Kings News & Notes for the Week

So as we know there have been quite a few things that have gone down over the past week, and quite a few things that will go down in the next week. Here’s where we’ll try to get a handle on some of them, many of which we will delve deeper into in the coming days and weeks. I’ve been dramatically under the weather for the past 5 days, but the Kings continue to plug along. So where do we stand heading into the month of December full-tilt?

• Brayden Schenn’s stint has come to an end. As you may know by now, Schenn has been returned to his junior team after what can only be described as a moderately successful debut. Schenn will no doubt continue to refine his game, and may be in line to replace somebody like Handzus in the next couple years. Despite not making the team, he looks to be a great addition to the squad.
• Marco Sturm is not a Los Angeles King. It’s a bummer to be sure, but if his injuries continue to be a problem, it’s probably just as well. I’m still hopeful that he’ll recover fully and be able to join the team perhaps for the stretch run. I think he’ll be a good addition, and would fit in well with the squad. Only time will tell on that front.
• Jonathan Quick is looking like he’s going to get ridden pretty hard for the next month or so. The schedule shakes out pretty well for him, with no back-to-back games until after Christmas, and fairly significant rests between matches for the rest of the month. It’s a bummer for Bernier to be sure, since he’ll want to get some games and continue to work on his game, but it’s a decision based on results. Quick is getting them, Bernier isn’t.
• Injured players are getting ready to return. The Kings have struggled with the losses of Ponikarovsky and Mitchell, but look like they’ll be getting Pony back, perhaps as soon as the next game on Thursday. Willie Mitchell is still a little way away, but he’s getting better, and may be ready to debut as soon as next week if all goes well. These are two quality additions that can only help the team get back to their winning ways of the early season.
• The Western Conference is a wide-open crazy-as-hell mess. The difference between 2nd place in the conference and 12th in the conference is a measly 5 points. Seriously. Less than three games is the difference between riding high at the top, and not only missing the playoffs, but not even being close to making them. It’s probably going to settle out at least a little bit by the end of the season, but I think we’re in for a crazy race to the playoffs this year. Perhaps more importantly is the fact that once the teams that make it actually make it… the playoffs will be interesting.

There’s obviously much more to talk about, but those are some of our biggest topics for the week. Any thoughts you think I missed? Issues you’d like us to weigh in on? Thoughts on these topics? Chime in below, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!