Rink Royalty - A LA Kings Blog

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Should the Kings trade for an up and coming prospect who’s sky is the limit, rather than an already developed NHL forward? I say it is worth a shot, but who? And what would be going the other way? Another option would be to trade an asset for a low pick in the draft, preferably a lottery pick. Then draft the type of player your looking for to add to the team, a scoring winger. This whole process can take a long time though, and the Kings are in win now mode. It is still good to look at our options for this particular scenario.

Three Options:

Nino Niederreiter 

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

Niederreiter was given a 9-game trial last season with the Islanders before being returned to the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks where he overpowered the opposition and helped lead his team all the way to the WHL finals. The well-rounded power-forward can do it all. Once he fully matures and reaches his potential, his size, speed, and fearlessness on the ice will make him a force to be reckoned with. Expect him to stick in Long Island this season and eventually settle into a top-six forward role in the not too distant future. -HockeysFuture

Brett Connolly

Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-US PRESSWIRE

Steve Yzerman’s decision to draft Brett Connolly following a season in which he played in just 16 games was seen as quite a gamble. Yzerman’s intuition paid off in 2010-11 as Connolly’s skill was on full display; the 6’2 center registered 73 points in 59 games for the Prince George Cougars. Not a typical playmaking center, Connolly has a great shot and ability to put the puck in the net. He has added size since being drafted and weighs in at 203 lbs. The forward developed into a more complete player, but still needs to make some adjustments in the defensive zone before becoming a high-end forward. Even with his production last season, he was dogged by hip problems, so injuries will remain a concern until he can put together a complete and healthy season. -HockeysFuture

Chris Kreider

Now in his third season with the Boston College Eagles, Kreider is a power forward with excellent speed and good hands. Kreider was drafted out of high school by the New York Rangers, and since that time has played in the World Junior Championships for the United States, as well as the Men’s World Championships. This is expected to be Kreider’s final season with the Eagles, after which he will compete for an NHL roster spot next fall.

How available would each of these forwards be? Probably not very available. If  any of them were to be available would you take a chance on one? What do you believe the price to be? What would you give up?

I think any of these prospects would require a very valuable asset from the Kings. Probably any deal centered around Kings top prospect Tyler Toffoli. What are your thoughts?

Rink Royalty Crew On witter:

Brandyn; @BRANDYNX8

Eva; @what_EVAA

Jon; @rinkroyaltyJon 

Katie; @kateyberm

Paul; @OCKingdom

(Photo via LA Times)

Jonathan Quick was selected by Team Alfredsson in the 3rd round of the All Star draft in Ottawa on Thursday. He was the only King voted in to the All-Star game. He was the first goalie selected by Team Alfredsson. Brian Elliot was selected as the third goal for the team. Henrik Lundvquist was already automatically on the team because he is an assistant captain. Each goalie will likely play one period of the game on Sunday.

Jonathan Quick is the first All Star Kings goalie since Mario Lessard made the game while in a kings uniform back in 1981.

Rink Royalty Crew On witter:

Brandyn; @BRANDYNX8

Eva; @what_EVAA

Jon; @rinkroyaltyJon 

Katie; @kateyberm

Paul; @OCKingdom

(Photo via MayorsManor

Kyle Clifford got his first NHL career Gordie Howe hat trick in a 4-1 Kings win on Monday. A Gordie Howe hat trick is when a player scores a goal, earns an assist, and get’s into a fight during the same game.

It all started when Kyle Clifford engaged in fisticuffs with Zenon Konopka 2:51 into the game. Both players were able to get a few jabs in and stay on their feet the entire duration of the fight. They were seperated and each given 5 minutes for fighting.

With 4:24 remaining in the first period, long after Clifford’s penalty had expired, Kyle passed the puck to Willie Mitchell who was at the left point. Mitchell scooped the puck past a screened Anderson and in to the net. Clifford was not 2/3rd’s the way to a Gordie Howe Hat Trick even though it was still the first period.

Kyle completed the Gordie Howe Hat Trick with 8:52 to go in the 2nd period. He shot the puck from the left side and pounced on the rebound in front, putting it in on the third or fourth whack. He then preceded to celebrate very enthusiastically!

Rink Royalty Crew On witter:

Brandyn; @BRANDYNX8

Eva; @what_EVAA

Jon; @rinkroyaltyJon 

Katie; @kateyberm

Paul; @OCKingdom

Kings prospect forward Cam Paddock was put on unconditional waivers today. Bob Mckenzie of TSN reports that the Kings and Paddock likely had a mutual agreement to terminate Paddock’s contract with the team. This may give him a chance to sign somewhere he will be better suited to play like over seas.

In 39 games for the Manchester Monarchs Paddock racked up 2 goals and 3 assists to go along with 44 penalty minutes.

Paddock has only played in 16 career NHL games and all were with the St. Louis Blues last year. I hope he finds a good opportunity to play again.

Rink Royalty Crew On witter:

Brandyn; @BRANDYNX8

Eva; @what_EVAA

Jon; @rinkroyaltyJon 

Katie; @kateyberm

Paul; @OCKingdom

Now that there is a light lull in games for the All-Star Break, what is there to do, Kings fans? Win or Lose, I find myself glued to the tv for highlights, recaps, mentions, Kings Live, wretched 30 second ESPN coverage (if any), and, when not in front of the boob tube, it’s an all out online sports frenzy on gamedays. Even though the All Star Game is a delight to watch, really, it’s overall insignificance is prone to stifle hot teams while giving the worst one’s too much time to ingest fast food en route to see their families. It’s like a preview to summer.

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(Matt Greene photo via fromthepoint.com, edited by me.)

“We are live from the NHL awards in Las Vegas! Up next is the Norris Trophy recipient announcement….”

“Announcing the James Norris Memorial Trophy rewarded to the NHL’s most outstanding defenseman during the 2011-2012 regular season; Matt Greene!”

Alright alright… this is probably something we will never hear during our life times, but I believe Matt Greene has been over looked this season by fans and media in the hockey world. He deserves more credibility than what he has received this season. You won’t see the 6’3″, 237 pound d-man on highlight reels often. Greene is never going to ‘wow’ you with his point totals (career high 14 points in 08-09).  He will not ‘dazzle’ you with end to end rushes (skating ability is often times criticized by Kings fans). Matt Greene for certain will not make you jump out of your seat with fancy dekes and stick handling, but he is for certain a huge reason the Kings are currently still in the mix for a playoff spot. Plain and simple; the dude knows how to play defense, and has matured into one of the most valuable ‘stay-at-home’ defenseman in the NHL.

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(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

The Los Angeles Kings welcomed the Ottawa Senators into town last night as they faced off for the first and only time this season. Most of you probably forgot the Senators were even a team last season, but they have surprised everyone and proven that this year, they are a real contender for the cup. They are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and prior to last night, had not lost two consecutive games since November 9th and 11th. Well, the Kings were happy to break that streak. The game kicked off with a fight from Kyle Clifford and Zenon Konopka just three minutes into the first period, pumping up both teams and starting the game off on the right foot. Willie Mitchell was the first on the board after he took a shot that went flying past Sens goalie Craig Anderson, assisted by Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. That was the only goal of the first period, but the second period proved to be very different.

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(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

 Los Angeles Kings Projected Lineup 

News & Notes: Kevin Westgarth will be in the line up tonight in place of Trent Hunter. He is needed in this game because of a tough Senators team. The Kings are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Wild on Saturday. This is their last game before an 8 day all star break. The Kings are still only 1 point behind first in the Pacific division, but also only 3 points into a playoff spot.

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