. No more dump and chase, much more entry with speed, much more completion of passes, cross-ice passes, etc. It cannot be denied that DB’s maturation, for whatever the reason was, made a huge difference as it allowed the rest of the line to flurish because of the possession time. DB’s play, along with the forechecking pressure, are my two biggest keys to the success they had!

    [Reply]

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    KC,PakiFro,Stuart, Whoa there tigers. You guys are drifting way off topic. What the heck does this have to do with Doan?

    Stuart Reply:

    @3BG, oh, ummm… hey look over there!!! (points and runs the other way)

    Osaka Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, Remember the numbers didn’t change until the Carter trade. The Kings were struggling to score goals with Sutter as coach prior. Of course TM’s ultra conservative approach was one cause of our offensive problems but not the only one. Remember just 2 years ago the Kings were 9th in the league in scoring. A major problem the Kings had this last season was personnel. Bringing in Carter and calling up Nolan and King were even more important. You guys talk about the Dmen making quick smart passes, that was another personnel issue. It wasn’t until JJ left and was replaced by Voynov did we have the Dmen able to do that. Decision making wasn’t JJ’s strong suit. Coaching philosophy did have something to do with it, but there were so many other variables involved. Even the rumors that Brown was going to get traded had an impact.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @KC23,

    Then I guess the only qiestion that remains is: How much will these numbers improve next year with Doan playing left wing on the first three lines?

    [Reply]

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @Michael J, That’s better. He’s a stud but he still needs to rest. You can’t run him on back to back to back shifts…

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @BringbackButchGoring,

    Shane Doan > Chuck Norris

    King Cobra Reply:

    @KC23,

    Doan put the Carts before the horse!

    [Reply]

  26. KingsOfKomedy says:

    Doan’t you want me baby!

    [Reply]

  27. DesertKing says:

    Did we sign Kovalchuk part deux yet? I also heard that Usain Bolt is ready to leave track and field and he is pretty fast.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Bolt has a better last name than Quick.

    [Reply]

    Sebastian Reply:

    @Michael J., i dont know…Usain Quick sounds pretty good…so does Jonathan Bolt

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Michael J.,
    Semi OT, but could Eric Brewer & BJ Crombeen be considered … Bolts from the Blues?

    [Reply]

  28. SLIM says:

    When I was in Montreal last week…
    Talking Hockey with the locals…
    I asked who they thought was the best player…
    The player who made the difference…
    The answer was to a man/woman….EVERYONE..
    Said “Drew Doughty”……
    Interesting….I thought…and perhaps agree..
    Now you might think it’s because he’s Canadian…
    But I was around lots of Americans also..

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @SLIM,

    I guess I need to wear my DD #88just jersey while I am their.

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @SLIM, I think that DD is everyone’s answer because he’s probably the most well known Kings player. (The Gold Medal game was watched by pretty much every Hockey fan in North America, and DD was GREAT in that game.) Remember last year the fans in Winnipeg booed him because they boo every teams best player, and apparently haven’t heard of Jonathan Quick or Anze Kopitar. There’s little doubt that Drew COULD be the Kings best player, and at times he has been, but on a consistent basis he’s not in the top 2 IMO.

    [Reply]

    Osaka Reply:

    @CB14, So your implying fans in LA know more about hockey than fans in Canada?

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @Osaka, No, i’m implying fans in LA know more about LA Kings hockey than fans in Canada.

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @CB14, Personally,I think you have to JQ, Kopi, WM, DB and then DD as most impactful to the King’s success.

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @BringbackButchGoring, I’ll agree with that.

    Duncanz Reply:

    @SLIM, Those /women just never learn, do they?!

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @SVELTE
    Welcome back to Mecca.
    Maybe in the playoffs, which of course is the time everyone in the hinterland was really paying attention, this would be a fair DeDuction.
    But we here have the benefit of having picked all 102 games apart bone by bone by bone.
    So I suppose the correct answer really depends on the way the question was worded.

    [Reply]

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @Duncanz, Dude, seriously I always have to read your posts a bunch of times in order to pick up the nuances and wordplays. And then I never do and just want to punch myself in the face for being so dumb…you are one sick b$%#^&$

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @BringbackBarryGibb,
    Thank you @Bring!
    That might be the most thoughtful summing up I’ve ever had since the New York mining disaster of 1941!
    I will now bang my head on the table 20 times because it obviously works … apparently.

