Kings Should Take Heed From Flyers’ Past
NHLHS writer Dave Strehle dives into the Ilya Kovalchuk saga with his thoughts on the situation.
Reading the daily rumor mill as to whether or not the Los Angeles Kings are still in the running to sign unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk has become tedious, at best.
Categories: Around the League, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Western Conference Tags: Anze Kopitar, Dean Lombardi, Drew Doughty, Eric Lindros, Erik Ersberg, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jack Johnson, Jay Grossman, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Mark Recchi, Michal Handzus, mike ricci, NHL, Peter Forsberg, Rod Brind'Amour, Ron Hextall, russ farwell, steve duchense, Wayne Simmonds
Flyers’ Eternal Search Continues, Holmgren Looks for Goaltender
NHLHS Philadelphia Flyers Correspondent David Strehle takes a look at Flyers GM Paul Holmgren’s new (and old) mission, to find a franchise goaltender.
For the Philadelphia Flyers it is a seemingly never-ending search, a generational attempt to find that one franchise netminder with which to call their own.
Through the years, we have seen the likes of Tommy Soderstrom, Dominic Roussel, Garth Snow, Jean-Marc Pelletier, Maxime Ouellet, Brian Boucher (in his first stint with the club), Roman Cechmanek, Antero Niittymaki, and Robert Esche anointed as the heir to the throne.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, Atlantic, Eastern Conference, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Alex Auld, Andrew Raycroft, Antero Niittymaki, bob clarke, Brian Boucher, Carey Price, Chris Mason, Dan Ellis, Dan Hamhuis, Dean Lombardi, dominic roussel, Eric Lindros, Evgeni Nabokov, Garth Snow, Jaroslav Halak, Jeff Carter, jena-marc pelletier, Johan Backlund, Johan Hedberg, John Vanbiesbrouck, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick, Jose Theodore, Josh Harding, Manny Legace, Martin Biron, Marty Turco, maxime ouellet, Michael Leighton, Miikka Kiprusoff, mike liut, Mike Smith, NHL, Niklas Backstrom, Patrick Lalime, Paul Holmgren, Pekka Rinne, Peter Budaj, Peter Laviolette, Philadelphia Flyers, Ray Emery, Robert Esche, roman cechmanek, Ron Hextall, Sean Burke, tommy soderstrom, Vesa Toskala
I Can’t Buy What I’ve Done Before. I Want to Open Up Another Door
Dean Lombardi, President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings, "And again, I think the players are entitled to their share. Its more the allocation in there. It makes it reasonable for both sides. I think it helps the team, I think it helps the union, and I think it's good for the game." In comparing the current position of the LA Kings with the Chicago Blackhawks, he commended them for building itself correctly, from bottom-to-top. The difference, with the Kings, would lie in the time it takes to get there. The Blackhawks have taken approximately seven-years to build into Western Conference contenders. Lombardi felt that the Kings could match those results, in less time.
Categories: Around the League, Chicago Blackhawks, Cost Efficiency, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: 2010 NHL Draft, Anze Kopitar, Brian Campbell, Chicago Blackhawks, Dean Lombardi, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson, JMFJ, Jon Quick, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Marian Hossa, Quick, Sidney Crosby, Stanley Cup Finals, Terror Twins, ThrowtheTwinkie, Tomas Kopecky, Wayne Simmonds, Western Conference
It’s Times You Like These, You Give and Give Again
Game 3 led the La Kings and its Kingdom were talking and acting like it belonged in the playoffs instead of the punk kids on the block that have weeds for a garden and bricks for yard furniture. You know the ones, the ones that all the cool kids with the nice houses on the block look down on, and when those kids step up the rest yell "NO FAIR.. MUST BE A CONSPIRACY" There was Quick's punch to the head, Doughty and Brown's trash-talk and Smyth sending Luongo home early... but now? Now Game 5 is time to get that back.... because Game 4 didn't quite go as planned...
