In this next installment of “Daryl’s Development,” I’ll give you some insight on Kings prospect Nicolas Deslauriers.
Right Now
Nicolas is currently playing for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL). He is in his second year and as of November 15 he has played in 12 games registering six assists and eight penalty minutes helping the Monarchs sit second in their division and fifth in their conference with a 7-4-0-1 record.
Back Story
Nicolas is a defenseman who was drafted by the Kings in the third round (84th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Last year in his first year as a pro Nicolas scored 1-13=14 points in 65 games and added 67 penalty minutes with the Manchester Monarchs.
What I Know About Him
Nicolas is a solid defender with good size at 6’1 and 215 lbs. He is a strong skater who has added weight and strength since being selected by the Kings and has become a more reliable defenseman for his team. In his last year with Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Nicolas scored 13-30=43 points while adding 5-15=20 in 24 playoff games indicating he has offensive upside to his game that should emerge as he becomes more comfortable as a pro.
Why The Kings Tabbed Nicolas
Kings Amateur Scout (Quebec/Maritimes) Denis Fugere says the following about Deslauriers: “Nick is a good skater who has a hard shot and brings a strong, physical element to his game.” Fugere added that “Nick was a forward until he played Bantam hockey, which probably contributed to him liking to rush the puck and lead the attack.” Fugere says, “Nick is now joining the rush and reading the play better which will allow him to be more effective in the play.” Kings Vice President/Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Monarchs Ron Hextall says, “Nick is a good guy to have around, he has a lot of energy and an infectious personality while not being a fun guy to play against. His size, strength and compete levels are all good and he is developing his all round game”.
Going Forward
Since being drafted by the Kings, Nicolas is on a positive path developing and rounding out his game. He is a hard worker and must continue that in order to achieve his goal of playing in the NHL. He has to continue to adjust to the speed of the game at the pro level and make high percentage decisions with and without the puck in order to gain the trust of his coaches to play in the critical situations of a game.
Saw Nic at the TSC practice….scary! He looks like a linebacker(he has a stocky built) but with really good hands. He made a shifty stick handling move while being pressured on the blue line, had that failed the defender would’ve had a break-away with the goalie. Definitely cocky, but you need that to be in the “big leagues.”
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By time Hockey is back..he will be old…. If this season is cancelled then I guess the Kings wont be coming back as a whole. Contracts expiring this season will be the end of some Kings…
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Sebastian Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@Neil, hmmm…I was under the impression that if/when the lockout cancels the entire season, the players wont play, wont get paid and it wont count as a year off their contracts.
Am I wrong ?
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Mark Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@Sebastian, Contracts are in years, not seasons played.
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Back to the “There is no chance” stage.
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Looks like poor man’s JMFJ…
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Michael J. Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@mask0425x,
Do you mean the hypothetical “a poor man’s” or in the more literal “@poorman’s”?
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mask0425x Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@Michael J.,
I was super careful not to capitalize and to hit a space bar after poor
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luc20rules Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
@mask0425x, If he is coachable then he maybe better than JJ. JJ still hasn’t learned the mental side of the game and is just a really athletic D-Man that is often out of position.
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So, is @poorman now spending his time at NYJetsinsider.com pleading his case for why Tim Tebow should be starting over Sanchez?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@Michael J.,
That’s funny! And oddly true, too!
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Thanks Daryl
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I think my watch is still off……..
Somebody…….please! Thanks.
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I remember way back in the olden days of October 2011 through June 2012, there was this game played on a sheet of ice called NHL Hockey. It was such a great game to watch and oh so fun to go see live. If my memory serves me, a little team called the Los Angeles KINGS came out of the Western Conference seeded last in the 8th spot in playoff’s. This team defied all odds and beat the number 1, 2 and 3 seeds to move on to what I remember as being called the Stanley Cup Finals. Low and behold, that Los Angeles KINGS team coming out of the Western Conference went on to defeat some team from New Jersey I remember being called the Devils in 6 games to win the most coveted trophy in all of professional sports, The Stanley Cup! The city of Los Angeles and all the KINGS fans were joyful and delirious watching what went down as one of the greatest playoff runs in the history of the sport. KINGS fans, players and management all rejoiced in the win and savored every moment of it. All were looking forward for the chance to repeat the winning effort for the 2012/2013 season. KINGS management even brought the entire team back in tact for the repeat effort. But alas, it was all for naught. This is the part of the story where everything was ruined by the Grinch. Little did us fans know that in reality, there are actually two Grinches. Grinch Bettman & Grinch Fehr have ruined this season and have inflicted so much unnecessary damage to our beloved sport, I will never forgive either of these pig headed men. This is what happens when NERDS WHO NEVER PLAYED A SPORT IN THEIR MISERABLE LITTLE LIVES PUT THEIR EGOS ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE. These 2 so called men are so lucky I do not know voodoo or witchcraft because I would make certain body parts fall off the both of them for what they have done. These 2 men are complete and utter WEENIES!!!!
Now back to your regular blogging……….
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Neil Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
@King Alex, and may their weenies fall off??
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Is anyone fan of Alex Martinez? Ever since he joined the Kings I have been a dsilker of his game. Just how his shots are wide, and his ankles look weak as he skates, but want get other people thoughts?
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King Alex Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
@downsy89, His name is Alec not Alex and I think his game is good and just getting better. This kid is tough as nails if you have seen the slap shot he took off the face/head overseas. Most defensemen his age are not in the NHL. Just give him time.
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Gary Bettman suggested to NHLPA’s Don Fehr that two sides take 2-week moratorium. Fehr told Bettman he’d like to talk to his membership about it. NHLPA plans on responding tomorrow. What’s this about, Gary?
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Neil Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
@goldielocks, just cancel the season already…If Hockey came back in Dec/Jan ..it would be like celebrating New Years Eve on Feb. 28th….fun but not the same…
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luc20rules Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
@goldielocks, If Gary Bettman suggested it you must have misspelled Moron-torium.
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Well looks like I can finally cancel my Kings season tickets , This league is an absolute joke players and owners have killed this game . I hope they don’t mind playing in front of 2,000 people like it was a Long Beach Ice Dogs game .
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