    KC23 Reply:

    @SLIM, Having just finished watching all the King’s wins in the playoffs over the last few weeks IMHO the best player over all was Dustin Brown. Quick was excellent, but Dustin was money. The 2nd best player was Kopitar.

    Brown was so right about how much more effective he is on LW. He has so much more control of himself going down the left side VS the right. The Brown Kopitar Williams line was dominate throughout the playoffs.

    [Reply]

    Gailweb Reply:

    @KC23, Agree

    Go Kings Go!

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @KC23,

    Brown was a monster alright. But so many guys stepped up at different times with huge goals, it’s hard to single anyone out. One couldn’t have done it without another type deal. I think about stuff MR did, King, Carter, Penner. Me thinks that unpredictability made it so hard for other teams to figure out who to cover. They just couldn’t plug all the holes!

    [Reply]

    JD Reply:

    @jess, Brown was a different player after the trade rumors, true he was one of the top players throughout the playoffs, Let’s see if that same brown shows up with some consistency next season

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @KC23, That shows how little you know about Hockey. Dustin Brown has hands of stone, can’t skate without falling down and belongs on the third or fourth line. Plus he has demonstrated no leadership and should be replaced as captain by MR. Wow, I used to really respect your opinion.

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @BringbackButchGoring,

    Classic @puck73 reply.

    Duncanz Reply:

    @jesst,
    Here’s another one:
    “You are right on the money, dude. Derek Armstrong didn’t make it into the NHL till he was [choose any age from 27-39 depending on how you feel that day] and look at the great career he had.
    Lucky he never played for TM. Even his bowling averages would have dropped exponentially and his underwear size would have definately shrunk too.
    Boo boo boo boo!

    jess Reply:

    @”Were Always Open”,

    Spot on dude :)

    Stuart Reply:

    @BringbackButchGoring, funny what a little rumor can do. I can’t wait to start this season and see if all that was for real. If it was, then we’ll be in for a real treat!

  29. Osaka says:

    Flyers lose defenseman Meszaros to torn achilles tendon. Is that karma for giving an offer sheet to Weber?

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Suntory,
    I’ll give you some karma:
    If the Ruso-Japanese War is repeated 108 years later.
    That’ll be some karma!
    Oh wait … bad analogy..

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @Duncanz, I found that hilarious for some reason

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    Thats what happens when you send old ships into a real war.

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @DessertKing,
    Exactly, dude!
    That’s just what I keep saying about the ‘Titanic’ !
    Didn’t they realize they were building the thing with pre-WW1 technology???
    Even TM couldn’t sink the Kings that fast!
    (Boo!)

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Duncanz

    Having the Kompon iceberg helped.

  30. Osaka says:

    According to Larry Brooks, it’s believed that Shane Doan has shortened his shortlist to Pittsburgh, New York, or Vancouver.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @Osaka, I sure home it’s Pittsburng or NY. I don’t want to see that guy in Vancouver.

    I still think he’s going to SJ.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @KC23, home=hope

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @KC23,

    Insn’t vancouver his wife’s hometown? If so, me thinks that will certainly factor in.

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Osaka,

    Thank goodness.

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Now you can have a peaceful retirement?

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @jess,

    Nope already started a new job :)

    jess Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    WHAT? Private Sector? Exec. protection svcs?

    DesertKing Reply:

    @jess,

    Just the usual, a little security and teaching work. Got to send my kid to college.

    jess Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Sounds like a solid plan bro. -Knew you couldn’t keep still hehe.

    DesertKing Reply:

    @jess,

    Just wish I knew how to play hockey :)

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Osaka,

    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012-08-07/shane-doan-nhl-notes/56862632/1

    Nashville is supposed to be on his short list as well, lol.. :)
    some short list, uh?….Rangers, Canucks, Penguis, Flyers, Predators, Kings…and Phoenix?

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    Looking forward to the Kings beating him wherever he goes.

    BT-Dubs, Kings ain’t on that short list anymore. Hundred bucks says so.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @jess,

    Choose a team you think he’s going to and I may take that bet. Then again, I may agree with you.

    jess Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    Haha! You know I think he’ll be a nuck! -Will make it a tough conference, but that is where I think he’s going. I could be wrong, have been before.

    nykingfan Reply:

    @Osaka,
    I’m totally shocked that Larry Brooks would report the Canucks being one of the teams involved.
    I didn’t think he knew any teams exist west of the Mississippi.
    I read his column here in NY every week and during the Stanley Cup I believe he mentioned the Kings once and that was in a derogatory way.
    IMO one of the worst hockey writers in the biz!

