No Coincidence... Really
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I swear this is not a plug for the new iPhone. I just wanted to point out the eyebrow raising that this commercial may cause Kings fans.
Read more...
Asshole Coming Through
Friday, July 3, 2009
Well, Lombardi finally made a splash tonight after a very quiet Free Agency opening day with many GMs out of their minds signing players to ridiculous contracts. The wait was killer as a Kings fan and finally Darren Dreger (resident favorite of A Queen Among Kings) broke the story via Twitter just a few minutes ago that the Kings had traded for Aves' Ryan Smyth.
Reaction #1: Omg, we got an asshole in the lineup.
Reaction #2: Who in Zeus' jizz did the Kings give up to get Smyth?
Reaction #3: (After reading the trade results) Hahaha!
In the end the Kings gave up a 5th round pick in 2010, D Kyle Quincey, and D Tom Preissing. First off, the 5th round pick is chump change. Secondly, I cannot believe someone took Preissing from us!!
Lombardi, you are awesome.
But, sadly Quincey will be leaving the sunny coast of Los Angeles for the snowbanks of Denver. This is the only part I'm a bit sad about, but we didn't really need him after the signing of Rob Scuderi (Go Deano!) to a 4-year, $13.6 million contract yesterday. Smyth has 3 years remaining on his 5-year contract in Colorado with the cap hit at $6.25 mil. He will make $6.5 mil this season, $5.5 next, and $4.5 in 2011-2012. Quincey was definitely the big piece in this trade and I'm glad that was all the Kings had to give up.
The pieces are falling into place... and jesus christ, Ryan Smyth is a King...
The Real Reason
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Reports of Jarett Stoll ending their wedding without giving a reason has devastated Rachel Hunter this morning. Emails have been sent to guests of the break and gossip columns and hockey blogs are speculating while waiting for Stoll to speak.
[Update]: For those coming over from Pension Plan Puppets, this "article" is obviously not true. Gotta lighten the mood somehow, right? Thanks for reading though!
KingsCast - Episode 12: Post Season Blues
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
KingsCast is out with another episode (12) titled "Post Season Blues" If you're not aware, I've joined the duo of Keith and Chris hoping to bring some hilarity and spice to the program. Hopefully this podcast helps to take away some of the summer minutes that seem to pile up when the pre-season is off in the distance.
You can go to this link or drop their RSS feed into your iTunes.
Where Irrationality and Calmness Butt Heads
Friday, June 12, 2009
Calm down everyone. It's just a rumor and will stay a rumor unless something happens on Draft Day in two weeks.
I know you're all bored and need some fodder for the next two weeks, but let's let rationality take over because the rumors are going to begin running rampant from here on out. The Stanley Cup will be awarded tonight and nothing is going on until the Draft, so the brain cells need some action.
Bottom line: Kings fans should first be focused on acquiring a forward, not a defenseman.
Really? You Think So?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
What in Zeus' name is going on here? Trade rumors are rumors because they are founded on the speculation of someone who people will listen to. The problem is, this sometimes leads to ridiculous proposals that don't go anywhere but down the drain. One such writer (Eric Duhatschek) is dreaming up something that would never ever happen. I hate trade rumors, and this one takes some kinda cake. I'll actually talk about this one a little but I'm not even going to address what this would do the Kings salary cap for next season; instead, let's just look at why this would never happen.
[Dany Heatly] as coach Cory Clouston so gently put it – isn’t great defensively; and still has a lot to learn about playing in all three zones. Nor is there much of a physical presence in his game.
Soooo... an established player who disappears in the playoffs and whose coach doesn't think too highly of him. And what are the Senators wanting in return? Assuming they don't want to take back too much salary, a defenseman and a forward who can step into the lineup next season, a prospect or two, and a few picks? So the Kings get one player who would be a top-6 forward while losing at least a different top-6 player and part of the farm? That's a big fat no from yours truly.
The article continues on to state that the Kings should ALSO look into acquiring a one Daniel Briere from the Philadelphia Flyers. Nothing is negatively stated towards Briere (except contract numbers, which we are not discussing), but what would the Kings have to give up for the guy? Briere actually shows up in the playoffs, so ... maybe two or three roster players, a few prospects, and at least two picks?
So the Kings would acquire two players and lose (potentially) 3-4 roster players, 3-4 prospects, and 4-6 picks. Let's just file this back into fantasy land, mmkay?
UPDATE [12:30 pm PST]: Hahahaha, move along. Read more...
