Gearing Up For Something Something Something

Preseason is in full gear and the Kings have released three commercials to highlight the beginning of a possible burst of talent. They're definitely well done, but I'm also done with the "Pride = Passion = Power" motto and have nothing good to replace it with.

Please press play.

It is T minus 4 days until Frozen Fury, and I'm giddy with glee to see the Kings back on the ice for the only preseason game I'll be watching. This is a great opportunity for the young players to understand what it means to play with the big club; the excitement is unbelievable in the bowels of the MGM Grand where the Kings will face off against the Colorado Avalanche. I'm unsure what the lineup will be, but it should definitely be closer to the roster of opening night than of the one tonight at the Sprint Center where the Kings will face the New York Islanders sans John Tavaras. According to Rich Hammond at Inside the Kings, the lineup will start out with:

Lewis-Stoll-Purcell
Frolov-Handzus-Simmonds
Clune-Harrold-Richardson
Ivanans-Cliche-Westgarth

O'Donnell-Doughty
Drewiske-Martinez
Piskula-Hickey

Quick

Let's just say I'm glad I'm going to Frozen Fury and not this game. That fourth line of Raitis Ivanans - Marc-Andre Cliche - Kevin Westgarth looks ROUGH. Wow. Although perhaps the third line will help to energize the fourth line.

Some quick thoughts:

The only forward line that will remain the same after tonight's game is the second one. I know what it looked like last season and am hoping for more offensive output; not too much to ask for. You know, shutdown the other teams' top lines while trying to move the puck into the offensive zone. They're big boys; they can do it.

I'll admit I like the first line; Trevor Lewis stood out for me opening day of training camp. He had the most jump from the group of players who weren't in LA last season. That'll be a quick line off the draw if Jarret Stoll can stay loose enough on the ice. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing this line on the ice at Staples Center, FYI.

Looking forward to Saturday, I will venture a guess that the top line of Ryan Smyth - Anze Kopitar - Justin Williams will be starting the game in Vegas. At least I hope so. I want to see the potential on the ice! I want to see the excitement! I want to hear the crowd! I will be present cheering my heart out.

Lastly, If you're on Twitter, you should follow LAKingsTrainer. This is Joe Caligiuri who is a real person tweeting from this account and NOT a bot giving dry bits of unimportant information. I have yet to find any Kings players with Twitter, so this is the best for now.

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Breaking News - Player Transactions

Kings waive Aubin and Cloutier was put on re-entry waivers

This is a tragic day for all Kings fans. Nothing more tragic could have happened in the realm of player transactions. Nothing. Aubin was shipped off to greener pastures and Cloutier will be in a Kings sweater once again.

Has DL just completely tossed the rest of the season ensuring us the best chance at Stamkos? If so, consider me tossing my cookies.

Yet history has shown that this could not be too far from the truth. Pittsburgh, in wanting to draft Lemeiux, proceeded to stopping winning their games in order to get this player who they so coveted. This translated into Cups for the Penguins in ‘91 and ’92. It wasn’t until later that the draft lottery was introduced to prevent teams from doing what the Penguins did. Even so, the team in last place STILL has the best chance at getting the first pick. Stamkos anyone?

Perhaps a trade that is made in the next two weeks will bring in a higher 1st round pick and we could get Luke Schenn. I’m SURE DL saw the chemistry between Hickey and Schenn at the WJC. They were paired up and read each other well; Schenn’s size and Hickey’s awesomeness were obvious.

But really, I just want us to stop sucking and having other teams and their fans seeing us suck. Fortunately, the Kings are on a great roadtrip (well, who knows what Detroit will bring tomorrow) and I’m not sure how bringing in Cloutier will help the Kings. At Manchester they are currently tango-ing with three netminders: Dan Taylor, Erik Ersberg, and Cloutier. With Cloutier healthy and back in the rotation, this causes one of the younger goalies to not get as much time on the ice as he could/should. Aubin is currently providing jack squat for this squad and, I will admit, that he would probably be better served elsewhere. What could make this more typical of the Kings is if some team picks up Aubin and he starts to play well.

Will Cloutier get us a better shot at Tavares? 2009? My word, that’s so far away. Is this what DL’s thinking? Give Cloutier some minutes, solidify our picks (Stamkos, Schenn/Doughty), AND give us a glimmer of light for the 2009 draft? How long is this rebuild?

Since Cloutier is signed through the end of NEXT season, will he stay on while Bernier develops at Manchester? Will one season be enough to instill Bernier with confidence in himself? (I actually think that question is a no-brainer. Scratch that.) Again, will having Cloutier here better our chances for Tavares?

Sidenote, but not off-topic: The Kings should just start Cloutier in net against the Red Wings, because, really, we aren’t gonna win anyway.

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The Reality Of The Basement

How.........embarrassing........

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