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @nykingfan,

    Larry Brooks probably knows the Cannots from last years finals against the Bruins. I doubt he knows where Doan played, though.

    [Reply]

    nykingfan Reply:

    @Gustavo,
    I don’t think so. If the Rangers aren’t in it, I doubt he’s watching it. Instead he was writing completely biased columns against the NHL and in favor of the NHLPA. He’s become the media’s shill for the PA.
    What a hack!

  31. KJ says:

    Don’t be mad…but this is way off “Doan” topic. Just watching game six for…way too many times…I have something new to be happy about every time I watch it. There are many, but tonight it was King and Lewis’ goal in the five minute power play…one can only imagine how those two guys were feeling at that moment…and that’s what it’s all about…!

    [Reply]

    TeamJMFJ Reply:

    @KJ, gotta love going back and reliving moments that you remeber but forget tge finer details…

    [Reply]

    KJ Reply:

    @TeamJMFJ,

    Definitely. It’s a lot different re-watching the games after, when you aren’t scared your going to have a heart attack!

    [Reply]

    TeamJMFJ Reply:

    @KJ, yeah exactly! You can actually appreciate it and remember back to how you felt with each play. Its alot of fun to go back and re-live those great moments

    Stuart Reply:

    @KJ, Kings facial expression said it all! If someone just saw his reaction, they might’ve thought he scored the SC-OT-winner! he was definitely pumped! King really cemented himself in the last 2 rounds. His puck possession just kept getting better!

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @Stuart, Hard to believe this is the same kid “King” who looked so slow the year before. Both King and Lewis are very under-rated imho. I think King will be a much bigger part of our PP next year.

    King is like Lewis relentless attitude combined with the size and hands of Penner. He is going to be in this league a long time. It’s almost embarrassing what we are paying King for the next two years for what we are likely to be getting.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @KC23, wholehearedly agree! I think we benefited from that horrible first call-up when DL signed him this summer. I feel like King still hasn’t proven to himself that he belongs and undervalued himself in whatever negotiations went on. We will pay for him come year 3, or he might leave as an FA, with one of the youngsters taking his spot… but that’s a ways away. I’m looking forward to seeing him for a full season, amongst many other players/staff!

    I know it’s crazy, but I still can’t believe our Kings are STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

    KJ Reply:

    @Stuart,

    His face was priceless!

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @KJ, My favorite King moment was game two of the Blues series. King shyed away from getting into a fight in game one after he crushed that Blues defensmen into the boards. Clearly a penalty, but clearly King wasn’t trying to hurt him and didn’t use his full force.

    Finally in game two King realised he was going to have to fight to clear the books and then he held his own quite nicely in the fight. You could see after just a few moments into the fight the Blue’s player kind of getting this look like … ah oh, this kid ain’t so easy.

    Love to watch King play.

    [Reply]

    KJ Reply:

    @KC23,

    Yep, no one really knew what to expect from him, and I think he surprised a lot of people.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @KJ, also, it was King and Lewis working the corners in the WCF when, on the delayed penalty, King walked it out of the corner and almost to the high slot and roofed an incredible shot past Smut for a huge HUGE goal! the jam is good with that pair!

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @KJ,

    I’ve been a huge Lewis fan since he beacme a lineup regular a year and a half ago. I love his wrap-around goal to end Luo’s career in Van! King has some great upside. too.

    My question is, why do you think the Kings should trade them both for Doan?

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    Doan is UFA, no need to trade players for him. Neither King nor Lewis are likely to be traded, waived or sent down if we need to reduce the roster.

    Westy, Lokti, Richardson, Gagne..in that order, would be my choices.

    [Reply]

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @Gustavo, It’s not “If”. We have a 23 player limit and we are ALREADY 2 forwards over of you count Lokti and Westgarth (the logical first cuts). If Doan does come here you get to cut yet another player, probably Richardson.

    BTW It makes zero sense to me to sign Doan and let Gagne go. Doan is the type of player we have a lot of, and Gagne the type we don’t have enough of. And apparently he is 100% healthy and never even did have a concussion last season.

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @Gustavo, Who is counting Lokti?

    KJ Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    You shouldn’t even kid like that :)

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @KJ,

    I just wanted to get you back on-track, you were dangerously veering away from the new format – “All Doan all the time”

  32. Gustavo says:

    Rich,

    Next year’s draft is supposed to be a good one, according to the media geniuses.