Another Candle!
Monday, June 8, 2009
(Flickr)
Just taking a quick moment to wish myself and all those other June 8 babies a happy birthday!
Read more...
Just taking a quick moment to wish myself and all those other June 8 babies a happy birthday!
Business As Usual
Friday, June 5, 2009
I went to my mailbox yesterday and found something hilariously awesome from the Kings. I am the proud owner (along with all of the other season ticket holders) of a Kings hockey puck that is actually a business card holder. I don't have my camera available at this point in time to take a picture, but I shall eventually and post it up when I can.
It's a little silly but pretty cool to get a trinket from the marketing team in the off season. Something to tide the masses over until Draft day arrives. I'll be doing some sort of analysis of what I think the Kings are going to be doing. I also have thoughts on other things as well; I just haven't had the time nor the energy to post regularly during the playoffs. I'm slacking, I know, but I'll get back on the horse soon enough!
Stay tuned, folks!
KingsCast - Overtime Episode 3
Monday, May 11, 2009
What do Kings fans do in the off season?
KingsCast - Episode 11: 3rd Annual Season Finale
Friday, May 8, 2009
The 11th episode of KingsCast is out! Have a listen at KingsCast.net and please leave a comment on the popular facebook page! The infamous duo has been working hard for the past three seasons bringing Kings fans podcasts with a sarcastic edge. For example, if you've been in a scoring slump, you're going to hear about it with "helpful" suggestions for getting out of it.
Recently the duo has become a trifecta with an added member. That's right, folks. I charged my way into their studio hoping I'd be welcome. You can see for yourself if I actually accomplished that. Please do and let me know!
Insanity
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
In the Slovakia vs. Czech Republic game during the 2009 IIHF World Championship, Tomas Surovy swung his stick and hit his own goalie as if he was in a T-ball game. What makes this more unbelievable is that the goalie was JAROSLAV HALAK, GOALIE FOR THE MONTREAL CANADIENS!!!! I'm sorry, Tomas, but don't take your frustrations out on the relief goalie who currently plays in the best league in the world.
I'm curious as to why Halak wasn't the starter for Slovakia. Starter Lasek let in 6 goals before the Slovakian coach pulled him for Halak. This video has just flusttered me to the point of silence, and I don't have time to verbally kick Surovy's ass. Not really surprising, but news stories on the game and the IIHF website have virtually no mention of this incident. This would have brought one of the largest suspensions if it had occurred in the NHL, and if I were Halak, I'd request to leave the club and tournament.
Thanks, NHL Media
Thursday, April 23, 2009
So the NHL media dudes voted and Drew Doughty was not included in the Rookie Of The Year balloting. The three who were chosen were Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks, and Kris Versteeg of the Chicago Blackhawks. Now I'm not insanely annoyed at this travesty, but I am curious to know where he ranked overall. I'm sure Doughty would have been recognized had he been playing in a big hockey market in the West or just in the East or, at least, been talked about more. It is disappointing that he didn't get national recognition but we Kings fans know just how awesome he is. When you're a difference maker on a game-to-game basis, knowing that you're gonna be around for many years to come is all I really need.
Thanks Donuts!
End Of Season Note
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
For some reason I have been neglecting the blog; not because I wanted to, but more because I just didn't have anything interesting to bring to the Kings discussion table. They finished out their season with a road swing through Western Canada predictably losing to the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames and beating the Edmonton Oilers. The season ended with little fanfare on the road, but the last home game against the San Jose Sharks was the most exciting game in recent memory. It ended in a 4-3 win with the Kings not allowing themselves to be pushed around by the President's Trophy winner. Staples Center was electric and free giveaways handed out were plentiful. Kings merch sold in the TeamLA store at 50% off, so I picked up an awesome Anze Kopitar shirt for my cousin's baby.
The NHL Lottery was last night and the Kings will be picking 5th overall. I'm not expecting a top prospect for the draft since we really couldn't afford another high end player, but it's a comfortable feeling knowing there could be an NHL-ready player joining the roster next season who will be playing in the top 6 of forwards (maybe even in the top 3). Depending on who the player will be coming in, there could be a lot of interest in the Kings in the next few months...
Please check back periodically as I promise this blog won't be dead over the summer!
