Michael Futa Archives - LA Kings Insider

A significant shift in the LA Kings’ front office was reported by Elliotte Friedman this morning. As he first shared on Twitter, Assistant General Manager Michael Futa, an architect of Los Angeles’ success in the 2010’s who joined the organization full-time in 2007, was promoted to Vice President of... Full Story

Pro/amateur European scouting approach; Futa’s updates on Fagemo, Nousianen, Shafigullin

LA Kings InsiderNovember 25, 20190 Comments

Prospects and ScoutingTournaments10 min read

Unbeknownst to a healthy lot of stateside hockey fans, European leagues hold various international breaks that afford national teams time to hold camps and participate in tournaments, and the November break provided time for Kings amateur and pro scouts to familiarly infiltrate Europe to take stock ... Full Story

Prokhorkin signed. What are the Kings getting here? Let’s ask Michael Futa.

LA Kings InsiderMay 15, 20190 Comments

Hockey OperationsProspects and Scouting9 min read

Jean Catuffe/Getty ImagesNikolai Prokhorkin, who turns 26 at the outset of training camp, signed an entry-level contract last week. We haven’t seen the whites of his eyes, so to speak, but with a one-year ELC following a season that provided some momentum towards his potential signing, he’s under c... Full Story

Notes and reports on the coaching search; 31 Thoughts; Futa; Stothers

LA Kings InsiderApril 10, 20190 Comments

CoachingHockey Operations7 min read

More of this and that… -- Nothing new with Todd McLellan. I hadn’t heard anything since Monday, after which the Sabres had emerged as a principal option alongside the Kings, who remained very much under consideration. It seemed that there was perhaps a touch more hope over confidence or expectati... Full Story

Fresh off trip, Futa dishes on European prospects, including Kupari, Prokhorkin

LA Kings InsiderNovember 26, 20180 Comments

Prospects and Scouting8 min read

LA Kings Assistant General Manager Michael Futa recently returned from an overseas trip to Helsinki, St. Petersburg and beyond, having observed prospective free agents as well as Los Angeles draft picks in his evolved role in which he has added player recruitment to his traditional scouting duties. ... Full Story

Futa on Kupari, options to move up or down, any “temptation” on moving the pick

LA Kings InsiderJune 22, 20180 Comments

Media AvailabilityProspects and ScoutingTrades4 min read

Kevin Hoffman/Getty ImagesMichael Futa, on whether there were opportunities to move up or down from 20: You know what? No. We were pretty comfortable. The list really fell as we had seen it. We wanted to get a forward, and came down to you’re watching certain forwards go. We had a couple kids – I ... Full Story

By virtue of his “battle,” Denis Fugere announces Kings’ pick of Rasmus Kupari

LA Kings InsiderJune 22, 20180 Comments

CommunityVideo1 min read

When the LA Kings selected Rasmus Kupari 20th overall, it was Denis Fugere who announced the pick on behalf of the team. The Kings' Amateur Scout - Quebec/Maritimes, Fugere was diagnosed with Grade 4 mantle cell lymphoma in September, 2015. He underwent months of chemotherapy, stem cell treatment... Full Story

Audio: Mike Futa joined The Power Play on SiriusXM’s NHL Network

LA Kings InsiderJune 15, 20180 Comments

AudioHockey Operations0 min read

In case you missed it earlier today, here's an audio clip of Mike Futa's appearance with Scott Laughlin and Patrick O'Sullivan on Sirius XM's NHL Network. There's lots of good stuff here regarding the Ilya Kovalchuk courtship process and how the team gauges the past season while looking ahead to 201... Full Story

Odds and Ends: Management notes; staff departures; Kovalchuk; Bovada; 2012

LA Kings InsiderJune 11, 20180 Comments

Contracts and FinancesHockey OperationsKings OperationsNews LinksNotebooksOlympicsStanley Cup8 min read

NOW, WHERE WERE WE? | A good Monday afternoon to you, Insiders. Thank you for your patience during a few light-news days as Mr. and Mrs. Insider traveled with Toddler Insider to their sacred vacation lair. We're back to regular operating hours, and with a lot of important dates on the horizon, there... Full Story

April 5: Lineup TBD; Brown’s quote; Hults; trade conditions met; Kings Weekly

LA Kings InsiderApril 5, 20180 Comments

FOX Sports WestProspects and ScoutingVideo4 min read

Good afternoon to you, Insiders. Let’s get down to brass tacks. -The vitals: The Kings took the ice shortly before 10:00 a.m. There were no rushes, because it wasn’t a full morning skate. Jonathan Quick left the ice first and will be projected to start in net against Minnesota (7:30 p.m. / FOX S... Full Story

March 13 notes: Quick or Campbell? Futa; Kempe; Rieder; Brown on Kopitar

LA Kings InsiderMarch 13, 20180 Comments

Advanced StatsHockey OperationsMorning Skate Notes8 min read

A fine, fine Tuesday afternoon to you, Insiders. The LA Kings held an optional morning skate in which those who played Monday night against Vancouver didn’t take the ice. Jack Campbell was the only goalie to skate – unless, of course, we’re counting Bill Ranford – and didn’t exactly linger. The star... Full Story

March 9 practice notes: Healthy roster; Rieder; Stick Up for Animals Day

LA Kings InsiderMarch 9, 20180 Comments

CommunityPhotographyPractice notes8 min read

A good afternoon to you, Insiders. The Kings practiced at 11:00 a.m. at Toyota Sports Center and did not appear to show any changes to the lineup used against Washington, based off rushes. Jonathan Quick was the first goaltender off the ice and will be the projected starter for tomorrow’s matinee ag... Full Story

Scouting reports on Vilardi, who “makes everyone around him better”

LA Kings InsiderMarch 7, 20180 Comments

Prospects and Scouting12 min read

The L.A. Kings would answer the phone, even if there wasn’t much of a conversation to be had. Attempts to pry Gabriel Vilardi from the club in advance of the trade deadline were lost causes, no matter the types of bounties dangled. For the Kings, who had traded first round draft picks at the 201... Full Story