    Do you know what picks DL has for next draft (if any) after he gave a 1st rounder to CBJ for the Carter trade?
    Whether Doan plays here or not, do you think DL will probably look to replenish the picks stash by trading some players away and bringing up some AHL talent (Toffoli and/or Andreoff?

    What players do you think would be on that list?
    Westy does not fit the DS system.
    Richardson for lack of size and production
    Lokti lacks size and did not impress when he played.
    Gagne was hurt and did not contribute, but as a UFA next summer he has playoff rental value to some other team trying to make the playoffs.
    Penner could face the same situation as Gagne if he does not play like he did in the playoffs.

    [Reply]

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @Rich, Also, if you wouldn’t mind, could you ask DL to throw another million dollars to Doan to get these negotiations back on track. Despite the (about to come) protestations of those on the board, Vancouver is already a very physical/aggresive team and, frankly, I’d rather spend the extra million than see him on Vancouver. I can call DL myself, if you rather, but I’ll need his cell number. Thanks in advance.

    [Reply]

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @Rich, Actually his home address will probably work as well. I’ll just pop on by. Thanks

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @BringBackButchGoring,

    What are you huffing? :)

    Gustavo Reply:

    @BringBackButchGoring,

    I’d hardly call the Cannots a physical team. Not anywhere near our level of physical and forechecking play, anyway.

    Diving, cheap shots, whining to the refs and after the whistle plays do not make a team ‘physical’.

    [Reply]

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @Gustavo, Well, to be fair, there was nobody on our level of physical and forechecking play at the end of the season/playoffs, which is why Doan will be a big help there. I was thinking physical meaning willing to drop the gloves, but recognize that might not always translate to checking etc.

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @BringBackButchGoring, Warning: now resuming Doan Feud.

    A better idea: let it go. Doan is 35, he is not all that, he is not worth what he wants. Everything has a price beyond which the buyer should not pay and we’ve long since passed that level with Doan. He’d be nice to have but not at more than 5 million. We already have some very tough roster cuts to make. And if we do need anything it’s GOALS and either Penner or Gagne (or both) will help more there than Doan will.

    And Doan himself is apparently not that interested in coming here.

    Let it go.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @HockeyNerd,

    If Penner shows he can play during the regular season like he did in the playoffs, I will end up agreeing with you. But that’s one ginormus question mark that I much rather not have to worry about.

    Gagne is a finesse player without a bulldozing physical presence. He is the most fragile piece in the roster and his injury history is a testament to it. And healthy Gagne still has much to prove for this team production wise. Now that his name is on the Cup, I suspect he is more trade bait than anyone else in the team.

    Doan’s play style is a far better fit for the rest of the team than Gagne’s.

    If you pay Doan 6.0 million and trade Gagne ($3.5 mill) and Westy ($725K) your 1st yr net cost is only $1.775 mill) We get Doan and whatever picks/prospects from the trades. We get more if we trade Richardson.

    Then Penner (3.25 mill) falls off next summer to make room for Andreoff or Toffoli..?
    Scuderi (3.4 mill) is also a UFA in 2013. I love the guy and his blood donating plays. Do we resign him at age 35? For how much?

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @Gustavo, Quit trading all of our players. It’s important to Nerd that our team stay EXACTLY the same. That’s a joke Nerd, just calm down.

    Stuart Reply:

    @Gustavo, I keep Scuds for another 2 years after this contract is up.

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @Gustavo, A motivated Penner and / or a healthy Gagne MIGHT score 30. Doan will not.

    Look at these players: Kopitar, Richards, Brown, Lewis, King, Stoll, Williams. All forwards that check hard in all 3 zones and pay attention to defense. If we didn’t have so many of that type of forward I would be less reluctant to overpay for Doan. He’s just not worth over 4 million, let alone 5 or 6 million. And we’d have those resources tied up for 2 or 3 years at least — and no matter whatever else you argue this is true: those are resources we are spending for someone near the end of the line, not an up and coming player who may be with us for 10 or more years. Not worth it!

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, Yet Doan is motivated and healthy every year. Sort of acting out again Nerd as we both know Doan is not replacing either Penner or Gagne but probably moving a guy like Lewis to 4th line and actually replacing someone like Westy or Nolan, so we are talking about picking up 15-20 goals not losing 10. Also a motivated Penner and a healthy Gagne may check someone into the boards 100 times combined for a season, about half what we would expect from Doan. But agree that it’s unlikely Doan’s coming here anyway. So….who wants to talk about Arnott for the next couple days? I will start by saying that guy is hard to move off a puck. Now you disagree with that Nerd and I will respond.