Kings World Podcast - Ep 1.33
Monday, April 6, 2009
This is the last episode before the end of the regular season and Marie and I take a gander at how the last two weeks have spanned for the Kings. Not surprisingly the team did not do so well after suffering injuries and playing in hodge podge lines. We also discuss the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy selections for the Pacific Division, touch on Jarret Stoll’s contribution in the faceoff circle, and wonder which teams will make the playoffs and which will suffer with the rest of the bottom feeders. Please listen and enjoy!
We welcome any and all feedback! Please direct any questions, comments, or thoughts to kingsworldpodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.
Good Times: Kings 6, Coyotes 1
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I was pretty unexcited to watch this game against the Phoenix Coyotes, but I was glad I was watching this game rather than the contest between the Tampa Bay Lightening and New York Islanders. This win definitely renewed some hope that the Kings aren't completely sucking balls. Both Alexander Frolov and Brian Boyle had two-goal nights with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams getting one each. I must say, Boyle had a very productive night: 11:11 of TOI, 2 goals, was a +2, and received a double minor. Frolov was just in the right place and the right times, I heart him.
This game saw a lot of interesting penalties. Out of the 21 total, here are three noteworthy instances:
- Matching cross checking penalties (Michal Handzus and Zbynek Michalek). With the scuffle drawing the whistle, I was surprised that cross checking penalties were called. Weird.
- Matching double minor roughing penalties (Shane Doan and Brian Boyle). Just some good ole punching each other in the face.
- The one that was the most questionable was the altercation involving Denis Gauthier and Scottie Upshall. Gauthier put Upshall into the boards and Gauts received a boarding penalty while Upshall got a slashing penalty. I haven't seen commentary on the hit, but I really didn't think a boarding call was warranted. So following the hit, a Coyote player started to jaw at Gauthier so obviously Gauts was going to defend himself. Lo and behold, Gauthier threw his stick to the ice and took off his helmet and the Coyote player skated away.
Really? You're just gonna walk away like that? Honestly, when both teams aren't playing for playoffs spots and your team is down 6-1, you should just be a man and throw down. That was a chicken move and he heard it from the crowd. Gauthier ended up receiving a 5-minute unsportsmanlike penalty and a 10-minute misconduct on top of the 2 minutes for boarding. Weak sauce. So the Kings have four games left with three on the road in Western Canada and the last home game of the season against the San Jose Sharks.
Wooo... Read more...
R.I.P.: Coyotes 2, Kings 1
Friday, April 3, 2009
Well with five games left in the 2008-09 season, the Kings are finished and all I can say is, "It's about time." They've been floundering their existences away by playing in games they knew they didn't have the stamina to win. I'm not exactly able to pin point at exactly when the season was basically over, but I can guesstimate. In my own opinion, the season was toast around the time the Kings played the Boston Bruins. It was the beginning of a long roadtrip and the toll they took from the season didn't help at all. I guess one could question whether or not fitness actually played a role in their downfall. Ron Wilson said he was surprised at how not in shape the Toronto Maple Leafs were when he joined the team last summer. I figure if it could happen there, there's no reason why it couldn't happen in LA.
The fact that players are out with injuries (Alexander Frolov, Jarret Stoll) or fixing injuries (Kyle Quincey) and that management has brought in players (John Zeiler, Oscar Moller, Brian Boyle) to form a hodge podge roster every game isn't very faith-inducing. I don't even know who's playing center or left wing on any given line anymore. The hockey is terrible and it's not like they're playing opponents who are playing great hockey themselves. I'm not that excited to go to the Kings home game tomorrow but it's the second to last game at Staples Center and I'll make a half-assed attempt to milk it for all it's worth. I'm trying to think of an opponent that is more unexciting than the Phoenix Coyotes, but I really can't. It's bad enough that the Kings played them yesterday, but to have to play a home-and-home is wack. (My apologies to any Coyotes fan who has found his or her way over here.) Perhaps I'll have the desire to write something more on the game tomorrow, but this is all I got today.
An Introspective Into Jonathan Quick
Monday, March 30, 2009
I stumbled across this LA Times Entry by Kurt Streeter called The Game Through A Goalie's Eyes where he interviewed Jonathan Quick about what goes through a goalie's mind during one of the most stressful times of a game. I think the experience of a goaltender is lost on the majority of the hockey-watching population unless the position is played by said fan.
(Getty Images/Harry How)
As an aside, I've updated the blog roll. If you're not on there, shoot me an email and let me know! Thanks to Here Come The Bruins! for linking this article. Read more...
36%: Predators 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Newsworthy tidbits from this game:
- Matt Greene scored his second goal of the season.
- Jack Johnson scored with a little over one minute to go in the game.
