April 2019 - LA Kings Insider

The LA Kings have signed left-shot defenseman Markus Phillips to a three-year entry-level contract, solidifying their attachment to a prospect whose application of a versatile skill set has boosted his defensive zone play as well as his stock. Selected in the fourth round in 2017, the Port Perry, On... Full Story

Updating the archives: 2018-19 in LAKI photos

Jon RosenApril 30, 20190 Comments

Photography51 min read

An annual disclaimer: if you're on a data plan, you may want to hold off on viewing this photo gallery until a WiFi network is available. But thank you as always for reading and commenting on the Good Morning and assorted non-hockey posts that help tell the story of the season using photography, vid... Full Story

Sutter’s banner season a bright spot for Reign

Zach DooleyApril 29, 20190 Comments

AwardsOntario Reign6 min read

The 2018-19 season had several bright lights for Ontario Captain Brett Sutter, though he’d have traded each of them to still be playing hockey. Sutter skated in his 750th and 800th career AHL regular-season games, his 850th regular-season game as a professional and his 900th career professional ... Full Story

Value of a draft pick? First round drafting scenarios; playoff talk with Fox; more

Jon RosenApril 25, 20190 Comments

Advanced StatsAudioNotebooks10 min read

INSIDERS. Several reports, excerpts, quotes and multimedia on a Thursday afternoon: FOX FACTS. I spoke with James Charles Fox about the playoffs, Todd McLellan, Patine, and whether Tuesday’s officiating judgement will serve as a watershed moment to spur the general managers and Board of Governors... Full Story

Trial by fire defines end of first season for rookie Reign defensemen

Zach DooleyApril 25, 20190 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting11 min read

Trial by fire might be the best way to describe the Ontario Reign blueline during the final two months of the season. With Sean Walker, Matt Roy and Kurtis MacDermid up in the NHL, several Reign players were forced into larger roles than they had occupied all season, mainly out of necessity. ... Full Story

Leafs exit moves Kings’ first rounder to 20-23 range; other conditions

Jon RosenApril 24, 20190 Comments

Uncategorized3 min read

We're still two weeks away from learning exactly where the LA Kings' draft pick acquired in the Jake Muzzin trade will land, but by virtue of Toronto's first round exit, the Kings now know they'll end up with either the 20th, 21st, 22nd or 23rd overall pick. CapFriendly, as it often does, lays it... Full Story

Back-to-back national champion Mikey Anderson signs three-year ELC

Jon RosenApril 23, 20190 Comments

Contracts and FinancesProspects and ScoutingVideo5 min read

The LA Kings have signed defensive prospect Mikey Anderson to a three-year entry-level contract. Anderson, who turns 20 one month from now, is a back-to-back national champion at Minnesota-Duluth and captained the United States to a silver medal at the World Junior Championship one year after earnin... Full Story

Petersen continues development arc in Year 2

Zach DooleyApril 23, 20190 Comments

Ontario ReignProspects and Scouting5 min read

When it comes to goaltender Cal Petersen, it would be foolhardy to analyze strictly based on his numbers from this past AHL season. If you don’t use context, you’ll be misled. The statistics saw Petersen’s goals against average rise from 2.58 to 4.02, his save percentage fall from .910 to .896 an... Full Story

Video (ICYMI): McLellan’s press conference, message to LA Kings fans

Jon RosenApril 23, 20190 Comments

Coaching2 min read

INSIDERS. A wonderful Tuesday morning to you as we resume regularly scheduled LA Kings coverage and prepare for a filling three Game 7s in which the organization has some shared interest via the unsatisfying recent practice of Rooting For Better Draft Position. The range in which the Maple Leafs' fi... Full Story

Let’s just get the whole San Jose thing out of the way (+ some power play tie-in)

Jon RosenApril 19, 20190 Comments

Coaching7 min read

Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLISo, it’s about time we had the whole San Jose talk. You may recall that the LA Kings and San Jose Sharks have some history together. The Sharks' coach for three of the teams’ four playoff meetings, Todd McLellan was a central figure during what at one point qualified for... Full Story

Quotes, reports on “the people, the plan, and the autonomy to execute that plan”

Jon RosenApril 18, 20190 Comments

CoachingHockey OperationsMedia Availability18 min read

Before we get to the larger-scale stuff, some important bits on LA Kings Head Coach Todd McLellan, who was introduced Wednesday at Toyota Sports Center and shared some interesting ideas and approaches that should spur some good conversation here. There’s a ton to unpack, but let’s get to the the Kin... Full Story

Tailoring a message to a team with both age, youth; reaching “the modern player”

Jon RosenApril 17, 20190 Comments

Coaching10 min read

The LA Kings will experience arrivals and departures of personnel during a summer in which they’ll attempt to remake their roster in the name of shedding expensive and perhaps more tenured assets while trying to build a younger, sleeker roster. This is an undertaking worth its own novel, and it rema... Full Story

Video/Live Thread: Watch Todd McLellan’s introductory press conference at noon

Jon RosenApril 17, 20190 Comments

CoachingVideo0 min read

At noon, Todd McLellan will be introduced as the 29th head coach of the LA Kings. To watch the press conference live and share your voice with the LAKI community, a video stream and commentary section are below. 2015 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award recipient Nick Nickson will host the press conference.... Full Story