    Stuart Reply:

    @3BG, I’ll be your huckleberry…

    Arnott is damaged goods. Where would he play? 4th line center? I’d rather have CF there. Arnott has one foot in the grinder and is soon to be seen in a bottle of glue. No thanks, I’ll pass…and get the assist.

    luc20rules Reply:

    @Gustavo, I have no problems with signing Doan, but the 1st year isn’t the problem. He wants a 4 year contract at top dollars. What this means is 2 years down the road how do you sign Quick’s new Cap Hit, Scuds(or Replacement), Brown, Mitchell(or Replacement), Greene, Frasier, and all the needed prospects that will be UFAs that summer. If we sign Doan it better be a low salary or short term 2 yrs or less. I am thinking the most attractive offer we could make is 6 mil for 1 yr. Even that depending on how the season shakes out with injuries/CBA doesn’t leave room to adjust for an injury. What if Quick goes down and Bernier has been traded. What if a key Dman is lost for the season, or a key scorer? We were very fortunate health wise that the only real long term injuries were to Parse, and Gagne. Both occured early so we could make the Carter Deal at the trade deadline. Remember 2010-11 Kopi went down for the season after the trade deadline and there was no real hope of making a run at the cup.

    JD Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, Good idea, LET IT Go

    jess Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    Why are you so concerned about scoring high grades during the regular season?

    FYI, Sutter will have this team right where it needs to be during the regular season, mid-pack and cruising.

    If Penner plays that good next playoffs, I could care less if he puts in a mediocre performance during the reg. season.

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @BringBackButchGoring, Look, it’s easy to SAY, in a blog “all we gotta do is trade this guy or that guy”. Someone has to want him and someone has to give us what we think is fair market value for him. And if everybody KNOWS we are over the roster limit and want to move a certain player in particular, good luck getting full value. Smythe anybody? I’m all for improving our team but overpaying for a 35 year old winger that MIGHT get 20 goals and giving up on a perfectly healthy Gagne? Sorry, I’m not seeing it…..

    [Reply]

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, Are you talking to me? I don’t want to trade anybody? I actually think Gagne would not be tradebait because no-one will want him coming off last season. We certainly could not get much for him at this point with his salary and being a UFA next season.

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @BringBackButchGoring, Arnott would make the team better too.

    There is no need, and indeed we should not, be trying to get ANY UFA here at this point. Leave room for a prospect or 2 to make the club.

    Don’t tie up ANY of the salary cap at players who have a decent year or 2 left at most, instead of a young player who may be here for years. I agree, once on a while there is a free agent that is worth it, or a team that is in such dire straights that we need to roll the dice and overpay.

    Not Doan, not Arnott, not Holmstrom, and not the 2012-2013 Kings.

    Period. The end. Quit. End. Done.

    [Reply]

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, Fini?

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    Nerd, You thinking Huselius, then? Frankly, I’m surprised you want him, with his injury history and all. Seems like Gagne, part deux.

    Gustavo Reply:

    @HockeyNerd,

    LOL…it’s never going to end :)

    I vote NO on Arnott. We’re weak at the wing position, not center. We made Arnott look like a practice pylon in the 2nd round.

    Doan would strengthen the team. Enter Doan, exit Westy. His presence alone will add durability and injury prevention to the entire lineup. His scoring is nowhere near as important.

    Neither is Penner’s scoring for that matter. If he keeps throwing his body around to make room for Carter’s shot like he did all 20 games of the playoffs, our 2nd line will have a sweet season.

    Absent Doan, there is nothing in the remaining UFA list I’d like to see here. I’d rather DL & DS promote an AHLer or two

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @Gustavo, The only reason I want Arnott is because he was so marvelous in the handshake ceremony. I know that’s a silly little reason to like somebody and I suppose his crappy play should make a difference in my decision process but it just doesn’t….

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    You know, trading away that 1st round pick to CBJ and getting Carter really sucked. Sure, we won the Cup and Carter was a big part of that, but who knows, that 1st rounder could have been the next Gretzky amd won us 10 more Cups, but now we will never know since he traded the pick so we could win the Cup this year. I guess we should fire DL ;)

    [Reply]

    BringBackButchGoring Reply:

    @DesertKing, All very good points. Thank you.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    I never criticized DL for giving the 1st rounder to CBJ. Still don’t. I worked out well for us and hope it will for many years to come. It not only gave us what we needed up front to kick start the scoring, but also opened the door for Voynov to show his skill set.