- The Kings need Jarret Stoll back. In this first game without Stoll they were 36% in the faceoff circle.
36% IN THE FACEOFF CIRCLE!!!!!!
Read more...
Better Than Nothing: Kings 1, Stars 0 (SO)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
So I was pretty much unimpressed with this outing against the Dallas Stars. It was a boring first two periods with the Kings getting only 3 shots on net in the first period! BORING. The offense was no where to be found for the longest time and Jonathan Quick once again stood on his head to keep the Kings in the game. By the end of the game they had gotten their act together (a little bit) and kept the Stars to 29 shots (thereabouts) and they had 30 shots themselves. The hits were virtually even as well that came with some casualties.
Raitis Ivanans nudged Trevor Daley into the boards and Jarret Stoll left the ice after a hit involving his knee. Kyrs Barch tried to pick a fight with Ivanans and left the game as well. I'm not sure what the status of Stoll is, but I'm hoping that it won't take him out for the rest of the season. That would hit the Kings roster pretty hard since Alexander Frolov is already out and Patrick O'Sullivan was shipped off to Edmonton.
Raitis Ivanans nudged Trevor Daley into the boards and Jarret Stoll left the ice after a hit involving his knee. Kyrs Barch tried to pick a fight with Ivanans and left the game as well. I'm not sure what the status of Stoll is, but I'm hoping that it won't take him out for the rest of the season. That would hit the Kings roster pretty hard since Alexander Frolov is already out and Patrick O'Sullivan was shipped off to Edmonton.
(AP)
Looks like good times
The game eventually ended with little fanfare and I was starting to fall asleep, but the overtime frame woke me up when the Kings decided to wake up too. The pièce de résistance was the shootout. It only took three rounds to end the game and Anze Kopitar was FINALLY in the lineup to take the shot; it feels like he hasn't been in there this whole season. His shot looked very similar to his move last season against the Minnesota Wild where he went one way and his stick and puck went the other. Go Kopi!
Jack Johnson was unimpressive with his low shot, but Justin Williams finally did something. He went five-hole on Marty Turco and it looked like we were going to a 4th round until Turco ended the game. Instead of stopping himself after he held the puck between his legs he slowly slid into the net and his whole body crossed over the goal line. The goal went to review and the game was over.
(AP)
Thanks Turco!
Sofa King: Blues 2, Kings 0
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
According to Bob Miller and Jim Fox the Kings set the record for the most shutouts in a season last night. That's... really not something to be proud of. The Kings faced the St. Louis Blues and were shutout 2-0. Once again Jonathan Quick made some fantastic saves while the Kings offensive players came up with nothing. There hasn't really been any offensive showing or upside from any player lately except for maybe Jarret Stoll and Drew Doughty.
Speaking of the offense, the roster moves have been interesting as of late.
- Why was Teddy Purcell benched in the previous game? He's been getting chances and taking shots on the power play when others haven't.
- Why has Oscar Moller been scratched here and there? Injurying flaring up?
- How long has Alexander Frolov been playing with his injury (whatever that may be)?
- Why was Kevin Westgarth in the line up? He was basically useless.
There are about 10 games left and I'm just hoping the Kings don't crash land to 15th place in the West, but I actually don't see them ending in 14th as much of a stretch since the Blues have picked themselves back up and are in contention for a playoff spot. I just don't understand why the Kings can't have a season where they're magically contending for the 8th spot in the last month of the season. So what if they end up playing Detroit or San Jose, at least they wouldn't be in the basement. Still, it's a miracle in itself that they're not in Colorado's position. But I can't do an introspective while the Kings are still playing games. That being said, look for one once the post season comes around.
So the game against the Blues; it was looking like the Kings were going to come out the victors. They were dominating the Blues on their power plays; even when they were on the PK, they were forechecking like crazy. It honestly looked like they were going to eventually score to get the go-ahead goal so that I could sit back and relax. But it's just too bad that Chris Mason was a stonewall. He stopped all 22 shots and handed the Kings their pathetic new record. The Blues' Patrik Berglund scored both their goals and that was it. I'm always thinking that the Kings should just crash the net when they need a goal. They'd get more goals and learn to be more aggressive around the front of the net. They were looking for the pretty shots last night while Berglund's second goal was a scramble. Matt Greene played goal for a few seconds while Quick was forced out of position by all the bodies in front of the net. The result? A poke of the stick on a loose puck and the Blues were up by two goals.
That's all I got.
Read more...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)