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Vancouver Canucks Tags: 2010 NHL Playoffs, 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, NHL, playoffs, Ryan Smyth, Terry Murray
Karma Police… Arrest This Man… This Is What You Get… When You Mess With Us
Next on Sports Psychosis, MD: Sports Paranoia: What to do when your players want to blame inferior play and losses on league conspiracies, inept officiating, flying reptiles, fish and/or men (we're assuming men?) in bright neon costumes that climb the sin bin like spider-man without the power or responsibility. The truth, though no one will admit it or give the LA Kings respect for it, is that they have dominated the Vancouver Canucks in net, special teams (and no the Kings have not been favored in power plays given) and, well heart. So the Vancouver Canucks took to that adage - if you can't beat them, beat the shit out of them. And I suppose that is fine, if you are going to kill off your penalties. But-- um... pssst..... boys.. yeah you... with the Greenmen... you missed a spot...
Categories: Around the League, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Ryan Smyth, Sidney Crosby, Wayne Simmonds
NHL Conspiracy Theories: Allegations and Facts
NHLHS writer David Strehle takes a look at Conspiracy Theories regarding certain NHL teams as fans, players, and even coaches are getting into the act.
NHL fans are a passionate lot, and the postseason seems to magnify the emotions of even the most casual of fans.
But it seems that some extremely passionate supporters are becoming paranoid, especially when they appear to be looking through glasses that are in the shape of their rooting interest’s logo.
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features, Playoff Coverage Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Daniel Sedin, Evgeni Malkin, gary bettman, Henrik Sedin, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Roberto Luongo, Sergei Gonchar, Sidney Crosby, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Canucks back at it
With 2 games already in the books and the series tied 1-1 between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings, here are a few observations.
The Kings youth hasn’t been a liability… yet
Their core of young players have played extremely well under early pressure. Facing the raucous crowd in Vancouver is no easy task, now they have to perform in front of their own crowd. It will be interesting to see if the butterflies show up when they hit the Forum ice tonight. Opening on the road may have been a blessing for the Kings, especially since they made it out of GM Place with the all important split.
Penalties… “too many”
While much has been made of the “too many men on the ice” call that led to the Kings winning power play goal on Sunday, it could be argued that had the Canucks buried some of their chances earlier in the game that call wouldn’t even have happened. The Canucks found themselves in the box 7 times, while the Kings were only penalized 4 times.
The Alberts experiment
Brought in at the trade deadline for some depth on defense, Andrew Alberts was supposed to be a shot-blocking, punishing defenseman that could fill-in as a 5/6 defensemen. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case as he’s taken way too many penalties, made too many defensive mistakes, and generally been a liability on the back end. Did Canucks fans expect too much or has he just had a hard time adjusting to the Western Conference style of play? No one really knows. Barring another injury or really poor effort by another d-man, he’s probably going to spend the rest of the play-offs in the press box as Aaron Rome is back from injury and going to play in Game 3.
What the Canucks need to do:
- Play physical – they need to get in on the forecheck and bang the Kings players, especially their skill players like Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty. It’s not easy to play 20-30 minutes a game at play-off intensity, but it’s much easier if you aren’t being hit.
- Need for speed – the Canucks, who have one of the fastest skaters in the NHL in Mason Raymond, have more team speed than the Kings and need to use it to their advantage.
- Fewer penalties – plain and simple, stay out of the box!
- Net presence – they need to get more bodies in front of Jonathan Quick, he is an excellent netminder and like most will stop any puck he can see. Additionally, the Canucks need to get in his “kitchen” both physically and verbally. See what the kid is made of.
- Score early – survive the first 10 minutes and get some pucks behind Quick to get the crowd out of it.
We’re still picking the Canucks to win the series in 6 games, but they still have plenty of work to do as they are up against a very solid team in the Kings.
What are your thoughts on the series and who do you think is going to win it?
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Aaron Rome, Andrew Alberts, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jonathan Quick, Mason Raymond
It Keeps Getting Better
Five days in, seven overtime games and ten road wins later, the playoffs have been all that we could expect and more.
In what has been discussed time and time again, the National Hockey Leagues second season, also known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is all about goaltending.
Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Flyers, Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks, Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins, Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks, Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Antti Niemi of the Chicago Blackhawks, Brian Elliot of the Ottawa Senators, Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings, Jaroslav Halak of the Montreal Canadiens, Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche as well as both Jose Theodore and Seymon Varlamov of the Washington Capitals have not only stepped up to make some amazing saves but have been able to keep each and every series even or close enough to it.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Northeast, Northwest, Ottawa Senators, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Playoff Coverage, San Jose Sharks, Southeast, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Andrei Kostitsyn, Antti Niemi, Braydon Coburn, Brian Boucher, Brian Elliot, Craig Anderson, Evgeni Malkin, Evgeni Nabokov, Henrik Zetterberg, Ilya Bryzgalov, Jaroslav Halak, Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Quick, Jose Theodore, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, Mike Richards, Nickas Backstrom, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Sharp, Pekka Rinne, Peter Forsberg, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Miller, Seymon Varlamov, Sidney Crosby, Tuukka Rask
Follow The Underdog, Hold On His Collar Tight- Kaiser Chiefs, Off With Their Heads!
Follow the underdog, hold on his collar tight
-Kaiser Chiefs- Off With Their Heads (2008)
This is the song of the blog <and part of the next> because I think it is just that fitting.. plus the name of the cd it is from.. HEH. <save the line that ends the blog>
Categories: Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Christian Ehroff, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Pittsburgh Pen, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Smyth, Scuds, Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Simmonds
Dark Horse Theory: Western Conference
NHLHS writer Anthony Curatolo takes a look at a team considered to be a Dark Horse in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings.
If there is one team in the Western Conference to fear heading into the NHLs post-season the Los Angeles Kings fit just that mold.
A team that many say are too young or too inexperienced need to look deeper into the foundation of the Kings roster.
Let’s start with the veterans. Michal Handzus, Ryan Smyth, Rob Scuderi, Sean O’Donnell, Justin Williams, Fredrik Modin and Randy Jones all know what it is like to take part in the post season of the NHL.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Alex Frolov, Anze Kopitar, Brad Richardson, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Fredrik Modin, Jack Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Michal Handzus, Randy Jones, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Smyth, San Jose Sharks, Scott Parse, Sean O'Donnell
Choose Your Own Adventure…
How about I jinx the entire playoffs… and claim ignorance for my sins? Hey look… the last time the LA Kings were in the playoffs this was simple… I WANTED the Detroit Red Wings… I was living with a fan… In 1993, it was so freaking unexpected, that who gave a crap what opponent came next…. HA! So this is not only a long time coming… it is a new territory… so I claim ignorance in stirring the wrath of the Hockey Gods … and should a punishment HAVE TO rain down on me… just leave my boys out of it, mmmk? They know NOT what I do.... Bring on.... Did you think we were just giving that away?? Uh. No.
Categories: Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Anze Kopitar, Chicago Blackhawks, Christian Ehroff, Cristobal Huet, Detroit Red Wings, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Henrik Sedin, Hockey Gods, Jack Johnson, Jack MF Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Patrick Kane, Roberto Luongo, Sensnation, Vancouver Canucks
Three is the Magic Number
The fun part of the blog <or where music and sports will collide for the day>:
Give me a little room here– it has been a while… but… <deep breath> ….
Did you watch School House Rock? No matter… Either way… Three is the Magic Number.. The song is originally a School House Rocks production that will run you through the combinations… past, present, the future; faith, hope and charity; the heart, the brain and the body give you three, as a magic number.. then it’ll run you through the times table. <Yep it is as good for teaching as it is sounds… so here as it has been, a couple times, now on Twitter, the only live link I have to Embrace doing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL659ziEyT8 >
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Frolov, Anaheim Ducks, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Heidi Androl, Jack Johnson, Jason Spezza, Jim Fox, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Norris trophy, Raitis Ivanans, Vancouver Canucks, Zach Parise
Keep Calm Carry on or the Land of Confusion
I know I’m going to have to get this out of the way so let me just give this disclaimer up front… ok scratch that. Let me give these TWO disclaimers up front:
- One this not 8 pages long
- I do not NOT NOT hate Jonathan Bernier anymore then I do Drew Doughty.
In fact I spent my whole summer road trip that landed me under the Arch, permanently, with him as my desktop screen saver. I was convinced he’d be in the big leagues this season from the get-go. UH.NO. Well I was pissed. THEN yeah- get this. Someone on twitter. GOD I WISH I COULD REMEMBER WHO.. cause I don’t call people but this one I would.. tried to convince me that he was a having a <ahem> work ethic issue in the minors.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Drew Doughty, Erik Ersberg, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick, LA Kings Insider, Matt Greene, Randy Jones, Terry Murray