    [Reply]

    Kluka68 Reply:

    @DesertKing, We had Gretzky and we didn’t win the Cup. So i’d rather take Carter and the Cup for now.

    [Reply]

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @DesertKing, It seems your sarcasm got lost in the translation somehow…..

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @HockeyNerd,

    I need to work on that :)

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @DesertKing, Speaking of DL, the guy has had five seasons to get us past the first round of the playoff’s and he’s accomplished that simple task a measly one time. I don’t know about the rest of you but 20% is a failing grade in my book. Also, I would start JB in goal instead of Quick. Wasn’t JB a first round pick? Lastly, anyone have DL’s cell phone number. I want to run something by him real quick….

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @BringbackButchGoring,

    867-5309. Ask for Jenny. I think that is his personal secretary. 20% doesnt sound very good, but I think every team in the NHL would love to have a GM that gives their team a one in five chance to win the Cup. Of course, if he doesnt win it this year, fire me! :)

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @DesertKing, I’ve been told on good authority that it is mathematically impossible to not win the Stanley Cup if you bring the exact same players back the next season. I would trust this reasoning with my entire life savings.

    Duncanz Reply:

    @BringbackBettyWhite,
    Let me explain something. I have two sons with funny names, you have two sons with funny names. If we exchange them we will both be a couple of losers and get checked thru’ the wall by the ol’ dragons, so we shouldn’t.
    End of story. Case closed. Eso es todo. I don’t wanna talk about it anymore …. until the next time in the near future you push my “Doan’ button!

  33. Lake Forest says:

    Stanley Cup Champions?

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Lake Forest,

    VanHoover? Uh, no.

    [Reply]

  34. Stuart says:

    Shane Doan says: completely OT but is anyone getting the fantasy league started this season?

    [Reply]

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @Stuart, Nerd says he will play only if he gets Shane Doan with his first pick…

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @BringbackButchGoring,

    If I can pick Doan first, I would play just so I could put him on waivers (sorry, couldnt pass up the opportunity).

    [Reply]

  35. Adam M says:

    Can the LA Kings going for a 2nd peat Stanley Cup again next year of 2013 for a 2 Peat Champions again

    [Reply]

  36. justlu says:

    Nhl network is showing the whole vancouver series tonight games 1-5. Period 1 game 1 on right now.

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @justlu,

    Those VanHoover uniforms sure are ugly.

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @justlu, getting nervous all over again! We need to find a way to win…….

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @neil,

    That kick-pass from Carter to Penner for the game winner was a thing of beauty. One thing I just thought of was the importance of Penner scoring that goal and gaining the confidence to play so well through that the rest of the playoffs.

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @DesertKing, agree!

    neil Reply:

    V@DesertKing, van. needs to shoot high on quick!

    BringbackButchGoring Reply:

    @Neil, Astute observation. Quick always leaves the top two inches of the corner open on his blocker side. He’s going to have to correct that if he ever wants to be considered an elite goalie in the NHL

    wes Reply:

    @DesertKing, the definition of rose colored glasses: “That kick-pass from Carter to Penner for the game winner was a thing of beauty.” Well, that “thing of beauty” “kick pass” was a dumb, fortunate bounce. The only beauty there was Pancake’s perfect finish.

    Cruiznblue Reply:

    @justlu,

    I remember the very first goal of that series…Vancouver scored it and I was like “here we go again…”

    Boy was I wrong :)

    [Reply]

  37. Mars says:

    I am glad Rich is getting a much needed break
    But OH MY GARWSH am I fiending for some news and the season to start!

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @Mars, maybe if we all promise not to discuss Doan rich will come back¡¡¡

    [Reply]

  38. King Alex says:

    Love all the back & forth regarding Doan! I personally have no problem with him & I love how he plays on the edge but there in no way he is worth 7.5 mil/year & IMO will never sign with the Kings. If Doan signs with the Kings, I’ll eat a bug & crow! Also, don’t count out Gagne just yet. The man had a lump the size of a lemon removed from his neck & says he feels better than he has in years. I think Gags is going to be an impactful player next season & be the scorer we all know is is capable of being.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @King Alex,

    I hope you’re right about Gagne. But even at the height of his career he was never a physical player. We’ll see, said the blind man.

    [Reply]

    King Alex Reply:

    @Gustavo, I’m hoping we see a finesse player who snipes his goals. We have plenty of physical players. A little finesse couldn’t hurt imo.

    [Reply]

  39. Goring 19 says:

    Is it September yet? I’m startin’ my annual jonesin for Kings hockey. Any news heard on the CBA front? Just haven’t had the time to get on the blog in quite awhile so I have a lot to catch up on.

    [Reply]

  40. jess says:

    The more I think about it, the more I realize that Doan is absolutely the perfect fit for Vancouver. -With all their whining, diving, cheapshots and crying he could make it full circle by adding a little depth to their handshake line.

    And here comes the smiley face! :)

    [Reply]

    TiredOfIt Reply:

    @jess, Excellent post….agree 1000%

    [Reply]

  41. DesertKing says:

    Man, did our team beat the crap out of Vancouver or what?

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Yeah, -and think about the dudes who went through the trouble to squeeze into those gay green tights only to lose in the first round ;)

    [Reply]

    King Alex Reply:

    @DesertKing, We blew the Nuckleheads up! We ended the Sweet Lou & Schnides era in 1 playoff round. That team has been reduced to being mental midgets in the playoffs.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @DesertKing, I only watched game 2 and some of 3, but I thought JQ saved our donkeys in that series. Of course, DB really came into his own, but I was watching sloppy puck handling/passes all over the ice from several players that were not playing that way in any of the other rounds. VAN did get under the boys’ skin pretty good. I am so glad they were dispatched in 5. I hadn’t given that series much thought because it was the 1st of 4, but it seems in hindsight that the series win instilled a serious sense of confidence in the team because they came out much focused against STL… IMO, the experience factor went from 1-12 games of PO experience (for the majority of the core), to semi-playoff veterans with that series.

    Also, Kopi’s scrap with Burro was insta-classic! LOL

    [Reply]

  42. Gustavo says:

    I’m watching Game 3 vs Vancouver now. 2nd period just ended. Massive amounts of blatant non calls. Vancouver was given a free rein in the crease, but still could not score…hee hee hee..;)

    [Reply]

    variable Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    i’m watching it again, too….

    [Reply]

    Cruiznblue Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    My fiance says “you already know what happens…why are you watching it again?”

    lol…what a silly question.

    [Reply]

    Lake Forest Reply:

    @Cruiznblue, my wife was awesome last night, we have been moving and I have been fixing EVERYTHING at our new house.

    I put that game on and she got me a beer and took the kids for a bath!

    It’s why I love her.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Gustavo, how about those terrible cr@p calls against the Kings??? The call on Penner, the cross-check on Mitchell (and subsequent piroutte by Kesler) to name a few?? And I hadn’t heard how bad the commentators were when DB freight-trained Henrietta… “the puck was clearly gone” and “it’s so obvious the hit was late…” WOW

    [Reply]

    BluLiner Reply:

    @Gustavo, Wow, that was a great game. Kings actually look good enough to win the Stanley Cup this year.

    [Reply]

  43. King Alex says:

    I will never grow tired of watching the demise of Vancouver via the Kings hands. I will take this simple pleasure I had in my life to my grave with a little smile on my face!

    [Reply]

  44. jess says:

    Wow, now Van is down 1-0 halfway through the 3rd in our building.

    -Might be time to try a dive or something.

    [Reply]

  45. variable says:

    cool that the nhl network is gonna have a wayne gretzky day tomorrow…

    i’m glad i have the dvr space…:)

    [Reply]

  46. jess says:

    Haha!

    What about that dude behind the VAN bench with the shirt that reads:

    “Sedin Sisters, 2 Girls, NO CUP”

    LOL!!

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @jess,

    I like the sign in the corner “Los Angeles KINGS -in Canada’s Team”

    Also heard that Kesler is out until December because of a shoulder injury. Thats a typical diving injury.

    [Reply]

    jess Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Yeah it can be brutal. -If one is not in absolute perfect diving form when one hits the ice, there can be serious consequences.

    [Reply]

  47. jess says:

    Love that shot of Scuds behind JQ in net. Story of the season.

    [Reply]

  48. variable says:

    i thought this was the game that quick really showed so many of his strengths….i love how he tracks the puck and adapts positionally on a dime…

    ahhhh…..

    basking in the repeat glory….

    [Reply]

  49. Gary says:

    I was in Denver the last couple of days, too. I can’t believe Uncle Phil didn’t invite me over to see the cup!

    [Reply]

  50. Michael J. says:

    Today is the 24th anniversary one of the greatest days in Kings’ history. On August 9, 1988 Wayne Gretzky became a memner of the Lod Angeles Kings.

    Was this the best trade in Kings’ history?

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Michael J., I ‘memner that day like it was yesterday…

    I remember being so new to the game and so nieve that I thought we’d be champions that very next season… almost 25 years later, I was right!

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @Stuart,

    Sorry about the poor snelling.

    I tryly believe that had Rogie delt for Shane Doan that year, rather than Kasper or Liba the Kings would have won the cup.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Michael J., :) That’s why we should’ve had Sam McMaster at the helm sooner! He would’ve traded up and drafted Shane Doan out of diapers!

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Stuart,
    Yes, if memmer serves me, they used to call him ‘McMaster, the Master Crafter’, or something similarly complimentary …

    Role Player Reply:

    @Michael J., Unfortunately, it was McMaster the Disaster.

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Role Player,
    Oh yes, that was it.
    Unfortunately, I was just slightly off on that one.

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    THE GREATEST day in team history will forever be June 11, 2012.

    [Reply]

    nykingfan Reply:

    @Gustavo,
    Absolutely!
    It’ll be a day that we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives.
    It was the greatest birthday present I could have ever received.

    [Reply]

    Kman Reply:

    @Gustavo,

    Amen to that bro’, nice !
    For all of us, the gift that keeps on giving !

    [Reply]

  51. puck73 says:

    That game that Gretzky broke the record in 1994 only brings back bad memories for me. the 93-94 and 94-95 seasons under Barry Melrose were god awful. The Kings went from a team that nearly won the cup, to a team that couldnt beat The Mighty ducks on most nights. Barry Melrose had Mcnalls ear, and he got rid of most of our skill guys for muckers and grinders and destroyed a good team put together by Roy Mlaker and Nick Beverly.

    Who Do I dislike more, Terry Murray or Barry Melrose? Hmmm, I will have to get back to you on that one.

    [Reply]

    dMan Reply:

    @puck73, let it go….let it go, my friend…end the torture.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @dMan, Watching Barry Melrose bench people like Luc Robitaille, Tomas Sandstrom, Alex Zhitnik, and Mike Donnelly are not fond memories my friend. In fact, one of the greatest days in Kings history for me personally is when Rogie Vachon finally had enough of this bafoon after that crook Mcnall was out of the picture and FIRED HIS ASS !

    As for TM? I am not upset with him that much. He was a clown, and Lombardi fired his ASS as well.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @puck73,

    Enjoy the present, it’s the gift we got.

    Los Angeles Kings, 2012 Stanley Cup Champions!!

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Gustavo, I am enjoying it. In fact, I am bringing 18 Bloggers and 33 people to Dodger stadium for free to celebrate the fact that the Kings won the cup. we will be sitting in the Loge Level, and talking about the great season, and laughing about TM and Melrose as well!

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @puck73,

    Nice treat!! You should have a blast.

    KC23 Reply:

    @puck73, I’m right there with ya. The Gretzky era wasn’t all that great. The Toronto series was awesome as well as the Oiler series and Calgary playoff series, but the Kings pretty much still sucked. The only regular season worth a crap was 74-75. Even last years regular season was crap if you ask me.

    I’m looking forward to what could easily be the best regular season in King’s history next year. I very much doubt we’ll ever live to see the Kings top last years playoffs though. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

    [Reply]

    NOW IMPRESSED Reply:

    @KC23, I remember putting a bag over my head with eye holes at Kings games in the Gretzky era (after the 92-93 season). Funny only me and my friend would do that at the Kings games even though they were aweful. I’m also looking forward to see the Kings beat their 74-75 season points total next season. I see no reason why they can’t get 106 points next season. 48-24-10?

    [Reply]

  52. neil says:

    Doan close to signing 4 year contract with phoenix

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @neil,

    Nothing more than rumors, gossip and more reporters imaginations. Half a dozen reporters have been typing up BS about Doan for weeks. I’ll believe it when they announce it officially.

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1291000-report-shane-doan-close-to-signing-4-year-deal-to-stay-in-phoenix

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    I@Gustavo, this one is true

    [Reply]

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